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Audi A8
For the 2001 model year,
Audi introduced their new W12 engine, a compact
6.0 litre unit developed by mating two 3.0
litre VR6 engines together at the crankshaft,
similar to the 3.6 litre engine from the V8
model which had been created by mating two
inline-four cylinder engines at the crankshaft.
The engine quickly became available in the
A8, although only to European and Asian customers
and only in long-wheelbase versions of the
car. From its introduction through its discontinuation
in 2003, only 750 of the W12 models were produced.
Audi restyled the D3
platform A8 range slightly for the 2005 model
year, endowing all variants with a tall "fish
mouth" grille inspired that of the Nuvolari
concept car, which was already featured on
the W12 model. In addition to the styling
update, new engines became available to European
and Asian market customers; the entry-level
3.0 litre V6 was replaced by a new 3.2 litre
unit featuring FSI, which it shares with the
new A4. More significantly was the introduction
of a 4.2 L Diesel V8 engine generating 240
kW (326 PS) of power, the most powerful Diesel
engine Audi has ever offered in a passenger
automobile. The engine uses two turbochargers
and two intercoolers with each turbocharger
functioning exclusively for one set of four
cylinders.
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