Audi Australia has introduced two outstanding TDI diesel engines to the 2011 Audi A8 range. The Audi A8 now has powerful and economical diesel engines.
Joining the existing 4.2 FSI petrol V8 will be a 184 kW six-cylinder 3.0 TDI and a 258 kW V8 4.2 TDI. The addition of these two state-of-the-art engines elevates Audi’s aluminium-bodied technology leader to new heights in the arena of fuel efficiency and diesel-powered performance.
Demonstrating Vorsprung durch Technik with its powerful and highly efficient engines, advanced driver assistance systems, intuitive MMI control system with touchpad and an elegant interior with a craftsman’s level of fit and finish, the Audi A8 sends a clear message of what is to come for future Audi generations.
A whole new level of efficiency: the 3.0 TDI
The new 3.0 TDI is standard with a start-stop system. When the car comes to a stop at a traffic light or an intersection and the driver keeps the brake depressed, the system’s control unit shuts down the engine. In the standardised driving cycle, the start-stop system reduces consumption by roughly 0.4 litres/100 km or around 8 grams of C02/km. The increase in efficiency is even more pronounced in everyday driving, a high percentage of which takes place in city traffic.
The six-cylinder 3.0 TDI is new from the ground up. All major components are new developments, from the cylinder block to the crankshaft and the connecting rods to the cylinder heads.
The V6 diesel combines strong performance with exemplary efficiency. It produces 184 kW from its 2,967 cc displacement and delivers 550 Nm at 1,500 to 3,000 rpm, representing an increase of 13 kW and 100 Nm compared to the previous model.
Consumption, on the other hand, is reduced by 1.9 litres, or 22 percent, to 6.6 litres/100 km. The 3.0 TDI has CO2 emissions of only 176 g/km – the best in the segment. The V6 diesel accelerates the new Audi A8 from zero to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and to a governed top speed of 250 km/h.
An important development priority was the reduction of weight. The new V6 weighs only 194 kilograms, a full 23 kilograms less than its predecessor.
Massive pulling power: the 4.2 TDI
The 4.2 TDI is a superior high-tech engine. Its displacement of 4,134 cc yields 258 kW and an incredible 800 Nm of torque, the latter of which is available between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. The sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h takes 5.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h.
This makes the standardised consumption of only 7.6 litres/100 km, an equivalent of 199 g/km CO2, all the more impressive. This is a full 1.8 litres/100 km or 19 percent less than its predecessor while power has increased by 18 kW and torque by 150 Nm. The Audi A8 4.2 TDI is the only V8 diesel engine in the luxury class with CO2 emissions below 200 g/km.
The advancements with the 4.2 TDI are primarily the result of the increased injection pressure of the common rail system.
The weight of the TDI dropped to 254 kilograms. The cooling water pipes are now made of aluminium instead of steel; aluminium add-on parts such as the oil pan, the chain box, and the intake module have become lighter. The common rail system lost 1.2 kilograms; the exhaust system is a full 11 kilograms lighter. The two water-cooled turbochargers with variable geometry and charge air cooling are also members of the latest generation.
The A8 4.2 TDI can travel more than 1,100 km on a single tank of fuel.
The Audi A8: the undisputed class leader
The A8 is also light in weight, yet very strong thanks to its elegant and powerful aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) body, weighing about 40 percent less than a comparable steel structure.
The standard new 8-speed tiptronic transmission also plays a large role in increasing efficiency – finely graduating its eight gears while achieving a large overall spread. Its control system is purely electronic, operated with an elegant ‘yacht design’ gear selector and rocker switches at the steering wheel.
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive has a distinct sporty and rear-end bias. The standard sport differential (for V8 models) dynamically distributes the forces between the rear wheels for an outstanding handling characteristic.
The new A8 also claims the lead as the sportiest luxury sedan on the market in terms of its chassis. The wheel control arms are made of aluminium. The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is standard equipment and is integrated into the Audi drive select dynamics system. The optional dynamic steering is a great supplement to this system.
“The new Audi A8 is the sportiest sedan in the segment,” said Audi Australia’s managing director, Uwe Hagen.
“Now with the introduction of these two cutting-edge TDI engines, we have added a new chapter in Audi’s efficiency story and proved without doubt that the A8 is the pinnacle of the Audi range and the leader in its class”.
The full LED headlights (optional), which use light emitting diodes for all light functions, are a very exclusive high-end solution featured on the new A8. They give the brand’s top model an impressive look even in daylight, and at night they are unmistakeable. The revolutionary optics used in these headlights mean a departure from the tubular light modules commonly used today. The full LED headlights herald a new chapter in the history of lighting technology.
The interior is second-to-none and shouts of hand-crafted, uncompromising quality, unparalleled fit and finish, as well as extraordinary attention to the smallest of details. The comfort on board is first class – from striking ambient lighting, to the extendable and user-friendly front and rear centre consoles, 22-way electrically-adjustable front seats to the luxurious adjustable rear seats (optional).
At a glance – The Audi A8
Body
– Lightweight and yet ultra-strong aluminium body with ASF design
– Flowing design, optional full LED headlights
Interior and controls
– Luxurious interior with newly developed, spacious styling
– Craftsman-level fit and finish, emotionally charged interior lighting
– Advanced MMI control system, new MMI touchpad navigation system
– Valcona leather seats with 22-way adjustment, with optional ventilation and massage functions, and luxurious individually-adjustable rear seats (opt).
Safety
– New Audi pre sense safety system for mitigating accidents and their consequences
– Integral head restraint system protects upper torso and supports the head in an accident
– Electronic stabilisation program ESP with traction control and electronic differential lock
– quattro all-wheel drive active safety system
Infotainment and driver assistance systems
– Night vision assistant with pedestrian marking
– Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function
– Audi side assist and lane assist
Drivetrain
– Powerful and efficient engines all with direct injection technology: Two TDi engines and one petrol engine with power ranging from 184kW to 273kW
– Consumption reduced by up to 22 percent
– All engines with recuperation system
– New 8-speed tiptronic as standard, shift-by-wire control
– Standard quattro all-wheel drive with Audi drive select and sport rear differential
Chassis
– Lightweight aluminium suspension
– Audi drive select dynamic driving system including adaptive air suspension and adaptive damping standard, optional dynamic steering
Audi A8 manufacturer’s list price list:
(MLP excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)
Audi A8 3.0 TDI: $188,000
Audi A8 4.2 TDI: $234,500
Audi A8 4.2 FSI: $234,500
