Audi A8

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Audi A8

Audi A8 (D3)
Manufacturer	Audi AG
Parent company	Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen AG)
Production	1994–present
Assembly	Neckarsulm, Germany
Predecessor	Audi V8
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style(s)	4-door saloon/sedan
Layout	Longitudinal front engine, front-wheel drive or quattro permanent four-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group D platform series
Related	Audi S8

The Audi A8 is a four-door four/five-seat large luxury 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 Audi's 'trademark' quattro permanent four-wheel drive as standard, as well as a multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmissions. 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.

[edit] D2 (Typ 4D, 1994-2002)

Audi A8 (D2)

Audi D2 A8 4.2 (US)
Production	1994-2002
Platform	Volkswagen Group D2
Engine(s)	petrol engines: 2.8 L V6 3.7 L V8 4.2 L V8 6.0 L W12 diesel engines: 2.5 L V6 TDI 3.3 L V8 TDI
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual, 4-speed ZF 4HP24 automatic, 5-speed ZF 5HP19/5HP24 automatic
Wheelbase	SWB: 2,882 mm (113.5 in) LWB: 3,010 mm (118.5 in)
Length	SWB: 5,034 mm (198.2 in) LWB: 5,164 mm (203.3 in)
Width	1,880 mm (74.0 in)
Height	1,438 mm (56.6 in)
Related	Audi S8 (D2)

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 "Audi Space Frame" (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 5 inches (127 mm) 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.

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 193 PS (142 kW; 190 bhp), and 3.7 litre V8 engine producing 233 PS (171 kW; 230 bhp), while the quattro received a 4.2 litre V8 producing 304 PS (224 kW; 300 bhp).

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 whilst the car is parked with the engine turned off. Changes to all models included a larger passenger mirror,^{[clarification needed]} 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 FWD model was dropped, leaving only 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 minimal changes, the biggest being the added "SIDEGUARD" curtain airbags. In 2001, Audi introduced its new W12 engine, a compact 6.0 litre unit developed by effectively mating two VR6 engines 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 "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.

[edit] A8 Coupé prototype

In 1997, IVM Automotive of Munich, 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.

[edit] D3 (Typ 4E, 2003-2010)

Audi A8 (D3)

2004-2005 A8L (US)
Production	2003-2010
Platform	Volkswagen Group D3
Engine(s)	petrol engines: 2.8 L V6 3.0 L V6 3.2 L V6 FSI 3.7 L V8 4.2 L V8 6.0 L W12 diesel engines: 3.0 L V6 TDI 4.0 L V8 TDI 4.2 L V8 TDI
Transmission(s)	6-speed manual, 6-speed ZF 6HP26 tiptronic automatic, LuK multitronic CVT
Wheelbase	SWB: 2,944 mm (115.9 in) LWB: 3,074 mm (121.0 in)
Length	SWB: pre 2007: 5,051 mm (198.9 in), post 2007: 5,062 mm (199.3 in) LWB: pre 2007: 5,181 mm (204.0 in), post 2007: 5,192 mm (204.4 in)
Width	1,894 mm (74.6 in)
Height	SWB: 1,444 mm (56.9 in) LWB: 1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Kerb weight	1,670–1,990 kg (3,682–4,387 lb)
Related	Audi S8 (D3)

2006-2007 Audi A8 4.2 (US)

The second-generation A8 built on the Volkswagen Group D3 platform was introduced in late 2003. 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 (LWB) A8L. The A8L adds 120 millimetres (5 in) to the rear legroom and 11 mm (0.43 in) to the overall height of the car.

Audi restyled the D3 platform A8 range slightly in 2005, endowing all variants with a taller, wider trapezoidal single-frame grille, inspired by that of the Nuvolari quattro concept car. The top-of-the-line W12 engined W12 version was the first model to be equipped with this grille; V8 engined models were fitted with the new grille the following year. In addition to the styling update, new internal combustion engines became available to 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 A4 (B7) and Audi A6 (C6).

This generation A8 introduced the 326 PS (240 kW; 322 bhp) 4.2 litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) V8 engine - 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 turbochargers and two intercoolers, 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 class leading 199 g/km of CO₂ emission.

For 2008, the A8 received a facelift and also received new electronic safety systems.^[1] "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.

[edit] Engine variants

In most markets outside Europe, only the 4.2 V8 and 6.0 W12 petrol engines are available. The 4.0 TDI was discontinued when the 4.2 TDI was introduced.

[edit] D4 (2010-)

The third-generation Audi A8 was introduced in Miami on 30 November 2009.^[4][5] Based on Volkswagen Group's MLP component matrix and retaining the Audi Space Frame aluminium construction of the previous A8, it is expected to go on sale in early 2010.

Initial engine options comprise 4.2 litre petrol (FSI) and diesel (TDI) V8s, with 273 kilowatts (371 PS; 366 bhp) and 258 kilowatts (351 PS; 346 bhp) respectively. A 3.0 litre V6 TDI with either 184 kilowatts (250 PS; 247 bhp) or 150 kilowatts (204 PS; 201 bhp) will be available later.

The 2010 A8 features full LED headlights, an enhanced Multi Media Interface with touchscreen, and an optional 1400-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.

As a world premiere, the GPS navigation system also provides guidance input to several systems (adaptive headlights, 8-speed automatic transmission and the full-speed adaptive cruise control and electronic stability control). For example longer-range highway mode for the headlights is being activated when the car is on the ramp, approaching the highway.

Another automotive world first is the human-machine interface (Multi Media Interface) which can recognize handwriting inputs for the phone and navigation system.

[edit] Features

• Full LED Headlights with cornering light, country mode, highway mode, intersection mode, city mode and automatic headlight dimmer.
• Night vision system with infrared technology and pedestrian recognition
• Speed limit display
• Adaptive cruise control with Stop&go function
• Lane departure warning system: Lane Assist
• Blind Spot Monitor: Side Assist
• Precrash system for front (with full automatic emergency braking) and rear: Pre-Sense
• Adaptive Air Suspension with continuous damping control and 3 stage height control.
• Eight-speed automatic transmission.
• Integrated management of the car chassis (engine, transmission, steering, shock absorbers and the sport differential): Audi Drive Select
• Torque vectoring

[edit] Audi S8 variants

Audi has produced two generations of the Audi S8 quattro, a high performance variant in the vein of Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class 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 kilowatts (340 PS; 335 bhp) version of the standard V8 engine (subsequently upgraded to 265 kilowatts (360 PS; 355 bhp)), a re-tuned suspension, with larger alloy wheels and upgraded tyres, uprated and enlarged brakes, 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 (450 PS; 444 bhp) 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 the W12 is more expensive, and has more torque.^[6] The S8's top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph).

[edit] References

• "Audi Picks up 10 Awards at Challenge Bibendum"

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Audi A8

• Audi corporate website
• Audi UK A8 microsite