Audi Makes Short Wheelbase A8 6.0 Quattro

Short Wheelbase A8 6.0 Quattro Quicker than Long Wheelbase Car

Introducing a super-luxury sedan into any market requires a strong understanding of the elite market and a great deal of planning to pull the launch off smoothly.

When Audi brought the A8 to North America, it did so initially with the L, or long wheelbase version. A short wheelbase A8 followed for those wanting a sportier limousine.

While no short wheelbase A8 is offered in North American anymore, at least not yet, Audi is set to deliver an abbreviate 6.0 liter W12 version to its European customers shortly.

The shorter A8 6.0 quattro bears the same odd grille and fascia as the new A8 6.0L quattro, but its wheelbase is identical to the regular A8; some 5.1 inches shorter than the long variant. Total wheelbase length is 115.9 inches.

While initially all that looks different between the regular A8 and the 6.0-liter version is its unique face, there are quite a few changes under the skin. First off the motor, which has a history that can be traced through to the first generation A8, now produces more power. While impressive its 450-hp isnt enough to outpace the twin-turbocharged Mercedes-Benz S600, but its enough to make the lighter aluminum space frame A8 quite brisk.

The regular wheelbase A8 6.0 features the same six-speed ZF automatic gearbox thats standard equipment in the longer version, but its first five ratios have been shortened to provide quicker acceleration. It works, taking just 5.0 seconds to hit 60 mph, and 16.9 seconds to hit 124 mph (200 km/h). This can be compared to the long wheelbase which takes 5.2 and 17.2, respectively.

Though the A8 6.0 Quattro with the short wheelbase is lighter by roughly 77 pounds, it should not only out-accelerate the long version but beat it out on fuel economy too. While its true that it completes the first task, it lags (probably due to the shorter gear ratios) in fuel consumption. The cars real numbers are 16 mpg of the liquid gold - otherwise known as premium unleaded. This is 0.4 gallons per 100 miles more than the heavier long wheelbase version!

The A8 6.0 quattro on the short platform will be available in the second quarter of 2004 with the price tag of 106,900 euros ($130,000 USD). Audi of America hasnt given word on its availability here at home. No doubt, the market would be enthusiastic but small if Volkswagens luxury division imported it.