Audi A8
The Audi A8 is a luxury car from Audi, which has been produced since mid-1994 and is the successor of the Audi V8. Much of its technology components is also used in the VW Phaeton.
- 7.1 facelift
- 7.2 engines 7.2.1 gasoline
- 7.2.2 diesel
- 8.1 body
- 8.2 Technical Features
- 8.3 facelift
- 8.4 engines
- 8.5 transmission
Model history
Audi's way into the upper class began in 1979 with the Audi 200 (type 43), which was based on the Audi 100 C2. In 1983, as a luxury version of the new Audi 100 C3 Audi 200 Type 44 1988 saw the Audi V8, the first independent luxury-class model on the market. But this was - despite technically independent redesign - an offshoot of the Audi 100 This involved structural features; among others, the spaciousness and comfort, not with those of the competitors were able to measure in the upper class itself. There were these models mainly due to the quattro all-wheel drive, although notable successes, however, a widely accepted as a competitive offer to Mercedes -Benz or BMW products not yet learned these first three models.
It was not until mid-1994, Audi presented the A8 a completely separate upper-class series. In order to survive in this segment in addition to the Mercedes -Benz S-Class and the BMW 7 - series, he was alternatively equipped with some technical features that are not yet offered the competition.
These included the four-wheel drive " Quattro" and the world's first aluminum body in a production vehicle in the luxury class. Criticism had the car always in the comfort chapter put up - a tribute to the more athletic overall design.
As the base engine was a 2.8 -liter petrol engine with six cylinders are used. The other end of the range of engines marked the W12 - cylinder. The majority of the buyer ordered the 8- cylinder with 4.2 liters of displacement, from which also the decidedly sporty offshoot " S8 " comes. The first A8 with diesel engine ( 2.5 TDI ) was found with its output of 110 kW ( 150 hp) but underpowered and was from the 2000 model year with a version with 132 kW ( 180 hp ) replaced. In the same year the presentation of the first eight-cylinder diesel (TDI ) was performed as an initial trendsetter for the long -lasting boom of large-volume diesel engines in the luxury class.
After eight years of construction, the internal D2 -called Ur -A8 in November 2002 ( model year 2003) was replaced by the D3. The aim of the new development was to reduce the perceived weakness of the A8 comfort while maintaining proven strengths. A litter was the new A8 despite air suspension not, buyers seemed not to bother: 2008 A8 finished in the luxury segment with 4446 registered vehicles, number 2 in the German registration statistics, behind the Mercedes S-class ( 8077 units) and in front of the BMW 7 Series with 4226 vehicles.
The engine range has been revised, see also engines of type D3. As a new entry-level engine of the 2.8 - liter six- cylinder was used with 154 kW (210 hp), while the performance of the 4.2 -liter eight-cylinder engine to 257 kW ( 350 hp ) was increased. The 6.0 -liter W12 - cylinder remained in the program it came up a V10 with 331 kW (450 hp), which remains the S8 reserved. However, most A8 buyers opt for a diesel: 2006, the 4.2 TDI with 240 kW ( 326 hp) was introduced as at that time the strongest diesel engine in the world in a series sedan.
Audi showed the new generation of luxury sedan only at the Geneva Auto Salon 2010. Overall, the A8 grew by ten centimeters to 5.15 meters. Formally, the Audi A8 remains almost unchanged, only the pronounced lateral tornado line is new. The basic version of the Audi A8 with the 2.8 -liter six-cylinder FSI came in 2010 with front wheel drive and a CVT ( Multitronic ). The longitudinal matrix allows a space -saving design - the front axle of the Audi is further supported by 15 inches forward. This results also improved weight distribution.
In 2008, 94.1 % of all Audi A8 has been commercially sold in Germany admitted.
Construction times
Drive
While its predecessor, the Audi V8 was shipped exclusively with the quattro all-wheel drive, customers can choose all-wheel drive the Audi A8 for the smaller petrol engine variants between front and side. Front-wheel drive is unusual in this class, usually upper class models are equipped with rear wheel drive. The advertised Audi four-wheel drive set to launch as an innovation in the luxury class dar.
Until the Year 1996 (all wheel drive ) installed only a 4- speed automatic transmission in conjunction with the 4.2- liter engine - from year 1997, a 5 - speed automatic. Either a manual transmission was offered for the smaller engines. For the 4.2-liter engine was later selected in the S8 also between a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission. With the model D3 was for front wheel drive vehicles, the continuously variable automatic multitronic offered on models with quattro drive came a six-stage Tiptronic transmission with dynamic shift programs to use. The high-torque diesel and petrol variants are supplied exclusively with all-wheel drive (from 2005).
Body
The body of the Audi A8 is made entirely of aluminum. This is intended to rust problems a thing of the past, although aluminum is also subject to corrosion under certain circumstances. The self-supporting aluminum body is called Audi Space Frame. Even the predecessor of the first Audi A8 had a fully galvanized body, with the rust damage occurred very rarely, usually only after improperly repaired accident damage.
