Ian Schmidt
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The R8's going away entirely, and the A8 will only have the W12 option this generation. Other VAG brands (they specifically cited Bentley) will continue to use it.
Audi to stop using the W12 engine
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Gecko
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Remember when every mag and media source used to trash the LS for this reason? Oh how times have changed.
mikeavelli
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So the W-12 lives on but with Bentley..makes sense...
What is going to wreck even more havoc is when some universal system of electronic wattage comes in and we can easily determine power
Like say E-12 = W-12
What is going to wreck even more havoc is when some universal system of electronic wattage comes in and we can easily determine power
Like say E-12 = W-12
Carmaker1
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How unfortunate, as that was one redefining factor about the A8, that made it truly eclipse the former D1 V8 sedan of 25-30 years ago and stand tall against the competition from Stuttgart and Munich back at the turn of the millennium. I loved my dad's D4 2012 A8L W12 6.3 and despite not being as great in handling (plus slower) as my mother's 760Li (F02) when pushed to the limit, it had better ride quality and the W12 6.3L felt a bit smoother at idle than the BMW's N74 6.0L.
Somewhat regretted that he went for a Range Rover (ironically using my job position) over the facelifed D4 A8 (and Flying Spur he considered). Seeing that instance, I had tried to suggesting the idea to my senior personnel that JLR should invest in a 12-Cylinder engine to be shared by both brands via next Range Rover, XJ-Series, and two upcoming models. Not only was there not enough R&D money (their opinion), electrification was more of consideration (more obsession), instead of earkmarking a few billion pounds to best Aston Martin and Bentley.
BMW might actually be offering the X7 with the V12! 30+ years ago, Jaguar was one of the few to have a 12-cylinder under $100k, until BMW joined the fray in 1987, then MB in 1991, and VW AG in 1998/2001 with A8 and Lamborghini (Diablo and Audi-developed Murcielago). Look at what has happened many years later. The new Jaguar flagship will never have a V12 again nor will the other 3 candidates.
Bentley keeping the W12 makes some sense, despite the fact Bentley was more known for having the 6.75 litre L-Series V8 and not really 12-cylinders, which was a German choice (BMW-sourced M73 V12 for Arnage). Funny enough, the A8 would've once been called Audi 300 by pre-1994 nomenclature, as was the case during development of the first generation in the 1990-93 period. Audi 300L W12 would have a weird ring to it. Parallel to the D2 A8, Mazda would've actually been amongst the first to offer a W12 in 1994, but those plans were killed in 1992 for Amati.
I am not surprised about the R8 discontinuation, as it is not as attractive as the Gen 1.
Somewhat regretted that he went for a Range Rover (ironically using my job position) over the facelifed D4 A8 (and Flying Spur he considered). Seeing that instance, I had tried to suggesting the idea to my senior personnel that JLR should invest in a 12-Cylinder engine to be shared by both brands via next Range Rover, XJ-Series, and two upcoming models. Not only was there not enough R&D money (their opinion), electrification was more of consideration (more obsession), instead of earkmarking a few billion pounds to best Aston Martin and Bentley.
BMW might actually be offering the X7 with the V12! 30+ years ago, Jaguar was one of the few to have a 12-cylinder under $100k, until BMW joined the fray in 1987, then MB in 1991, and VW AG in 1998/2001 with A8 and Lamborghini (Diablo and Audi-developed Murcielago). Look at what has happened many years later. The new Jaguar flagship will never have a V12 again nor will the other 3 candidates.
Bentley keeping the W12 makes some sense, despite the fact Bentley was more known for having the 6.75 litre L-Series V8 and not really 12-cylinders, which was a German choice (BMW-sourced M73 V12 for Arnage). Funny enough, the A8 would've once been called Audi 300 by pre-1994 nomenclature, as was the case during development of the first generation in the 1990-93 period. Audi 300L W12 would have a weird ring to it. Parallel to the D2 A8, Mazda would've actually been amongst the first to offer a W12 in 1994, but those plans were killed in 1992 for Amati.
I am not surprised about the R8 discontinuation, as it is not as attractive as the Gen 1.