What Changed for 2008:

• Recalibrated steering and air suspension


• Improved soundproofing for a quieter ride


• Offering Audi side assist lane-change technology


• New wheels, mirrors and taillights


• Updated exterior appearance

Overview
Audi’s flagship A8 was introduced in 1994, although it did not arrive in North America until 1997. It was the world’s first car built on an aluminum platform, the “Audi Space Frame,” and it represented the pinnacle of Audi engineering. The second-generation A8 was introduced in 2004. It employed an improved next-generation Audi Space Frame and even more advanced technology. For 2008, Audi reengineered the steering and the standard adaptive air suspension. New soundproofing materials have been added to quiet the interior and the exterior of the A8 has been freshened with new wheels, exterior mirrors and taillights. The front grille has been updated to conform to the “single-frame” appearance familiar across the Audi model range.

Model Lineup
The range-topping 2008 Audi A8 platform is available in four different models: A8, A8 L, A8 L W12 and S8. All versions share the same basic chassis, with the exception of the “L” models, which have an additional 5 inches of wheelbase—translating directly to additional room for the rear-seat passengers.

The A8 and long-wheelbase A8 L offer V-8 power in a full-size luxury sedan. Standard cabin amenities include Valcona leather seating, wood and aluminum dash inlays, 16-way power adjustable heated front seats, adaptive Xenon headlamps, and a DVD-based navigation system with voice control. The A8 and A8 L ride on a 4-corner air suspension with electronic shock absorption control. Standard wheels are cast alloy, 18 inches in diameter.

Befitting a flagship model, the A8 L W12 is fitted with a 450-hp W12 engine, only offered on the long-wheelbase platform. The rear outboard passengers will enjoy power seating, power rear and side sunshades, and their own climate control. All passengers will appreciate standard dual-paned insulated door glass, further reducing noise levels in the cabin. Sharing the suspension design with the A8 and A8 L, the standard wheels on the W12 are cast alloy, 19 inches in diameter.

The sportiest model in the 2008 Audi A8 lineup is the S8, equipped with a performance-tuned V-10 engine derived from the powerplant used in the Lamborghini Gallardo, and rated at 450 hp. The interior features bi-color sport seats and brushed titanium-gray inlays on the dash. The S8 rides on standard 20-inch cast alloy wheels with high-performance tires.

All 2008 Audi A8/S8 models come with a 4-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty that includes a 12-year limited warranty against corrosion perforation. Road America provides 24-hour roadside assistance for the first four years of ownership.

Powertrain
The 2008 Audi A8 offers three engine choices. The A8 and A8 L are equipped with a 4.2-liter 8-cylinder engine rated at 350 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. Its EPA fuel economy estimates for 2008 are 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway. The flagship A8 L W12 features a 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine rated at 450 hp and 428 lb.-ft. of torque, with EPA estimates of 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway. The S8 features a 5.2-liter 10-cylinder engine rated at 450 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of torque, with EPA estimates of 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway. A8 and S8 models feature Audi’s quattro IV permanent all-wheel-drive system with torque-sensing center differential, mated to Audi’s 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with DSP and Sport Program.

All A8 models are built on the third-generation Audi Space Frame (ASF). The suspension for both the A8 and S8 is an Adaptive Air Suspension, of Audi’s own design. Solving the age-old issue of balancing ride comfort with sport handling, the system utilizes air spring struts controlled via electromagnetic valves to adjust the individual shock absorbers for an optimal ride, says Audi. The driver can select among four different suspension settings and ride heights, or leave the system in fully automatic mode. Four-wheel disc brakes, with anti-lock control (ABS), are standard across the Audi A8 model lineup.

Safety
Driver and front passengers in the 2008 Audi A8 and S8 are protected by two-stage, next-generation front air bags and knee air bags. Front seats are equipped with active head restraints and seat belts with pre-tensioners and belt force limiters. Side-mounted air bag supplemental restraints and Sideguard head-protection air bags are designed to offer additional protection for both front and rear outboard occupants. The Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) system is standard in the rear outboard positions. All models include a tire-pressure-monitoring system. The Audi A8 has not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Technology
The 2008 Audi A8 is offered with Audi “side assist,” a radar-based system designed to watch the driver’s blind spots and alert to the presence of other traffic. If another vehicle appears to be rapidly approaching the A8’s blind spot, or in the blind spot, the system will alert the driver via exterior mirror-mounted LED displays. According to Audi, this signal is almost impossible to miss. Audi “lane assist” warns the driver of unintentional departure from the road lane. A tiny camera observes the road to detect the lane marking lines. When the vehicle moves towards one of the lines without the driver indicating (via the lane blinker), the system will alert the driver through a vibration in the steering wheel.