Another design goal was and is to reduce the weight of the vehicle and connected to the consumption. This was only partly because the vehicle should be equipped with all possible technical equipment details. This includes the Quattro drive, which increases the weight of about 100 kg. Nevertheless, the Audi A8 was lighter than the comparable BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S-Class.
The Audi A8 is offered exclusively as a sedan with a notchback. A wagon version is not in the product range.
In September 2001, Audi showcased at the IAA, the study of the Audi Avantissimo ago - an estate version of the Audi A8 D2. Even if the audience's reactions were overwhelmingly positive, the production of such wagons from Audi for the near future is not provided.
While the optional selectable, extended body version of the Audi V8 was still impressive, the long-wheelbase version of the Audi A8 holds back visually. The basic idea of a Pullman limousine à la Mercedes to manufacture in the style of American stretch limousines, was never implemented by the group management since it precludes that of the self-controlled sports driver's brand philosophy.
With the acquisition of the twelve-cylinder engine ( W12 ) with 6 liters and now 331 kW (450 hp) from D2 received the A8 (D3 ) in 2004 as the first of now formative to the front of all Audi single-frame grille.
The list of optional extras for the current A8 now includes positions as an adaptive cruise control Adaptive Cruise Control ( ACC ) and dynamic curve light. The " adaptive air suspension " called air suspension is one of the standard equipment. The A8 is one of the first cars that instead of a simple Bluetooth hands-free with a Bluetooth car phone with SIM Access Profile are available from the factory (from production week 34/2006 ).
The A8 in the public and the media
Audi began at the end of the 1990s heavily on effective media appearances. So the then Audi S8 served as a getaway car in the movie Ronin (1998). Even in the movies The Matrix Reloaded, Transporter - The Mission and Transporter 3, an Audi A8 was used in each case. Audi also provided cars for the participants of the EU accession Summit 2003 in Athens available, while all heads of government and foreign ministers were chauffeured in the Audi A8.
Gerhard Schröder sat for the first time the Audi A8 as a state coach, Angela Merkel uses an A8. Until then, the vehicles high politicians came mostly from Mercedes- Benz or BMW of rare.
Type D2/4D
Audi A8 (1999-2002 )
Gasoline engines
Audi A8 (1999-2002 )
Audi A8 6.0 W12 (2001-2002)
Diesel engines
Type D3/4E
Audi A8 (2002-2005)
As the A8 ( D3 ) came on the market in October 2002, three engine variants were available, which are each acted to eight-cylinder models. Offered was a 3.7- liter engine with 206 kW (280 hp), the (20 hp) compared with the predecessor model 15 kW more, and available only with all-wheel drive 4.2- liter engine with 246 kW ( 335 PS ).
When diesel was initially offered an eight-cylinder with four -liter displacement and Quattro all-wheel drive, which accelerated with 202 kW ( 275 hp) and maximum torque of 650 Nm in 6.7 seconds to 100 km / hr. For this model, a particulate filter system is available since 2009, which causes the allocation of green environmental badge for driving in all environmental zones.
In 2003, for the A8 as an entry model, a three-liter six-cylinder with 162 kW (220 hp) and front-wheel drive. Followed in 2004, the twelve-cylinder model ( W12 ) with 6 liters of displacement and 331 kW (450 hp).
As a diesel entry model, a three-liter, six-cylinder common- rail fuel injection and 171 kW ( 233 hp ) was presented in 2004, which - like most engines in A8 - only with quattro drive is available. 2005, the four-liter diesel was replaced by a revised 4.2- liter model with 240 kW ( 326 hp) and 650 Nm.
Facelift
With the facelift in September 2005, the 3.0 - liter six- cylinder and the 3.7- liter V8 were removed from the program and by a 3.2 -liter V6 with 191 kW replaces (260 hp) and petrol direct injection. At this time, the 4.2 -liter V8 MPI ( Multi Point Injection ) engine with 246 kW was replaced (335 hp) to the 4.2- liter V8 FSI ( Gasoline Direct Injection ) engine with 257 kW (350 hp). Later, with the 2.8 -liter V6 was followed by another entry-level engine, which develops 154 kW ( 210 hp) and should be content with an average of 8.3 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
The sporty version of the A8, the S8, appeared in mid-2006 with a 5.2-liter ten-cylinder engine and 331 kW (450 hp). This represents a sportier and cheaper alternative to the equally powerful W12
Rear view
Audi S8 (2006-2007)
Another facelift followed in September 2007. Among the new features included revised tail lights, fog lights changed, modified side mirror covers with integrated turn signals and a new entry-level petrol engine with 2.8 liter displacement ( 2.8 FSIe ).
Rear view
Interior
Audi S8 (2008-2010 )
Motors
Gasoline
Diesel
A8 W12 as a company car of the Chancellor
Type D4/4H
Audi A8 (2009-2013 )
The third generation of the A8 was introduced on 1 December 2009 in Miami at Design Miami. Three months after the presentation of the new model came on the German market.
Body
The aluminum body of the D4/4H is eight inches longer than its predecessor. The version with short wheelbase measures about 5.14 m, the long-wheelbase about 5.27 m. Compared to its competitors, the A8 is in spite of weight gain compared to its predecessor with a weight 1905-2120 kg of the lightest in its class, only the Jaguar XJ is even lighter. The drag coefficient is 0.26.
