Audi A8
Encyclopedia
The Audi A8 is a four-door, full-size, luxury
sedan car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi
since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8
, the A8 has been offered with front wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive
, with multitronic
or tiptronic automatic transmission
s — and in short- and long-wheelbase variants. Previous generations employed the Volkswagen Group D platform with the current generation using the D4 platform.
Beginning in 1997, The A8 was the first mass-market car with an aluminium chassis, marketed as the Audi Space Frame and co-developed with Alcoa
.
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
, marketed as the (ASF), which helped to reduce weight
and preserve 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 5 inches (13 cm) of rear legroom. Updates to the car in 1997 included the addition of six interior airbag
s.
For 1997, the new A8 was available with either front-wheel drive
(FWD), or the Torsen
-based quattro permanent four-wheel drive
. The FWD models are powered by a 2.8-litre V6 engine, producing 142 kW, and 3.7-litre V8 engine
producing 171.5 kW, while the quattro received a 4.2-litre V8 producing 220 kW.
The A8 is available with standard luxury amenities, including dual-zone climate control, wood and leather interior trim, 14-way power and heated seats, and an enhanced Bose audio system.
In 1999, Audi's flagship received new colours, and restructuring of option packages. The North American "warm weather package" added a solar sunroof which allows the interior ventilation fans to run, keeping the interior cool while the car is parked with the engine turned off. Changes to all models included a larger passenger-side mirror, and a first aid kit
located in the rear centre armrest.
The 2000 model year
saw a minor front-end restyle, with new, larger, clear headlights
, a revised grille
, and lower front valance with standard projection fog lamps. On the interior, the seats received a new, horizontal stitch pattern. Also, the 3.7-litre V8 FWD model was dropped, leaving the 2.8 V6 model and the long-wheelbase and short-wheelbase 4.2-litre quattro. These restyled cars also featured revised external door handles and an integrated radio antenna. For 2000, the North American A8 lineup was expanded to include the A8L.
For 2001, A8 received side curtain airbags. In 2001, Audi introduced its new W12 engine
, a compact 6.0-litre unit developed by effectively mating two VR6 engine
s together at the crankshaft
. The engine quickly became available in the A8, though only to European and Asian customers. From its introduction through its discontinuation in 2003, only 750 of the D2 "W12" models were produced. 2001 also marked the debut of the high-performance S8 variant in North American markets.
In 2002, the A8L received standard xenon
high-intensity discharge lamp
(HID) headlights, and a heated steering wheel. A tyre pressure monitoring system
(TPMS), an updated Symphony II stereo, and new exterior colours were also added. For 2002, all A8 variants received a trunk/boot interior release lever to facilitate escape in the event an individual became trapped within.
Factory production of this generation ceased in September 2002.
, Germany built a two-door Audi A8 Coupé. The car was unveiled at the 1997 Geneva Motor Show
. Audi contracted IVM to build the prototype
, and was considering production of the vehicle. The coupé
had a re-engineered aluminium body, shorter than the production A8 saloon. Like the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
, there was no central "B" pillar, giving the car a seamless design with a gradually sloping roofline. The car included custom leather seats which could seat four. Ultimately, Audi decided not to put the A8 Coupé into production, citing lower-than-expected sales figures for the similar BMW 8 Series
and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé
. Only one A8 Coupé was ever built. The single prototype, painted a colour called "Ming Blue pearl," remains the property of IVM Automotive, and resides in Munich. Its last public appearance was in 2002 on a series of test drives.
As with the previous version, two body variants of the second generation A8 are offered, the A8 (standard, or short wheelbase), and the long-wheelbase
(LWB) A8L. The A8L adds 120 millimetres (4.7 in) to the rear legroom and 11 mm (0.433070866141732 in) to the overall height of the car.
