Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury executive car built by the German automaker Audi to replace the V8 model as its flagship offering. First brought to the market in 1994, most versions of the A8 have featured quattro all-wheel-drive as standard as well as a Multitronic or Tiptronic automatic transmission. The A8 rivals long-running German competitors, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, along with the Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS, and the long-wheelbase Volkswagen Phaeton; all are competitors in the same size and price category. Two generations of the A8 have been produced in both short and long wheelbase form.The second-generation A8 built on Audi’s D3 platform was introduced in early 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. Two body variants of the second generation A8 are offered, the A8 and the long-wheelbase A8L. The A8L adds five inches of rear legroom. Audi restyled the D3 platform A8 range slightly in 2005, endowing all variants with a taller, wider single-frame grille inspired by that of the Nuvolari concept car. The top-of-the-line 12-cylinder W12 version was the first model to be equipped with this grille; V8 models were outfitted with the new grille the following year. In addition to the styling update, new engines became available to European and Asian market customers. The entry-level 3.0 L V6 was replaced with a new 3.2 L unit featuring FSI, which it shares with the new A4. The second-generation A8 introduced the 4.2 L Diesel V8 engine. Generating 240 kW (326 PS) of power, this is 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 bank of four cylinders.