Hardware
The Audi D4/4H Audi offers a package of various technical measures. Which will enhance the comfort of the driver in the vehicle, ensure adequate safety and reduce fuel consumption. The measures include:
- Networking of all electronically controlled systems with FlexRay: For example, adaptive cruise control and adaptive headlights take into account information from the navigation system and the camera under the rear view mirror. As a result, the motorway light already on the driveway and the headlights are activated before reaching the curve. The light is also adapted to each country: Upon arrival in countries with left-hand traffic, the corresponding light unit group is activated automatically, even if the navigation system is turned off.
- The A8 is available with a mobile broadband Internet access with UMTS 3G technology as well as 3D navigation with Google Earth support.
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist: a camera detects oncoming or night preceding vehicles and controls the high beam and the beam width sliding.
- Lane Departure Warning (Audi lane assist )
- Lane Change Assistant (Audi side assist )
- Night vision assistant with pedestrian detection
- Speed Limit Assist
- Adaptive cruise control ( adaptive cruise control ) with Stop & Go function ( 0-250 km / h) including automatic emergency braking (Audi pre sense ): Uses multiple radar sensors, a video camera ( for the first time in a German manufacturer ) and the parking sensors. In slow-moving traffic or in traffic it regulates braking and start-up. In conjunction with the radar sensors of the lane change assistant of an autonomous full delay, in situations where a collision is unavoidable, initiated to reduce the severity of the impact as much as possible.
- Parking Assistant
- The eight-stage Tiptronic with the so-called shift-by- wire technology
- A dynamic steering for a more precise steering feel
- Called an aluminum body, the Audi Space Frame, to reduce weight and fuel consumption.
- Through the optional quattro with sport differential at the rear axle, the individual wheels on the rear axle can get a different drive torque. The force is directed specifically to the curve -outward rear wheel when the steering wheel or during acceleration in a curve, whereby the car is pushed by the driving force in the bend and the angle of the front wheels follows.
- The standard available Audi drive select, a system that makes it possible to influence some driving dynamics control systems electronically.
- Optional energy-saving LED headlamps, the dipped beam, main beam, daytime running lights, flashing light and static cornering lights included. At 110 km / h, the range is increased from the highway function.
Facelift
In September 2013 was presented in 2013, the redesigned A8 at the IAA.
The hood, the single-frame grille and front bumpers were changed slightly. The lower edge of the headlight assembly runs just future. At the rear, the LED lights have become flatter. The newly designed bumper includes all engines except for the S8 two diamond-shaped tailpipes one. New chrome trim and high-gloss black window frames round out the design differences.
The A8 has now optional on the new LED technology "Matrix Beam" in the headlights. The Fade is so in future only be done partially, the rest of the field of view should be lit as bright as day always.
The indicators have been revised. In the improved headlights, the Ingolstadt, are each 18 LEDs in a strip next to one another, divided into seven blocks. In the rear lights allow each with 24 LEDs in eight segments, the flashing light with dynamicized display.
Rear view
New LED headlight technology "Matrix Beam"
Motors
At the beginning of two engine options were offered: one 4.2- liter V8 as gasoline and turbo diesel. As the competition in the luxury class for this performance class now relies on more fuel-efficient V6 twin-turbo engine, the V8 diesel in the last of its kind in this class. Later, a 3 -liter V6 supercharged followed.
Since late 2010, also a V6 diesel and a W12 petrol engine and a long version available.
Furthermore, since August 2011, entry-level version with front-wheel drive and a modified 3.0 TDI with 150 kW ( 204 hp) and 6.0 liter fuel consumption available. The sports version of S8 has already been presented. The model has, as the two new sports models S6 and S7 Audi, a 4.0 V8 with twin turbochargers, which provides 520 hp and 650 Nm in the S8, instead of 420 hp and 550 Nm as in the other two models. The Audi S8 will sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.2 seconds. This engine features cylinder deactivation (also at S6 and S7 of the case ), that is, in the part-load range only four are used by the eight cylinders. This contributes to more efficient behavior. Since April 2012, the Audi A8 is available with hybrid drive.
In the late summer of 2013 in addition to the optics, the engines have been modified. Thus, the 3.0 TFSI now delivers 310 hp and 435 hp four-liter petrol engine. From the three -liter diesel is now also a clean version with 258 hp, as well as the 4.2 TDI, which has 385 hp.
Transmission
The power is transmitted via the eight-stage Tiptronic. The gear selection is made by Vortippen of the selector lever, after which it automatically returns to its original position.
With the so-called shift-by -wire technology, the electronic submission of the select operation is performed. In this case, the switching command is transmitted to the main control unit of the car, which then carries out the gear change by means of hydraulic multi-plate clutches. This results in short gear change times, which together with low driving speeds for reduced consumption and increased driving comfort. When the vehicle is parked, the parking brake is automatically inserted.
Special models
Based on the Audi A8 D4, the special-protection vehicle A8 L Security is offered with possible protection classes B6 or B7.