stumbo

Just a note from memory from last weekend Autocar (UK)

The A8 3.7 is 63mm longer and 550kg lighter than the VW Phaeton W12.

That can not all be engine difference.

skiracer

Which is a HUGE percentage heavier than the A8. If the new A8 tips the scales at around 3000 lbs, then the Phaeton would lumber in at 4200 lbs.! That translates to 40% heavier. For any one interested in performance, the A8 will kick the Phaeton's butt even if the Phaeton has a considerably more powerful engine. I couldn't imagine pushing a 4200 lb. behemouth around a track- what a pig! Maybe this is how VAG is differentiating the new A8 from the Phaeton- they are pushing the VW into the pure luxury class, and the A8 closer to the sport class. I'll take an A8 any day! (unbiased opinion ;-)

PaulW

Maybe that's 55kg?

stumbo

the mag said 550kg and that A8-3.7 was 1780kg. Phat was obviously > 2300kg

skiracer

So if the A8-3.7 weighs 3900 lb. and the VW weighs 5125 lb, that still means that the Phat (pronounced FAT- great nickname for it Stumbo!) is over 30% heavier than the A8. My previous comments stand........

acadia

yeah, that's cool, but it still looks like a pheaton, so who cares ...

KjellA

Yes, the Phat is very heavy, and so are the rest of the competition in this class, even without 4WD. When MB and BMW gets 4WD too, they'll probably weigh in at about the same as the VW.

A8 is obviously a lot lighter, due to the Aluminum Space Frame. My guess is that this translates into somewhere near 400 Kg alone. This is a huge performance pro for the A8, it doesn't weigh more than cars one size smaller.

The Phat will struggle with this, and it's heavy price tag. Yes, it is targeted at a luxury market where high speed stability and ultimate comfort is much more important than dynamic cornering attributes. Phat is targeted against S-class, A8 against BMW. Simple as that actually.

Audi S5 TC

That should lower the curb weight of the new A6 by a few hundred pounds.