All-new 3rd generation Audi A8 luxury sedan

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Third generation Audi A8 deploys it technologies
From its own onboard network to received satellite data

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - Dimensions

26 March 2010, Bechara Aboul-Nasr:

All-new Audi A8

All-new A8: very strong arguments in avant-garde technologies.

Until a few years ago, Audi was still considered as the alternative German brand in the luxury segment, selected by those who do not wish to go the Mercedes-Benz or BMW ways.

That was particularly true in the top luxury category (F segment) of the Mercedes-Benz S Class, the BMW 7-Series and the previous Audi A8 generations.

Things are changing fast and significantly now with the all-new A8 luxury model which is arriving to the markets from this month.

Now, Audi might well be considered as having taken the lead, at least with regard to all the avant-garde technology of the new A8. The statistical lead might not wait too long to follow (see opposite box).

A few figures talk

Sales figures show a clear advance of the Audi brand which was, until just a few years ago, well behind the Mercedes-Benz and BMW brands in sales volumes.

Last year, Audi sold globally 949,729 cars, just behind the Mercedes-Benz brand (1,012,300 units, in addition to 117,700 Smart and 200 Maybachs sold worldwide), and within an increasingly closer reach of BMW (1,068,770 BMW cars sold in 2009, in addition to 216,538 MINIs and 1,002 Rolls-Royce sold worldwide).

In another interesting comparison, Audi sold in China, the most promising market in terms of growth, 158,941 cars in 2009. This makes nearly the combined figures of both BMW (90,536 units) and Mercedes-Benz (68,500) brands there over the same period.

Just over a decade ago, Audi sold 635 thousand cars worldwide (1999), compared to 751 thousand at BMW and 1.075 million for Mercedes-Benz.

It doesn't take too long to guess the name of the "star" under which the conquest sales are guided to... Audi and BMW.

For if all technologies seen in one car today will be arriving to the others, sooner or later, first in the same premium segment before the gradual proliferation into the lower ones in both size and price terms, nevertheless, the lead - even for a few months or years - remains one of the key arguments, especially in the top F and E segments (like the E Class, 5 Series, Audi A6 and others).

It is not enough to have the latest technology in these segments. You have to have it first in your new model, especially if you want it to justify the "made in Germany" label (and prices)... in the luxury sphere.

For a brand which entered the modern F-segment in 1988 with the Audi V8 model, before switching to the A8 name with the new generation top sedan of the brand in 1994 (the first to use of the aluminium ASF body in a series-produced vehicle), followed by the second generation A8 (2002) and the all-new third A8 today, the mission seems accomplished within the usually admitted three-generations time frame between the entry of a brand into a new segment for its line-up, and the time this model becomes recognised as one of the established models of its segment. This rule is especially true in the more conservative sphere of luxury cars, compared to the younger-oriented compact (C) or subcompact (B) segments.

The new A8 arguments

But beyond statistics, the all-new Audi has its own intrinsic arguments, especially in terms of avant-garde technologies, starting from the networking of the GPS reception, not only with the navigation system itself, but also with other systems such as the ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) with stop & go, allowing the latter to anticipate road changes based on the car's own sensors as well as the continuous flow of the route data.

The GPS data flow can adapt lighting, ACC, safety systems and even drivetrain settings (like the 8-speed tiptronic) to what the navigation system is being "told" about what is to come next.

Thanks to this continuous connection with the GPS system, the adaptive cruise control as well as the lighting characteristics, safety systems and even drivetrain settings (like the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox) can be adapted to what the navigation system is being "told" (via satellites) about what is to come later.

Hence, the technology content of the new A8 allows the owner to combine the advantages of GPS reception, not only for route guidance, but also for safety and driving enhancements such as anticipation of the next curves or intersections, with automatic adjustment of gears or lighting positions, based on satellite information. This integration becomes possible because the navigation system is now networked with the assistance systems.

New A8: a coupé-like roof line with a shortened rear roof pillar.

From a slightly different, yet complementary angle, the night vision assistant comes with pedestrian marking, alongside adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and various advanced driver assistance systems. A full LED lighting option is even available for the headlights.

Inside, the new edition of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) touch system enables the driver to control many functions more easily, including the input of navigation destinations by tracing the letters on the pad with a finger.

“Wrap-around” arch, forming an elegant beltline.

An equally important argument emerges from the lighter ASF aluminium structure, allowing the new A8 to achieve fuel economy and lower emissions which a steel structure needs hybrid solutions to match (the A8 will also be available in a hybrid version later). To achieve a 6.0 litres of consumption per 100 km (39.2 US mpg, 47.05 UK mpg) in a car that is 5.137-metres long, with a 3-metres wheelbase (with the 3.0 TDI engine and front-wheel drive version to follow later) is a figure which cannot be overlooked.

Audi goes even to say that the fuel consumption of each of the engines available has been reduced by as much as 22 percent, and specifically, the 3.0 TDI with front-wheel drive (this version will be available later this year) emits only 159 grams of CO2 per kilometre (255.89 g/mile).

Audi A8: nearly full underbody panel, which leaves only the exhaust system and the rear axle exposed.

Nearly full underbody panel.

Aerodynamics also add their contribution, with the 4.2 FSI version having a drag coefficient of 0.26. Amongst the factors behind this very good aerodynamic coefficient is the nearly full underbody panel (opposite photo), which leaves only the exhaust system and the rear axle exposed.

