Although the Volkswagen Phaeton, long wheelbase Jaguar XJ8 and Lexus LS 430 compete in the same size and price category as the A8, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series are often thought to be its primary rivals. On the market since 1994, it has fully established itself as a popular alternative to these long-running competitors. Most versions feature Quattro all-wheel-drive as standard as well as a multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmission.

First generation (1994-2003)

The A8 debuted in Europe in 1994, although it wasn't until 1997 that it became available in North America. Unlike the V8 model, which was built on an existing steel platform, the A8 debuted on Audi's then-new D2 platform, an all aluminum space frame which helped to significantly reduce weight without being any less rigid.

In addition to being the world's first car built on an entirely aluminum platform, updates to the car in 1997 included the addition of six interior airbags, making the A8 the first vehicle to be so equipped.

For 2001, Audi introduced their new W12 engine, a compact 6.0 L unit developed by mating two 3.0 L VR6 engines together at the crankshaft, similar to the 3.6 L engine from the V8 model which had been created by mating two inline-four cylinder engines at the crankshaft. The engine quickly became available in the A8, although only to European and Asian customers. From its introduction through its discontinuation in 2003, only 750 of the W12 models were produced.

Second generation (2004-current)

A second generation went on sale early in 2003 using Audi's D3 platform. The model was longer than before, with room for five adult occupants in the cabin, including enough legroom in the rear for six-footers-plus to stretch out in the rear in absolute comfort.

Audi restyled the D3 platform A8 range slightly in 2005, endowing all variants with a tall and wide so-called single-frame grille inspired that of the Nuvolari concept car. The top-of-the-line 12-cylinder W12 version was the first to be equipped with this grille before it was introduced to less potent A8s. Subsequently, all current Audi models down to the Audi A3 have adopted this controversial styling element. In addition to the styling update, new engines became available to European and Asian market customers. The entry-level 3.0 V6 was replaced by a new 3.2 L unit featuring FSI, which it shares with the new A4. More significantly was the introduction of a 4.2 L Diesel V8 engine generating 240 kW (326 PS) of power, the most powerful Diesel engine Audi has ever offered in a passenger automobile. The engine uses two turbochargers and two intercoolers with each turbocharger functioning exclusively for one set of four cylinders.

Read more at Wikipedia.org





	A8L 4.2, Oyster Gray Metallic, Leather, Navigation $18,000.00	06 Midsize 6-Speed Awd 4X4 Bose Sedan Et Premium Lcd $36,666.00

	07 Audi A8L Lwb Certified Rare One Owner Export Ok $500.00	2006 A8L 19 Inch Wheels $81K Window 35K Mi Buy It Now!! $22,600.00

	2006(06)A8 L Only 40K Fact.W-Y Prem/Conv.Pkg Navi.Save $1,050.00	06 Midsize 6-Speed Awd 4X4 Bose Sedan Premium Express $36,470.00

	06 Midsize 6-Speed Awd 4X4 Bose Satellite Sedan Premium $36,890.00	06 A8 L Quattro Loaded Awd Roof Leathr Fact Warr! $31,080.00

	2005 Audi A8 Quattro Navigation Xenon Shades Parktronic $5,655.00	06 Brilliant Black A-8 quattro Awd Sedan, Certified*Fl $40,000.00

	07 Black quattro A-8 Lwb Sedan Navigation Florida $44,000.00	Audi A8-L*AwdNavConvenience PkgCold Weather Pkg*Fla $17,100.00

	2006 Audi A8 L Sdn 4.2L $18,000.00	Very nice and clean A8L,all books&4 keys,nav,No Reserve $5,800.00

	2004 Audi A8L, Fix it! Low Reserve! $1,625.00	06 Audi A8L Quattro-Nav-Parktronic-Sh ades-No Reserve $28,900.00

	Audi A8 L quattro At6 - Well Maintained- Pearl Blue $30,000.00	2004 Audi A8L Bi-Xenon Navi Massage Seats Loaded$17,995 $1,000.00

	1999 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro Must See/Look No Reserve $$$$ $2,850.00	2003 Audi A8L Rare Espresso Mocha Brown Showroom Navi $15,900.00

	Great Condition/ Blk Leather Int/ Rear Spoiler/ 18" Rim $6,500.00	2001 Audi A8 L quattro Sedan Awd $1,000.00

	2006 Audi A8 1Owner!!! $25,000.00	2008 Audi A8L Like New $54,000.00

	2004 Audi A8L Awd,Navigation,Heated seats,Bose Stereo, $24,550.00	2004 Audi A8L 4.2 Quattro Loaded Low Miles Must See!!! $17,000.00

	Audi A8 $3,550.00	Low Reserve High End Stunning Car $11,200.00

	2006 Audi A8 4.2 Awesome No Reserve $24,500.00	1998 A8 4.2L All Wheel Drive Luxury Sedan Awd & Sunroof $4,000.00

	Audi A8 L 2006 Loaded Certified $40,995.00	08 A8 Qtr. Own For $938/mo $0 Due At Signing!!!!! $40,100.00

	2007 Audi A8 L Quattro Low Miles 1 Owner $39,000.00	4.2 Quattro Navigation Low Miles Bose New Tires Nice!!! $5,655.00

	2001 Audi A8 Quattro Lwb Low Mi Navigation 4Yr Warranty $11,750.00	2005 Audi A8L Keyless Go $17,000.00

	2006 Audi A8 Quattro All Wheel One Owner Warranty $25,100.00	1999 Audi A8 Super Nice!!! Only 87K Miles!! $5,000.00

	2006 Audi A8 Quattro 4.2 V8 Awd.Nav....Buy Now $28,500 $28,000.00	2000 Silver A8L 4.2 Awd! $4,650.00

	06 Audi A8, White/Amoretto, Nav, 1 Owner, Nj $27,000.00

Click to see more A8 items Prices current as of last update, 01/22/09 9:50pm.

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