In 2005, new internal combustion engine
s became available. For European and Asian market customers, the entry-level 3.0-litre V6 engine
was replaced with a new 3.2-litre unit featuring Fuel Stratified Injection
(FSI), which it shared with the Audi B7 A4 and Audi C6 A6. The top-of-the-line W12 engine
d W12 version debuted that year, to compete with other flagship 12-cylinder sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz S600
(powered by a twin-turbo V12), and the BMW 760Li
(powered by a naturally aspirated V12). The advantage of the W12 engine is its compact packaging, allowing Audi to build a 12-cylinder sedan with all-wheel drive, whereas a conventional V12 could only have a rear-wheel drive configuration as it would have no space in the engine bay for a differential and other components required to power the front wheels. In fact, Audi's 6.0 L W12 is actually a bit smaller by overall dimensions than the 4.2 L V8.
In addition to the added powertrains, Audi restyled the D3 platform A8 range slightly in 2005, giving all variants with a taller, wider trapezoid
al single-frame grille. The top-of-the-line W12 engine
d W12 version was the first model to be equipped with this grille; V8 engine
d models were fitted with the new grille the following year.
The S8 high-performance sports variant, now called the Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro and powered by a 331 kW 5.2 FSI V10 engine, was announced in the last quarter of 2005 and full production started in June 2006. The S8 has similar performance to Audi's own top-of-the-line A8L W12
, though the W12 is more expensive, has more torque, and built on a longer wheelbase. Compared to the A8L W12, the S8 has sportier mechanical features such as a firmer suspension, larger alloy wheels, and ceramic brakes. The S8's top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph).
The D3 generation A8 introduced the 235 kW 4.2-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection
(TDI) V8 engine
(subsequently uprated to 240 kW) – the most powerful diesel engine
Audi has ever offered in a passenger automobile, before the debut of Audi's 6.0-litre V12
TDI engine in the Audi Q7
. The engine uses two turbocharger
s and two intercooler
s, with each turbocharger functioning exclusively for one bank of four cylinders
. The 2.8-litre V6 FSI, which is recently added to the A8 range, has a 199 g/km of CO2 emission.
From 2005 or 2006 Audi started offering the optional 1,000 W 14-channel ICEpower
Bang & Olufsen
sound system.
For the 2008 model year (starting from September 2007), the A8 received a facelift and also received new electronic safety systems. "Audi Side Assist" detects cars in the A8's blind spots. "Audi Lane Assist
" helps when the driver attempts to change lanes without signaling first.
For the 2010 model year (starting from September 2009), the A8 W12 and S8 models were discontinued, while the A8 4.2 and A8L 4.2 remained available for sales.
In North America
, only the 4.2 V8, 5.2 V10, and 6.0 W12 petrol engines are available. The 4.0 TDI was discontinued when the 4.2 TDI was introduced.
It is based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform, but retains the Audi Space Frame aluminium construction of the previous A8, making it the lightest all-wheel drive car in the full-size luxury segment, while also giving it best-in-class fuel economy.
Initial internal combustion engine
options comprise 4.2-litre Fuel Stratified Injection
(FSI) petrol and Turbocharged Direct Injection
(TDI) diesel V8s, with 273 kW and 258 kW respectively. A 3.0-litre V6 TDI with either 184 kW or 150 kW will be available later. A 6.3-litre W12 engine
will be added in 2010. Most engines will be mated to the new eight-speed ZF 8HP
automatic transmission.
The D4 iteration of the Audi A8 4.2 FSI quattro can do a 0 mile per hour sprint in 5.1 seconds, which is quicker than the past-generation D3 platform Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro.
The D4 A8 features all light-emitting diode
(LED) headlights, an enhanced Multi Media Interface
with touchpad
, and an optional 1,400 watt Bang & Olufsen
sound system.
The 2011 Audi A8 was launched in the United States with a series of adverts known as "Goodnight" (a homage to a classic children's story) and "Release the Hounds" (featuring Kenny G
), with both ads criticising a Mercedes-Benz S-Class
(a white 2010 S550 4MATIC) as old luxury. "Release the Hounds" aired during Super Bowl XLV
.
