When it comes to large Audis, everything has to do with 8. Flip through old magazines and you'll soon find that Audi's first venture into the ultra-premium segment was with a vehicle simply called the V8. After a short run, it eventually evolved into the plain-clothes A8. Given the fact that these were and still are the brand's halo vehicles, power comes from large eight-cylinder cylinders (although V6s and more recently W12s are also available in select markets). The time span between the first generation and second generation A8 was, you guessed it, 8 years.
*2006 model shown in photo
Range-topping Audis have hardly been sales hits. Blame could rest on any number of issues, ranging from less than inspiring driving dynamics, plain looks or just a general lack of brand appeal in the upper range of the premium sedan market. The current A8, mind you, has changed perceptions about Audi on the whole, and by so doing improved sales of the full-size luxury sedan dramatically.
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