Audi announces 12 cylinder A8
Smooth as silk!
12-cylinder Audi A8 L
Audi proudly presents its new flagship model: the 12-cylinder A8. The brand with the four-ring badge yet again defines the benchmark for dynamic performance in the very top automotive bracket. Because the launching of the A8 L 6.0 quattro marks the appearance of a vehicle full of superlatives – the most sporty luxury saloon car in the world. Twelve cylinders, 331 kW (450 bhp) and 580 Newton-metres of torque – a gain of 30 bhp and 20 Nm on the predecessor model – make this a supremely excellent car.
The A8 6.0 L quattro sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, and it accelerates from 0 to 200 in a mere 17.4 seconds. The twelve-cylinder model reaches its electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h after scarcely 30 seconds. The most impressive thing about it is just how spontaneously the six-litre engine translates every adjustment of the throttle into acceleration, and just how smoothly it can rev right up to the rated speed of 6,200 rpm if desired.
At the same time more than 95 percent of the engine's peak torque is available between 2,300 and 5,300 rpm; the ideal basis for supreme pulling power in every velocity range. The torque characteristic of this large-capacity naturally aspirated engine is without comparison.
The six-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic function makes sure that exactly the right amount of power is always available. And it additionally offers the driver the chance to intervene actively in the tiptronic gearshift gate. The automatic transmission's Sport program waits for higher engine speeds before shifting up, and shifts down sooner, allowing the full revving ability of the twelve-cylinder engine to be utilised.
In conjunction with the low weight of the aluminium body built using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) principle, the engine and transmission turn in an excellent performance coupled with exemplary economy.
quattro permanent four-wheel drive remains unequalled in the luxury segment.
It translates engine performance into superbly effective propulsion and lateral support. The aluminium chassis with air suspension as standard is a feature found only on the new A8 L 6.0 quattro, a system that delivers the right characteristic for every situation: by means of the continuously variable damper settings, the adaptive air suspension reduces body movements, while optimising roadholding and ride comfort.
The driver can choose between four predefined settings via the MMI, for a suspension characteristic spanning the full range from overtly sporty to ultra-comfortable.
The A8 L 6.0 quattro is recognisable at first glance as the top model in the range. Its front end is distinguished by the new formal idiom of Audi design. Its central element is the striking single-frame radiator grille, the outer chrome ring of which surrounds the painted grey fins of the grille with horizontal chrome strips. The W12 badge provides a visual indication of the vehicle's potential.
The clear glass headlight covers visibly display the technology that they protect:
the 12-cylinder A8 is the first car in the world to be equipped with the new lighting technology of adaptive light with LED daytime driving lights, whose distinctive 5-star lighting elements also have a dual function as new design features for the vehicle's front end.
A revolutionary technology: because the A8 L 6.0 quattro is the first vehicle in the world on which the use of daytime driving lights has virtually no effect on fuel consumption – a clear safety advantage, as the car is more easily spotted whatever the light conditions. This advance has been made possible by the use of LED units, the energy consumption of which is only a fraction of that of conventional bulbs.
The interior affords an atmosphere of superb luxury. The top quality of the materials and finish, visible and palpable down to the smallest detail, perfectly complements the spaciousness and perfected ergonomic layout. The driver and passengers alike can savour an ambience, the style, exclusivity and functionality of which are remarkable, even in the luxury car bracket.
All these characteristics highlight the sheer technological calibre of this luxury saloon and – in conjunction with the superlative drive train and suspension – create a unique vehicle: the Audi A8 6.0 L quattro.
The new Audi flagship model can be ordered from December 8, 2003; delivery commencing February 2004. The price of the Audi A8 L 6.0 quattro in Germany is € 117,000.
