Audi V8

Technical data

• Year of production: 1991

• Displacement: 3600 cm³

• Power: 250 hp

History of the model

The Audi V8 with the 3.6-litre V8 engine from the 1991 model year represents a particularly interesting chapter in Audi history, as it is the technical and stylistic precursor of the future Audi A8 range.

General model history

• Production from 1988 to 1994

• First Audi model in the premium segment, positioned above the Audi 100/200

• The objective: to compete with the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7 Series

• Technical basis inspired by the Audi 100/200 (C3), but heavily redesigned, more luxurious and more exclusive

Engine : Audi V8 3.6

  1. Engine Details

    3.6 V8, Displacement: 3562 cm³, Power: 250 hp (184 kW) at 5800 rpm, Torque: 340 Nm at 4000 rpm

  2. Transmission Options

    4-speed automatic transmission, 5 or 6-speed manual transmissions (very rare)

  3. All-Wheel Drive

    Still combined with quattro all-wheel drive – an exclusivity in the luxury category at that time

Situation of the model in 1991

By 1991, the Audi V8 had already been on the market for several years, and the 3.6 version remained available until 1994.

• From 1991, the 4.2-litre V8 with 280 hp was added

• Minor updates: equipment and electronics adjustments

• High-end standard equipment including:

• Leather upholstery

• Automatic transmission

• Electric seats

• Noble wood inserts

• High-quality HiFi systems

Importance of the Audi V8

• First Audi with a V8 engine and clearly positioned in the luxury segment

• Direct ancestor of the Audi A8 (D2), launched in 1994

• Competitive success in the DTM championship:

• Title in 1990 with HansJoachim Stuck

• Title in 1991 with Frank Biela

These victories permanently strengthened Audi's image as a technological and premium manufacturer.

Production volumes

• Approximately 21,000 units produced between 1988 and 1994

• The majority were equipped with the 3.6 engine

• The V8 4.2 was produced in smaller quantities