• In 1997, the Audi A8 sedan was introduced in the United States. The A8 had a frame composed entirely of aluminum, making it much lighter than similar-sized cars with steel frames. Audi manufactured the 1998 A8 as both a base-model front-wheel drive version and an optional Quattro four-wheel drive version. By 2010, Audi had made four-wheel drive the only drivetrain option on the A8.
  
  

Engine and Fuel Economy

• The base model of the 1998 A8 came with a 230-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-8 engine. The Quattro model carried a 300-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8. Requiring premium unleaded gasoline, each engine could achieve about 17 mpg during city driving and 25 mpg on the highway. With a 23.8 gallon fuel tank, overall range per tank ranged between 400 and 600 miles.
  
  

Drive Type and Suspension

• Audi equipped both A8 models with a five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Traction control also was installed standard on every A8. Each model used multilink front and rear suspension with anti-roll bars and coil springs. The steering mechanism for both models consisted of rack and pinion, and four disc brakes came standard.
  
  

Luxury and Safety

• The A8's interior featured leather seats as well as six-way power direction controls for driver and passenger seats. Other luxury features included a power sunroof, automatic climate control, dual-zone front air conditioning, and power windows. Antilock brakes and driver and passenger front-impact and side-impact airbags filled out the safety feature list.