2012 Audi A8 Dynamic Digital Brochure
No longer do you have to request or download an Audi A8 brochure. Our digital brochure lets you explore these innovative technologies, right now, right here.
There's a new class of flagship.
As the finest sedan to wear the four rings, the Audi A8 represents a step up in class. At the pinnacle of prestige, it exudes progress.
Perhaps it's best to think of the A8 as luxury unshackled from traditional expectations. Which is why, along with Audi engineering
and design expertise, the A8 offers new technological possibilities, to better connect the driver to the drive while others seem to stand
still. There are notable Audi touches, like Audi quattro® all-wheel drive, brilliantly iconic LED lighting technology and a quality of
finish unequaled in the industry. But it goes further. All told, it represents what's possible when a company steps past tradition
to create something of stature that still appeals to those with a sense of adventure.
.01 – Full LED Headlight Technology
Intense, reliable, and unmistakable, the optional full LED headlights use the illuminating precision and stylish flexibility of LED lighting technology.
An executive decision has been made.
The Audi A8 L executive-class sedan doesn't just make an assured statement of confidence—it expands on it in
considerable detail. With a longer wheelbase that adds more rear space, the A8 L was conceived with the comfort
of rear passengers in mind, providing them with the space to tailor their environment to their own requirements.
Available rear-seat comforts include a relaxation seat that features massage functionality, power sunshades for
the rear and side windows, as well as a full complement of technology and entertainment choices through dual 10"
monitors for each rear seat. But the A8 L offers far more. With a 372-hp V8, it delivers a smooth ride and sporty
driving characteristics. With Audi connect™ information delivery and Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, it can turn the
cabin into a mobile workstation for passengers.1 With traditional Audi craftsmanship, it recasts executive
prestige for those certain about what they want out of luxury.
.02 – ASF® Aluminum Space Frame
The exclusive lightweight design of ASF technology offers a number of significant advantages over
traditional steel construction, as its proven weight savings help improve structural rigidity and performance on the road.
.03 – Design Lines
The design of the A8 delivers status with dynamism, sportiness with elegance. From its Dynamic line that brings the vehicle closer to the road to the
signature flow of its Character line, the A8 is an uncompromised expression of singular stature and luxurious style.
.04 – Solar Sunroof
The optional solar sunroof supplies power to the climate control system to vent air and reduce interior temperatures by circulating fresh air while the ignition is off.
1 Requires a data subscription plan. Distracted driving can cause a loss of vehicle control. The features and technologies discussed above are offered for convenience,
and should be used only when it is safe and appropriate. The Wi-Fi hotspot feature is intended for passenger use only. Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not
drive while distracted.
A8 L W12
A tradition, refined.
The twelve cylinders that deliver refined power make the Audi A8 L W12 the elite among the elite. Building on the achievements of previous generations, the
W12 represents a new pinnacle in engineering. It's not just power, although with Audi FSI® empowering a 6.3-liter W12 engine, producing 500 hp and 463 lb-ft
of torque, it is that too, but it's how that power is felt by the driver. As delivered through Audi quattro®—the only permanent all-wheel drive offered in the
twelve-cylinder luxury segment—and rear-biased torque distribution, the ride is smooth, the handling true and acceleration never less than memorable. With an
aluminum-silicon alloy reducing the engine weight, a larger displacement ramping up the response and improved efficiency,1 the new W12 has built on the Audi
heritage of engineering and further refined it, setting the W12 apart from just about anything on the road.
1 See www.fueleconomy.gov for EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary.
A8
You already know power. This should make you feel at home.
The Audi A8 is, in every stitch, the epitome of luxury. In our materials, in our finishes, in our technology, we take great care to craft a vehicle worthy of the
name flagship. But don't mistake refinement for staid. Featuring our lightweight ASF® aluminum space frame, a 372-hp V8, Audi adaptive air suspension and
Audi quattro® all-wheel drive, power is expressed with an effortless flourish. Driving dynamics are further enhanced with Audi drive select. Put the A8 in
Dynamic mode and discover the precise steering, taut suspension and quick throttle response of a sports sedan. Or choose the Comfort setting, perfect for
smooth driving on less than perfect streets. A8 performance is crafted for those comfortable with power—and how to wield it.