Reception for the 2011 Audi A8 has been positive for its fuel-efficiency, light-weight, handling, and acceleration.
Optional A8 features include a driver assistance system networked using FlexRay
technology. along with a GPS navigation system coordinating input to the adaptive headlights, transmission, cruise control and Electronic Stability Programme
.
The A8 also offers an optional driver control system for numerous sub-systems, marketed as MMI (Multi Media Interface) which can recognise handwriting inputs for the phone and navigation system and provide 3D navigation with Google Earth
., optional night vision assistant with pedestrian recognition, and mobile broadband internet access with UMTS 3G
and WLAN-Hotspot
models. Both incarnations of the S8 use the standard wheelbase platform
(not the long-wheelbase of the A8L).
The S8 was first produced in 1996, and compared to the standard A8, it has a re-tuned, 250 kW version of the standard V8 engine
(subsequently upgraded to 265 kW), a re-tuned suspension
, with larger alloy wheel
s and upgraded tyres
, uprated and enlarged brake
s, and a re-calibrated version of the five-speed tiptronic automatic transmission
. A six-speed manual transmission
option was available, but this was not offered in North America. Torsen
-based quattro permanent four-wheel drive
was standard. Production of the first-generation S8 ended in September 2002, shortly before the introduction of the D3-platform A8.
In the last quarter of 2005, Audi previewed the second-generation S8, now called the Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro, powered by a 331 kW 5.2 FSI V10 engine. Full production started in June 2006. The S8 is comparable to Audi's top-of-the-line long-wheelbase
A8L W12
, though the W12 is more expensive, and has more torque. The S8's top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph).
It is anticipated that a third-generation Audi S8 is expected to go on sale in 2011 as a 2012 model
, released one year after the all-new 2011 Audi A8. Recent reports suggested that the S8 would use the new 4.0-litre FSI
biturbo
V8 engine
, with 382 kW.
Luxury vehicles
Luxury vehicle is a marketing term for a vehicle that provides luxury — pleasant or desirable features beyond strict necessity—at increased expense ....
sedan car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8
Audi V8
The Audi V8 is a large luxury four-door, five-seat saloon , built by Audi AG at its Neckarsulm plant in Germany from October 1988 to November 1993, as the company's range-topping flagship model...
, the A8 has been offered with front wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
, with multitronic
Multitronic
multitronic is a stepless transmission launched by AUDI AG in late 1999, jointly developed and manufactured by LuK.Based on the principles of continuously variable transmission popularised by DAF, multitronic offers a stepless automatic transmission in which the ratio between the input shaft and...
or tiptronic automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
s — and in short- and long-wheelbase variants. Previous generations employed the Volkswagen Group D platform with the current generation using the D4 platform.
Beginning in 1997, The A8 was the first mass-market car with an aluminium chassis, marketed as the Audi Space Frame and co-developed with Alcoa
Alcoa
Alcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
.
First generation (D2, Typ 4D; 1994–2002)
The Audi A8 (Typ 4D) debuted in Europe in 1994, with factory production commencing June 1994, although it was not until the 1997 model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
that it became available in North America. Unlike its predecessor, the Audi V8
Audi V8
The Audi V8 is a large luxury four-door, five-seat saloon , built by Audi AG at its Neckarsulm plant in Germany from October 1988 to November 1993, as the company's range-topping flagship model...
model, which was built on an existing steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
, the A8 debuted on the then-new Volkswagen Group D2 platform, an all aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
, marketed as the (ASF), which helped to reduce weight
Weight
In science and engineering, the weight of an object is the force on the object due to gravity. Its magnitude , often denoted by an italic letter W, is the product of the mass m of the object and the magnitude of the local gravitational acceleration g; thus:...
and preserve structural rigidity. The saloon/sedan was offered in both the A8 (standard wheelbase), and the A8L extended or long-wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
(LWB) version. The A8L adds 5 inches (13 cm) of rear legroom. Updates to the car in 1997 included the addition of six interior airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s.
