The new 2011 A8 is designed to satisfy the most discerning driver who demands everything from a performance luxury sedan.
Efficient Performance
You
demand performance that is as intelligent as it is powerful. That is
exactly what you will find in the new A8. The 372 hp 4.2 V8 direct fuel
injection engine equals the fuel efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz S400
and Lexus LS 600h hybrids and surpasses the fuel efficiency of the BMW
ActiveHybrid.* You read that right. The new A8 delivers better fuel
economy than some hybrid vehicles.
4.2 FSI® V8 Engine
The
A8 delivers performance and handling typically reserved for cars half
its size. It all starts with the 4.2 FSI® V8 engine. Thanks to FSI®
technology, the 4.2 is powerful, responsive and offers impressive fuel
efficiency. FSI® injects a highly precise amount of fuel into the engine
cylinders that is perfectly matched to the volume of air. Within the
cylinder, the specially designed piston heads compress the fuel-air
mixture, creating a spiraling effect. The result is the most efficient
combustion possible. Making the most of the fuel and air combustion
results in maximum efficiency and responsive power at any RPM.
Eight-speed Automatic Tiptronic® Transmission
Power
is transmitted via the new shift-by-wire eight-speed Tiptronic®
Transmission. With optimally spread gear ratios that produce dynamic
acceleration, the eight-speed transmission also helps reduce fuel
consumption by an estimated 6 percent when compared to a six-speed
automatic transmission. Thanks to its innovative design and optimal gear
layout, the weight of the transmission has not been increased over the
previous six-speed transmission.
quattro® with Available Sport Rear Differential
Permanent
all-wheel drive systems are not created equal. And they certainly don't
perform that way, either. quattro is essentially a mechanical system
devised around a torque-sensing, self-locking, center differential that
shifts torque instantaneously to where it's needed. This means quattro
is adjusting power between front and rear axles more than 100 times a
second, helping ensure torque is delivered to the wheels where traction
exists. Under normal driving situations, quattro distributes the power
between each axle by sending 40 percent to the front wheels and 60
percent to the rear wheels, enhancing the driving dynamics while helping
maintain optimum control. Constantly assessing grip, quattro ensures
the best possible combination of traction and handling, regardless of
the road conditions.
quattro
with Sport Rear Differential additionally senses which rear wheel to
deliver an optimum level of torque. Specifically, it directs most of the
power to the outer rear wheel to help steer the car through the corner.
This reduces understeer, common among other all-wheel drive systems,
and creates the true sportscar handling found in an Audi.
Aluminum ASF® technology
Lightweight
and rigid, the revolutionary aluminum ASF® technology offers
class-leading weight savings - a benefit you will notice in the overall
efficiency, enhanced performance and remarkable handling. It is why you
can apply the words "precise" and "graceful" to a vehicle this powerful
and athletic.
Servotronic® Steering
Handling
is further increased by Servotronic® speed sensitive steering. The
dynamic technology of this steering system varies the power assistance
based on vehicle speed. At low speeds, the steering operates with a high
degree of power assist and the steering is extremely direct, requiring
minimal turns of the wheel from lock to lock. It is these flawless
shifts of Servotronic® that add an extra layer of performance to the A8.
Audi drive select
Progressive
Audi technology flourishes with hundreds available vehicle handling and
performance combinations thanks to Audi drive select. Whether you
prefer the smooth, luxurious ride of Comfort mode or the more direct and
firmer responses of Dynamic mode, Audi drive select allows you to
tailor the vehicle to your liking. The result is a driving experience
that ensures your A8 always performs to your preferences.
Adaptive air suspension
A8
handling is even more evolved with the standard adaptive air
suspension. It's designed to react to driving forces nearly
instantaneously producing a comfortable, responsive ride in any driving
condition. Additionally, body roll and pitch are reduced by increasing
damping through corners and under braking, resulting in a composed and
responsive ride. For optimal personalization, adaptive air suspension
offers four modes to select from, Auto, Dynamic, Comfort, and Lift.
Depending on the mode and vehicle speed, the suspension can lower the
body up to 1".
Advanced Braking
The
new A8 has a braking system that is carefully engineered for maximum
heat dissipation and low weight. All four discs are internally
ventilated, with stainless steel pins connecting the front friction
plates and brake pistons made from aluminum. This sport-inspired concept
is new to the luxury class and saves up to 10.5 lbs. per wheel, and
makes the brakes less sensitive to fading under extreme lead. The wheel
range also underscores the powerful character of the new Audi A8, with
the 4.2 FSI running on light-weight 19" alloys wrapped in all season
tires.