Initial release
The third-generation Audi A8 (Typ 4H) is based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform, but retains the Audi Space Frame aluminium construction of the previous A8, making it the lightest all-wheel drive car in the full-size luxury segment, while also giving it best-in-class fuel economy.[42][43] The quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque with a default bias of 40 percent front and 60 percent rear.
The vehicle was unveiled at Design Miami 2009 on 30 November 2009,[44] followed by the 2010 North American International Auto Show.[45]
Early models include A8 4.2 FSI quattro (372PS), A8 3.0 TDI quattro (250PS), A8 4.2 TDI quattro (350PS).[46] A8 3.0 TDI (204PS) was added later.[47]
Initial internal combustion engine options comprise 4.2-litre Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) petrol and Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel V8s, with 273 kW and 258 kW respectively. A 3.0-litre V6 TDI with either 184 kW or 150 kW will be available later. A 6.3-litre W12 engine only for the long wheelbase model was made available in 2010, and compared to its predecessor it has a larger displacement and direct fuel injection.[48] All engines are mated to the new eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission. Although other Audi vehicles such as the 2010 Audi S4 and 2011 Audi A7 had switched from the 4.2 L V8 to the 3.0 L supercharged V6, the Audi A8 retained a higher-output 4.2 L V8 as the base engine for the 2011 and 2012 model years in North America.
Taiwan models went on sale on 11 November 2010. Early models include 3.0 TFSI quattro (290PS).[49]
New features
Changes include:[50]
- Full LED headlamps with Automatic high beam switching or Audi adaptive light (Xenon) with variable headlight range control.
- Enhanced MMI Multi Media Interface with touchpad & handwriting recognition for the phone and navigation system, using Nvidia Tegra system on a chip for very high processing speed.
- Optional 1,400 watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.
- Driver assistance systems networked using FlexRay technology.[51]
New features
Changes include:[50]
- Full LED headlamps with Automatic high beam switching or Audi adaptive light (Xenon) with variable headlight range control.
- Enhanced MMI Multi Media Interface with touchpad & handwriting recognition for the phone and navigation system, using Nvidia Tegra system on a chip for very high processing speed.
- Optional 1,400 watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.
- Driver assistance systems networked using FlexRay technology.[51]
- Hard disk drive GPS navigation with
A8 L (2010)
The vehicle was unveiled at Auto China 2010,[54][55] followed by the 2011 Taipei Motor Show (A8 L W12 quattro).[56]
German models went on sale in the fall of 2010. Early models include a 3.0 TFSI quattro (290PS), a 4.2 FSI quattro (372PS), a W12 6.3 FSI quattro (500PS), a 3.0 TDI quattro (250PS) and a 4.2 TDI quattro (350PS).[57]
Taiwan models went on sale on 11 November 2010. Early models include a 3.0 TFSI quattro (290PS) and a 4.2 FSI quattro (372PS).[49] The A8L W12 quattro was added in 2011.[58] The A8L 4.0 TFSI quattro was added in 2012.[59]
A8 hybrid concept (2010)
The concept vehicle includes a 2.0 TFSI engine rated at 211 PS and 350 Nm of torque at 1,500–4,200 rpm, a disc-shaped electric motor rated at 45 PS and 211 Nm of torque, lithium-ion battery, luggage space of 400 L, 21-inch wheels with 265/35 tires, Prism Silver body colour with Spectra Flair accent colour, 'hybrid' lettering on both front fender and illuminated doorsteps with 'hybrid' insignia.[61][62]
The vehicle was unveiled in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show.[63]
A8 L long-term evolution broadband prototype (2011)
It is a version of the A8 L demonstrating 4G long-term evolution (LTE) broadband technology. Developed in collaboration with Alcatel-Lucent, the car's mobile broadband connection is a fourth generation (‘4G’) technology with data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s.[64][65]
During the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Rupert Stadler, chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, announced that LTE technology would be used in cars by early 2011. The A8 L prototype was unveiled weeks later.[66]
