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Photo of a Audi A8

Audi A8

1994: Audi challenges the luxury establishment with an all-aluminum Space Frame.1

Researched October 29, 2026 from 38 sources

At a glance

0400800
148–605 hpPower
0510
3.3–7 s0–60 mph
0175350
206–306 km/hTop speed
05001,000
250–850 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,460–2,418 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1241011121314

Engine
Gas/TDI V6/V8; W12 to 6.3 L; second-generation S8 5.2 L V10; hybrids123
Layout
Longitudinal front engine; front-wheel drive or quattro AWD12
Gearbox
D2: 5/6-speed manuals, 4/5-speed autos; D3: CVT/6-speed auto; later 8-speed139
Built at
Audi Neckarsulm factory, Germany1
Units built
D2: 105,092 cars10

The story

Audi's answer to the slow-selling V8 arrived in 1994 with an aluminum Space Frame co-developed with Alcoa. The flagship's brief was simple: make a luxury sedan lighter than its rivals.123

1993: Polished aluminum previews the A819931999: Quickest of five, third overall19992002: D3 brings MMI and adaptive air suspension20022009: D4 arrives; eight speeds follow20092011: 372 hp, 445 Nm and a comparison win20112017: D5 brings 48-volt mild hybrids20172022: 1.3 million mirrors in each headlamp20222026: German A8 order books close2026 Audi V8 (4C): 1988–19934CAudi A8 (D2) (D2 / 4D): 1994–2002D2 / 4DAudi A8 (D3) (D3 / 4E): 2002–2010D3 / 4EAudi A8 (D4) (D4): 2009–2017D4Audi A8 (D5) (D5): 2017–2026D5 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones12523
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1988–1993Audi V8 (4C)
1994–2002Audi A8 (D2) (D2 / 4D)
2002–2010Audi A8 (D3) (D3 / 4E)
2009–2017Audi A8 (D4) (D4)
2017–2026Audi A8 (D5) (D5)
1993Polished aluminum previews the A8
1999Quickest of five, third overall
2002D3 brings MMI and adaptive air suspension
2009D4 arrives; eight speeds follow
2011372 hp, 445 Nm and a comparison win
2017D5 brings 48-volt mild hybrids
20221.3 million mirrors in each headlamp
2026German A8 order books close
  1. 1993

    Polished aluminum previews the A8

    The ASF concept debuts at Frankfurt, previewing the D2 in polished aluminum. Its Space Frame construction was co-developed with Alcoa.1

  2. 1999

    Quickest of five, third overall

    The 2000 A8 4.2 Quattro has 40 valves and 310 hp. It wins the acceleration tests but finishes behind the BMW 740iL and Lexus LS400.4

  3. 2002

    D3 brings MMI and adaptive air suspension

    The second A8 introduces MMI, four-wheel adaptive air suspension and Audi's first six-speed automatic.25

  4. 2009

    D4 arrives; eight speeds follow

    The third generation launches in late 2009. For 2011, its 4.2-liter V8 and ZF eight-speed automatic deliver 372 hp.16

  5. 2011

    372 hp, 445 Nm and a comparison win

    The V8 trails the LS460 by 8 hp and S550 by 10 hp; the A8 L beats the BMW 750iL and Jaguar XJL Supercharged. Claimed economy gain: 13%.67

  6. 2017

    D5 brings 48-volt mild hybrids

    The 55 TFSI's V6 makes 335 hp, while Audi promotes Level 3 autonomous-driving capability.35

  7. 2022

    1.3 million mirrors in each headlamp

    The facelift adds Digital Matrix LED lighting. The S8 combines predictive active suspension with dynamic all-wheel steering.38

  8. 2026

    German A8 order books close

    New orders in Germany end on February 18 as the D5 winds down; Audi confirms a successor is in development.1

Every generation

  • Audi V8
    4C1988–1993
  • Audi A8 (D2)
    D2 / 4D1994–2002
  • Audi A8 (D3)
    D3 / 4E2002–2010
  • Audi A8 (D4)
    D42009–2017
  • Audi A8 (D5)
    D52017–2026

Power over the years

From 172 hp to 605 hp in 22 years.