For 1997, the new A8 was available with either front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
(FWD), or the Torsen
Torsen
Torsen is a type of differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a contraction of Torque-Sensing...
-based quattro permanent four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
. The FWD models are powered by a 2.8-litre V6 engine, producing 142 kW, and 3.7-litre V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
producing 171.5 kW, while the quattro received a 4.2-litre V8 producing 220 kW.
The A8 is available with standard luxury amenities, including dual-zone climate control, wood and leather interior trim, 14-way power and heated seats, and an enhanced Bose audio system.
In 1999, Audi's flagship received new colours, and restructuring of option packages. The North American "warm weather package" added a solar sunroof which allows the interior ventilation fans to run, keeping the interior cool while the car is parked with the engine turned off. Changes to all models included a larger passenger-side mirror, and a first aid kit
First aid kit
A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid, and can put together for the purpose , or purchased complete...
located in the rear centre armrest.
The 2000 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
saw a minor front-end restyle, with new, larger, clear headlights
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
, a revised grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
, and lower front valance with standard projection fog lamps. On the interior, the seats received a new, horizontal stitch pattern. Also, the 3.7-litre V8 FWD model was dropped, leaving the 2.8 V6 model and the long-wheelbase and short-wheelbase 4.2-litre quattro. These restyled cars also featured revised external door handles and an integrated radio antenna. For 2000, the North American A8 lineup was expanded to include the A8L.
For 2001, A8 received side curtain airbags. In 2001, Audi introduced its new W12 engine
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
, a compact 6.0-litre unit developed by effectively mating two VR6 engine
VR6 engine
The VR6 engine is an internal combustion engine configuration, consisting of six cylinders. It was developed by the Volkswagen Group in the late 1980s, and evolutions of the original variant are still produced by them....
s together at the crankshaft
Crankshaft
The crankshaft, sometimes casually abbreviated to crank, is the part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation...
. The engine quickly became available in the A8, though only to European and Asian customers. From its introduction through its discontinuation in 2003, only 750 of the D2 "W12" models were produced. 2001 also marked the debut of the high-performance S8 variant in North American markets.
In 2002, the A8L received standard xenon
Xenon arc lamp
A xenon arc lamp is a specialized type of gas discharge lamp, an electric light that produces light by passing electricity through ionized xenon gas at high pressure to produce a bright white light that closely mimics natural sunlight...
high-intensity discharge lamp
High-intensity discharge lamp
High-intensity discharge lamps are a type of electrical lamp which produces light by means of an electric arc between tungsten electrodes housed inside a translucent or transparent fused quartz or fused alumina arc tube. This tube is filled with both gas and metal salts. The gas facilitates the...
(HID) headlights, and a heated steering wheel. A tyre pressure monitoring system
Tire pressure monitoring system
-General:A Tire Pressure Monitoring System is a system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the pneumatic tires on various types of vehicles...
(TPMS), an updated Symphony II stereo, and new exterior colours were also added. For 2002, all A8 variants received a trunk/boot interior release lever to facilitate escape in the event an individual became trapped within.
Factory production of this generation ceased in September 2002.
Coupe (prototype)
In 1997, IVM Automotive of MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany built a two-door Audi A8 Coupé. The car was unveiled at the 1997 Geneva Motor Show
Salon International de l'Auto
The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport...
. Audi contracted IVM to build the prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
, and was considering production of the vehicle. The coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
had a re-engineered aluminium body, shorter than the production A8 saloon. Like the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a luxury coupé automobile produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The name CL stands for the German Comfort Leicht ....
, there was no central "B" pillar, giving the car a seamless design with a gradually sloping roofline. The car included custom leather seats which could seat four. Ultimately, Audi decided not to put the A8 Coupé into production, citing lower-than-expected sales figures for the similar BMW 8 Series
BMW 8 Series
The BMW 8 Series is a V8- or V12-engined 2-door 2+2 coupe built by BMW from 1989 to 1999. While it did supplant the original E24 based 6 Series in 1991, a common misconception is that the 8 Series was developed as a successor...
and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé
Mercedes-Benz W140
The Mercedes-Benz W140 was a series of flagship vehicles manufactured by the German automotive company Mercedes-Benz. The car premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991, with the first examples rolling off the production line on August 6, 1991. Short and long wheelbase sedans were offered...