Then come the arguments you'd expect from a luxury car that costs from 72,200 euros (3.0 TDI quattro), with the comfort, entertainment and safety equipment, especially when prices go up to 89,300 euros (4.2 FSI quattro) and 90,800 euros (4.2 TDI quattro). A lower 3.0 TDI version will be available later with a front-wheel drive system.

At launch, the new A8 comes with three engines: two turbodiesel ones (TDI) and a gasoline (petrol) FSI, all with standard direct fuel injection, start-stop system, new 8-speed tiptronic, shift-by-wire control and energy recuperation system, with power ranging from 184 kW (250 hp, 248 bhp) to 273 kW (372 hp, 366 bhp). The standard quattro all-wheel drive can be ordered with an optional sport differential (standard with A8 4.2 TDI).

The lightweight aluminium wheel suspension comes with standard adaptive air suspension and can be combined with the Audi drive select system (the driver can choose between four modes. A dynamic steering option also adds more steering options).

Wheels

The wheel program of the new Audi A8 includes sizes ranging from 17 to 21 inches.

The 3.0 TDI and the 4.21 FSI come standard with six-arm, forged alloy wheels with 235/60 R17 tires. Audi equips the 4.2 TDI with cast wheels and 235/55 R18 tires.

19'' - Audi offers also optional 19-inch cast wheels in 5-arm and 10-spoke and 15-spoke designs shod with 235/50 or 255/45 tires.

Interior colours, upholstery and inlays in a variety of optional packages with leather, Alcantara and decorative applications.

20'' - The top of the line options are two 20-inch wheels shod with 265/40 tires. Both wheels have ten spokes, but different designs. The forged wheels have machine-polished design surfaces with contrasting paint in Brilliant Silver. The cast wheels offered on the American market are chromed. The chrome coating is applied using novel cladding technology that reduces the weight of each wheel by 1.2 kilograms (2.65 lb).

21'' - Audi delivers the optional quattro 9 J x 19 wheels with 255/45 run-flat tires upon request. In the event of a loss of pressure, rubber elements in their interior allow them to be driven for at least 80 kilometres (49.71 miles) at up to 80 km/h (49.71 mph).

The A8 has a tire mobility set on board at no extra charge, and a 19-inch or 20-inch emergency tire is available as an alternative. With the large tires, a full-size spare tire will be provided in the trunk upon request, but this reduces its volume by approximately 45 litres (1.59 cu ft).

Prices and equipment

The prices of the new Audi A8 start from 72,200 euros for the 3.0 TDI quattro, 89,300 euros for the 4.2 FSI quattro, up to 90,800 euros for the 4.2 TDI quattro, bearing in mind that the equipment, data and prices refer to the model range offered in Germany.

The standard equipment list includes the recuperation system for all three engines, the thermal management and the start-stop system on the 3.0 TDI, the electronically controlled eight-speed tiptronic as well as the quattro permanent all-wheel drive and the sport differential (the latter is standard in the 4.2 TDI).

New MMI: input by tracing the letters on the pad with a finger.

In terms of running gear, standard equipments include the Audi drive select; the system integrates the adaptive air suspension together with active shock absorber control, in addition to the xenon plus headlights, LED tail lights, ESP, Audi pre sense basic system, the anti-theft alarm system, adaptive restraint system, tire pressure monitoring system, Isofix fixtures for attaching child safety seats and the windshield made of composite safety glass.

On the convenience side, the standard equipments list includes power fold-in exterior mirrors, power-adjustable front seats, two-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable steering column, ambient lighting (standard version), electro-mechanical parking brake and the start-stop button.

Ergonomics standard fittings include the MMI operating system with its eight-inch monitor and the driver information system, which has its own display and is controlled via the multifunction steering wheel.

Options

Optional extras include the sport differential (standard in the 4.2 TDI), dynamic steering, the sporty tuning of the chassis, ceramic brakes, a variety of wheels in sizes up to 21 inches, the full LED headlights with the continuous headlight range control and the Audi adaptive light system.

Two ambient lighting versions: standard or optional package.

In matters of safety, options included the Audi pre sense front, Audi pre sense rear, Audi pre sense plus, Audi side assist, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, Audi lane assist, the parking assistance systems, the night vision assistant with its highlighting of detected pedestrians and the speed limit display which will follow later this year.

Practical everyday options include the luggage compartment package for the trunk and the load-through hatch with ski bag, supplemented by the electric tailgate. There are also the power-assisted closing for the doors, noise-insulating glass for the side windows and two sunroofs (one equipped with solar cells).

20-inch wheels with ten spokes.

On the seating side, the optional comfort seats for the driver and the front seat passenger can be adjusted in 22 ways, with options for heating, ventilation, a five-program massage function and a variant with sporty upholstery. Options for the rear seat include power adjustment for the two separate outside seats, combined with heating, ventilation and massage.

In terms of navigation and infotainment systems, the top version, MMI navigation plus has the data on the road ahead and forwards these to the control units for the transmission, the headlights and the ACC stop & go function. The navigation system is operated using MMI touch.

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Other options include the Bose and Bang & Olufsen systems as well as a fully integrated rear seat entertainment system, the garage door opener, deluxe front centre armrest, convenience key for easy access to the vehicle, illuminated vanity mirror in the rear, electric sun blinds for the rear, 230 volt outlet on the centre tunnel, four-zone automatic climate control system, an auxiliary heating system, ambient lighting (optional package version), a range of interior colours, upholstery and inlays and a variety of optional packages with leather, Alcantara and decorative applications.

3rd Gen. Audi A8	Body and exterior	Interior, network	Engines	Transmission
Steering, suspension...	Active safety	Passive safety	MMI & media	Dimensions

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