Audi Unveils 2011 A8, Claims Major MPG Gains Over 2010 Model; Hybrid Planned
By Scott Doggett December 1, 2009
Audi dropped the veil on the 2011 A8 in Miami Monday, and said its all-new flagship sedan is offered with technologies and fuel-efficient engines to help it compete with the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S Class.
Audi said the new A8's fuel consumption has dropped by 13 to 22 percent compared with the current car, thanks to technologies such as an energy recuperation system and innovative thermal management.
The carmaker is working on an A8 with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain but probably will not introduce a diesel hybrid A8, CEO Rupert Stadler told journalists at the car's unveiling.
The A8's most fuel-efficient model is equipped with a Europe-only 204-horsepower, 3.0-liter diesel engine that emits 159 grams of CO2 per kilometer (255.89 grams/mile) and uses 6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (39.2 U.S. miles per gallon). In Europe, A8 customers will also have the choice of a 4.2-liter diesel.
In all markets, including North America, the A8 will be offered with a more powerful version of the V-8 from the current A8. It'll put out 372 horsepower and 328 pound-feet of torque - mild improvements from the 350 hp and 325 pound-feet of torque of the 2010.
A new eight-speed automatic transmission is teamed to standard all-wheel drive. That gets the A8 to 62 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds while returning 15 percent better fuel economy, thanks to intelligent and efficient technologies such as the recuperation system and innovative thermal management, Audi spokesmen said.
The standard new eight-speed transmission no doubt plays a large role in increasing efficiency by allowing the engine to run on lower RPMs.
The fourth-generation A8 will have new driver assistance systems, full LED headlights and technologies such as night-vision assist and Audi's pre-sense safety system when it goes on sale early next year in Europe and toward the end of 2010 in North America.
The latest A8 is longer and wider than the current model at 16.85 feet in length and 6.39 feet in width. It also is longer and wider than the S Class and 7 Series but not as high.
Audi said it will market the A8 as "driver's car" with sportiness and driving dynamics in focus. A long-wheel-drive version also will be launched that will balance "prestige, sportiness and comfort," the automaker said.
The A8 will be built in Neckarsulm, Germany, along with the R8, A6 and A5 Cabriolet.
A8 global sales are well behind those of the 7 series and S class.
BMW built 43,036 units of the 7 Series in the first 10 months while Mercedes produced 33,015 S-Class models and Audi built 6,574 A8 sedans, according to J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting.
The 2011 A8 and its long-wheel-base variant will likely ring in at least as much as the outgoing 2010's starting price of $74,550.
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