Audi ditches front-wheel drive for future A8s

[Conquistador]

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2013...-for-a8/48593/

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The revised Audi A8 will offer a Quattro-only line-up as improvements in engine efficiency reduce emissions.

Future versions of the top car built by the German firm will be supplied only with four wheel drive, Fleet News can reveal.

“Our Quattro traction system has set us apart from our rivals and it no longer makes sense for us to offer an inferior alternative in this premium segment,” said Audi AG spokesman Julian Kenz.

“When it becomes available next year, our latest A8 will set fresh standards with a more dynamic appearance backed by meticulous detailing and hand-crafted interiors. It’s a package that calls for the best in driving performance that can only be achieved with all-round traction,” he said.

Introduced only two years ago on examples of the car powered by 3.0-litre TDI engines, the front-drive system offered higher economy of 47.1mpg and a reduced emissions figure of 158g/km.

“These variants were developed as part of our response to the economic turndown,” said Kenz. "But the system was felt to lack the traction expected by our customers in some situations and sales volumes never reached what we regarded as successful levels in any market across Europe.

“Since then, the work we’ve completed on the next version of the diesel engine has produced gains of more than eight per cent in economy and emissions to give the new all-drive cars even lower running costs."

Priced from £58,800, the new cars are now available to order with deliveries expected to start in January.

[ainarssems]

Audi without quattro is just VW

[Singh]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

Audi without quattro is just VW

Exactly.

It was a joke that Audi ever made a front wheel drive '8 in the first place.

[The_Laird]

Hope no-one on here has one Amar!

[Singh]

Pah! Plenty of 3.7 owners about and that doesn't stop us taking the mickey.

Seriously, though, I stand by my front wheel drive statement. Glad Audi have finally seen sense.

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

Audi without quattro is just VW

VW Phaeton is 4WD.

Hybrid is a stupid idea as well...

I had the misfortune to own and drive a Honda Hybrid. My A8 gets better milage that the Honda Hybrid in most situations, including around town driving. The Honda could achieve 50 mpg if you did a constant 35 to 40 miles per hour.

On the motorway the Honda would do around 39 mpg vs. the Audi at 44 mpg

Plus the Honda was a pile of poo and had the ride quality of surfboard.

[ainarssems]

VW Phaeton is 4WD

Not quattro

[notorious]

Why they now get it for A8, but still don't get it for other model lines?

All Audis should be Quattro -- this is bleeding obvious -- **all** including A1's and A2's.

P.S. And of course all Audi model lines should have all-aluminium chassis and come with Extended Leather III, Xenon Plus, ACC, B&O, night vision and solar sunroof. No exceptions -- basic config. And wheels not smaller than R20s -- these should be standard. Small wheels look pathetic. W12 everywhere. No exceptions. I insist. The only option should be twin turbo.

[Singh]

Considering they are the number one selling premium car brand in the country, slightly ahead of BMW and massively ahead of Mercedes, outselling the likes of Renault, Citroen, Toyota, Nissan etc... Whatever Audi are doing, makes sense from a business point of view.