Totally Audi Autos

2010 Audi A8 4.2 Sedan L quattro

The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury executive 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 quattro permanent four-wheel drive as standard, as well as a multitronic or Tiptronic automatic transmission. 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.

The second-generation A8 built on the Volkswagen Group 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 (standard, or short wheelbase), and the long-wheelbase (LWB) A8L. The A8L adds 5 in (127 mm) of rear legroom.

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 engines became available to European and Asian market customers. The entry-level 3.0 L V6 engine was replaced with a new 3.2 L unit featuring Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), which it shares with the B7 Audi A4.

This generation A8 introduced the 4.2 L turbodiesel V8 engine. Generating 240 kW (326 PS/322 bhp) of power, this is the most powerful diesel engine Audi has ever offered in a passenger automobile, before the debut of Audi's 6.0L 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 2.8L V6 FSI, which is recently added to the A8 range, has a class leading 199g/km of CO2 emission.

For MY 2008, 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.

VEHICLE SUMMARY

Engines & Emissions

• Free Scheduled Maintenance For 12 Months or 5,000 Miles
• Oil Cooler
• 4.2-Liter, V8, 32-Valve, DOHC, SEFI Engine; Front/Longitudinal Mounted With Horsepower Of 350@6800, Torque Of 325@3500, Alloy Block and Alloy Cylinder Heads
• Emergency Reduced Engine Power

Safety

• Trunk Anti-Trap Device
• Side Guard Door Beams
• Front and Rear Pretensioners With Force Limiters
• Front and Rear 3-Point Seatbelts
• Rear 3-Point Center Seatbelt
• Front Power Seatbelt Height Adjusters
• Front Active Head Restraints
• Crash Sensor Unlocks Doors and Turns On Interior Lights
• Crumple Zones
• L A T C H
• First Aid Kit
• Emergency Fuel Shut-Off Device
• Front and Rear Electronic Parking Aid With Alarm and Camera
• Front and Rear Automatic Locking Retractors
• Sideguard(R) Side Head Curtain Airbags
• Seat Mounted Rear Side Airbags
• Passenger Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
• Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor
• Driver and Passenger Knee Airbags
• Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags
• Driver Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment

Transmission

• Tiptronic(R) Manually Interactive Automatic Transmission
• 6-Speed Electronically Controlled Adaptive Manually Interactive Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
• Adaptive Automatic Transmission