$74,000

They are? Sources?

Regards

Wolfgang

VW sales are down 58% and they're looking to cut 5k jobs. I think that spells trouble for the sales leader in the US.

Well, then again the A8 compares to the S-class, not the E-class. Compare the A6 to the E-class to be fair...

Randy

Compare the A6 to the E-class to be fair...

but the A-8 has no V-12 so how can it compare to the S-class??

In article , Tha Ghee writes

You mean the S-Class has no W-16, so how can it compare to the A-8?

In article , Toby Groves writes

Typo, should of course be W-12

the A8 doesn't have a W-16 here, only the V-8

the A8 has or will very soon have a 12 cylinder engine in the US it should be clear that the poster of the "W-16" comment made an honest mistake

[kinda big and piggish, but nevertheless, it will have a 12 cylinder, I believe a "W" configuration, which is two VR6s together...]

However, a "W16" has been developed for the new Bugatti supercar.

Yupp. It's essentially two 24 valve VR6s mated at the crank. VW found the benefits of this engine years ago with the Corrado SLC.

In article , Avantium writes

Sorry about that.

Yeah, my comments were somewhat tongue-in-cheek. The comment was made that since the S-class had a V12 available and the A8 did not, then it must be a better car. I was simply responding to this by saying the A8 has a W12 available/coming, so does this make it a better car than the Merc?

Wow that's a frigging BARGAIN!! In the Netherlands they go for the equivalent of US$201k.. but than again you yanks get every car virtually for free so maybe $74k is considered expensive over there...

"Big and piggish"? The whole point of the W design is its compactness - it's only about as long as a V8.

-- Mike Smith

you do realize that a W-12 will never be as smooth as a V-12

I think they should have ponied up a little money and made a true V-12. with this config what are the true benefits??

not expensive but it's missing a few things like V-12, snob appeal. it does have AWD.

but I think you get a few cars we don't.

You're potentially talking hundreds of millions of dollars in development costs.

It's "footprint". The VR/W configurations make the engines narrower and allows VW/Audi to squeeze them into places were an engine that size normally would not fit. The 2.8 Litre VR6 fitted to the Golf/GTi/Jetta is an example of this, as is the W8 in the Passat.

That's yet another ridiculous claim. What evidence do you have of this?

Um, why? 12 cylinders is 12 cylinders. 6 liters is 6 liters. There is nothing inherently "better", performance-wise, about a V-layout vs. a W-layout, and the W has advantages in terms of package size.

-- Mike Smith

allows VW/Audi to squeeze them into places were an engine that size normally would not fit. The 2.8 Litre VR6 fitted to the Golf/GTi/Jetta is an example of this, as is the W8 in the Passat.

just take the V-12 from Lambo, and tune it for a luxo sedan.

I understand the width & length angle, but what are any benefits, between some savings in development time, and small size. they seem to be a little low on power compared to a "traditional" layout, and they seem to have a little more harshness vibration.