It's easy to provoke a response. The trick is to evoke an emotion.
Designed to satisfy the driver that demands every detail be thoroughly examined, the Audi A8 is built to be the new benchmark for progressive design. Matching luxury with sportiness,
commanding presence with sophistication, the A8 announces its arrival with Audi signatures like the Singleframe® grille with chrome struts and the iconic shape and illumination of adaptive
xenon plus headlights. It says farewell with a sculpted coupe-like rear and stunning LED taillights, to give onlookers something to remember as it passes. It may be the emotion we evoke is envy.
.05 – Sport Package
For those looking to take the gloves off. The available Sport Package infuses athleticism by providing enhancements such as sport-tuned Audi adaptive air suspension, 20"
5-segment-spoke design alloy wheels with summer performance tires,1 and a sports differential, allowing you to test the limits of this specimen—if there are any.
.06 – LED Taillight Technology
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are more efficient than traditional bulbs. Better still, they last much longer. As advanced technology, they react faster than traditional
bulbs, going on brighter and quicker—helping give the driver behind you more reaction time.
.07 – Power Trunk Open/Close
For added convenience, an available power trunk with open/close feature ensures that the trunk lid closes securely with ease.
.08 – Power Soft-closing Doors
Simply pull the door toward you and let it fall lightly into the latch. The Audi A8 does the rest, as available power softclosing doors utilize an electric actuator
that closes the door flush automatically.
1 See Wheels page of this brochure for important safety information regarding summer performance tires.
Rewriting the elements of style.
Spacious design and dedicated craftsmanship are hallmarks of the Audi A8 interior. You feel the space with the wraparound curve of the door through the dash, which helps
frame your driving environment. You feel the craftsmanship in the highest standards of materials and finishes. Once seated, you'll notice that first-class comfort envelops
you—everything from an available four-zone automatic climate control system to the unique design of the gearshift lever which helps your hand rest while you control the
Audi MMI®. It's the comprehensive attention to your needs—and the anticipation of them—which changes the definition of style, from form to something deeper.
.09 – Valcona Leather
Soft and obsessively processed for comfort, this special grain of available leather, unique to Audi interiors, gives
the Audi A8 a sumptuously modern, irresistible feel that demands to be felt.
.10 – Ventilated Seats
Breathe easier with available front and rear-seat ventilation that offers multiple speeds of cooling, helping provide total comfort throughout your drive.
A painstaking dedication to your comfort.
The quality of workmanship in the Audi A8 is evident from the craftsmanship in our technologies: difficult to implement
but easy to enjoy. With standard, 18-way adjustable seats and available 22-way comfort front seats, we show our inordinate
dedication to your comfort. This, for Audi engineers, is truly a labor of love. We spend as long as it takes to provide you
with a more comfortable and enjoyable ride. To us, that's time well spent.
.11 – Full Leather Package
This available package adds an Alcantara® headliner and leather onto the center console, knee rests, door armrests, and airbag
cap to enhance the feel of the interior aesthetic of the A8.
.12 – 22-way Comfort Seats
Adding to the plush interior of the Audi A8 is the available 22-way driver and front passenger comfort seats that offer lumbar
support, ventilation and massage functions.
.13 – Ventilated Front Seats with Massage Function
Available front seat ventilation offers multiple speeds of cooling, while its massage function helps soothe the body during extended drives.
.14 – Panoramic Sunroof
The optional two-panel panoramic sunroof offers both the front and rear passengers an unobstructed view overhead while flooding the
cabin with natural light. And when you decide you need to say goodbye to the sun, a power sunshade is there to make it an easy task.
Luxury, whatever your perspective.
No matter where you sit, the Audi A8 L with a choice of available rear seat packages looks like the poster child for luxury. Side to side, front to rear, the expansive interior of the A8 L
includes the kind of thoughtful details, matchless materials and overall sophistication that define your experience when driving in it. Genuine wood inlays, evocative ambient lighting,
handcrafted finish throughout—all to create an exclusive atmosphere for a singular sanctuary.
