Audi presented some features of the new A8 model.
We have full active suspension; we have Quattro - permanent all-wheel drive as
standard; it has parking pilot, garage pilot and more.
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The new 2018 Audi A8 in red color. |
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The new 2018 Audi A8 L - long version. |
The Audi AI is a
fully active suspension which available in the new A8 model. This system can
rise or lower each wheel separately with electric actuators. This improves the
driving characteristics as gives you more comfort or dynamism of sports car
depending of what you need. The Audi AI
full active suspension requires 48-volt electric system and it’s applied for
the very first time in the new Audi A8. The new A8 model will have advanced air
suspension.
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The new Audi A8 has five link front AI suspension. |
This is the very first Audi A8
which comes with permanent all-wheel drive, called Quattro, as standard. The new Audi A8 also has four
steering wheels. The steering ratio of the front wheels varies of the speed.
The rear wheels can turn in or against the direction of steering depending on
the speed range. Thus the new A8 becomes more dynamic and precise with sport
differential.
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The rear wheels of the new Audi A8 also steer in opposing direction to the front wheels to facilitate maneuvering. The rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels to increase stability at medium and high speed. |
The
new Audi A8 comes with two re engineered V6 turbo engines. The diesel one is a
3.0 TDI with 286 hp (210 kW) and the petrol version is a 3.0 TFSI with 340 hp
(250 kW).
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The Audi A8 has a V6 3.0 TDI diesel engine with 286 hp. |
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The V6 3.0 TFSI engine for Audi A8 has 340 hp. |
The
V8 versions for the new A8 are a 4.0 TDI diesel engine with 435 hp (320 kW) and
the 4.0 TFSI with 460 hp (338 kW). But they will be available a little bit
later.
On
the top of the engines range of the new Audi A8 is the W12 6.0 engine.
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The most powerful engine of the new Audi A8 is W12 6.0 TFSI engine. |
Producer`s note: “These vehicles are not yet on
sale. They do not yet have type approval and are therefore not subject to
Directive 1999/94/EC.)”
The all engines have belt
alternator starter (BAS) which is the nerve of the 48-volt electric system.
It’s a mild hybrid technology (MHEV – Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and it
gives to the car to switch off and to restart the engine smoothly. The new A8
has extended start/stop function, whatever it means. It’s also has an energy
recovery output of up 12 kW. All these features for the new Audi A8 are to safe
0.7l/100 km (0.2 US gal/62.1 mi) in real driving conditions. If you have
200,000 km (124,274.238 mi) for seven years you will save 1400 liters (369.84
US gal) of fuel.
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The side view of the new 2018 Audi A8. |
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The side view of the new 2018 Audi A8 L. |
The Audi A8 L e-tron Quattro
is a plug-in hybrid model which also will be available later. It has 3.0 TFSI
petrol engine and with the powerful electric motor the new A8 L e-tron has 449
hp (330 kW) and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque. The lithium-ion battery stores
enough power for about 50 kilometers (31.1 mi) of
electric driving. It can optionally be charged by Audi Wireless Charging. A pad
in the garage floor transfers the power inductively to a receiver coil in the
automobile with a power output of 3.6 kW. Producer`s note: “This vehicle are not yet on
sale. They do not yet have type approval and are therefore not subject to
Directive 1999/94/EC.)”.
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The driver's seat of the new Audi A8 in dark interior. |
The
new Audi A8 has a pilot-driving function. The new A8 is the first production
car which has been developed specially for automated driving. The Audi AI
traffic jam pilot can drive the car in slow-moving traffic at up to 60 km/h
(37.3 mph) on freeways and highways where a physical barrier separates the two
carriageways. You can deactivate the system using the AI button on the center
console.
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The dashboard of the 2018 Audi A8 L. |
The
traffic jam pilot manages starting, accelerating, steering and braking. The
Audi says that the driver no longer needs to monitor the car permanently. You
can take your hands off the steering wheel and depending of the national laws,
you can focus on different activity like watching the on-board TV as the Audi
says. As soon as the system reaches its limits you will have a notice to take
back the control of your Audi A8.
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The new 2018 Audi A8 rear seats. |
According
to the traffic jam pilot and the example of Audi to watch on-board TV while
driving is something strange for me. I’m sure that the Audi produce a very good
technologies but I’m not sure what will happen in case of accident. Who is
responsible in case of accident?! Yes, the Audi says depending of national law.
And I think that it’s better to use this system but in same time to pay attention on
the road not on the on-board TV which is available in the new A8. So, just in case.
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The rear seats of the long wheel base 2018 Audi A8 L. |
The
Audi AI remote parking pilot and Audi AI remote garage control are functions
available in the new Audi A8. Using these systems the A8 autonomously steer
into or out of the parking space or a garage but you still monitor the
maneuver. When the new A8 uses this system you don’t need to be in the car.
It’s not too special because the BMW already offers such technology in its
5-Series, 7-Series and probably in others models.
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This is the middle console and the gear stick of Audi A8 L. |
Inside
the new A8 does away the familiar rotary push button and touch pad of the
predecessor Audi A8. The new model hasn’t a lot of buttons and switches. On the
top of the middle console is placed a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. When the
display is off it has to be almost invisible into the high-gloss black surround
due to its black-panel look.
When
you enter the car the user interface appears immediately. You can control the infotainment
system with fingertip control on the display or to use your voice. The new Audi
A8 offers activation of variety functions using natural form of voice control.
The
navigation of the new Audi A8 is optimized. It’s self-learning, based on the
routes you driven. It has to offer you intelligent search suggestions. The map
has highly detailed 3D models of major European cities. The information on
destination and media is available on board or it’s delivered from the cloud 4G
LTE speed. The extensive Audi connect range also includes traffic sign
recognition and hazard information – innovative car-to-X services that draw on
the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet.
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The Audi A8 (A8 L pictured) has HD Matrix LED with Audi laser lighting headlights. |
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The Audi A8's tail lights have new shape which isn’t tall but they are wide. The A8 rear lights used OLED technology. |
Outside
the Audi A8 looks very different from its predecessor. It has new wide
Singleframe front grille. The new A8 looks more aggressive. The headlights have
HD Matrix LED with Audi laser lighting. The tail lights have new shape which
isn’t tall but they are wide. They look cool. The A8 has OLED technology
for the rear lights.
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The description of the OLED technology for the tail lights of 2018 Audi A8. |
The
standard Audi A8 is 5.17 meter (17 ft) long and the long version A8 L has 13
centimeter longer wheel-base. The new Audi A8 and A8 L are
coming in late fall 2017.
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The dimensions of the Audi A8. |
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The dimensions of the Audi A8 L. |