2006 Audi A8

Audi A8 L W12, the clean, classic sedan offer its occupants the very best in luxury, and also guarantees the highest level of perfomance with its uniquely designed W12 engine. Adding to the stability, traction and performance of the A8 is the legendary Audi quattro® permanent all-wheel drive. The superb craftsmanship of the A8 exterior and the interior is apparent at first glance, which is a perfect combination of luxury and sportiness.

The unique design of the W12 engine is the result of joining two narrow-angle V6 engines at the crankshaft with a 72-degree angle between the banks. Advantages of this engine design are three-fold; stronger rigidity, shorter length, and shorter height as compared to conventional V12 engines. The smaller dimensions of this engine allowed designers enough room for Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel drive system. The principle is simple: in the same way that four brakes ensure better deceleration, four driven wheels enable better acceleration and cornering stability. The results of all this engineering are a staggering 450 horsepower at 6200 revolutions per minute and 428 lbs. ft of torque between 4000-4700 rpm. More than 95% of the engine's peak torque is available between 2300 and 5300 rpm.

Audi engineers have given the 2006 A8 a suspension system that resolves the classic conflict between luxury and sport suspensions — luxury being too soft for sport, and sport too stiff for luxury. The Audi Adaptive Air Suspension system starts with an aluminum four-link front axle layout and a trapezoidal-link rear axle for responsive handling and precise steering. Air spring struts at all four wheels, with sensors to continually monitor and infinitely adjust the air strut damping, instantly and perfectly match the suspension response to ever- changing road and driving conditions.

The six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission found in every A8 offers a choice of operating and driving styles. For fully automatic convenience, simply place the gear selector in Drive (“D”). For added performance, a Sport mode (“S”) delays the automatic up-shifts for higher revs and a more spirited acceleration. Whichever shift mode is selected, a Direct Shift Program (DSP) monitors and “learns” the primary operator's driving style and then automatically selects from among 200 programmed shift patterns to optimize the gear changes for any given driving behavior, resulting in a nearly personalized transmission mode. For an even sportier feel, the 2006 A8 can be equipped with shift paddles on the steering wheel when the optional four- spoke segmented wood/ leather steering wheel is selected.

Adding to the stability, traction and performance of the Audi A8 is the legendary Audi quattro® permanent all-wheel drive system and rack-and-pinion steering with Servotronic®. The quattro system uses a Torsen® center differential and transfers power front-to-back and side-to-side to maintain the best traction. An Electronic Stabilization Program integrates an ABS, Anti Slip Regulation traction control, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution and hydraulic brake assist for improved vehicle control under various emergency or potentially dangerous situations.

Driver and front passenger are enveloped in ergonomic power seats that can be adjusted 16-ways and were designed for superior body contouring. Front seat heating, cooling, electrically adjusting lumbar support and front massage functions are optional. An automatic four-zone heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system offering a separate control for all four outboard passengers is optional. Between the front seats is the first of two main components of the Audi Multi Media Interface, the MMI.TM The Audi MMI provides operation, adjustment, and control of onboard electronics — everything from the sound system, and driver-selected suspension set up to the navigation system. All Audi A8 models are equipped with the Bluetooth® interface for mobile telephones, which can be operated through the multifunction steering wheel or the MMI system.

Dual front airbags incorporate two-stage, dual threshold activation for greater safety with reduced force. In the event of a side collision, front and rear seat mounted side-impact airbag supplemental restraints provide additional protection for outboard occupants. The Audi SideguardTM airbag curtain supplemental restraint covers the side windows from front to back to provide additional protection to reduce the chance of shattered glass flying into the cabin and injuring passengers. Additional protection for front seat riders is provided by knee airbags. Six crash sensors improve airbag deployment rate and timing. Additionally, these sensors can switch on hazard lights, shut off the engine and fuel pumps, unlock the doors, and switch on interior lighting.