Audi A8 — All Car History Volume3
July 20th, 2009 | 
Author: Audi A8 — All Car History Volume3
The Audi A8 is a fullsize luxury saloon car that combines Quattro fourwheel drive the light but sturdy Audi Space Frame ASF aluminium body and adaptive air suspension. On top of this there are numerous hightorque powerful engines to choose from. Built by Audi to replace the V8 model as its flagship offering two generations of the A8 have been produced in both short and long wheelbase form. The long wheelbase Audi A8 “L” combines performance with power making it the most luxurious sports saloon in its class.
Other executive cars from Audi range includes the Audi A4 and the Audi A6
The A8 has been produced in two generations: from 19942003 and 2003date. The first A8 used Audi’s D2 platform an allaluminium space frame to reduce weight without losing rigidity. The saloon included the A8L longwheelbase version adding five inches rear legroom. In 1997 six interior airbags were added making it the first vehicle to be so equipped. The second generation was built on the D3 platform with the main notable change being the unique single frame grille now the signature style for the entire line of Audi automobiles.
TYPES
The current generation of A8s is available in a range of powerful diesel and petrol engine options including 2.8 V6 3.2 V6 4.2 V8 3.0 TDI V6 and 4.2 litre TDI V8 with standard or longwheelbase versions. The diesel versions all include semiautomatic Tiptronic gearboxes whilst Multitronic semiautomatic options are available for petrol engines. The 4.2 litre diesel V8 is the most powerful diesel engine Audi has ever produced in a car. It uses two turbochargers and two intercoolers with each turbo functioning exclusively for one bank of four cylinders.
Audi A8 Facts
- The top of the range Audi A8 SE 4.2 FSI Quattro has a limited top speed of 155 mph and accelerates from 062 mph in 6.1 seconds whilst the A8 SE 4.2 TDI Quattro a diesel has the same top speed but gets from 062 mph in just 5.9 seconds!
- Adaptive air suspension is available as an option in the A8. It is the first Audi sports suspension system to be based on the principle of air suspension which allows the driver to change the suspension as individually preferred. Both the damping characteristics and ride height can be adjusted in a single process via the MMI “CAR” menu system.
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