.15 – Executive Rear Seating
The available A8 L Executive Rear Seat Package adds a level of personalized comfort to the new benchmark in executive luxury. Power rear single seats with massage
functions help provide sumptuous relaxation. While a fixed leather-covered rear center console and Rear Seat Entertainment with dual 10" screens provide comfort
while creating a mobile business or pleasure center. This package also features a small refrigerator between rear seats as well as rear-seat ventilation.
.16 – Power Rear Side Sunshades
Enjoy your right to privacy in the A8 L with power rear side sunshades that help keep out natural and social elements.
.17 – Rear Seat Table
Featured within the A8 L Executive Rear Seat Package, this elegant workstation is stationed next to rear-seat climate and entertainment controls, making it an excellent productivity hub.
.18– Dual 10" Screens
This available feature is mounted on the back of the front seats. It affords each rear passenger access to their own media controls, located on the center armrest.
quattro
Because we know you're the type who likes to stay in control.
To fully appreciate power, there has to be some measure of control. Control helps
articulate the feel of it, helps to define its potential and helps you know how far you can
take it. Power, as delivered in the A8, is expressed with a host of dynamic technologies,
centering around Audi quattro® all-wheel drive. Audi quattro® helps deliver power and
maximize performance in almost any conditions while helping you maintain control.
When combined with other performance technologies, it's clear that the A8 doesn't
want to hold you back, but rather stay on top of the power you possess.
.19 – Sports Differential
The available sports differential dynamically varies torque between its rear wheels to help enhance agility when cornering.
.20 – Audi quattro®
The legendary intelligent all-wheel drive system utilizes a self-locking center differential to transfer power where it is needed most. Under normal
driving conditions, 40 percent of driving force is directed to the front wheels, and the remaining 60 percent is directed to the rear wheels. The
result is a near-perfect driving balance. If conditions warrant a change, the self-locking center differential is capable of sending a majority of engine power to
the axle with the most traction.
Harmony begins with balance.
There are moments when you drive where everything feels in perfect sync. You
make the green lights. The traffic opens up and the highway is yours. The local
road with the sharp turns seems to bend to your will. The next time that happens,
notice the driving dynamics of your A8—you'll find all the systems are in
equilibrium, engineered for you to fully take advantage of conditions to produce
a drive that is powerful, exhilarating and balanced. Audi engineers designed the
driving dynamics in the A8 to react to a dizzying array of driving forces as they
come. All of it focused on one result, producing the kind of superior,
personally tuned ride for the driver that makes them want
to get back behind the wheel again immediately.
.21 – Audi Adaptive Air Suspension
Through air suspension and a continuously variable, electronically controlled damper system, Audi adaptive air suspension
automatically optimizes load distribution and senses driving conditions, to produce a balanced, comfortable and dynamic drive.
.22 – Asymmetric Torque Split
With an effective 40:60 rear-biased torque split, it's ideal for rear-wheel-type power delivery. But where traction is strongest, the bias can change
for optimized handling and performance.
.23 – Audi Drive Select
Exclusive to Audi, this system provides advanced control of the vehicle's adaptive suspension, optional dynamic steering,
sports differential, transmission shift characteristics and engine response. It offers distinct driving configurations,
allowing drivers to configure vehicle drive characteristics to their liking with their choice of Comfort, Auto, Dynamic
or Individual settings.
- comfort mode (peaceful)
Perfect for bumpy city streets, this setting adds optimized steering and comfortable adaptive air suspension, to help provide a smoother drive.
- auto mode (balanced)
The best of both worlds dialed to the optimal settings for a seamless combination of comfort and handling.
- dynamic mode (fun)
More direct steering, more sensitive throttle and sporty suspension helps give this setting an assertive tilt.
- individual mode (customized)
This mode will adjust the steering, suspension throttle and transmission to fit your style, automatically.
With this kind of response, you may not care how efficient you've become.
