Audi's flagship A8 completely digitized
The automakers from Ingolstadt want to reflect their supremacy not only with their largest vehicle fleet. Nevertheless, they are doing it again and of course before the largest and most renowned automobile fair in the world, the IAA 2017 in Frankfurt am Main. According to those responsible at Audi, the new A8 represents the future in the luxury class. The fourth generation is once again not just a high-end product, but the reference of the company slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik”. In addition, a new design language is to be introduced with the A8, which we don't immediately notice when we take a look. At the exclusive meeting among the first German media representatives, the designers and engineers from Ingolstadt in Upper Bavaria then point out the particularly striking flowing lines and shapes that are intended to give the A8 a special attribute of being a shapely car. Anyone who knows Audi knows that this brand is not standing still and is taking its largest vehicle into the new millennium. There, the engineers of the A8 want to gradually make the flagship available as the first series vehicle in the world for highly automated driving with the parking pilot, garage pilot and traffic jam pilot functions from 2018.
Audi A8 - Elegant luxury class turns into a smartphone
Barcelona. A photo studio for vehicles around 30 kilometers from the gates of the Catalan capital. Audi is presenting its new flagship to around twenty selected media representatives worldwide. The A8 is presented to us in small groups in peace and quiet. The front end speaks the clear Audi corporate language, very broadly and confidently. A bead runs from the integrated headlights to the rear, which is accompanied by a second line from the A-pillar. The large 20-inch models emphasize the Quattro language of the brand. Arrived at the rear, the rear lights with LED and OLED technology draw a 3-D perspective. Another LED strip extends across the entire width. The rear is pushed forward and emphasizes a certain dynamic. The interior of the large Audi is like an oversized smartphone. No buttons, no buttons. All controls must be wiped. The control center is two screens in the dashboard, and the display at the top is completely integrated into the structure of the cockpit when it is switched off, visually disappearing. The start of sales is announced for late autumn this year. The dynamic tests will begin shortly after this year's IAA in Frankfurt am Main. An entry price starting at 90.000 euros is expected.
The upper class starts with 3.0 liter V6 units
With two TFSI and TDI aggregates each, the A8 is manageable in the short and long version and still sufficiently motorized. It screwed the performance levels up significantly. The diesel makes 210 kW (286 PS), the gasoline engine 250 kW (340 PS). The later 4,0 liter V8 units will deliver 320 kW (435 PS) for the TDI and 338 kW for the TFSI (460 PS). An 6,0 liter displacement variant with 12 cylinders should then form the conclusion of the conventional engines. After the market launch, an A8 L e-tron Quattro vehicle is also available, which Audi can not and does not want to pass on much information to. Only so much: An 3,0 liter TFSI and a strong E-unit should bring 330 kW (449 PS) system performance at 700 Newtonmeter torque on the road.
And finally ... With the new A8 flagship in its portfolio, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker once again presents itself as one of the market leaders in the field of design, technology and innovation. The characteristics of the vehicle alone promise that Audi engineers have done their homework.
Text: Stefan Beckmann
Picture: Manufacturer (Audi AG)
