| Audi V8 (4C) | |
|---|---|
 Audi V8 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Audi AG |
| Production | October 1988 – November 1993 |
| Assembly | Neckarsulm, Germany |
| Designer | Erwin Leo Himmel (1984) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-sizeluxury car |
| Body style | 4-doorsaloon (sedan) |
| Layout | Longitudinalfront engine Quattro permanentfour-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group D1 (aka D11) |
| Related | Audi 100/200 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.6 LPTV8 4.2 LABH V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speedZF4HP24Aautomatic 5-speedmanual (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 |
TheAudi V8 (Typ 4C) is a four-door,full-sizeluxurysedan, designed, manufactured and marketed byAudi in Germany from 1988 to 1993, as the company'sflagship. As the first car from Audi to use aV8 engine, also was the first Audi to combine aquattro system with anautomatic 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 theAudi A8 in 1994, although the A8 was not marketed in North America until 1996.
The competition model of the Audi V8 won back-to-backDeutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft driver's titles in 1990 and 1991, with the championship winners beingHans-Joachim Stuck andFrank Biela respectively.[1][2] Audi was the first company to win back-to-back DTM titles.[2]
Standard features for the Audi V8 included a32-valve,double overhead camshaft (DOHC)V8 engine[3] and a four-speed electronically controlledZF4HP24Aautomatic transmission providing Audi'squattro permanentfour-wheel drive system.[4] A five-speed (later in production six-speed)manual transmission was also available.[5][6]
The Audi V8 had agalvanized steel body, with a 10-year anti-perforation warranty (againstcorrosion).[7] 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, includingleather seating and Audi's quattro all wheel drive system[3] (seestandard features list).[8] The Audi V8 created a new elevated image for the company, providing a viable alternative to established competitors such asMercedes-Benz andBMW.[8] In this regard, the car was a cornerstone in developing the history of the Audi marque as it is today.[8]
Factory production commenced in October 1988, and ceased in November 1993,[3] although sales of completed vehicles continued in 1994. It was replaced by theAudi A8 in 1994.[9][10][11]
The Audi V8 used an enlarged version of the bodyshell from theTyp 44Audi 100 and 200 models,[3][12] and was based on a stretched version of theirVolkswagen Group C3automobile platform, known either as theD1 or D11[9][12] platform. The Audi V8 differed from the Audi 100/200 with a uniquegrille attached to the hood, newbumpers and headlights, all-red tail lamps, 12 mm extendedwheelbase, wider track, pronouncedfenders, and more wood trim in the interior. Furthermore, only alloy wheels were offered, ranging from 15 to 17 inches.[12][13]
In addition to the standard-length model, there was also a longwheelbase (LWB), ('Lang' in German) version of the V8 (refer to the infobox for differences in dimensions). It was assembled atSteyr-Daimler-Puch factory inGraz (seeproduction figures). This tradition would continue with the A8, offered in "A8L" format[12] (though only in year 2010 A8L reached the size of the V8L).
A once-off experimental Avant (estate) version was built for the wife of former Audi CEOFerdinand Piech. This car is no longer on display at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt, but in storage in Neckarsulm.[12][14]
Powertrain[3] detail of the Audi V8 featured one of two all-new, all-aluminium alloyengines – bothpetrol engines, and both in V8 configuration with32 valves (fourvalves percylinder) with dual valvesprings, and fouroverhead camshafts (DOHC).[15] The design set the pattern for future Audi-developedVolkswagen GroupV8 engines. In addition to using an all-aluminum alloycylinder block (when the established material wasgreycast iron), thecamshafts were driven using a hybrid method. Arubber/kevlar toothedtiming belt, driven from the front of thecrankshaft operated only the exhaust camshaft in each bank. The inlet camshafts were then operated via asimplexroller chain from the exhaust camshaft – the right bank, (cylinders 1–4) at the rear of the engine, and the left bank (cylinders 5–8) at the front of the engine, immediately behind the timing belt. This method reduced the complexity of the timing belt layout, and as a result, required fewer components, such as idler rollers and guides, and led to easier and less costly maintenance of the timing belt and associated components. The intervals for changing the timing belts varied; the 3.6 V8 (PT) required changing every 90,000 kilometres (60,000 mi),[15] whereas the 4.2 V8 (ABH) had a longer interval at 120,000 kilometres (75,000 mi).