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Audi A8 Full Size Automobile: Reviews, S8, Coupe, D2 And D3
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Published: May 31, 2007
The Audi A8 is among the front-runners of the high-end full size luxury automobiles, both in performance and appearance, and is perennially the most advanced offering in the line of Audi cars. Sleek and elegant in its frame, the interior is packed full of leather and conservative looking wood panels in order to attract customers in the market for refinement and class.
The sound system is premium, manufactured by Bose with 12 speaker, five channel surround sound, and a six-disc compact disc changer. It's no secret that the Audi A8 is a target for wealthy consumers, and it is among the most desirable and attractive cars in its class.
The Audi A8 was introduced in 1994 in Europe, but took another three years to migrate to the market in the United States. When was first released, it came equipped with Audi's D2 platform, an all-aluminum space frame implemented to reduce the weight of the car without decreasing its structural stability. In 2004 Audi released a second series of the A8 which included (among other revisions) a D3 platform, a frame shared by the A8's competitor, the Volkswagen Phaeton.
Audi A8 reviews consistently tout its powerful engine and quattro 4-wheel drive system. The Audi A8 comes equipped with either a V8 engine or a smaller version of a 12-cylinder engine, dubbed the "W12" and introduced in 2001, which is actually two narrow V6 engines attached at the crankshaft. When equipped with the W12, the Audi A8 can reach 60mph in less than six seconds. The quattro gives the Audi A8 a distinct advantage over other competitors' cars in winter weather, but is considerably more bulky than the standard rear wheel drive of comparable cars.
In 2001, Audi introduced the S8 in American markets. The vehicle essentially shared the A8's platform, but includes larger 20 inch wheels, heftier brakes, and the bragging point: a V10 engine inspired by the Lamborghini Gallardo. Audi claims that the V10 can achieve zero to sixty miles per hour in under five seconds, though most road tests can only confirm 5.1 seconds. The engine has been significantly altered from its origination in the Lamborghini, and wields less horsepower, but as a result of its direct fuel-injection it can achieve greater torque and quicker rpm.
In yet another variation on the A8, a German group called IVM Automotive debuted the Audi A8 coupe in 1997 at the Geneva Auto Show. Though there were initial plans for mass production of this sleek, shorter version of the A8 sedan, Audi ultimately decided not to continue its production based on low sales for comparable competitors' vehicles. The single prototype remains the property of IVM Automotive in Munich.
The Audi A8, with its many versions, ranges drastically in price, starting at around $66,000 for the entry-level model V8 and increasing to as much as $118,000 for the sophisticated A8 L W12 quattro.
The S8 starts at around $90,000, splitting the difference in terms of style, specifications, and price. The Audi A8 is truly one of the most elegant, powerful, and appealing luxury cars on the market.
Sources:
2007 Audi A8, The: Features and Specifications. Audi of America. 2007. 29 May 2007.
http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi _A8/A8/specifications.html
"Audi A8." Wikipedia. 27 May 2007. 29 May 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A8.
"Audi A8 Review." Edmunds.com. 1995-2007. Edmunds Inc. 29 May 2007.
http://www.edmunds.com/audi/a8/review.html
Kacher, Georg. "Audi A8." Automobile Magazine.1996-2006. Primedia Magazines, Inc. 29 May 2007.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0212 _audi_a8/
Lienert, Dan. "2006 Audi A8 Vs. 2006 Lexus LS 430." ForbesAutos.com. 21 Sept. 2005. Forbes.com LLC. 29 May 2007. http://www.forbesautos.com/reviews/2006/audi/a8/co mparison.html
Quiraga, Tony. "2007 Audi S8 - Road Tests." Car and Driver. March 2007. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc. 29 May 2007. http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/12356/2007-a udi-s8.html
The Audi A8 was introduced in 1994 in Europe, but took another three years to migrate to the market in the United States. When was first released, it came equipped with Audi's D2 platform, an all-aluminum space frame implemented to reduce the weight of the car without decreasing its structural stability. In 2004 Audi released a second series of the A8 which included (among other revisions) a D3 platform, a frame shared by the A8's competitor, the Volkswagen Phaeton.
Audi A8 reviews consistently tout its powerful engine and quattro 4-wheel drive system. The Audi A8 comes equipped with either a V8 engine or a smaller version of a 12-cylinder engine, dubbed the "W12" and introduced in 2001, which is actually two narrow V6 engines attached at the crankshaft. When equipped with the W12, the Audi A8 can reach 60mph in less than six seconds. The quattro gives the Audi A8 a distinct advantage over other competitors' cars in winter weather, but is considerably more bulky than the standard rear wheel drive of comparable cars.
In 2001, Audi introduced the S8 in American markets. The vehicle essentially shared the A8's platform, but includes larger 20 inch wheels, heftier brakes, and the bragging point: a V10 engine inspired by the Lamborghini Gallardo. Audi claims that the V10 can achieve zero to sixty miles per hour in under five seconds, though most road tests can only confirm 5.1 seconds. The engine has been significantly altered from its origination in the Lamborghini, and wields less horsepower, but as a result of its direct fuel-injection it can achieve greater torque and quicker rpm.
In yet another variation on the A8, a German group called IVM Automotive debuted the Audi A8 coupe in 1997 at the Geneva Auto Show. Though there were initial plans for mass production of this sleek, shorter version of the A8 sedan, Audi ultimately decided not to continue its production based on low sales for comparable competitors' vehicles. The single prototype remains the property of IVM Automotive in Munich.
The Audi A8, with its many versions, ranges drastically in price, starting at around $66,000 for the entry-level model V8 and increasing to as much as $118,000 for the sophisticated A8 L W12 quattro.
The S8 starts at around $90,000, splitting the difference in terms of style, specifications, and price. The Audi A8 is truly one of the most elegant, powerful, and appealing luxury cars on the market.
Sources:
2007 Audi A8, The: Features and Specifications. Audi of America. 2007. 29 May 2007.
http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi _A8/A8/specifications.html
"Audi A8." Wikipedia. 27 May 2007. 29 May 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A8.
"Audi A8 Review." Edmunds.com. 1995-2007. Edmunds Inc. 29 May 2007.
http://www.edmunds.com/audi/a8/review.html
Kacher, Georg. "Audi A8." Automobile Magazine.1996-2006. Primedia Magazines, Inc. 29 May 2007.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0212 _audi_a8/
Lienert, Dan. "2006 Audi A8 Vs. 2006 Lexus LS 430." ForbesAutos.com. 21 Sept. 2005. Forbes.com LLC. 29 May 2007. http://www.forbesautos.com/reviews/2006/audi/a8/co mparison.html
Quiraga, Tony. "2007 Audi S8 - Road Tests." Car and Driver. March 2007. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc. 29 May 2007. http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/12356/2007-a udi-s8.html
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