Test drive Audi A8 D3F 2005 - 2009 sedan

Little Motor of the Big Sedan

Audi-A8 is not going to yield to eminent rivals. Anatoly Fomin brought impressions of the updated car. Photo by the author.
For acquaintance, I could choose an audi with any engine from a gasoline W12 with a volume of 6 liters and a V8 4.2 liter turbodiesel to a modest new engine with a volume of only 2.8 liters. Ecology is, of course, good. But will a prestigious car without a motor will be interested?
Eight -cylinder diesel with a capacity of 326 hp With a torque of 650 N.Ms, at 1600 rpm, it easily takes A8 4.2 TDI to the separation. Impressions of overclocking from 120 km/h to maximum 250 are more likely aviation than car. I note that a 4.2-liter diesel A8 is not only 16% more economical, but also faster than gasoline with the same working volume and greater power. Audi-S8 (V10, 5.2 l, 450 hp) is distinguished by pronounced sports chassis settings, ceramic brake discs and an extremely memorable engine timbre. How did the 2.8-liter modification remember?
Yes, it seems to be nothing. However, the capacity was enough to bend the speedometer arrow for 240 km/h to start from the pocket on the autobahn and without any problems to rebuild in a quick row, and the on -board computer showed unambiguous fuel consumption. True, I never caught up with the Black Porsche ... However, I would lose and on other versions a voluntary restriction of 250 km/h Audi observes on all cars. In the declared I did not meet 8.3 l/100 km, however, I did not want to. But according to the factory technical characteristics of Audi-A8 with a 2.8-liter gasoline engine, more economical than a 3-liter diesel! Miracles? Not at all!
True, here I had to abandon all -wheel drive and apply a multitronic variator instead of a hydromechanical transmission. This did not affect either comfort or on the convenience of management. Moreover, the smoothness of the move seemed even better than that of all -wheel drive cars. At 210 hp At 1690 kg of equipped mass, all-wheel drive is in demand only on very slippery roads, and multitronics successfully imitates the work of a 7-speed gearbox.
So, a V-shaped six with direct injection of gasoline and adjusting the lifting of Valvlift valves was created to reduce fuel consumption. Up to 4,500 rpm, it can work in economically with a minimum valve lifting, reducing losses from the inlet resistance. They say that this saves up to 10% of the fuel.
In the power regime, the motor is able to return at the first request of the right leg. General impression: Audi-A8 with a minimum engine is an absolutely sufficient, very comfortable car.
Well, in Russia, the minimum version of Audi-A8 will still be a front-wheel drive with a 3.2 liter engine for 78 504 euros, and the maximum with a 6-liter unit and an elongated base for 148,359 euros. Given the additional equipment and this figure is not the limit. But the minimum Audi-A8 will cost Europeans 61,900 euros ...
With age, Audi-A8, as expected, has become even more respectable. It is a pity that the version with a 2.8-liter engine in Russia has not yet been offered, it deserves attention.
 
Anatoly Fomin
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"