2014 AUDI A8
You'll find no other Audi more luxurious than the A8. The flagship of the German maker of suave and high-performance vehicles, the A8 has no expense spared on it. Advanced tech, powerful engines, and plush furnishings are packaged into the A8 across all its generations, giving it the ammunition to go head-to-head with other category juggernauts like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW's 7 Series despite its relatively late entry into the market. When considering the purchase of an A8, we recommend reading further to learn more about this exceptional vehicle and the key factors to keep in mind.
Origin
The Audi A8 originates in the 1980s, much more recent than the S-Class and the 7 Series, in their full-size luxury sedan, the V8. It was well-built, handsome, and an all-round acceptable vehicle, but unfortunately, this was not reflected in the sales numbers. Audi decided to pull out all the stops when they invested in a new car, giving birth to the state-of-the-art A8 in 1993 that ventured into uncharted territory with its looks and fully aluminum monocoque chassis.
1st Generation (D2 1994-2002)
Released in 1994, the first generation Audi A8 featured an all-aluminum, monocoque chassis known as the Audi Space Frame, which was much lighter yet stronger than the V8. Besides being the first car in the world to be built on such a platform, the A8 was decked out with tech and other features and was also the world's first car to get six airbags. This generation of the Audi A8 came in two body styles, either the standard wheelbase version or the A8 L extended wheelbase version.
Gasoline engines were 2 2.8L V6s, a 3.7L V8, and a 4.2L V8, available only in the Quattro model, while turbodiesels were a 2.5L V6 and 3.3L V8.
2nd Generation (D3 2002-2009)
Launched in 2002, the second generation Audi A8 received extensive interior and exterior reworks, such as a revised soft-edge design. It was also longer than the first, thanks to the Volkswagen Group D3 platform that it was built on. Several innovative technologies from Audi debuted in the A8, such as the Multi-Media Interface, self-leveling air adaptive air suspension, and bi-xenon headlights with static Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) curve headlights, among many others. The A8 was also the first Audi with a six-speed automatic transmission and one with shift paddles. Likewise, with the first, the second generation A8 comes in standard and long wheelbase versions.
Gasoline engines were 2.8L, 3.0L, and 3.1L V6s, 3.7L and 4.2L V8s, a 5.2L V10, and a 6.0L W12, while the turbo diesels are a 3.0L V6, and a 3.9L and 4.1L V8.
3rd Generation (D4 2009-2017)
The third generation Audi A8 released in 2009 retained the signature Audi Space Frame but was built on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform. This made it the lightest all-wheel drive car in the segment while giving it the best fuel economy in its class. Like its predecessors, this generation of the A8 featured many Audi firsts, including full LED headlights, a collision avoidance system in the form of Audi's Pre Sense, and the Infrared Night Vision Assistant with pedestrian recognition. Audi also released a hybrid A8 in 2012.
Gasoline engines were a 2.0L inline-four, a 3.0L V6, 4.0L and 4.2L V8s, and a 6.3L W12. Turbodiesels were a 3.0L V6 and a 4.2L V8. The hybrid A8 made use of a 2.0L inline-four hybrid engine.
4th Generation (D5 2017-present)
In the Audi A8 tradition, this generation, which was unveiled in 2017, overflows with Audi's latest technologies, like an advanced electromechanical adaptive suspension for better handling and ride comfort. As of 2023, the W12 engine is yet to make an appearance (if it does), and all the versions of the fourth generation A8 get Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Engines for this generation are a 3.0L V6 gasoline, a 3.0L V6 mild hybrid, a 3.0L plug-in hybrid, a 4.0L V8 mild hybrid, a 3.0L V6 diesel, and a 4.0L V8 diesel. All engines are twin turbos.
Engine Performance & Technology
All the A8's gasoline engines from the third generation onward, and some from the second generation, use Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) or its turbo version, TFSI. Audi's TFSI engines combine turbocharging and direct fuel injection, directly injecting fuel into the combustion chambers, enhancing performance and efficiency.
Audi employs the Common Rail Direct Injection or the Turbocharged Direct Injection for its diesel engines.
Safety & Reliability
Each edition of the Audi A8 features all the standard safety equipment for their respective eras. But the norm isn't what you're expecting in an A8. Many advanced safety technologies keep you and your occupants safe, such as the Infrared Night Vision Assistant with pedestrian recognition (third generation onwards), high-strength bodies, and Audi's Pre Sense safety system (fourth generation). Coming in four levels, the Pre Sense system helps avoid and mitigate collisions by issuing warnings and activating parts like the brakes and suspension. Pre Sense Side, one of the most advanced systems, even lifts the car by 8cm so that forces transfer to the lowest and strongest part of the Audi's structure in the event of a collision from the side.
Trim Configurations
In addition to the standard A8 is the A8 L, the longer wheelbase version. Until the fourth generation, when Audi's all-wheel-drive became standard, the Audi A8 also featured quattro versions. Audi offers a high-performance version of the A8, the S8, for those craving for even more.
Conclusion
The Audi A8 sits at the forefront of car technology. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it's easy on the eyes. Find an affordable used A8 in excellent condition here at BE FORWARD.
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