2013 Audi A8 3.0T matches 4.2 V8 fuel economy numbers

When Audi announced the 2013 A8 with the 3.0T V6, it didn't mention fuel economy numbers but did tout the 333-horsepower engine's "great efficiency." According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the V6 efficiency exactly matches that of the more powerful 372-horsepower, 4.2-litre V8 – the 3.0T was rated the same 18 mpg (13 L/100km) city, 28 mpg (8.4 L/100km) highway as the naturally aspirated 4.2.

It's figured that the stop/start system fitted to the V6 will provide a slight bump, which, since the EPA doesn't factor such tech into its testing, doesn't register in the official numbers. It's difficult to make fuel economy comparisons with the same engines in other countries since they have different power ratings; in Germany, for instance, the V6 is rated at 286 hp, the 4.2 isn't offered and the 4.0 TSFI V8 makes 414 hp – but in that case, the V6 does get better gas mileage, if you're wondering.

Speaking of wondering, that's what many including our own commenters are doing about the space between the 333-hp V6 and 520-hp V8 in the S8. The report in Car and Driver posits a detuned version of the S8's motor. No matter what, the V6 A8 will be less expensive than all of them, which was the real point all along.

News Source: Car and Driver

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