A8 L Security (2011–2017)
The A8 L Security is an armoured version of the A8 L with class VR 7 ballistic protection standard (tested as per BRV 2009 guidelines), resistance to explosions against a military hand grenade (tested as per ERV 2010 guidelines), with certain areas of the armouring complies with the criteria for class VR 9 and VR 10, a core safety cell made from hot-formed armoured steel, aramid fabric, ceramics, special alloyed aluminium and multilayer glass; overlapping protective materials at the joints, aluminum side sills with solid steel sections, aluminum alloy armored floor, side windows, windshield and rear window made of special glass with a polycarbonate coating; optional electromechanical window openers, closing assist feature comes standard for the doors, communication box in the luggage compartment (light ceramic doors, aluminum frame), optional battery and the fuel tank protection, two-way communication system with a speaker in the single-frame grille and microphones for the cabin and exterior, an emergency exit system with pyrotechnical separating screws in the hinges, fire extinguisher system, emergency fresh-air system with two oxygen cartridges, a smoke extractor for the passenger compartment, an LED signaling system for convoy travel, flashing lights, a siren, a preparation for professional mobile radio systems, a flag holder, a permanently installed telephone, an accident data recorder, an additional rearview camera and a heated windshield plus partially heated side windows, four-zone climate control system with an ionizer to freshen the air, electric rear blinds, the sonorous Bose surround sound system and a TV tuner. In the rear are two individual seats with power adjustment, front comfort seats with heating and optional massage and ventilation functions, standard full-leather package, optional relaxation seat (adjustable right-hand rear seat with a power-adjustable footrest, heating and massage), optional center console with large storage compartments and rear seat entertainment system with two 10.2-inch displays, optional folding table, optional refrigerator, optional parking heater, Bluetooth car phone online, integrated UMTS module, optional separate telephone handsets, 19-inch forged wheels featuring semipolished two-tone finishing, 255/720 tires with a high load index of 117, synthetic rings on the rims, and an optional full-size spare tire.[67]
A8 hybrid (2012)
The production version includes an electric motor rated at 54 PS and 210 Nm of torque, 1.25 kWh lithium-ion battery, 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels in turbine blades design (optional 19-inch), hybrid badges, metallic paint finish (optional Arctic Silver body colour), three-zone automatic air conditioning, LED headlights, and a BOSE sound system. Pure electric mode is available for either a top speed of 100 km/h or for up to 3 km at a constant speed of 60 km/h. It went on sale in 2012.[73][74][75]
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.[76][77]
A8 L W12 Audi exclusive concept
It is a limited (50 units) version of the A8 L W12 with seats upholstered in Cognac-colored leather by Poltrona Frau, inlays made from the wood olive ash natural, light gray-brown veneer, sill trims with "Audi exclusive concept" lettering, deep-pile carpeting.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.[78]
A8 L hybrid
The long wheelbase version of the A8 hybrid was unveiled in 2010 at the Beijing Auto Show.[79]
S8 4.0 TFSI quattro (2012)
The D4 series Audi S8 4.0 TFSI quattro went on sale in 2012. The D4 S8 was based on the A8 platform, considered in America to be the "short wheel base" comparative to the A8L. Like the previous iteration, the D4 S8 costs less than the A8 L W12.[80][81]
The S8 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. It is powered by a 4.0-litre TFSI biturbo V8 engine with 382 kW. The engine utilises cylinder deactivation so it can run as a V4 for better fuel economy.[80] The S8's engine is shared with the Bentley Continental GT, while a detuned variant of the engine makes 420 hp which is found in the 2013 Audi S6, Audi S7, and Audi A8. Direct competitors include the BMW Alpina B7 and Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, which also have biturbo V8 engines.