The Audi A8 features a shift-by-wire eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission, a technical tour de force combining
a range of ratios to match whatever the road throws at you. This wide spread of ratios between first and eighth gear not only helps
reduce fuel consumption, but is flexible enough to deliver everything from sporty acceleration to smooth cruising.1
.24 – Eight-speed Tiptronic®
This eight-speed version of the Tiptronic® automatic transmission helps provide impressive fuel efficiency due to its shift versatility
and weight savings over its sixspeed counterpart. And with the top two gears helping deliver more efficient highway cruising,
it is a perfect companion for almost any road trip.1
1 See www.fueleconomy.gov for EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary.
The beating heart of luxury.
It's an enviable choice—the refined luxury of the Audi A8 4.2L FSI® or the extraordinary power of the W12. Featured on the A8, the Audi 4.2L FSI V8
delivers 372 hp and does 0 to 60 mph at an impressive 5.7 seconds, while the legendary W12 brings 500 hp, 463 lb-ft of torque and a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.4
seconds to round out an impressive power profile.2
.25 – 4.2L Audi FSI V8 Engine
Owing much of its power response to Audi FSI direct injection, the system injects a precise amount of fuel into each cylinder. Combined with the
Audi valvelift-system-complementing FSI, the result helps deliver maximum efficiency and responsive power at practically any rpm.2
.26 – 6.3L Audi FSI W12
The pinnacle of engine design, this direct-injected gasoline engine gets its name from the W-shaped layout of its cylinders—four
rows of three cylinders each, merged into two banks. Starting from its displacement of 6.3 liters, the surprisingly compact, lightweight
W12 pumps out an immense 500 hp and a thrilling 463 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the impressive output, the W12 is also the
only twelve-cylinder engine in a luxury vehicle that has a standard all-wheel drive system—others don't offer it at all.
2 0–60-mph times will vary from model to model. Always obey local speed and traffic laws.
Input as unique as your fingerprint.
What does your handwriting say about you? We aren't really sure. We just know
it speaks to us. A revolution in intelligent simplicity, the Audi MMI® touch
with handwriting recognition is a class-first technology that gives you the ability
to give commands and retrieve media simply by recognizing a few strokes of
your finger. Access information such as songs, phone numbers, and destinations
through the Audi MMI® touch—or give input through the traditional Audi MMI®
rotary dial or voice commands to Audi connect™, the world's first media system
with Google Earth™ imagery. The world isn't simply at your fingertips—your
fingertips open up a new way to interact with the world.
.27 – Audi MMI® Touch
Developed by the Audi Human Machine Interface (HMI) team, Audi MMI® touch defines why simple can be so complex. Not
to use, but to design. The HMI team built a system so advanced, it can read almost anyone's handwriting—even if you choose
to write it with your off hand.
– letter and number entries for destinations and contacts
– radio preset selection
– album-cover scrolling
– map scrolling
– sound distribution adjustment
No one connects you the way we do.
We set out to change how people interact in and out of their automobiles. A suite of classleading
technologies has made the A8 a true champion for progress. Audi MMI® touch
with handwriting-recognition technology, Audi connect™ with Google Earth™, and Wi-Fi
connectivity1 for up to eight passenger devices help ensure that no other luxury automotive
company offers this level of connectivity in the U.S. You can also access the information and
navigation entirely with your voice in just a few commands. And with that kind of access,
Audi helps build on your interactive life while helping enhance your ownership experience.
.Google Earth™ 3D satellite imagery1
With industry-first Google Earth™, you'll enjoy 3D topography and the most current maps available on your Audi MMI® display.
SiriusXM Traffic1,2
Working with your Google Earth™ overlay, you can get traffic conditions and plan alternate routes to help get around traffic backups.
Reported local gas prices1
Find the lowest reported local price for gas—and the directions to the station—right through your MMI.
Google™ Local Search1
A perfect traveling companion, you can access Google™ for information on points of interest near where you are—or where you are going.
myAudi features1
Plan your destination from your home computer and send your route to your A8, for a preprogrammed trip plan.
Weather information1
Current local conditions and forecasts for your destination can help you prepare for your trip.
News feeds1
Stay on top of the news by having headlines and stories delivered right to your MMI display.
Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot1
Class-first technology that provides high-speed connectivity for up to eight devices through an onboard wireless hub.
