Audi moved steadily increased on the status pyramid through the Nineteen Eighties, with the mighty Audi V8 inching ever nearer to its BMW 7 Collection and Mercedes-Benz S-Class rivals within the efficiency, snob-appeal and price ticket departments. When it got here time to design the V8’s successor, the A8, Audi went with a radical all-aluminum unibody construction and added a giant serving to of horsepower and digital gadgetry. The A8 first went on sale in the US as a 1997 mannequin; the second-generation model made its debut as a 2003 mannequin. Here is a type of second-generation A8s, present in a Denver self-service automobile graveyard.
Audi’s first manufacturing car to make use of the ASF (Audi Area Body) was the 1994 A8, and the corporate nonetheless (justifiably) points common ASF brags after greater than 500,000 ASF-based autos produced.
That is essentially the most inexpensive A8 mannequin for ’07, a short-wheelbase automobile with V8 engine. Even so, its MSRP was a powerful $68,900, or about $104,517 in 2023 {dollars}.
That is the 4.2-liter V8 engine with direct injection, rated at 350 horsepower and 325 pound-feet. The A8’s VW-badged sibling, the Phaeton, additionally obtained the 4.2. This one sits so low within the engine compartment as a result of some junkyard shopper has bought the transmission. Let’s hope it was a great one!
The one transmission accessible right here was a six-speed computerized with Tiptronic gear choice, and all 2007 A8s offered in North America had been outfitted with Quattro all-wheel-drive.
This automobile is provided with the joystick-based 2G model of Audi’s Multi Media Interface system, which was science-fiction stuff for the center 2000s.
The inside appears good and the physique would not present any severe harm. Why did such a masterpiece of design and expertise meet this destiny?
The factor about proudly owning an instance of contemporary European luxurious equipment is that you simply can’t skimp on upkeep and repairs for those who plan to maintain yours on the street for lengthy. The A8 has all the time been huge, subtle and stuffed with modern {hardware}; deferred upkeep and/or uncared for fixes will chunk you with a quickness you will not see with, say, a Chevy Impala of the identical period. Sure, you should purchase a 15-year-old A8 for a worth that is ballpark-similar to that of a 15-year-old Impala, however mathematicians invented logarithmic scales partially that can assist you perceive the distinction in value between a typical A8 restore and a typical Impala restore.
We will assume this automobile’s third or fourth proprietor was overjoyed by the low value of admission to the world of high-end European luxurious. Quickly sufficient, one costly downside after one other cropped up. Maybe a Recent Shave Automobile-Freshner Little Tree would assist!
No? How a couple of Jasmin Little Tree?
In case you ever lower your self in a junkyard and want a first-aid equipment, plenty of European and Japanese luxurious sedans have them.
There should be a option to swap these seats into an Impala Restricted.
The second-generation A8 will flip the world upside-down.
