Quick question about the A8 W12....help please.

[thegoose]

Hi, I'm normally found in the Porsche forum but please don't hold that against me.

I'm looking at buying an A8 W12 first registered 18th May 2005 and no-one seems to be able to tell me whether it's a facelift car or not. Clearly it was around the introduction of the newer shape, but the owner is not sure and won't be with the car to send a photo until the end of the week.

It may be that the W12 has only ever been available in the facelift shape, since it's introduction in 2004 - if so then the answer's easy, but I don't know.

Neither Audi UK nor the supplying dealer (Swindon Audi) have been able to give me an answer hence asking for your help here please.

[bobthemonkey]

I'm pretty sure the W12 (at least in RHD form) was facelift only.

Wiki seems to confirm. The W12 was the first with the big grille, then the normal cars followed a year later.

[Dilligaf10]

bobthemonkey said:

I'm pretty sure the W12 (at least in RHD form) was facelift only.

Wiki seems to confirm. The W12 was the first with the big grille, then the normal cars followed a year later.

I concur. But why the W12 engine?

[Dr G]

Because it's entertainingly silly

[remoh]

Dilligaf10 said:

bobthemonkey said:

I'm pretty sure the W12 (at least in RHD form) was facelift only.

Wiki seems to confirm. The W12 was the first with the big grille, then the normal cars followed a year later.

I concur. But why the W12 engine?

In the words of Barry Norman...."And why not ? "

[Elie]

I have a W12 and can confirm that all UK W12's are with the single grill.

There is also a further facelift in 2007/2008 with some slight improvments to various aspects of the car.

[thegoose]

Thanks for your help everyone. I'm trying to buy it now, to go with the other one I got on Thursday. I've not photographed it yet but it's getting a few enquiries already, so when another one came up it seemed a good idea to try and get it. I've had a quite a few A8's but never a W12 before - they do seem stupidly fast for such a big car Has been averaging 17mpg in London too, over 19 on the brief local driving I've done, so pretty sensible economy really.