Audi’s all-new flagship sedan, the 2018 A8, sets not only a new standard for the brand’s design language and comfort capabilities but also, possibly, the bar for technological acumen in the luxury car segment.
With a new artificial intelligence system, the German automaker claims its new sedan can drive itself completely autonomously while in traffic jams at speeds of up to 37 mph, meaning the driver can take his or her hands off the steering wheel, eyes off the road and focus their attention on reading, working or even watching an onboard television.
Using six cameras, five radars, a dozen ultrasonic sensors and a front-mounted laser scanner, the fourth-generation A8 can map its surroundings and even park itself while its owner watches a surround-view display from a smartphone.
Recognizing that the availability of traffic jam pilot will be subject to local laws and regulations, Audi has some wiggle room with its claims. Yet, nonetheless, claiming full autonomy is a bold statement and one that, if proven accurate, will establish Audi as a leader in the race for self-driving supremacy.
Audi has been creeping toward driverless vehicles with its Car-to-X Communication system, which enables vehicles such as the A4 and Q7 to exchange data with pieces of infrastructure, such as traffic signals, in order to be better aware of its surroundings.
The A8 also will provide cloud access, advanced navigation with 3D street mapping and other infotainment technology, which can be controlled by the sound of the driver’s voice or through a pair of glossy touchscreens built into the sedan’s center stack.
The right rear passenger in the A8 L can put his or her feet up, get a massage and have access to an array of adjustable comfort and infotainment settings.
(Audi)
Rear seat passengers get treated to a host of new technology as well, particularly the person in the right rear seat in the extended wheelbase A8 L, which offers a footrest, massage capabilities and a seat warmer. A large display screen can be attached to the back of the driver and front passenger seats, allowing each to make private phone calls. Plus, a rear seat remote stationed between the two outboard seats allows the passengers to control their own climate and infotainment settings.
Audi is following the likes of Lincoln with the Continental and Mercedes-Benz with the S-Class in optimizing the comfort of the back seat. When coupled with advancements in vehicle intelligence, it’s no stretch to assume Audi is planting seeds in its customer’s minds about riding in the backseat while the A8 drives itself.
As easy as it is to get caught up in the A8 technological updates, Audi has also taken similar strides to update its flagship sedan’s look and driving dynamics.
Audi has made several exterior changes to the A8, including a new, larger grille; sharper, high-tech headlights and taillights and restructured bumpers.
(Audi)
The A8’s front fascia has been overhauled, as Audi has dropped the rectangular grille for a wider hexagonal design, reshaped both the front and rear bumpers and added more defined accent marks to the hood.
Headlights sharpen to a point as they jut inward and have been updated with HD Matrix LEDs and Audi’s signature laser lighting, while the rear taillight cluster stretches across the entire back of the car and includes OLED technology. For a little added flare, an animation sequence flashes across the headlights and taillights as the driver approaches and walks away.
Audi will continue to offer diesel powertrains in the A8, at least for the European market.
Audi’s all-new A8 will feature two V6 engine options, two V8s, a W12 and, eventually, a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
(Audi)
In total, the redesigned sedan will feature five engines, including a diesel- and a gasoline-powered 3.0-liter V6, a diesel- and gas-powered 4.0-liter V8 and a beastly 6.0-liter W12. The six-cylinder engine tops out at 340 horsepower, the eight-cylinder peaks at 460 and the power rating for the 12-cylinder has not yet been made public.
Eventually, Audi will add a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the A8, which includes the 3.0-liter V6 and an electric motor to reach 449 horsepower. The lithium ion battery will hold enough power for 31 miles of pure electric driving.
Using artificial intelligence, the A8’s active suspension system can detect road and driving conditions then adjust wheel height accordingly.
(Audi)
Audi has also engineered a new, adaptive all-wheel-drive system for the A8 as well as a fully active suspension that uses artificial intelligence to detect driving conditions and adjust each wheel individually using electric actuators.
The all-new A8 goes on sale in Europe this fall and will likely arrive in the States sometime early next year.
