It's easy to be stumped by cases like this Audi V8 which is for sale in the Netherlands through the seller Bourguignon. Purchased in 1990, it has covered only 218 km during its 30 years of life…
We don't know why he walked so few kilometers, but we do know that he started his life in Belgium, where he covered 157 km. As of 2016, it became part of the private collection of Ramon Bourguignon, owner of the company that now sells it, where he covered another 61 km.
As can be seen from the images, the state of conservation of the large German saloon appears to be high. However, the seller mentions some blemishes. Despite having barely circulated, the rear panel had to be repainted and, for some reason, the original radio is not present.
Being the top of the range from Audi at the time, this V8 brings a complete list of equipment, some of which were still uncommon at the time: cruise control, ABS, heated seats (the rear ones too) and electric regulation with the driver to have memory function, automatic climate control, electric windows and mirrors. This unit was also equipped with some options, such as blinds for the rear windows and the rear window.
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The asking price for this Audi V8 reflects its “unicorn” status: 74,950 euros . Is it really worth that much?
Audi V8, the first
We have to go back to the 80s of the last century to realize how significant the Audi V8 was for the ring brand. If today we place Audi as one of the three most important premium brands, alongside Mercedes-Benz and BMW, in the 1980s it was not like that.
Despite the brand's growing reputation and image during that decade, building on the successes of quattro technology, the introduction of five-cylinder engines (still one of its hallmarks today), and even technological advances and successes in competition, the image and brand awareness were not on the same level as rivals.
We can consider the Audi V8 as one of the first chapters for a serious approach to Mercedes-Benz and BMW, but the truth is that the V8, despite introducing many new features, failed to convince the market. It wouldn't be hard to imagine that facing established rivals of the caliber of the S-Class and 7-Series would be an easy task, but after six years on the market, just over 21,000 units were sold, manifestly little.
The Audi V8 was only available with engines… V8. It was Audi's first V8 engine , so it's understandable that it even served as the model designation — originally it was supposed to be called the Audi 300.
Under the hood of the Audi V8 only "breathed" engines… V8
Like the unit that is for sale, it came up with a 3.6 naturally aspirated V8, with 250 hp. It was also the first vehicle in its class to be offered with all-wheel drive and to combine the quattro system with an automatic transmission. Later, in 1992, it won a second V8, this time with 4.2 l of capacity and 280 hp of power, while receiving a long body.
Perhaps the most curious fact about this luxury saloon is that, despite not having conquered the sales charts, it conquered the circuits. The Audi V8 quattro won two DTM championships, in 1990 and 1991 — taking the smaller, more agile 190E and M3 to victory — with the first (driver's) championship to have been won in its rookie year in the competition.
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