. Only one A8 Coupé was ever built. The single prototype, painted a colour called "Ming Blue pearl," remains the property of IVM Automotive, and resides in Munich. Its last public appearance was in 2002 on a series of test drives.
Engines
| engine | Power Torque @ rpm | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) |
max speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| displacement | type | |||
| 2.8 (2771 cc) | V6 V6 engine A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft... |
174 PS; 250 N·m (184 ft·lbf) @3000 | 9.1 sec Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... |
228 km/h (141.7 mph) |
| 2.8 (2771 cc) | V6 | 193 PS; 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) @3200 | 8.4 sec | 236 km/h (146.6 mph) |
| 3.7 (3697 cc) | V8 | 230 PS; 315 N·m (232 ft·lbf) @2700 | 8.7 sec | 247 km/h (153.5 mph) |
| 3.7 (3697 cc) | V8 V8 engine A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
260 PS; 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf) @3250 | 8.1 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4172 cc) | V8 | 300 PS; 400 N·m (295 ft·lbf) @3300 | 7.3 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4172 cc) | V8 | 310 PS; 410 N·m (302 ft·lbf) @3000 | 6.9 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4172 cc) | V8 | 340 PS; 420 N·m (310 ft·lbf) @3000 | 6.8 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4172 cc) | V8 | 360 PS; 430 N·m (317 ft·lbf) @3000 | 6.7 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
Second generation (D3, Typ 4E; 2002–2009)
The second-generation Audi A8 (Typ 4E) built on the Volkswagen Group D3 platform was introduced in November 2002 in Europe and in early 2003 in the United States. The model was longer than the previous generation, with room for four or five large adult occupants in the cabin, depending on rear seat configuration.As with the previous version, two body variants of the second generation A8 are offered, the A8 (standard, or short wheelbase), and the long-wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
(LWB) A8L. The A8L adds 120 millimetres (4.7 in) to the rear legroom and 11 mm (0.433070866141732 in) to the overall height of the car.
In 2005, new internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
s became available. For European and Asian market customers, the entry-level 3.0-litre V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
was replaced with a new 3.2-litre unit featuring Fuel Stratified Injection
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
(FSI), which it shared with the Audi B7 A4 and Audi C6 A6. The top-of-the-line W12 engine
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
d W12 version debuted that year, to compete with other flagship 12-cylinder sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz S600
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a series of luxury sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The classification was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116 S-Class, which succeeded previous Mercedes-Benz models dating to the mid-1950s...
(powered by a twin-turbo V12), and the BMW 760Li
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a line of full-size luxury vehicles produced by the German automaker BMW. Introduced in 1977, it is BMW's flagship car and is only available as a sedan or extended-length limousine...
(powered by a naturally aspirated V12). The advantage of the W12 engine is its compact packaging, allowing Audi to build a 12-cylinder sedan with all-wheel drive, whereas a conventional V12 could only have a rear-wheel drive configuration as it would have no space in the engine bay for a differential and other components required to power the front wheels. In fact, Audi's 6.0 L W12 is actually a bit smaller by overall dimensions than the 4.2 L V8.
In addition to the added powertrains, Audi restyled the D3 platform A8 range slightly in 2005, giving all variants with a taller, wider trapezoid
Trapezoid
In Euclidean geometry, a convex quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides is referred to as a trapezoid in American English and as a trapezium in English outside North America. A trapezoid with vertices ABCD is denoted...
al single-frame grille. The top-of-the-line W12 engine
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
d W12 version was the first model to be equipped with this grille; V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
d models were fitted with the new grille the following year.