Technical Data – Audi A8L 6.0 quattro
Programme for Germany – Status: November 2003
Model
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Audi A8L 6.0 quattro
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Engine / electrics
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Engine type
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Aluminium W12 spark-ignition engine, DOHC
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Valve gear / number of valves per cylinder
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Continuous camshaft adjustment for inlet and exhaust valves,
roller cam follower with hydraulic adjustment / 4
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Displacement in cc / bore x stroke in mm / compression
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5998 / 84.0 x 90.2 / 10.75
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Max. power output in kW (bhp) / at rpm
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331 (450) / 6200 (acc. to 1999/99/EC)
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Max. torque in Nm / at rpm
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580 / 4000-4700 (acc. to 1999/99/EC)
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Engine management
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Motronic ME 7.1.1: fully electronic sequential injection, coordinated torque control, hot-film air-mass measurement, drive-by-wire throttle control, mapped ignition with solid-state high-voltage distribution, cylinder-selective knock control using four sensors, adaptive lambda control, two control units
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Exhaust emission control
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Air-gap-insulated exhaust manifold, four close-coupled 3-way catalytic converters
8 heated oxygen sensors
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Emission category
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EU 4
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Alternator in A / battery in A/Ah
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190 / 520/110
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Drive / transmission
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Type of drive
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Permanent all-wheel drive with Torsen centre differential and Electronic Stabilisation Program ESP
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Clutch
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Hydraulic torque converter with lock-up clutch
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Gearbox type
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6-speed tiptronic with DSP and additional sport program
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Gear ratio in 1st gear / 2nd gear
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4.171 / 2.340
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Gear ratio in 3rd gear / 4th gear
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1.521 / 1.143
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Gear ratio in 5th gear / 6th gear
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0.867 / 0.691
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Reverse gear / final drive ratio (autom.: constant ratio)
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3.403 / 3.317
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Running gear / steering / brakes
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Front suspension
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Four-link front suspension, double upper and lower wishbones, anti-roll bar, air suspension
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Rear suspension
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Self-tracking trapezoidal-link axle with wishbone, anti-roll bar, air suspension
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Steering / steering ratio / turning circle in m (D102)
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Maintenance-free rack-and-pinion steering with speed-dependent power assistance and variable ratio / approx. 12.7
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Brake system, front/rear
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Diagonally split dual-circuit brake system with ESP, brake servo, hydraulic brake assist, ventilated disc brakes at front and rear;
front: dual-piston callipers; rear: electromechanical parking brake
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Wheels/tyres
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Cast aluminium wheels, 12-spoke design; 8.5Jx18 / 255/45 R18 99 Y
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Performance / consumption / acoustics
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Maximum speed in km/h
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250 (governed)
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Acceleration 0-80 / 0-100 km/h in sec
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3.8 / 5.2
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Fuel grade
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Super Plus or Euro-Super unleaded, 98/95 RON
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Fuel consumption: urban/extra urban/overall, l/100 km 1)
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20.5 / 9.9 / 13.8
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CO2 mass emission, g/km 1)
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331
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Standing / drive-past exterior noise level in dB (A)
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76/73
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Servicing / warranty (Germany)
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Long-life service after a maximum of ... km
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15,000 - 30,000 km according to service indicator (max. 2 years)
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Vehicle / paint / rust penetration warranty
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2 years with unlimited mileage / 3 years / 12 years
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Insurance classification in Germany
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31 (fully comprehensive) / 31 (part-comprehensive) / 23 (third party)
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Weights / loads
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Unladen weight in kg / gross weight limit in kg
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1995 / 2545
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Axle load limit at front / rear in kg
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1410 / 1300
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Trailer load limit, unbraked in kg
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750
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Trailer load limit on 8% / 12% gradient, braked in kg
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2300 / 2300
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Roof load limit in kg / permissible nose weight in kg
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100 / 95
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Capacities
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Cooling system capacity (incl. heating) in l
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18.9
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Engine oil capacity (incl. filter) in l
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13.3
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Fuel tank capacity in l
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90
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Body / dimensions
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Body type / number of doors / seats
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Aluminium: Audi Space Frame ASF / 4 / 5
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Drag coefficient cD / frontal area A in m2
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0.28 / 2.31
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Length (L103) / width excl. mirrors (W103) / height (H100), mm
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5192 / 1894 / 1455
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Wheelbase (L101) / track at front/rear (W101/W102), mm
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3074 / 1619 / 1605
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Height of loading lip in mm (H195)
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715
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Luggage capacity in l, acc. to VDA block method (V210)
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500
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| 1) acc. to1999/100/EC
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