Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a large luxury automobile built by Audi to replace the V8 model as their flagship offering. Although the Volkswagen Phaeton, long wheelbase Jaguar XJ8 and Lexus LS 430 compete in the same size and price category as the A8, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series are often thought to be its primary rivals. On most versions, Quattro all-wheel-drive is standard.

Model Information

The A8 debuted in Europe as a 1994 model, although it wasn't until 1997 that it became available in North America. Unlike the V8 model which was built on an existing steel platform, the A8 debuted on Audi's then-new D2 platform, an all aluminum "Space Frame" which helped to significantly reduce unsprung weight without being any less rigid. A second generation version of the A8 became available worldwide in 2003, now riding on an upgraded D3 platform.

In addition to being the world's first car built on an entirely aluminum platform, updates to the car in 1997 included the addition of six interior airbags, making the A8 the first vehicle to be so equipped.

For the 2001 model year, Audi introduced their new W12 engine, a compact 6.0 litre unit developed by mating two 3.0 litre VR6 engines together at the crankshaft, similar to the 3.6 litre engine from the V8 model which had been created by mating two inline-four cylinder engines at the crankshaft. The engine quickly became available in the A8, although only to European and Asian customers and only in long-wheelbase versions of the car. From its introduction through its discontinuation in 2003, only 750 of the W12 models were produced.

Audi restyled the D3 platform A8 range slightly for the 2005 model year, endowing all variants with a tall "fish mouth" grille inspired that of the Nuvolari concept car, which was already featured on the W12 model. In addition to the styling update, new engines became available to European and Asian market customers; the entry-level 3.0 litre V6 was replaced by a new 3.2 litre unit featuring FSI, which it shares with the new A4. More significantly was the introduction of a 4.2L Diesel V8 engine generating 240kW (326PS) of power, the most powerful Diesel engine Audi has ever offered in a passenger automobile. The engine uses two turbochargers and two intercoolers with each turbocharger functioning exclusively for one set of four cylinders.