Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2013 Audi A8 3.0T matches 4.2 V8 fuel economy numbers

When Audi announced the 2013 A8 with the 3.0T V6, it didn't mention fuel economy numbers but did tout the 333-horsepower engine's "great efficiency." According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the V6 efficiency exactly matches that of the more powerful 372-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 – the 3.0T was rated the same 18 city, 28 highway as the naturally aspirated 4.2.

It's figured that the stop/start system fitted to the V6 will provide a slight bump, which, since the EPA doesn't factory such tech into its testing, doesn't register in the official numbers. It's difficult to make fuel economy comparisons with the same engines in other countries since they have different power ratings; in Germany, for instance, the V6 is rated at 286 hp, the 4.2 isn't offered and the 4.0 TSFI V8 makes 414 hp – but in that case, the V6 does get better gas mileage, if you're wondering.

Speaking of wondering, that's what many including our own commenters are doing about the space between the 333-hp V6 and 520-hp V8 in the S8. The report in Car and Driver posits a detuned version of the S8's motor. No matter what, the V6 A8 will be less expensive than all of them, which was the real point all along.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/2...onomy-numbers/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

So numbers are as follows:

A8 3.0T V6 18/28 333hp
A8 4.2 V8 18/28 372hp
S8 4.0T V8 19/28 520hp 479lbft

spwolf

no replacement for displacement?

bagwell

so what was the purpose of building the 3.0T??

UDel

The 3.0T should be a cheaper engine for them to add in the A8, they can offer the v6 A8 at a lower price. Smaller sized engines get taxed less in Europe. Not sure why the 3.0T gets the same fuel economy as the V8 both city and highway, that is kind of disappointing. Maybe it has to do with the transmission/gearing. How does the 520hp V8 in the S8 get the same/better fuel economy then the 333hp V6?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The only reason for an entry level V6 is based on price. Like BMW and the 740i or an upcoming MBZ S350 possible LS350. But certainly after lowering the price as priority, fuel economy is the 2nd greatest attribute. Unfortunately its not the case for Audi's flagship

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

Is that 19mpg city 28mpg highway with 520hp?!

How is that remotely plausible? I feel ripped off with my sub 300hp 4.3L.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Yeah the new S8 is quite amazing

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

Why can't Lexus copy this and get those same mpg #'s with that kind of power?

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

3.0t with same fuel economy and less power, dissapointing. But the S8's number is amazing, my 7 only gets 18 mpg with strictly highway driving.

GFerg

Nice S8 numbers! I will assume that the 4.2L will be dropped in the US for that detuned 4.0L mentioned in the OP.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

This is exactly what the MBZ GL-Class is doing with the GL550 using a 4.6L twin turbo V8 tuned to 429hp and 516lbft. The GL450 uses a detuned version rated at 362hp and 406hp

Similarly Audi's own 3.0T (supercharged) puts out 272hp 295lbft or 333hp 325lbft in the Q7

Fizzboy7

The 3.0T mpg numbers are not that disappointing. It's just that the 4.2 V8 gets VERY good numbers, making the V6 numbers appear bad. The V8 is a double-edge sword.

Blackraven

They should make an RS8 (as the answer of Audi against an S65 AMG)

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

It would be nice to see the RS line return to the light