[15] Athermostatically controlled electriccooling fan also became standard, replacing the engine-drivenviscousfans on earlier cars. This not only provided forced airflow for the enginecoolantradiator, but also for the smallerengine oil cooler.[7]
Audi's 'trademark'quattro permanent (or semi-permanent, dependent on gearbox type)four-wheel drive system was the only offering for the drivetrain.[4] This normally distributes the engine torque as a 'default' 50:50 between front and rear axles, but can automatically dynamically apportion up to a bias of 20:80 to 80:20 front and rear.[4] The automatic transmission utilizes a hydraulically controlled multi-plate clutch to apportion drive between front and rear axles,[4][12] whereas the manual transmission variants utilize aTorsen type 1 Torque Sensing centerdifferential.[4] The rear axle final drive unit contains a Torsen type 1 Torque Sensing differential, instead of the more common hypoid open differential.[4][12]
Both available engines used aBoschMotronic[10][15][16] fully electronicengine control unit (ECU), with cylinder bank selectiveknock control,[15] dual-barrel throttle valve,lambda mixture control via intake air volume metering and exhaust gas temperature sensor, and requiredunleaded petrol. Fuel was delivered to thecombustion chambers via eightintake manifold-sited electronicfuel injectors, fed from twocommon fuel rails (one per cylinder bank), and were sequentially 'fired' or activated in accordance with the engine'sfiring order. Whilst the 3.6 V8 was able to use 95 RON (91 AKI) fuel, for the 4.2 V8, the more expensive 98 RON (93 AKI) 'SuperPlus' unleaded was required in order to achieve the quoted power output.[15] The usage of 95 RON in the 4.2 V8 resulted in a lower power output, as well as increased fuel consumption.[15]
At the initial launch of the Audi V8, the only offering was the 3.6-litre powerplant, which displaced 3,562cubic centimetres (217.4 cu in).[9][10] ThisV8 engine was derived from the 1.8 16V engine from the Golf GTI.[citation needed] It wasDIN-rated with a maximum motivepower output of 184kilowatts (250 PS; 247 bhp)[3] at 5,800 revolutions per minute (rpm),[9] and generated atorque turning force of 340newton-metres (251 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm.[10] In August 1991, Audi introduced a 4.2-litre engine, displacing 4,172 cubic centimetres (254.6 cu in),[16] to complement the choice of the existing 3.6-litre V8. This shared many components from the 3.6 V8, and the 4.2 unit was identical to the optional V8 used in theAudi S4 (akaUr-S4), sharing the same rated outputs andABH identification code. Like the 3.6 V8 model, the existing four-speed automatic gearbox remained available. However, a new six-speed manual gearbox replaced the five-speed manual.[3] This powerplant is identified by chrome 'V8' badges on the frontgrille and at trunk lid, where in some cars also '4.2 quattro' badge is present.[17]
| Engine (code) [3][18] | Displacement,Type Valvetrain | Fuel grade | Max. MotivePower atrpm (DIN 80/1269/EWG) [15] | Max.torque at rpm | Transmissions | 0-100 km/h (62 mph) | Top speed | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 V8 (PT) | 3,562 ccV8 engine 32 valveDOHC | 95 RON (91 AKI) unleaded petrol | 184 kW (250 PS; 247 bhp) @ 5,800 | 340 N⋅m (251 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,000[10] | 4-spZF4HP24Aauto 5-sp manual | 9.9 secs‡[9] 7.6 secs*[10][15] | 232 km/h (144.2 mph)‡[9] 244 km/h (151.6 mph)*[10][15] | 10/88 ÷ 11/93 |
| 4.2 V8 (ABH) | 4,172 cc V8 engine 32 valve DOHC | 98 RON (93 AKI) unleaded petrol | 206 kW (280 PS; 276 bhp) @ 5,800 | 400 N⋅m (295 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,000[16] | 4-sp ZF 4HP24A auto 6-sp manual | 7.7 secs‡[15][16] 6.8 secs*[15][16] | 250 km/h (155.3 mph)[15] | 08/91 ÷ 11/93 |
| ‡ =with automatic transmission * =with manual transmission | ||||||||
