Audi A8

Audi A8: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Audi A8 catalogue spans nine listed generation stages from May 1994 onward, including restylings within four numbered generations. The choice is unusually broad: Sedan and Sedan Long bodies, Gasoline, Diesel, Hybrid and Plug-in powertrains, outputs from 150 hp to 571 hp, and FWD or AWD.

The Audi A8 catalogue spans nine listed generation stages from May 1994 onward, including restylings within four numbered generations. The choice is unusually broad: Sedan and Sedan Long bodies, Gasoline, Diesel, Hybrid and Plug-in powertrains, outputs from 150 hp to 571 hp, and FWD or AWD. For most buyers comparing specifications, the strongest all-round case is the fourth-generation-restyling 3.0 AT (286 hp): its 2967 cc turbo Diesel V-shaped 6-cylinder engine produces 600 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and records 5.8 l/100 km combined. Buyers prioritizing acceleration can choose the 60 TFSI e V6 PHEV quattro tiptronic, while the 4.0 AT Security serves a very different brief and should not be compared with regular versions on weight or economy alone.

Audi A8 generations: what changed

The first generation ran from May 1994 through May 1999 as a Sedan with 22 versions. Its catalogue includes 150 hp Diesel, 163–193 hp Gasoline, Manual and Automatic gearboxes, plus FWD and AWD. The June 1999–June 2002 restyling remained a Sedan and expanded to 21 versions. It added Diesel outputs as high as 225 hp while retaining 2.8 AT and 2.8 MT Gasoline choices. Depending on specification, these first-generation cars use 4-, 5- or 6-speed transmissions.

The second generation ran from July 2002 through August 2005 as a Sedan with 11 versions. Its range stretched from the 3.0 CVT (220 hp) to the 6.0 AT (450 hp) and included V-shaped 6- and 8-cylinder engines plus a W-shaped 12-cylinder engine. The September 2005–August 2007 restyling listed 17 versions, while the September 2007–July 2010 second restyling listed 13. These later stages retained 6-speed Automatic and Variable transmissions, FWD and AWD, and engine sizes from 2773 cc to 5998 cc.

The third generation ran from November 2009 through January 2014 as a Sedan with 15 versions. Its listed powertrains include Gasoline, Diesel and Hybrid choices producing 204–420 hp. Most versions use an 8-speed Automatic transmission, while both FWD and AWD appear. The September 2013–January 2018 restyling changed the body designation to Sedan Long and listed 13 versions. Its range includes the 2.0 AT (245 hp) Hybrid and the 6.3 AT (500 hp) W-shaped 12-cylinder Gasoline version.

The fourth generation ran from July 2017 through January 2022 as a Sedan Long with 11 versions. Every listed version uses an 8-speed Automatic transmission and AWD, with 249–460 hp among the conventional Gasoline and Diesel choices and 449 hp for the Plug-in 3.0 AT. The December 2021 restyling remains in production according to the supplied data, lists six Sedan Long versions and raises the catalogue maximum to 571 hp with the 4.0 AT Security.

Audi A8 engine options and specs

Repeated names are separated by output and generation because specifications can differ even when the database name is identical.

Earlier second-generation choices include 2.8 CVT, 3.0 CVT, 3.1 AT, 3.1 CVT, 3.0 AT, 3.7 AT, 3.9 AT, 4.1 AT, 4.2 AT and 6.0 AT. Exact output distinguishes similarly named versions: 4.2 AT appears with 335 hp and 350 hp, while 3.0 AT includes a 233 hp Diesel. First-generation catalogue names include 2.5 AT, 2.5 MT, 2.8 AT, 2.8 MT and 3.3 AT; outputs must be checked alongside the name because 2.5 AT is listed with 150 hp and 180 hp, while 2.8 AT appears with 163 hp, 174 hp and 193 hp.

Audi A8 performance and fuel economy

For outright acceleration among regular fourth-restyling versions, the 4.0 AT (460 hp) reaches 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The 60 TFSI e V6 PHEV quattro tiptronic takes 4.9 seconds, matching the 3.0 AT (340 hp), while the 3.0 AT (286 hp) takes 5.9 seconds. Their listed maximum speed is 250 km/h. The 4.0 AT Security takes 6.3 seconds and reaches 210 km/h; its 3950 kg kerb weight is 1930 kg above the regular 4.0 AT (460 hp).