0200400600800 199520002005201020152020 hp 1994 · 172 hp · D2 2.8 V61996 · 190 hp · D2 2.8 V6 update2001 · 414 hp · D2 A8 L 6.0 W122002 · 330 hp · D3 4.2 V82004 · 444 hp · D3 6.0 W122005 · 321 hp · D3 4.2 TDI2006 · 345 hp · D3 4.2 FSI2011 · 372 hp · D4 US 4.2 V82013 · 333 hp · D4 US 3.0T supercharged V62013 · 420 hp · D4 US 4.0T twin-turbo V82016 · 605 hp · D4 S8 Plus (US)2020 · 563 hp · D5 S8 4.0 twin-turbo V8 605 hp D4 S8 Plus (US) 172 hp D2 2.8 V6
126915
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1994172D2 2.8 V6
1996190D2 2.8 V6 update
2001414D2 A8 L 6.0 W12
2002330D3 4.2 V8
2004444D3 6.0 W12
2005321D3 4.2 TDI
2006345D3 4.2 FSI
2011372D4 US 4.2 V8
2013333D4 US 3.0T supercharged V6
2013420D4 US 4.0T twin-turbo V8
2016605D4 S8 Plus (US)
2020563D5 S8 4.0 twin-turbo V8

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    A8 / A8 L (2022 UK trims)

    2022

  • S8 (D2)

    Performance

    S8 (D2)

    1996–2002

  • S8 (D3)

    Performance

    S8 (D3)

    2006–2010

    444 hp
  • S8 / S8 plus (D4)

    Performance

    S8 / S8 plus (D4)

    2012–2018

  • S8 (D5)

    Performance

    S8 (D5)

    563 hp
  • A8 / A8 L W12

    Standard

    A8 / A8 L W12

  • A8 L Horch

    Special

    A8 L Horch

  • Special

    A8 L Security (2016 update)

    2016

  • Limited

    A8 Edition 21

    2015

    258 hp

  • Limited

    A8 L extended

    2016

    306 hp

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • D3: a rounded roof, high beltline and short front and rear overhangs.112
  • D4: squared-off details at all four corners, with LED headlamps available.6722
  • D5: a broad Singleframe grille and subtly flared wheel arches.5
  • D5: a light strip stretches across the entire rear.5
  • 2022 S line intake blades resemble the S8's; the S8 has four exhaust outlets.38

Year by year

  1. 1999 (D2; 2000 model year)

    Larger clear headlights, revised grille and door handles, white side indicators and matching-size mirrors mark the facelift.110

  2. 2001 (D2)

    Fog lights received a small revision.10

  3. 2004–2005 (D3)

    The W12 introduced the Singleframe grille in 2004; it spread to every engine version in September 2005.9

  4. 2007 (D3)

    Mirror housings gained turn signals; rear lights and fog lights were revised.9

  5. 2013 (D4)

    Reshaped hood, grille and bumper, straight headlight lower edges and slimmer rear lamps; rhomboid exhaust outlets on models other than S8.1122

  6. 2022 (D5)

    A wider grille base gains chrome angles; intakes stand more upright and headlights gain a contoured outer lower edge.358

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi A8
    A8
    Photo of a Audi A4
    Audi A4

    Audi A4

    The 2011 A8's rear closely mimics an A4's; look for the A8's squared-off corner details and distinctive LED headlamps.6

Against its rivals

  • Lexus LS400

    A8 vs Lexus LS400

    113–0 km/h braking lower is better

    A8202 ft
    Lexus LS400168 ft
    4

Prices

Value today $3.1K–$67.5K293031

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 2010201520202025 Value today: $3,100–$67,500 2011 · $90,000 · US estimated base, A8 4.22012 · $85,575 · US base, A8L 4.2 FSI2012 · $100,875 · US as tested, A8L 4.2 FSI2013 · $72,200 · US base, A8 3.0 TFSI2013 · $78,500 · US base, A8 L 3.0 TFSI2013 · $110,000 · US base, S82013 · $134,500 · US base, A8 L W122020 · $86,195 · US base, A8 L 3.0 2024 · $10,500 · 2002 S8, 104k miles, BaT2025 · $3,100 · 1998 A8 4.2 Quattro, 201k miles, BaT2025 · $57,555 · 2017 S8 Plus, 36k miles, BaT2025 · $16,250 · 2005 A8 W12 Quattro, 25k km, BaT2025 · $4,250 · 1999 A8 4.2 Quattro, 111k miles, BaT2025 · $17,388 · 2008 S8, 99k miles, BaT2026 · $67,500 · 2015 A8L W12, 17k miles, BaT2026 · $16,000 · 2007 A8L 4.2, 41k miles, BaT2026 · $37,000 · 2016 A8 TDI, 37k miles, BaT $67.5K BaT, 2026
26715293031333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Price when new$90,000US estimated base, A8 4.2
2012Price when new$85,575US base, A8L 4.2 FSI
2012Price when new$100,875US as tested, A8L 4.2 FSI
2013Price when new$72,200US base, A8 3.0 TFSI
2013Price when new$78,500US base, A8 L 3.0 TFSI
2013Price when new$110,000US base, S8
2013Price when new$134,500US base, A8 L W12
2020Price when new$86,195US base, A8 L 3.0
2024Auction sale$10,5002002 S8, 104k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$3,1001998 A8 4.2 Quattro, 201k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$57,5552017 S8 Plus, 36k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$16,2502005 A8 W12 Quattro, 25k km, BaT
2025Auction sale$4,2501999 A8 4.2 Quattro, 111k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$17,3882008 S8, 99k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$67,5002015 A8L W12, 17k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,0002007 A8L 4.2, 41k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$37,0002016 A8 TDI, 37k miles, BaT
2026Value today$3,100–$67,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “The disputed 26-hour, 38-minute claim”
    • “The luxury sedan that won DTM twice”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Audi A8 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. The Audi A8: History, Photos, Generations, Specifications motortrend.com
  3. Sharpened design and innovative technologies for the flagship: the enhanced Audi A8 | audi.com audi.com
  4. Penthouse Living at Ground Level: 2000 Large Luxury Sedan Comparison Test caranddriver.com
  5. masterpiece | Audi Magazine Australia magazine.audi.com.au
  6. 2011 Audi A8 – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  7. Long-Haul Luxury: 40,000 Miles in a 2012 Audi A8L caranddriver.com
  8. Audi A8 (UK-Spec) | 2022MY caricos.com
  9. Audi A8 D3 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  10. Audi A8 D2 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  11. Souveränität neu definiert - der Audi A8 | Audi Medienportal audipress.ch
  12. Read the review and see photos of the 2004 Audi A8L 4.2 Quattro at Car and Driver. caranddriver.com
  13. Audi S8 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  14. Custom-made: 6,36 meter lange Audi A8 nieuws.audi.nl
  15. 2013 Audi A8/S8/W12 Media Information Kit - cars doczz.net
  16. Used Audi A8 (Mk4, 2017-2026) buyer’s guide: luxury car is a second-hand bargain | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. Audi A8 plug-in hybrid verenigt luxe en efficiency nieuws.audi.nl
  18. Design Icons: Revisiting the 2004 Audi A8 (D3)'s Simple Purity formtrends.com
  19. Audi A8 L Horch | Audi Magazine Australia magazine.audi.com.au
  20. Audi A8 L Security: de best beveiligde Audi ooit nieuws.audi.nl
  21. Audi A8 comes of age with Edition 21 special edition | evo evo.co.uk
  22. Used Audi A8 (Mk3, 2011-2017) buyer's guide: cheap to buy but expensive to own | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  23. Audi V8 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. quattro on the racetrack | audi.com audi.com
  25. Audi Transporter 2 Micro Site -- Finally Up! - Autoblog autoblog.com
  26. The Transporter Drives the Luxury Audi A8 Sedan - Motor Trend News motortrend.com
  27. New 26:38 Cannonball Record Allegedly Set With America On Pause Over COVID-19 thedrive.com
  28. Audi A8 (D3/4E) 2002-2010 | Different Car Review differentcarreview.com
  29. No Reserve: 20-Years-Owned 1998 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $3,100 on October 23, 2025 (Lot #216,199) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 17k-Mile 2015 Audi A8L W12 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $67,500 on September 16, 2026 (Lot #263,315) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 41k-Mile 2007 Audi A8L for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,000 on September 22, 2026 (Lot #264,412) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. Kaufberatung Audi A8 D2 4D : rotherbach motor-talk.de
  33. No Reserve: 1999 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,250 on September 25, 2025 (Lot #211,805) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 36k-Mile 2017 Audi S8 Plus for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $57,555 on December 28, 2025 (Lot #225,134) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 37k-Mile 2016 Audi A8 TDI for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $37,000 on March 14, 2026 (Lot #233,365) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: Japanese-Market 25k-Kilometer 2005 Audi A8 W12 Quattro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,250 on December 15, 2025 (Lot #223,567) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 2008 Audi S8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,388 on August 27, 2025 (Lot #207,295) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 2002 Audi S8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,500 on November 19, 2024 (Lot #171,168) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • audi.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • magazine.audi.com.au
  • caricos.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • audipress.ch
  • nieuws.audi.nl
  • doczz.net
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • formtrends.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • autoblog.com

Photo credits

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