1 Requires a data subscription plan. Distracted driving can cause a loss of vehicle control. The features and technologies discussed above
are offered for convenience, and should be used only when it is safe and appropriate. The Wi-Fi hotspot feature is intended for passenger use only.
Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted. 2 See back cover for important information regarding
required SiriusXM subscriptions.
Striking a deep note for a shared passion.
For years, while other sound-system engineers were obsessed with what they thought you
should be hearing, Audi sound engineers thought about how we impact what people are
feeling when they are enjoying music. We found a partner who shared our passion—Bang
& Olufsen®—who has helped us conceive a new way of experiencing sounds in your A8.
We use speaker positioning, speaker design and precise sound calibration to work in
concert with the ambient noise in your car. The results are crisper, more resonant—you
might even say, more emotional. Because, if you are only listening, you're not really
feeling it.1
.28 – Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Sound System
The passion of Bang & Olufsen® matches well with Audi. By focusing on design and performance together, we bring out
the best in outstanding acoustics. Bang & Olufsen® engineers help to sculpt meticulously rendered sound through two innovative
retractable aluminum acoustic lenses and an impressive 1,400 watts of pure power.1
.29 – ICEpower® Amplifiers
About the size of a matchbox, this revolutionary acoustic technology from Bang & Olufsen® helps ensure
a powerful sound base without taking up the amount of space or emitting the level of heat that conventional
amplifiers do. No wonder Bang & Olufsen® and Audi complement each other so well.1
1 Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Sound System available on all A8 models.
Anticipating needs you didn't know you had.
With something like one in five people on the road checking their e-mail, driving distracted, in cars they don't maintain,
Audi engineers had to come up with something that anticipates the arbitrary impulses of this mass of unpredictability. So they
developed a suite of available driver-assistance technologies in the A8 that is thoughtfully comprehensive, side to side and back
to front. From seemingly sentient Audi adaptive cruise control to Audi pre sense plus active collision warning and preparation,
to the literally visionary night vision assistant with pedestrian detection, Audi has incorporated innovative, anticipatory
technologies that don't see your future so much as help others avoid changing it.
.30 – Audi Side Assist1
Radar sensors and optical warnings help keep the driver informed of what is approaching from hard-to-see angles behind
and to the side of the vehicle in two different warning stages.
.31 – Night Vision Assistant1
With an infrared camera detecting what lies ahead, the A8 uses thermal-imaging technology to help you avoid trouble. Pedestrians
can be detected 300 feet in front of the vehicle, while objects can be detected up to 1,000 feet ahead—all shown on the 7" color
driver information system.
.32 – Audi Pre Sense Plus1
Offers comprehensive driving assistance with sensors in the front, side, and rear. After visual,
physical and aural collision warnings, there are four distinct phases for automatic preparation for
the unavoidable: an upsurge of brake pressure, seatbelt pre-tensioning, partial braking, and
sunroof and window preparation. In severe cases, Audi pre sense plus will engage full braking and deceleration.
.33 – Audi Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go1
Not only retains a preset distance from vehicles ahead, but resumes acceleration when you're ready. Using long-range radar and a camera,
Audi adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go helps read the traffic conditions and adjusts the speed, helping to bring the vehicle to a full
stop before accelerating when traffic flow resumes.
.34 – Audi Lane Assist1
Unlike road-detection systems that override a driver's decision-making process, Audi lane assist helps warn of errant steering with a
simple vibration on the steering wheel. By trusting the human element to make the correct on-road decision, the Audi A8 further
solidifies its bond between driver and machine.
1 Available feature.
Shedding the excess of old luxury.
When you think of luxury, you probably don't think about weight savings. But by placing the right material where it is most needed,
our team of engineers gets to the literal core of a better performing, more efficient, and patently unique luxury vehicle.
.35 – Passive Safety
Referring to all dedicated measures that help protect the car's occupants against injury, the passive safety
measures in the A8 include its safety belt system, ten airbags,1 the rigid occupant cell and crumple zones at
the front and rear of the vehicle.
.36 – ASF® Aluminum Space Frame
Flexible yet unyielding, revolutionary ASF® technology offers an innovative approach to weight savings—a benefit
you will notice in the overall efficiency, enhanced performance and remarkable handling of the Audi A8. These unique
characteristics also help to absorb the normal bumps of the road, delivering a smoother ride.