The S8 high-performance sports variant, now called the Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro and powered by a 331 kW 5.2 FSI V10 engine, was announced in the last quarter of 2005 and full production started in June 2006. The S8 has similar performance to Audi's own top-of-the-line A8L W12
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
, though the W12 is more expensive, has more torque, and built on a longer wheelbase. Compared to the A8L W12, the S8 has sportier mechanical features such as a firmer suspension, larger alloy wheels, and ceramic brakes. The S8's top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph).
The D3 generation A8 introduced the 235 kW 4.2-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection
Turbocharged Direct Injection
TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial...
(TDI) V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
(subsequently uprated to 240 kW) – the most powerful diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
Audi has ever offered in a passenger automobile, before the debut of Audi's 6.0-litre V12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
TDI engine in the Audi Q7
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV unveiled in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the Q7 began in autumn of 2005 in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is the first SUV offering from Audi and went on sale in 2007. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5, was unveiled as a 2009...
. The engine uses two turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
s and two intercooler
Intercooler
An intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
s, with each turbocharger functioning exclusively for one bank of four cylinders
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
. The 2.8-litre V6 FSI, which is recently added to the A8 range, has a 199 g/km of CO2 emission.
From 2005 or 2006 Audi started offering the optional 1,000 W 14-channel ICEpower
ICEpower
Bang & Olufsen ICEpower a/s is a Danish research and development company specialising in audio applications of Class D amplifiers. ICEpower develops business-to-business solutions for end producers.-History:...
Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen is a Danish company that designs and manufactures audio products, television sets and telephones. It was founded in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, whose first significant product was a radio that worked with alternating current, when most radios were run from batteries...
sound system.
For the 2008 model year (starting from September 2007), the A8 received a facelift and also received new electronic safety systems. "Audi Side Assist" detects cars in the A8's blind spots. "Audi Lane Assist
Lane departure warning system
In road-transport terminology, a lane departure warning system is a mechanism designed to warn a driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane on freeways and arterial roads. These systems are designed to minimize accidents by addressing the main causes of collisions: driver error,...
" helps when the driver attempts to change lanes without signaling first.
For the 2010 model year (starting from September 2009), the A8 W12 and S8 models were discontinued, while the A8 4.2 and A8L 4.2 remained available for sales.
Engine variants
| engine | Power Torque @ rpm | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) |
max speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| displacement | type | |||
| 2.8 (2773 cc) | V6 V6 engine A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft... FSI Gasoline direct injection In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines... |
210 PS; 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) @3000 | 8.0 sec Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... |
237 km/h (147.3 mph) |
| 3.0 (2976 cc) | V6 | 220 PS; 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf) @3200 | 7.9 sec | 241 km/h (149.8 mph) |
| 3.2 (3123 cc) | V6 FSI Gasoline direct injection In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines... |
256 PS; 330 N·m (243 ft·lbf) @3250 | 7.7 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 3.7 (3697 cc) | V8 V8 engine A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
280 PS; 360 N·m (266 ft·lbf) @3750 | 7.3 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4172 cc) | V8 | 340 PS; 430 N·m (317 ft·lbf) @3500 | 6.4 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4172 cc) | V8 FSI | 350 PS; 440 N·m (325 ft·lbf) @3500 | 6.1 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 5.2 (5,204 cc) | V10 FSI | 450 PS; 540 N·m (398 ft·lbf) @3500 | 5.1 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 6.0 (5998 cc) | W12 W12 engine A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12... |
450 PS; 580 N·m (428 ft·lbf) @4700 | 5.1 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 3.0 (2967 cc) | V6 TDI | 233 PS; 450 N·m (332 ft·lbf) @3250 | 7.8 sec | 243 km/h (151 mph) |
| 4.0 (3936 cc) | V8 TDI | 275 PS; 650 N·m (479 ft·lbf) @1800 | 6.7 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4134 cc) | V8 TDI | 326 PS; 650 N·m (479 ft·lbf) @1600 | 5.9 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
In North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, only the 4.2 V8, 5.2 V10, and 6.0 W12 petrol engines are available. The 4.0 TDI was discontinued when the 4.2 TDI was introduced.
