Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury executive car built by the German automaker Audi, to replace the Audi V8 as its flagship model. First brought to the market in 1994, most versions of the A8 have featured quattro permanent four-wheel drive as standard, as well as a multitronic or Tiptronic automatic transmission. Two generations of the A8 have been produced, in both short and long wheelbase form, and are built on successions of the Volkswagen Group D platform series. The A8 directly competes with the BMW 7-series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

D2 (Typ 4D, 1994-2003)

The A8 debuted in Europe in 1994, although it wasn't until 1997 that it became available in North America. Unlike its predecessor, the Audi V8 model, which was built on an existing steel platform, the A8 debuted on the then-new Volkswagen Group D2 platform, an all aluminium monocoque, tagged as the "AudiSpaceFrame" (ASF), which helped to significantly reduce weight, without sacrificing structural rigidity. The saloon/sedan was offered in both the A8 (standard wheelbase), and the A8L extended or long-wheelbase (LWB) version. The A8L adds 5in (127mm) of rear legroom. In addition to being the world's first car built on an entirely aluminium platform, updates to the car in 1997 included the addition of six interior airbags, making the A8 the first vehicle to be so equipped.