A flagship luxury saloon was necessary currency for brands seeking entry into the premium segment in the Eighties, and admission for Audi was granted with the help of the V8. Based on the 200 saloon, which itself was a more upscale version of the 100, this subtly stylish limousine was the first modern day Audi to bring V8 power to bear in the form of an innovative new all-alloy 3.6-litre engine with four-valve-per-cylinder technology and twin overhead camshafts per bank. In some markets this was linked to a five-speed manual gearbox, but UK specification examples were equipped exclusively with an advanced electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.
The forebear to today’s A8 also set the template for all subsequent eight-cylinder luxury class Audi models where its drivetrain was concerned. A development of the quattro all-wheel-drive system used by the quattro Coupé was tasked with transmitting power to the road with the kind of decorum that drivers, and in many cases their charges in the rear seats, expected at this level.
Like the A8, the V8 also became available in Long Wheelbase form bringing even greater levels of luxury, and adopted a larger 4.2-litre V8 to supplement its original unit. Interestingly, unlike the A8 it also made two successful forays into motorsport in 1990 and 1991, securing two Drivers’ Championship victories in the German Touring Car series (DTM).
The Audi V8 was replaced by the Audi A8 in 1994.
Technical information
- Cylinders – eight
- Displacement – 3562cc
- Power – 250PS @ 5800rpm
- Torque – 340Nm @ 4000rpm
- Max speed 146mph
- 0-62mph in 9.2 secs
- Transmission – four-speed automatic
- quattro all-wheel drive
- Weight – 1710kg
Audi V8 (Typ 4C)
- Production: 1988–1993
- Assembly: Neckarsulm, Germany
- Predecessor: Audi 200 (C3)
- Successor: Audi A8 (D2)
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