Third generation (D4, Typ 4H; 2009–present)
The third-generation Audi A8 (Typ 4H) was introduced in Miami on 30 November 2009 and went on sale in November 2010 as a 2011 model.It is based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform, but retains the Audi Space Frame aluminium construction of the previous A8, making it the lightest all-wheel drive car in the full-size luxury segment, while also giving it best-in-class fuel economy.
Initial internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
options comprise 4.2-litre Fuel Stratified Injection
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
(FSI) petrol and Turbocharged Direct Injection
Turbocharged Direct Injection
TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial...
(TDI) diesel V8s, with 273 kW and 258 kW respectively. A 3.0-litre V6 TDI with either 184 kW or 150 kW will be available later. A 6.3-litre W12 engine
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
will be added in 2010. Most engines will be mated to the new eight-speed ZF 8HP
ZF 8HP transmission
The ZF 8HP is an eight-speed automatic transmission, designed and built by ZF Friedrichshafen AG subsidiary ZF Getriebe GmbH in Saarbrücken. It is to debut in a rear-wheel drive application in the new BMW 7 Series 760Li saloon fitted with the V12 engine....
automatic transmission.
The D4 iteration of the Audi A8 4.2 FSI quattro can do a 0 mile per hour sprint in 5.1 seconds, which is quicker than the past-generation D3 platform Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro.
The D4 A8 features all light-emitting diode
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
(LED) headlights, an enhanced Multi Media Interface
Multi Media Interface
The Audi MMI system, is an in-car user interface media system developed by Audi, and implemented in most of its latest series of cars/automobiles since 2004.-Concept:...
with touchpad
Touchpad
A touchpad is a pointing device featuring a tactile sensor, a specialized surface that can translate the motion and position of a user's fingers to a relative position on screen. Touch pads are a common feature of laptop computers, and they are also used as a substitute for a mouse where desk...
, and an optional 1,400 watt Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen is a Danish company that designs and manufactures audio products, television sets and telephones. It was founded in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, whose first significant product was a radio that worked with alternating current, when most radios were run from batteries...
sound system.
The 2011 Audi A8 was launched in the United States with a series of adverts known as "Goodnight" (a homage to a classic children's story) and "Release the Hounds" (featuring Kenny G
Kenny G
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick , better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American, adult contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist. His fourth album, Duotones, brought him breakthrough success in 1986...
), with both ads criticising a Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes-Benz W221
The Mercedes-Benz W221 is a chassis code of S-Class, the successor of Mercedes-Benz W220.The vehicle was unveiled in 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.-Styling:The W221 S-Class' exterior styling is distinctly different to the W220...
(a white 2010 S550 4MATIC) as old luxury. "Release the Hounds" aired during Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
.
Reception for the 2011 Audi A8 has been positive for its fuel-efficiency, light-weight, handling, and acceleration.
Features
- All LED headlights with cornering light, country mode, highway mode, intersection mode, city mode
- Intelligent quattro (four-wheel drive system) (splits torque with a default bias of 40 percent front and 60 percent rear)
- "Audi Space Frame" aluminiumAluminiumAluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
monocoqueMonocoqueMonocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
Optional A8 features include a driver assistance system networked using FlexRay
FlexRay
FlexRay is an automotive network communications protocol developed by the . It is designed to be faster and more reliable than CAN and TTP, but is also more expensive...
technology. along with a GPS navigation system coordinating input to the adaptive headlights, transmission, cruise control and Electronic Stability Programme
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
.
The A8 also offers an optional driver control system for numerous sub-systems, marketed as MMI (Multi Media Interface) which can recognise handwriting inputs for the phone and navigation system and provide 3D navigation with Google Earth
Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency funded company acquired by Google in 2004 . It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite...
