Audi has announced it will introduce the most powerful diesel-engined car on the international market with the launch of the A8 4.2 TDI quattro with 240 kW and 650 Nm.

With this extremely impressive power output, the new Audi A8 4.2 TDI quattro puts itself ahead of all other diesel-engined cars thanks to an entirely redeveloped 4.2-litre, eight-cylinder biturbo engine. The new powerplant propels the lightweight, aluminium-bodied saloon from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, making it quicker than any other diesel saloon on the international market. The top speed is electronically restricted to 250 km/h.

Displaying the kind of refinement that sets standards even in the top segment of the motoring world, the new 4.2 TDI engine guarantees exemplary, long-distance performance.

Fuel economy is also excellent. Combined as standard with quattro permanent four-wheel drive and 6-speed tiptronic transmission, the engine uses just 9.4 litres of diesel for every 100 kilometres (on average), travelling more than 950 kilometres on a single tank of fuel.

The predecessor of the new A8 4.2 TDI had already scored top marks among the luxury-class diesel saloons with its 4-litre, eight-cylinder engine. Thanks to its 275 bhp and 650 Nm of torque, it was the most powerful V8 diesel-engined car for a long period following its debut in the summer of 2003. Its low fuel consumption of just 9.6 litres per 100 km also earned it top place among its competitors. With these features the A8 4.0 TDI succeeded in becoming the European number one among the V8 diesel luxury saloons, with a market share of 71%.

In the light of such statistics, the development goals for the new TDI represented a daunting challenge. The new A8 4.2 TDI needed to fulfil the following characteristics;

- The most powerful car diesel engine on the market.
- Top figures in terms of driving dynamics, with low fuel consumption
- Optimum engine acoustics
- Low weight
- Compact, short design

In order to implement these specifications, Audi's TDI development team designed an entirely new engine. Just like the 3.0 and 2.7 TDI before it, the 4.2-litre V8 TDI is a member of Audi's new family of V-format engines, and has chain-drive for the camshaft and ancillaries. The cylinder spacing in the new engine block is now 90 millimetres. This gives the engine a compact overall length of just 520 millimetres.

The 240 kW (at 3,750 rpm) 4.2 TDI engine is currently the most powerful diesel engine to be found in any production saloon car and ensures the new A8 has the performance of a top athlete.

With a supreme torque figure of 650 Nm between 1,600 and 3,500 rpm, the driver can experience pulling power that is normally reserved for thoroughbred sports cars and makes the A8 4.2 TDI quattro the Audi with the most torque of all.

The Audi A8 4.2 TDI quattro is equipped as standard with a diesel particulate filter, which works without additives and consequently lasts the lifetime of the vehicle without servicing.

The A8 4.2 quattro has a chassis with air suspension and adaptive damping – otherwise known as Audi adaptive air suspension. It allows the vehicle to be driven either in a decidedly sporty fashion or with an extremely comfortable ride, just as the driver wishes.

All Audi A8 V8 TDI models are equipped with 6-speed tiptronic transmission with DSP dynamic gearshift programme and additional sports programme. The engine's output and torque are always unleashed with such precision that the conflicting requirements of spontaneous power flow, high performance and perfectly refined running are all achieved.

The sheer power and the characteristics of this eight-cylinder power unit once again reaffirm the credentials of the Audi A8 as the sportiest saloon car in the luxury segment. And thanks to its top-of-the-range TDI, Audi yet again demonstrates its expertise and its lead in the development of such powerful, refined and, not least, economical diesel engines.

Like the other A8 models, the new TDI has the exclusive front end with single-frame radiator grille.

The luxury saloon can be ordered from beginning of June in Europe and is being evaluated for Australian launch in early 2006.