A choice oftransmissions were offered.[3] AZF Friedrichshafen-sourced four-speed4HP24Aautomatic transmission with atorque converter was available throughout the V8 production run. Automatic transmission has three modes: "S" – Sport; "E" – Economic and "M" – Manual operation. St mode changes gears at higher rpms than E; M allows the driver to select gears using the lever.[19] There were also twomanual transmission offerings – for the 3.6: a five-speed manualgearbox, or later for the 4.2, a six-speed manual. Both manual transmission variants used a 240-millimetre (9.4 in) single-plateclutch.[19]
The details of Audi V8 transmission are shown in the table below:[3]
| Transmission type | Identification | Gear ratios | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parts code | ID codes | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | Reverse | Final drive | |
| 4-speedAutomatic | 018 | AKD, AYU, AZG | 2.480 | 1.480 | 1.000 | 0.728 | — | — | 2.086 | 4.111 |
| 5-speedManual | 016 | AWW | 3.500 | 1.889 | 1.231 | 0.903 | 0.730 | — | 2.200 | 4.111 |
| 6-speed manual | 01E | CBM, CBN | 3.500 | 1.889 | 1.320 | 1.034 | 0.857 (CBM), 0.806 (CBN) | 0.730 (CBM), 0.684 (CBN) | 2.750 | 4.111 |
The Audi V8 came equipped with rack and pinionpower assisted steering (PAS) as standard. An electronically controlled variable assisted 'servotronic' version was also available.[3] It was fitted with a high-performancebrake system,[3] which included radially ventilateddisc brakes front and rear. The fronts were rather unusual – designed byContinental AG and sized at 310 millimetres (12.2 in) in diameter by 25 millimetres (0.98 in) thick, but the caliper was mounted inside the disc.[20][21] The fronts also incorporated electronic brake pad wear sensors. The rears were 269 millimetres (10.6 in) by 20 millimetres (0.79 in), and incorporated a cable-operated parking brake. ABoschanti-lock braking system (ABS) was also standard.[22]
Standard wheels were7.5J x 15 H2 ET35 'aero' style lightalloy wheels fitted with 215/60 R15 steel-belted radialtyres. Optional multi-spokeBBS-sourced (with Audi centre-cap badge) alloy wheels were also available, in either8.0J x 16, or8.0J x 17 sizes.[3]
The Audi V8 came standard with a range of features, including aBOSE audio system with eight speakers,walnut wood trim, leather interior, and heated seats. Some available colors included pearl white, lago blue (teal), blue mica, tornado red and black. Allpaint finishes were pearlescent or metallic. The lists below details other standard and optional features.[3]
Standard features that came with the Audi V8.[7]
Optional features that were offered with the Audi V8.[7]
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Audi developed aGroup A competition version of the Audi V8 for entry into theDeutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) (German Touring Car Championship)auto racing series equipped with a 309 kW (420 PS; 414 bhp), later 340 kW (462 PS; 456 bhp), 3.6 V8 engine and 6-speed manual transmission, and began racing with it in1990 with Schmidt MotorSport (SMS) running the operation, andHans-Joachim Stuck,Walter Röhrl andFrank Jelinski driving.[1][23] In the 1990 DTM season all of the three teams claimed together the entire podium (1st, 2nd and 3rd places) atHockenheimring race.[24] Stuck won the title, and the following year, Audi added a second team to the mix, Audi Zentrum Reutlingen (AZR). SMS continued with Stuck and Jelinski, while AZR raced withFrank Biela andHubert Haupt. Biela gave Audi another crown in1991, but was unable to defend the title in1992.[2][23][25]
For the1992 season, Audi had changed theirengines to use a 180° flatplanecrankshaft, which they said had been re-forged and bent from the original 90°crossplane part as used in production model. The DTM organisers found this highly modified crankshaft deviated from originalhomologated standard crankshaft, and therefore deemed it illegal. Audi subsequently withdrew from the championship.[25]
During its presence at DTM the Audi V8 competed with much smaller and about 300 kg (661 lb) lighterMercedes 190,BMW M3, and slightly smallerOpel Omega 3000. None of those cars were equipped with V8 engines or 4-wheel drive.[26]
| Year | Production |
|---|---|
| 1988 | |
| 1989 | 6,918[27] |
| 1990 | 4,816[27] |
| 1991 | 3,126[28] |
| 1992 | 3,031[28] |
| 1993 | 1,439[29] |
