Press Release
US Release
Audi Debuts Normal Wheelbase A8 and Exclusive Interior Package
Audi's North American A8 family has a new addition with the introduction of the A8. The normal wheelbase's siblings consist of the A8 L, which went on sale in June of 2003, and the A8 L 6.0, which premiered at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. The latest A8 takes all of the style and technology of the A8 L, and delivers it in a smaller package.
The A8 has a wheelbase, and overall length, that is 5.1 inches shorter than the A8 L. This shorter version helps fill the niche for those looking for A8 L style and luxury, but do not need the expansive rear-seat leg room it offers. The 2005 A8 comes standard with the powerful 335 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 engine and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Like other A8 models, it shares the lightweight aluminum Audi Space Frame technology that has set the A8 line apart from its competition. Base price for the A8 is $66,590.
The A8 L is currently available at a base price of $68,500. A8 L was the first model available in the U.S. with Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI). MMI provides control over onboard electronics with its turn-and-push selector knob and control keys.
At the top of Audi's luxury flagship offerings is the A8 L 6.0. With a 450 hp 6.0-liter W12 engine, and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, the A8 L 6.0 is engineered to perform. A8 L 6.0 is the first Audi model to wear the new signature Singleframe grille. The A8 L 6.0 is also the first production car in the world to use LED technology for it's daytime driving lights. LED lighting uses a fraction of the power that normal bulbs use, so there is virtually no effect on fuel consumption.
Audi also unveiled the new Exclusive Interior Package for the A8 line at the New York Auto Show. These packages, designed by quattro GmbH, are certain to raise the benchmark for interior design in premium automobiles. The package includes Valcona leather seating in three unique colors: Classic Red, Cognac, and Anis Yellow. These colors are accented with black piping, and black floor mats trimmed with color matching the Audi Exclusive Interior color.
Another feature of the packages is wood matched to suit the design scheme. This enhanced wood trim is available with a new pattern called intarsia. A wood and leather steering wheel and wood shift knob add to distinct character of the Audi Exclusive Interior packages. The packages are finished off with a distinguished headliner that accents the interior choice.
UK Release
New Sporting Flagship
Might of 450PS W12 engine is maximised by new performance-oriented standard wheel base A8 6.0 quattro model
- New 'short' wheel base version of 6.0-litre A8 available to order from Monday April 5 for £72,375 OTR
- Features a more overtly sporting specification than long wheel base counterpart - special transmission settings, sports suspension, sports interior
- 450PS @ 6,200rpm, 580Nm @ 4,000rpm, 0-62mph in 5.1 secs, 155mph top speed
A new and more overtly sporting version of the potent 6.0-litre Audi A8 is destined to arrive in Britain within weeks. At £72,375 on the road, the new 'standard wheel- base' A8 6.0 quattro combines performance-enhancing transmission revisions with dynamics and equipment aimed at keen drivers. Orders for the car that stops 130mm short of its 'long' counterpart start in Britain on April 5.
From behind the flagship-identifying single-frame grille, the unique 6.0-litre, 48-valve W12 engine provides 450PS at 6,200rpm, giving the comparatively light aluminium-bodied A8 6.0 quattro an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 229PS per tonne. Combined with an exceptional torque output of 580Nm from 4,000rpm, 95 per cent of which is also available at just 2,300rpm, this makes for deceptively strong performance. The mighty output makes itself felt even more emphatically thanks to a modified final drive ratio for the six-speed tiptronic transmission which further quickens mid-range acceleration compared with the Long Wheel Base model, especially in the 50mph to 70mph overtaking increment.
The sprint from 0-62mph can be covered in just 5.1 seconds, and with an Autobahn to hand 124mph from rest can be achieved in 16.9 seconds. The electronically limited top speed of 155mph can be reached from a standing start in a little under 29 seconds.
This latest Audi super saloon features the usual A8 trademarks of aluminium space frame construction for exceptional rigidity and lightness and unique-in-class quattro permanent four-wheel-drive for unparalleled control. Unlike its long wheel base counterpart, though, it also features sport settings for its four-mode adaptive air suspension, giving a ride height that is always 20mm lower and damper characteristics that are noticeably firmer than the standard car, even when in its 'Dynamic' mode. The result is even more assured, precise and composed handling.
In keeping with this more sporting stance, the A8 6.0 quattro also features changes to its equipment specification compared with its 130mm longer equivalent. Externally it adds larger 19-inch, '12-spoke design' alloy wheels with lower profile 225/40 R19Y tyres, and in the cabin figure-hugging electrically adjustable heated front sports seats and a three-spoke sports-style multifunction steering wheel housing gear change paddles.
As well as its spacious layout, the well appointed cabin of the new A6 will also be notable for its outstanding build quality, its style and its technological content. A version of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) control system seen first in the Audi A8 will be fitted as standard to all A6 models, as will useful enhancements such as cruise control, a CD player, automatic light and wiper activation and servo assisted boot lid locking. From 2005, options including adaptive light cornering lights, electronic tyre pressure monitoring and radar-assisted distance control will also be added.
Other equipment highlights include Valcona leather upholstery and Fine Nappa leather covering centre console and door trims, adaptive headlights with Xenon plus and LED daytime running lights and a DVD-based navigation system incorporated within the acclaimed Multi Media Interface (MMI).
The A8 6.0 quattro completes a highly competitive A8 range that now offers an extremely strong contender on every tier in the luxury segment. The line-up includes benchmark setters such as the 'entry level' A8 3.0 with its performance and economy-conscious multitronic CVT transmission, the A8 3.0 TDI quattro - the world's first luxury diesel saloon to achieve EU4 emissions compliance and the A8 4.0 TDI quattro, Britain's first and only V8 diesel luxury saloon.