S8 Plus 4.0 TFSI quattro (2016)
Based on the same chassis and underpinnings as the D4 S8, the D4 S8 Plus became the sole option for ordering the S8-variant of the Audi A8 line in the US, in the 2016 and 2017 model years. The S8 Plus was dialed up to 605 hp out of the same powerplant as the previous S8, by remapping the turbo boost and fuel delivery of the engine. Additionally, the Carbon Ceramic braking system is standard on the S8 Plus in some markets. The vast majority of options on the S8 Plus were identical to the previous S8; however, it had darkened tail lights standard, and the option for adding carbon fiber styling elements such as the mirror caps, rear lip spoiler, rear diffuser, and front lip. Different markets had different standard packages combining elements of the external carbon package, the dynamic package and the interior design package. A highly optioned build of the S8 Plus would outprice the nominally higher-end A8 L W12 whose production ceased after the 2018 model year.[86] Unlike the regular S8 which was built by Audi on the regular assembly line alongside other A8 variants, the S8 Plus was built by Audi Sport (formerly Quattro GmbH) and has a VIN that starts with WUA to identify it.[87]
Marketing
As part of the Audi A8 launch in Taiwan, Audi built an Audi pavilion in Xin-Yi district, with Tom Dixon invited for the launch event. Yu-Cheng Chou and Chun-Ten Lin's art works were displayed with A8.[89] The Audi A8 3.0 TFSI quattro (290PS) was used in Transporter: The Series.[90] Audi S8 was used in Avengers: Age of Ultron,[91] alongside Spider-Man: Homecoming.[92]
2013 model year update
Early German A8 models include 3.0 TFSI quattro (290PS), 4.0 TFSI quattro (420PS), 3.0 TDI (204PS), 3.0 TDI quattro (250PS), 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (250PS), 4.2 TDI quattro (350PS), A8 L W12 quattro (500PS), A8 hybrid 2.0 TFSI. Early German A8 L Security models include 4.0 TFSI quattro, W12 6.3 FSI quattro.[93]
The updated A8 uses LED headlight technology, with automatic high beam lighting. Osram supplies the LEDs, while Hella supplies the headlamp itself.[94]
Early US models include the A8(L) 3.0 TFSI quattro (333PS), the A8(L) 4.0 TFSI quattro, the S8 4.0 TFSI quattro and the A8 L W12 6.3 FSI quattro. The A8 3.0 TFSI quattro and A8 4.0 TFSI quattro replaced the A8 4.2 FSI quattro.[95] The A8 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (240PS) was unveiled at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show, and was set to go on sale in Spring 2013 as a 2014 model year vehicle.[96]
Engines
The A8 L 2.0 TFSI hybrid is sold as an A8L 40 hybrid in China.
The A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro (290PS) is sold as an A8L 45 TFSI quattro in China.
Transmission
All models include an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.
Recalls
2013–2014 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles equipped with a standard sunroof, manufactured between 12 March 2013, and 15 July 2013, were recalled due to possible shattering of sunroof glass panel.[102]
Marketing
As part of the 2013 S8 4.0 TFSI quattro launch in the US, a TV commercial called 'Suspect' was produced in association with Venables Bell & Partners, USA, Furlined, The Whitehouse, 740 Sound Design & Mix, Lime Studios;[103] starring Abigail Spencer.[104] The ad takes cues from quintessential heist films with the S8 taking center stage against a mysterious and suspenseful bank robbery scene. The spot closes with the tagline "Heighten Every Moment." The commercial was premiered during the 2012 NFL season kick-off game on 5 September 2012. The "Suspect" commercial featuring the Audi S8 also aired on CBS and NBC, and select cable networks, including: Food, FX, National Geographic, ESPN, USA, CNN, and AMC. A 30-second version would also be viewable on CNN.com, Reuters.com, Wired.com, Yahoo! and more.[105]
2014 model year facelift
A8, S8, A8 Audi exclusive concept, A8 hybrid (2013)
Changes include:[107]
The A8 Audi Exclusive Concept is a limited (50 units) version of the A8 L W12 quattro with interior leather upholstery from Italian furniture manufacturer Poltrona Frau in the color Agatha cognac, inlays are made of fine grain olive ash natural silver brown, Tierra Del Fuego body colour. Production was set to begin at the quattro GmbH facility in Neckarsulm starting in March 2014.[110]
The Audi S8 includes a four-cylinder mode with ANC, two elliptical dual tailpipes, dynamic steering, sport differential, adaptive air suspension sport with an S-specific setup, 20-inch wheels, S8 emblems on front brake calipers, optional Audi design selection black/Vermont brown with Carbon twill copper inlays.
The Audi A8 hybrid includes a custom Audi luggage set for the trunk.
