What brand is the transmission of the Audi A8?
3 Answers
Audi A8 is equipped with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The Audi A8 features a 3.0T six-cylinder turbocharged engine, with a maximum power output of 286 horsepower and a peak torque of 450 Nm. All models come with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and are equipped with air suspension, allowing for height and stiffness adjustments. Below is an introduction to the Audi A8: Exterior: The flat and sharp front grille paired with sleek headlights, along with the extensive use of horizontal lines, enhances the horizontal visual effect of the front end. Additionally, the new model has adjusted the aerodynamic spoiler design below the front face, making it more imposing and sporty. Configuration: The base model comes with LED high and low beam headlights, with optional matrix LED headlights and laser high beams. In terms of active safety features, the car comes standard with active braking and fatigue driving alerts, while other features such as lane change assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and road traffic sign recognition are optional. Notably, the night vision system is also available as an option.
As a long-time Audi enthusiast, I believe the A8's transmission typically comes from the ZF brand, the renowned ZF Friedrichshafen. ZF's 8-speed automatic transmission is commonly found in most A8 models, especially from the late 2010s onwards. Audi chose it for simple reasons: the ZF transmission is smooth, efficient, and improves fuel economy, making it a perfect match for the A8's quattro all-wheel-drive system. While not all model years are the same—earlier versions might have used Aisin or in-house developed units—ZF is now almost the standard. This is thanks to ZF's technological advancements, such as rapid shift logic, ensuring seamless acceleration without any jerking. Drivers of the A8 often describe it as 'smooth as butter,' a testament to this transmission. Moreover, ZF is popular in the luxury car segment, with BMW and Mercedes also using similar designs, though the A8 places greater emphasis on comfort. For maintenance, regular oil changes can extend its lifespan by at least 10 years, given Audi's use of high-quality components. In short, ZF makes the A8 more elegant, reliable, and fatigue-free for long drives—a trustworthy choice.
I've test-driven the A8 several times personally, and the transmission is from ZF—the experience is truly comfortable. The gear shifts are almost imperceptibly delayed, with acceleration as smooth as an electric car, especially in city traffic where there’s none of that annoying jerkiness. This is thanks to ZF’s design, which optimizes transmission efficiency and keeps fuel consumption at a reasonable level. You might wonder about the brand while driving, but few can match ZF’s reliability. Some older A8 models might have used other brands like Aisin, but nowadays, ZF dominates, as Audi has maintained a long-term partnership with them. It doesn’t just affect the driving feel—it also impacts long-term maintenance, as ZF components are durable, typically requiring fluid checks only after 100,000 km. Compared to Mercedes’ equivalent models, the A8 is quieter, partly due to the transmission’s gentle tuning. So if you prioritize hassle-free driving, ZF is definitely a plus—don’t just focus on power specs and overlook these details.
