Audi V8 is a rare and almost forgotten luxury car from Audi, with just a five year lifespan. Now one of these autobahn stormers are for sale in the first November auction at Bilweb Auctions.
It is a mighty car, the 1.8 tonne heavy and almost 5 meter long Audi from 1992. The V8 emblem in the grille tells us that this is a model few have seen - or even heard about. Pearl White metallic, grey Connolly leather och acres of walnut panels reenforces the feeling of exclusivity.
The car was sold as new home in Germany to a person that was a representative for the Swedish camera brand Hasselblad. It raised attention when parked outside the Hasselblad HQ in Gothenburg and a Swedish car dealer persuaded the owner to sell the car to them.
It was then bought by the present owner in 1997. It has stayed in the same family and been driven as an enthusiast´s car by father and son, carefully maintained.
This Audi V8 has the unusual combination of a 4.2 litre V8, 4-wheel drive and a manual 6-speed gearbox. An automatic is usually a given for cars in this segment, but the first owner obviously wanted a bit more sportier drive.
The history behind the Audi V8 in brief: towards the end of the 1980s, Audi wanted to show that they were about the catch up with Mercedes and BMW in the prestige race. A big four door sedan with a V8 was a must for a flagship model. And after the huge success with the Audi Quattro, 4-wheel drive was self-evident - but unusual for a big sedan at this time.
The model was presented in 1988 with a 3.6 litre aluminium V8 with 250 horsepower, which four years later grew to 4.2 litres and 280 horsepower - as in the car in the current auction.
However, the Audi V8 lived a quite anonymous life and was produced during 5 years only, until 1993. It was the successor, Audi A8, that became a true challenger to the S-class and 7-series.
And maybe it is the modest image that make the Audi V8 exciting, that it is not bragging about what it really is: a potent luxury sedan with advanced technology.
Bilweb Auctions has estimated the value of the car to between 200 000 and 230 000 SEK. The auction closes on 11 November.
7 NOV 10:40 PER-ÅKE FRÖBERG
Audi V8 - rare, discreet and powerful Nineties luxury at Bilweb Auctions
Audi V8 is a rare and almost forgotten luxury car from Audi, with just a five year lifespan. Now one of these autobahn stormers are for sale in the first November auction at Bilweb Auctions.
