The 2011 A8 is designed to satisfy the most discerning driver who demands everything from a performance luxury sedan.

Efficient Performance
You demand performance that is as intelligent as it is powerful. That is exactly what you will find in the new A8. The 372 hp 4.2 V8 direct fuel injection engine equals the fuel efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz S400 and Lexus LS 600h hybrids and surpasses the fuel efficiency of the BMW ActiveHybrid.* You read that right. The new A8 delivers better fuel economy than some hybrid vehicles.

4.2 FSI® V8 Engine
The A8 delivers performance and handling typically reserved for cars half its size. It all starts with the 4.2 FSI® V8 engine. Thanks to FSI® technology, the 4.2 is powerful, responsive and offers impressive fuel efficiency. FSI® injects a highly precise amount of fuel into the engine cylinders that is perfectly matched to the volume of air. Within the cylinder, the specially designed piston heads compress the fuel-air mixture, creating a spiraling effect. The result is the most efficient combustion possible. Making the most of the fuel and air combustion results in maximum efficiency and responsive power at any RPM.

Eight-speed Automatic Tiptronic® Transmission
Power is transmitted via the new shift-by-wire eight-speed Tiptronic® Transmission. With optimally spread gear ratios that produce dynamic acceleration, the eight-speed transmission also helps reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 6 percent when compared to a six-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to its innovative design and optimal gear layout, the weight of the transmission has not been increased over the previous six-speed transmission.

quattro® with Available Sport Rear Differential
Permanent all-wheel drive systems are not created equal. And they certainly don't perform that way, either. quattro is essentially a mechanical system devised around a torque-sensing, self-locking, center differential that shifts torque instantaneously to where it's needed. This means quattro is adjusting power between front and rear axles more than 100 times a second, helping ensure torque is delivered to the wheels where traction exists. Under normal driving situations, quattro distributes the power between each axle by sending 40 percent to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels, enhancing the driving dynamics while helping maintain optimum control. Constantly assessing grip, quattro ensures the best possible combination of traction and handling, regardless of the road conditions.

quattro with Sport Rear Differential additionally senses which rear wheel to deliver an optimum level of torque. Specifically, it directs most of the power to the outer rear wheel to help steer the car through the corner. This reduces understeer, common among other all-wheel drive systems, and creates the true sportscar handling found in an Audi.

Aluminum ASF® technology
Lightweight and rigid, the revolutionary aluminum ASF® technology offers class-leading weight savings - a benefit you will notice in the overall efficiency, enhanced performance and remarkable handling. It is why you can apply the words "precise" and "graceful" to a vehicle this powerful and athletic.

Servotronic® Steering
Handling is further increased by Servotronic® speed sensitive steering. The dynamic technology of this steering system varies the power assistance based on vehicle speed. At low speeds, the steering operates with a high degree of power assist and the steering is extremely direct, requiring minimal turns of the wheel from lock to lock. It is these flawless shifts of Servotronic® that add an extra layer of performance to the A8.

Audi drive select
Progressive Audi technology flourishes with hundreds available vehicle handling and performance combinations thanks to Audi drive select. Whether you prefer the smooth, luxurious ride of Comfort mode or the more direct and firmer responses of Dynamic mode, Audi drive select allows you to tailor the vehicle to your liking. The result is a driving experience that ensures your A8 always performs to your preferences.

Adaptive air suspension
A8 handling is even more evolved with the standard adaptive air suspension. It's designed to react to driving forces nearly instantaneously producing a comfortable, responsive ride in any driving condition. Additionally, body roll and pitch are reduced by increasing damping through corners and under braking, resulting in a composed and responsive ride. For optimal personalization, adaptive air suspension offers four modes to select from, Auto, Dynamic, Comfort, and Lift. Depending on the mode and vehicle speed, the suspension can lower the body up to 1".

Advanced Braking
The new A8 has a braking system that is carefully engineered for maximum heat dissipation and low weight. All four discs are internally ventilated, with stainless steel pins connecting the front friction plates and brake pistons made from aluminum. This sport-inspired concept is new to the luxury class and saves up to 10.5 lbs. per wheel, and makes the brakes less sensitive to fading under extreme lead. The wheel range also underscores the powerful character of the new Audi A8, with the 4.2 FSI running on light-weight 19" alloys wrapped in all season tires.