2013 Audi A8: What's Changed

Most significant changes: A V-6 and new V-8 are added

Price change: $6,530 lower 

On sale: V-6 and W12 models available now; V-8 in summer; S8 in fall 

Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? If you're looking for a more affordable A8, you should wait.

For the 2013 model year, the Audi A8 gets a series of new engines and trims, bringing down the model's overall starting price.

The 2013 A8 now has four engine choices instead of two. The new A8 can be equipped with a carryover 500-horsepower, 6.3-liter W12 or two new engine offerings: a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 (replacing last year's 4.2-liter V-8) or a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6. A new Audi S8 model is equipped with a 520-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. Both 4.0-liter V-8s come equipped with cylinder deactivation, which turns the V-8 into a four-cylinder under certain conditions. All the models are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

2013 Audi S6, S7, S8: Up Close

Typical of Audi, the higher-powered S variants of the A6, A7 and A8 have modest visual changes, but all three cars look aggressive to start, so I wasn't left hankering for more flair.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

On the show floor, the brand staged all three cars alongside their mainstream versions and their respective A monikers.