The third generation Audi A8 was introduced for the 2011 model year. This new generation was known as the D4 as it used the Volkswagen D4 platform. The A8 (D4) was powered by a range of inline four, V6, V8, and W12 engines. The third generation A8 was the first generation of A8 to feature a hybrid powertrain. The most notable A8 variant was the high performance S8. Production of the A8 (D4) ended in 2017, and the model was replaced by the Fourth Generation Audi A8.