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Audi has announced it will introduce the most powerful diesel-engined vehicle on
the international market with the launch of the A8 4.2 TDI quattro with 240 kW
and 650 Nm.
With this extremely impressive power output, the new Audi A8 4.2 TDI quattro
puts itself ahead of all other diesel-engined cars thanks to an entirely
redeveloped 4.2-litre, eight-cylinder biturbo engine. The new powerplant propels
the lightweight, aluminium-bodied saloon from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds,
making it quicker than any other diesel saloon on the international market. The
top speed is electronically restricted to 250 km/h.
Displaying the kind of refinement that sets standards even in the top segment
of the motoring world, the new 4.2 TDI engine guarantees exemplary,
long-distance performance.
Fuel economy is also excellent. Combined as standard with quattro permanent
four-wheel drive and 6-speed tiptronic transmission, the engine uses just 9.4
litres of diesel for every 100 kilometres (on average), travelling more than 950
kilometres on a single tank of fuel.
The predecessor of the new A8 4.2 TDI had already scored top marks among the
luxury-class diesel saloons with its 4-litre, eight-cylinder engine. Thanks to
its 275 bhp and 650 Nm of torque, it was the most powerful V8 diesel-engined car
for a long period following its debut in the summer of 2003. Its low fuel
consumption of just 9.6 litres per 100 km also earned it top place among its
competitors. With these features the A8 4.0 TDI succeeded in becoming the
European number one among the V8 diesel luxury saloons, with a market share of
71 %.
In the light of such statistics, the development goals for the new TDI
represented a daunting challenge. The new A8 4.2 TDI needed to fulfil the
following characteristics;
- The most powerful car diesel engine on the market.
- Top figures in
terms of driving dynamics, with low fuel consumption
- Optimum engine
acoustics
- Low weight
- Compact, short design
In order to implement these specifications, Audi's TDI development team
designed an entirely new engine. Just like the 3.0 and 2.7 TDI before it, the
4.2-litre V8 TDI is a member of Audi's new family of V-format engines, and has
chain-drive for the camshaft and ancillaries. The cylinder spacing in the new
engine block is now 90 millimetres. This gives the engine a compact overall
length of just 520 millimetres.
The 240 kW (at 3,750 rpm) 4.2 TDI engine is currently the most powerful
diesel engine to be found in any production saloon car and ensures the new A8
has the performance of a top athlete.
With a supreme torque figure of 650 Nm between 1,600 and 3,500 rpm, the
driver can experience pulling power that is normally reserved for thoroughbred
sports cars and makes the A8 4.2 TDI quattro the Audi with the most torque of
all.
The Audi A8 4.2 TDI quattro is equipped as standard with a diesel particulate
filter, which works without additives and consequently lasts the lifetime of the
vehicle without servicing.
The A8 4.2 quattro has a chassis with air suspension and adaptive damping –
otherwise known as Audi adaptive air suspension. It allows the vehicle to be
driven either in a decidedly sporty fashion or with an extremely comfortable
ride, just as the driver wishes.
All Audi A8 V8 TDI models are equipped with 6-speed tiptronic transmission
with DSP dynamic gearshift program and additional sports program. The engine's
output and torque are always unleashed with such precision that the conflicting
requirements of spontaneous power flow, high performance and perfectly refined
running are all achieved.
The sheer power and the characteristics of this eight-cylinder power unit
once again reaffirm the credentials of the Audi A8 as the sportiest saloon car
in the luxury segment. And thanks to its top-of-the-range TDI, Audi yet again
demonstrates its expertise and its lead in the development of such powerful,
refined and, not least, economical diesel engines.
Like the other A8 models, the new TDI has the exclusive front end with
single-frame radiator grille.
The luxury saloon can be ordered from beginning of June in Europe and is
being evaluated for Australian launch in early 2006.
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