14 Facts About Audi A8

1.

Audi A8 is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994.

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2.

Audi A8 was presented in February 1994 and debuted at the 1994 Geneva Auto Show in March, with full-scale factory production commencing in June 1994, although it was not until October 1996, for the 1997 model year that it became available in North America.

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3.

In 1997, Audi introduced the first series production electronic stability control for all-wheel drive vehicles – the world's first production cars with both front and rear side airbags.

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4.

In 1999, Audi A8's flagship received side curtain airbags, new colours, and restructuring of option packages.

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5.

Audi A8 contracted IVM to build the prototype, and was considering production of the vehicle.

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6.

Ultimately, Audi A8 decided not to put the A8 Coupe into production, citing lower-than-expected sales figures for the similar BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.

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7.

Cosmetically, Audi A8 differentiated the S8 from the A8 with solid aluminium alloy door mirror housings, chrome-effect beltline and lower front grille trim, and polished twin exhaust pipes, along with subtle "S8" badging.

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8.

From late 1999, Audi A8 increased this to five valves per cylinder with power increased to 265 kilowatts and 430 newton-metres .

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9.

Second-generation Audi A8 built on the Volkswagen Group D3 platform was unveiled via press release in July 2002 and introduced in November 2002 in Europe and in June 2003 in the United States.

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10.

The advantage of the W12 engine layout is its compact packaging, allowing Audi A8 to build a 12-cylinder sedan with all-wheel drive, whereas a conventional V12 could only have a rear-wheel drive configuration as it would have no space in the engine bay for a differential and other components required to power the front wheels.

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11.

Third-generation Audi A8 is based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform, but retains the Audi Space Frame aluminium construction of the previous A8, making it the lightest all-wheel drive car in the full-size luxury segment, while giving it best-in-class fuel economy.

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12.

The "Suspect" commercial featuring the Audi A8 S8 aired on CBS and NBC, and select cable networks, including: Food, FX, National Geographic, ESPN, USA, CNN, and AMC.

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13.

A8 Audi A8 Exclusive Concept is a limited version of the A8 L W12 quattro with interior leather upholstery from Italian furniture manufacturer Poltrona Frau in the color Agatha cognac, inlays are made of fine grain olive ash natural silver brown, Tierra Del Fuego body colour.

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14.

Audi A8 hybrid includes a custom Audi luggage set for the trunk.

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