The vehicles were unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by the 2014 Detroit Auto Show[111]
A8, S8, A8 Audi exclusive concept, A8 hybrid (2013)
Changes include:[107]
The A8 Audi Exclusive Concept is a limited (50 units) version of the A8 L W12 quattro with interior leather upholstery from Italian furniture manufacturer Poltrona Frau in the color Agatha cognac, inlays are made of fine grain olive ash natural silver brown, Tierra Del Fuego body colour. Production was set to begin at the quattro GmbH facility in Neckarsulm starting in March 2014.[110]
The Audi S8 includes a four-cylinder mode with ANC, two elliptical dual tailpipes, dynamic steering, sport differential, adaptive air suspension sport with an S-specific setup, 20-inch wheels, S8 emblems on front brake calipers, optional Audi design selection black/Vermont brown with Carbon twill copper inlays.
The Audi A8 hybrid includes a custom Audi luggage set for the trunk.
The vehicles were unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by the 2014 Detroit Auto Show[111] and the 2014 Toronto Auto Show.[112]
A8 L Security (2014)
Available in V8 4.0 TFSI or W12 FSI engines, the A8 L Security is an armoured version of the A8 L with VR9 ballistic protection standard in accordance with the BRV 2009 guideline, with VR10 in certain areas, and explosives resistance tested in accordance with the ERV 2010 guideline (Explosion Resistant Vehicles). The occupant cell is made of heat-formed armor steel, aramid fabric, ceramic, a special aluminum alloy, and multi-laminated glass, with protective materials which overlap at transitions. The aluminum side sills incorporate ballistic-proof profiles. The armor-plated vehicle floor is made from a special aluminum alloy for explosive weapons resistance. Door windows, windshield and rear window incorporate special glass with a splinter-inhibiting polycarbonate layer on the inside, with doorstop function and optional electromechanical side windows. Other optional security equipment include emergency exit system with pyrotechnic fracture bolts in the hinges to detach the door from the body, fire extinguisher system with two tanks and nozzles that spray to wheel arches, onto the underbody, the tank, and into the engine compartment; emergency fresh-air system with two pressurized cartridges housed in the protected zone, security start with remote radio signal engine start, selective unlocking of doors, a smoke extractor for the interior, an LED signal system for convoy driving, pennant holder, flashing lights, a siren, a preparation for or installation of analog and digital radio networks for security authorities and organizations, a built-in phone, an accident data recorder, an additional rear camera, a heated windshield including partly heated side windows. Other features included LED (V8 4.0 TFSI) or Matrix LED (W12 FSI) headlights, quattro permanent all-wheel drive, armor-plated (ceramic doors, aluminum frame) communications box in the trunk with a supplementary battery, optional battery and fuel tank protection, intercom system with a loudspeaker in the Singleframe grille and microphones for the interior and the vehicle's surroundings, two electrically adjustable individual seats in the rear, front comfort seats with optional with massage and ventilation functions (optional front-passenger relaxation seat with electric-control footrest, ventilation and massage function), an optional continuous center console with large storage compartments is also available, rear seat entertainment with two 10.2-inch displays, optional folding table, a cool box and auxiliary heating; new Unicum leather interior upholstery, forged 19-inch wheels, 255/70 tires with high load index 117, polymer rings on the rims, direct-measurement tire pressure monitoring system, optional spare wheel, 4-zone automatic air conditioning with an ionizer, electric rear blinds, Bose surround sound system, a TV tuner, and parking system plus with surround view camera.
S8 plus (2015)
Based on the short wheelbase S8, the S8 plus includes increased engine power to 605 PS and 700 Nm of torque, with overboost to 750 Nm of torque, as well as unique 21-inch wheels with 275/35R21 tires in Germany.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.[118] The German model went on sale in end of November 2015 for a base price of 145,200 euros.[119] The US model went on sale in December 2015 as 2016 model year vehicle for US$114,900.[120]
Transmission
All models include an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.
Production
The A8's aluminium chassis was built at the Neckarsulm plant.[123]
Marketing
As an April Fools' Day joke on 1 April 2015, Audi Japan announced a special edition A8 5.5 with a rice cooker on the rear center console. The 5.5 designation is a play on the Japanese words "go" (five) and "han" (half); when combined, they become "gohan" (悟飯), which is the Japanese word for "rice".[124] Audi S8 was used in The Transporter Refueled.[125] Audi S8 was used in Avengers: Age of Ultron,[91] alongside Spider-Man: Homecoming.[92] A blockbuster style commercial film Suspect was published for the Audi S8 in 2012, which features an unnamed male model as driver.[126]