The 3.0 AT (286 hp) Diesel combines 5.9-second acceleration with 6.5 l/100 km city, 5.5 l/100 km highway and 5.8 l/100 km combined consumption. The 4.0 AT (460 hp) records 13.8, 7.9 and 10.1 l/100 km respectively, so its combined figure is 4.3 l/100 km higher. The 60 TFSI e V6 PHEV quattro tiptronic has a measured combined figure of 2.1 l/100 km; its city and highway figures are not measured. The 3.0 AT (340 hp) has city, highway and combined consumption not measured.

Among third-generation choices, the restyled 3.0 AT (258 hp) records 5.9 l/100 km combined and reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The restyled 4.1 AT is quicker at 4.7 seconds but uses 7.4 l/100 km combined. The 6.3 AT takes 4.6 seconds and uses 11.3 l/100 km combined. Earlier first-generation 2.8 AT (163 hp) performance and consumption figures are not measured, so they should not be inferred from another 2.8 AT.

Audi A8 dimensions, weight, tank and wheels

The supplied data contains no exterior length, width or height measurements. Those Audi A8 dimensions are therefore not measured here. Weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and some wheel sizes are available.

The fourth-restyling 3.0 AT (286 hp) weighs 2050 kg kerb and 2690 kg gross, carries an 82 l tank and has ground clearance and wheel sizes not measured. The 60 TFSI e V6 PHEV quattro tiptronic weighs 2340 kg kerb and 2950 kg gross with a 65 l tank; ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured. The regular 4.0 AT (460 hp) weighs 2020 kg kerb and 2595 kg gross with an 82 l tank. The 4.0 AT Security rises to 3950 kg kerb and 4450 kg gross.

Third-generation restyled versions generally list 140 mm clearance and either 82 l or 90 l tanks. A third-generation 4.1 AT lists 140 mm clearance, 2115 kg kerb weight and 2705 kg gross weight. Earlier second-generation ground clearance is commonly listed at 120, 125 or 140 mm. Where supplied, wheel choices include 235/60 R17, 235/55 R18, 255/45 R19 and 265/40 R20 for selected fourth-generation versions; other versions have wheel sizes not measured.

Which Audi A8 version should you buy?

Choose the fourth-restyling 3.0 AT (286 hp) if balanced performance and measured economy matter most. Its 600 Nm equals the regular 4.0 AT (460 hp), yet its measured combined consumption is 5.8 l/100 km rather than 10.1 l/100 km. It produces about 96 hp per litre and carries about 7.2 kg of kerb weight per horsepower.

Choose the 60 TFSI e V6 PHEV quattro tiptronic if acceleration and the lowest measured combined consumption are the priority. It adds 176 hp and 100 Nm over the 3.0 AT (286 hp), cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 1.0 second and lowers measured combined consumption by 3.7 l/100 km. The trade-off is 290 kg more kerb weight and a tank that is 17 l smaller.

Choose the regular fourth-restyling 4.0 AT (460 hp) for V-shaped 8-cylinder performance without the Security version’s mass. It is 2 kg per horsepower lighter than the 4.0 AT Security at about 4.4 versus 6.9 kg per horsepower, and it reaches 100 km/h 1.7 seconds sooner. The 4.0 AT Security offers 111 hp and 200 Nm more, but its specifications describe a fundamentally heavier proposition.

For an earlier car, the third-restyling 3.0 AT (258 hp) is the economy-oriented AWD choice at 5.9 l/100 km combined, while the 4.1 AT supplies 850 Nm and 4.7-second acceleration. Buyers specifically seeking an Audi A8 W12 can compare the second-generation 6.0 AT (450 hp) with the third-restyling 6.3 AT (500 hp): the later car adds 50 hp and 45 Nm, while both have measured combined consumption of 14.7 and 11.3 l/100 km respectively. Price and sale recommendations cannot be made because price and listing data were not supplied.