Audi V8

Audi V8 (4C)
1993 Audi V8 quattro (US)
Overview
Manufacturer	Audi AG
Production	October 1988 – November 1993
Assembly	Neckarsulm, Germany Tokyo, Japan (AMA)
Designer	Erwin Leo Himmel
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon (sedan) 4-door limousine
Layout	Longitudinal front engine Quattro permanent four-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group D1 (aka D11)
Powertrain
Engine	3.6 L PT V8 4.2 L ABH V8
Transmission	4-speed ZF 4HP24A automatic 5-speed manual (3.6 V8) 6-speed manual (4.2 V8)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 2,702 mm (106.4 in) LWB: 3,020 mm (118.9 in)
Length	SWB: 4,861 mm (191.4 in) LWB: 5,190 mm (204.3 in)
Width	1,814 mm (71.4 in)
Height	1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight	3.6: 1,710 kg (3,770 lb) 4.2: 1,810 kg (3,990 lb) (Quattro) LWB: 1,770 kg (3,900 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Audi A8

The Audi V8 (Typ 4C) is a four-door, full-size luxury sedan, built by Audi in Germany from 1988 to 1993, as the company's flagship model. It was the first car from Audi to use a V8 engine, and also the first Audi to combine a quattro system with an automatic transmission. Early cars used 3.6-litre V8s, while later cars featured a 4.2-litre version of the engine. The Audi V8 was replaced by the Audi A8 in 1994, although the A8 was not sold in North America until 1997.

The competition model of the Audi V8 won back-to-back Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft driver's titles in 1990 and 1991, with the championship winners being Hans-Joachim Stuck and Frank Biela respectively. Audi was the first company to win back-to-back DTM titles.

Standard features for the Audi V8 included a 32-valve, double overhead camshaft (DOHC) V8 engine and a four-speed electronically controlled ZF 4HP24A automatic transmission providing Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. A five-speed (later in production six-speed) manual transmission was also available.

The Audi V8 had a galvanized steel body, with a 10-year anti-perforation warranty (against corrosion). The Audi V8 was specifically designed to be a top of the range 'flagship' car and included a number of luxury features as standard equipment, including leather seating and Audi's quattro all wheel drive system (see standard features list). The Audi V8 created a new elevated image for the company, providing a viable alternative to established competitors such as Mercedes-Benz. In this regard, the car was a cornerstone in developing the history of the Audi marque as it is today.