.37 – Ten Airbags
The A8 is equipped with a full complement of ten airbags to offer additional protection in the event of a collision.
Front-impact airbags for both driver and front passenger are designed to specifically target and protect the head during
collisions, for added protection.1
1 Airbags are supplemental restraints only and will not deploy under all crash circumstances.
Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age.
Accessories
With the A8, there's always more. Like an Audi Genuine Accessory. Choose one that helps protect your A8 in the garage. Or carries your bikes for a serious weekend on the
trails. Or makes heads swivel as you drive by. These accessories are the little extras that make your Audi even more distinguished. Designed by the same visionaries
who designed your vehicle, all accessories feature a tailored fit and the expert craftsmanship you'd expect from Audi. They are also backed by the 4-year/50,000-mile Audi
New Vehicle Limited Warranty or the accessory's 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty, whichever extends longer from the accessory purchase date.1
.35 – Passive Safety
Referring to all dedicated measures that help protect the car's occupants against injury, the passive safety
measures in the A8 include its safety belt system, ten airbags,1 the rigid occupant cell and crumple zones at
the front and rear of the vehicle.
.36 – ASF® Aluminum Space Frame
Flexible yet unyielding, revolutionary ASF® technology offers an innovative approach to weight savings—a benefit
you will notice in the overall efficiency, enhanced performance and remarkable handling of the Audi A8. These unique
characteristics also help to absorb the normal bumps of the road, delivering a smoother ride.
.37 – Ten Airbags
The A8 is equipped with a full complement of ten airbags to offer additional protection in the event of a collision.
Front-impact airbags for both driver and front passenger are designed to specifically target and protect the head during
collisions, for added protection.1
1 See dealer for details.
Colors
Color Combinations
Decorative Inlays
Wheels
Configurations | Dimensions
Specifications
Packages | Options
Audi Truth in Engineering
Note: A word about this brochure. Audi of America, Inc., believes the specifications in this brochure to be correct at the time of printing. However, specifications, standard
equipment, options, fabrics, and colors are subject to change without notice. Some equipment may be unavailable when your vehicle is built. Please ask your dealer for
advice concerning current availability of standard and optional equipment, and your dealer will verify that your vehicle will include the equipment you ordered. Vehicles
in this brochure are shown with optional equipment. See your dealer for complete details on the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, twelve-year limited warranty against corrosion
perforation, and Audi 24/7 Roadside Assistance. (Roadside assistance coverage provided by Road America in the U.S. Certain conditions apply; see your dealer for
details.) Tires supplied by various manufacturers. "Audi," all model names, "ASF," "FSI," "MMI," "quattro," "Sideguard," "Singleframe" and the Singleframe grille design,
"Truth in Engineering," and the four rings logo are registered trademarks of AUDI AG. "Audi connect" is a trademark of AUDI AG. "Alcantara" is a registered trademark
of Alcantara S.p.A. "Bang & Olufsen" is a registered trademark of Bang & Olufsen. The BLUETOOTH word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth Sig , Inc., and use
of any such marks by AUDI AG is under license. "BOSE" and "AudioPilot" are registered trademarks of the Bose Corporation. "GOOGLE" is a trademark of Google Inc. "HD
Radio" and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corporation. "Homelink" is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls Technology Company.
"ICEpower" is a registered trademark of Bang & Olufsen. "iPod" is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. "Servotronic" is a registered trademark of the AM General
Corporation. "Sirius" and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Traffic subscriptions sold
separately or as a package after trial expires. SiriusXM Traffic service available in select markets. Subscriptions are governed by SiriusXM Customer Agreement (see www.
siriusxm.com) and are continuous until you call SiriusXM to cancel. Sirius U.S. Satellite Service available only to those 18 and older in the 48 contiguous U.S.A., D.C. and
Puerto Rico (with coverage limitations). "Tiptronic" is a registered trademark of Dr. Ing h.c. F. Porsche AG. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Some European models shown.
© 2011 Audi of America, Inc.