Audi A8 L (D5)

Audi’s footprint in the Dream Car Garage catalogue is 25 cars, but the A8 L (D5) occupies a particularly defined corner of that selection. Just 11 of the 600 cars combine a turbocharged V6, and this 2017 luxury saloon is one of them. That pairing is the detail that separates its place in the collection, giving the A8 L a character built around a specific balance of engine layout, forced induction and all-wheel drive rather than a single headline figure.

Its position across the wider catalogue reinforces that idea. The A8 L ranks 475th of 600 for power, with 335 bhp, placing it outside the outright performance group. Its 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds sits at 512th of 600, faster than 88 cars in the catalogue, while its 250 km/h top speed ranks 414th. These numbers place the Audi in a different conversation from the cars chasing maximum acceleration or outright speed. Its appeal comes from how its specification works together.

The 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine produces 500 Nm of torque, and that output is delivered through AWD. Only 21 of the 600 cars pair a V6 with AWD, making this configuration an uncommon thread in a catalogue of 600 choices. The A8 L adds the form of a 4/5 seater sedan/saloon, creating a luxury car profile where space, composure and technical specification meet in a measured way.

The financial position is similarly defined. With a used price of £55,000, it ranks 415th of 600 by price, sitting above 185 cars in the catalogue. Its cost per bhp is £164, which reflects a car selected for more than just power output. It represents a particular interpretation of luxury: a German-built Audi with a turbocharged V6, AWD traction and the presence of a large saloon.

For a collector choosing from 600 cars, the A8 L brings a different kind of interest. It is not the catalogue’s strongest performer, nor is it the most expensive choice, but its combination of a rare V6 turbo AWD layout and luxury sedan proportions gives it a precise role. The final decision comes down to taste: whether a dream garage should reserve space for a car whose appeal lies in balance, refinement and specification working together rather than chasing the highest number on a chart.