Even an Audi A8
With a car with a V8 you quickly think of a rear-wheel drive, but there have been several models that unleashed the usually brutal forces of an eight-cylinder on the front wheels!
Cadillac Allante (1987)
The Cadillac Allanté is a front-wheel drive with an eight-cylinder and that is quite special when you consider that this Cadillac was intended to make it difficult for the Mercedes SL. It was not, however, the main reason why the project flopped.
Buick Riviera (1979)
Since it is closely related to the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Toronado, the Buick Riviera also gets front-wheel drive in 1979. It is even available with a 5.7-litre V8 diesel. The absolute highlight in 1983 is the Indy 500 Pace Car: the Riviera convertible with a 410 hp twin-turbo V8.
Cord L-29 (1929)
The first Cord in 1929 is immediately unique: an eight-cylinder in-line engine drives the front wheels, which is also behind the gearbox. Hence the elongated nose. Furthermore, it is the first front-wheel drive with CV joints.
Audi A8 3.7 (1995)
Unlike the more potent versions, the Audi A8 with the entry-level V8 gets front-wheel drive as standard. Customers can pay almost 10,000 guilders extra for four-wheel drive. The weight distribution is not optimal. Fortunately, the electronics keep him on track.
Mitsubishi Proudia/Hyundai Equus (1999)
Mitsubishi comes in 1999 with the Proudia, which is equipped with a V8 GDI. After a year and a half, production ends due to disappointing results. As Equus, Hyundai will continue to build the limousine until 2009.
Lancia Theme 8.32 (1986)
Lancia mounts a Ferrari V8 in the Thema 8.32. This engine is a derivative of the one in the Ferrari 308, but with a new crankshaft to better match the engine character to a four-door sedan.
Oldsmobile Toronado (1970)
After the pre-war Cord, the Oldsmobile Toronado is the first American front-wheel drive in 1966, according to American tradition, of course with a V8. To cope with driving and track forces, Firestone develops tires with extra strong sidewalls.
GMC Motorhome (1973)
Initially equipped with a 7.5 liter V8, the powertrain of the GMC Motorhome is a derivative of that in the Oldsmobile Toronado. The connection between the longitudinally placed V8 and three-speed auto is via a chain.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl