SedanAudi77% by Neofiliac Team

Audi A8 D3 (4E)

Full-Size Sedan

Product Gallery

Product Overview

Audi A8 D3 (Typ 4E) is a full-size luxury sedan in production from 2002 to 2007, whereupon it received a facelift. It was available with a range of V8, V6, and W12 engines that displaced 3.0 to 6.0 liters.

At the start of the model's production run, the D3 A8 was more or less a restyled D2 A8, keeping many of the original powertrain options. The most notable update was the switch to 6-speed ZF 6HP automatic transmission for the more powerful and AWD options. Manual transmissions were no longer offered. However, CVT marketed under the "Multitronic" name came with less powerful engines in FWD guise. This last part has proven to be disastrous for long-term reliability.

Around 2005, however, Audi switched out much of the petrol engine lineup with the new "FSI" direct injection variants. This moved deleted the timing belt and instead gave the V6 and V8 engines timing chains. Unfortunately, these convoluted timing chain setups have proven to be one of the low points of automotive engine design. FSI also brought carbon build-up issues that cannot be permanently fixed (without an engine re-design that is).

Thus, the wise option for this generation was indeed the glorious 4.2 BiTDI bi-turbo common rail diesel and the W12.

Audi has made a good effort in aerodynamics, with a decent 0.27 coefficient of drag to show for it. The D3 also comes with a high towing capacity.

Drivers who appreciate handling will be pleased to know that the D3 A8 comes with multi-link suspensions at all four corners. This provides the best cornering performance and tunability, at the expense of cost and a little bit of durability.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 77%

Pros

Glorious 4.2 TDI and W12 engine options
Much improved ZF 6HP transmission
Good 0.27 drag coefficient
Good towing capacity
Much more modern inside

Cons

Unreliable range of FSI engines
Adoption of CVT for FWD

Your rating:

12345678910

?/10

Launch Product Comparison

Price Comparison

As associates of the merchants above, we earn a commission when you make a purchase using the supplied links.

Specifications

Variants shown:

3.0 CVT

3.0 CVT LWB

3.0 TDI DPF quattro AT LWB

3.0 TDI PDF quattro AT

3.0 TDI quattro AT

3.2 FSI CVT

3.2 FSI CVT LWB

3.2 FSI quattro AT

3.7 V8 quattro AT

4.0 TDI quattro AT

4.0 TDI quattro AT LWB

4.2 BiTDI quattro AT LWB

4.2 BiTDI quattro DPF AT

4.2 FSI quattro AT

4.2 FSI quattro AT LWB

4.2 quattro AT

4.2 quattro AT LWB

6.0 W12 quattro AT

6.0 W12 quattro AT LWB

[[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"500 L / 17.7 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"12.6 L / 13.3 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"6.3 L / 6.7 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"90.0 L / 23.8 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"5"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"600 kg / 1323 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Independent on trapezoidal lever"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"235/60 R16"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Turning Circle","Fv":"12.1 m / 39.7 ft"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"4-door Sedan"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Ground Clearance","Fv":"120 mm / 4.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1444 mm / 56.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"5051 mm / 198.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1894 mm / 74.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1629.0 mm / 64.1 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1615.0 mm / 63.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1670.0 kg / 3681.7 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"7.5J x 16"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2944 mm / 115.9 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"7.9 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"7.5 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"CO2 Emission","Fv":"230 g/km"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Coefficient Of Drag","Fv":"0.27"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"9.6 L/100km / 24.5 MPG (combined) | 13.7 L/100km / 17.2 MPG (urban) | 7.2 L/100km / 32.7 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"242.0 km/h / 150.4 mph"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Towing Capacity","Fv":"750 kg / 1653 lbs (w/o brakes) | 2100 kg / 4630 lbs (w/ brakes @ 8% gradient) | 1900 kg / 4189 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Front-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Emission Standard","Fv":"Euro 4"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"ASN"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"82.5 mm / 3.2 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.5:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"3.0 L / 181.6 cu-in / 2976.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"220.0 hp / 164.1 kW @ 6300 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"73.9 hp/L / 1.2 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"92.8 mm / 3.7 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"300 Nm / 221.3 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V6 DOHC engine with 5 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"6-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Multitronic"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"2003 ~ 2005"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"500 L / 17.7 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"12.6 L / 13.3 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"6.3 L / 6.7 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"90.0 L / 23.8 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"5"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"600 kg / 1323 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Independent on trapezoidal lever"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"235/60 R16"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Turning Circle","Fv":"12.5 m / 41.0 ft"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"4-door Sedan"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Ground Clearance","Fv":"120 mm / 4.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1455 mm / 57.3 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"5181 mm / 204.0 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1894 mm / 74.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1629.0 mm / 64.1 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1615.0 mm / 63.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1720.0 kg / 3792.0 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"7.5J x 16"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"3074 mm / 121.0 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"8.3 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"7.9 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"CO2 Emission","Fv":"226 g/km"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Coefficient Of Drag","Fv":"0.27"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"9.6 L/100km / 24.5 MPG (combined) | 13.7 L/100km / 17.2 MPG (urban) | 7.2 L/100km / 32.7 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"242.0 km/h / 150.4 mph"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Towing Capacity","Fv":"750 kg / 1653 lbs (w/o brakes) | 2200 kg / 4850 lbs (w/ brakes @ 8% gradient) | 2200 kg / 4850 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Front-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Emission Standard","Fv":"Euro 4"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"ASN"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"82.5 mm / 3.2 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.5:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"3.0 L / 181.6 cu-in / 2976.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"220.0 hp / 164.1 kW @ 6300 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"73.9 hp/L / 1.2 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"92.8 mm / 3.7 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"300 Nm / 221.3 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V6 engine with 5 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"6-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Multitronic"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"2003 ~ 2005"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"500 L / 17.7 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"15.8 L / 16.7 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"8.2 L / 8.7 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"90.0 L / 23.8 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"5"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"600 kg / 1323 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Independent on trapezoidal lever"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"235/55 R17"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Turning Circle","Fv":"12.5 m / 41.0 ft"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"4-door Sedan"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Ground Clearance","Fv":"120 mm / 4.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1455 mm / 57.3 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"5192 mm / 204.4 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1894 mm / 74.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1629.0 mm / 64.1 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1615.0 mm / 63.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1880.0 kg / 4144.7 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"8J x 17"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"3074 mm / 121.0 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"7.9 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"7.5 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"CO2 Emission","Fv":"226 g/km"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Coefficient Of Drag","Fv":"0.27"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"8.5 L/100km / 27.7 MPG (combined) | 12.1 L/100km / 19.4 MPG (urban) | 6.5 L/100km / 36.2 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"243.0 km/h / 151.0 mph"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Towing Capacity","Fv":"750 kg / 1653 lbs (w/o brakes) | 2200 kg / 4850 lbs (w/ brakes @ 8% gradient) | 2200 kg / 4850 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), All-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Emission Standard","Fv":"Euro 4"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"ASB"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"83.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"17.0:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"3.0 L / 181.1 cu-in / 2967.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"233.0 hp / 173.7 kW @ 4000 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"78.5 hp/L / 1.3 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"91.4 mm / 3.6 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"450 Nm / 331.9 lb-ft @ 1400-3250 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Turbocharged commonrail diesel V6 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"6-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Automatic Tiptronic"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"2005 ~ 2007"}]]