., optional night vision assistant with pedestrian recognition, and mobile broadband internet access with UMTS 3G
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is a third generation mobile cellular technology for networks based on the GSM standard. Developed by the 3GPP , UMTS is a component of the International Telecommunications Union IMT-2000 standard set and compares with the CDMA2000 standard set for...
and WLAN-Hotspot
A8 L Security Edition
In February 2011, Audi debuted a special Security edition of the A8. The A8 L Security features a core safety cell made from hot-formed armoured steel, aramide fabric, ceramics, special alloyed aluminium and multilayer glass. The car receives a high level of armoring, an emergency exit system, and a ballistic protection rating of VR7 – strong enough to, according to Audi, withstand a military hand grenade attack. The A8 L Security receives Audi's 500 horsepower W12 engine.Engine variants
| engine | Power @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) |
max speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| displacement | type | ||||
| Petrol engines | |||||
| 3.0 (2995 cc) | V6 TFSI | 290 PS @4850–6500 | 420 N·m (310 ft·lbf) @2500–4850 | 6.1 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 (4163 cc) | V8 FSI | 372 PS @ 6800 | 445 N·m (328 ft·lbf) @3500 | 5.7 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 6.3 (6299 cc) | W12 W12 engine A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12... |
500 PS | 625 N·m (461 ft·lbf) @3250 | 4.9 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| Common rail diesel engines | |||||
| 3.0 (2967 cc) | V6 TDI | 250 PS @4000–4500 | 550 N·m (406 ft·lbf) @1500–3000 | 6.1 sec | 243 km/h (151 mph) |
| 4.2 (4134 cc) | V8 TDI | 350 PS @ 4000 | 800 N·m (590 ft·lbf) @1750–2750 | 5.5 sec | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
Audi S8
Audi has produced two generations of the Audi S8 quattro, a high-performance variant in the vein of Mercedes-Benz AMG S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a series of luxury sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The classification was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116 S-Class, which succeeded previous Mercedes-Benz models dating to the mid-1950s...
models. Both incarnations of the S8 use the standard wheelbase platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
(not the long-wheelbase of the A8L).
The S8 was first produced in 1996, and compared to the standard A8, it has a re-tuned, 250 kW version of the standard V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
(subsequently upgraded to 265 kW), a re-tuned suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
, with larger alloy wheel
Alloy wheel
Alloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s and upgraded tyres
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
, uprated and enlarged brake
Brake
A brake is a mechanical device which inhibits motion. Its opposite component is a clutch. The rest of this article is dedicated to various types of vehicular brakes....
s, and a re-calibrated version of the five-speed tiptronic automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. A six-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
option was available, but this was not offered in North America. Torsen
Torsen
Torsen is a type of differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a contraction of Torque-Sensing...
-based quattro permanent four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
was standard. Production of the first-generation S8 ended in September 2002, shortly before the introduction of the D3-platform A8.
In the last quarter of 2005, Audi previewed the second-generation S8, now called the Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro, powered by a 331 kW 5.2 FSI V10 engine. Full production started in June 2006. The S8 is comparable to Audi's top-of-the-line long-wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
A8L W12
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
, though the W12 is more expensive, and has more torque. The S8's top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph).
It is anticipated that a third-generation Audi S8 is expected to go on sale in 2011 as a 2012 model
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
, released one year after the all-new 2011 Audi A8. Recent reports suggested that the S8 would use the new 4.0-litre FSI
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
biturbo
Twin-turbo
Twin-turbo refers to a turbocharged engine, in which two turbochargers compress the intake charge. There are two commonly used twin turbo configurations: parallel twin-turbo and sequential twin-turbo...
V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, with 382 kW.
Production
| Year | Units |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 11,708 |
| 2002 | 10,942 |
| 2003 | 21,748 |
| 2004 | 22,429 |
| 2005 | 21,509 |
| 2006 | 22,468 |
| 2007 | 22,182 |
| 2008 | 20,140 |
| 2009 | 8,599 |
| 2010 | 22,435 |
External links
- A8 at Audi worldwide