Photo: Audi
What's wrong with stating the size of the engine and what kind of power it makes? Well, everything, according to Audi. The all-new 2018 A8 flagship sedan has gone on sale today across several major markets, but we don't understand what the letters and numbers at the end mean.
Unlike something like an S-Class or 7 Series, the A8 is only available with V6 engines at first. The base model in Germany costs €90,600 and is called A8 55 TFSI quattro.
We understand the quattro and TFSI, but what does 55 mean? Well, any engine delivering between 245 and 275 kW gets that number. More specifically, the 3.0-liter single-turbo V6 found under the hood delivers 340 HP and 500 Nm of torque (369 lb-ft).
With the 8-speed auto and AWD, this helps the A8 jump to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. There's also a long wheelbase version that's slightly heavier and more expensive at €94,100.
As you can probably tell, these new models are around €5,000 more expensive than their predecessors. Way to pull a Porsche on us, Audi!
The other engine available at launch in Europe is called A8 50 TDI quattro. A "50" is when the output is between 210 and 230 kW. Thanks, Audi, now we have to remember the output in kW too? This V6 is familiar to the owners of the new A5 as it produces 286 HP and 600 Nm of torque (443 lb-ft). We don't know how much it costs, but it's probably around €2,000 more.
The 0 to 100 km/h sprint is dealt with in 5.9 seconds. Its NEDC fuel consumption is 5.8 to 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers (40.6-42.0 US mpg). This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 152 to 145 grams per kilometer.
Shortly, we should see a lower output version of the 3.0 TDI, the 4.0 TDI, and 4.0 TFSI powering the S8. Bentley's W12 should also be offered, but the actual headline-grabber is expected to be an S8 e-tron with up to 700 HP from a plug-in hybrid system.
All the new A8 models are fitted as standard with a mild hybrid system integrating an extended start/stop function, engine-off coasting, and brake energy recuperation. Audi says this has helped reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 l/100km.
We understand the quattro and TFSI, but what does 55 mean? Well, any engine delivering between 245 and 275 kW gets that number. More specifically, the 3.0-liter single-turbo V6 found under the hood delivers 340 HP and 500 Nm of torque (369 lb-ft).
With the 8-speed auto and AWD, this helps the A8 jump to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. There's also a long wheelbase version that's slightly heavier and more expensive at €94,100.
As you can probably tell, these new models are around €5,000 more expensive than their predecessors. Way to pull a Porsche on us, Audi!
The other engine available at launch in Europe is called A8 50 TDI quattro. A "50" is when the output is between 210 and 230 kW. Thanks, Audi, now we have to remember the output in kW too? This V6 is familiar to the owners of the new A5 as it produces 286 HP and 600 Nm of torque (443 lb-ft). We don't know how much it costs, but it's probably around €2,000 more.
The 0 to 100 km/h sprint is dealt with in 5.9 seconds. Its NEDC fuel consumption is 5.8 to 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers (40.6-42.0 US mpg). This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 152 to 145 grams per kilometer.
Shortly, we should see a lower output version of the 3.0 TDI, the 4.0 TDI, and 4.0 TFSI powering the S8. Bentley's W12 should also be offered, but the actual headline-grabber is expected to be an S8 e-tron with up to 700 HP from a plug-in hybrid system.
All the new A8 models are fitted as standard with a mild hybrid system integrating an extended start/stop function, engine-off coasting, and brake energy recuperation. Audi says this has helped reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 l/100km.
Google News