Audi has launched the next generation of their A8. To summarize the extensive release – which holds 29 pages of information – the Audi Space Frame (ASF) is aluminum, but that’s nothing new; the engines are of course powerful; the interior is equipped with every luxurious equipment you would only dream of and the full LED headlights are new and easily spotted.
The new Audi A8 measures 5137mm (16.85ft) in length, 1949mm (6.39ft) in width, 1460mm (4.79ft) in height and has a wheelbase of 2992mm (9.82ft). The new sedan is generously dimensioned and significantly exceeds in length and width both its predecessor and its competitors. Its height, however, remains below that of its immediate rivals in Germany. You may have spotted the new A8’s full LED headlights, which use light emitting diodes for all light functions. The full LED headlights are a new chapter in lighting technology and will be available on other vehicles in the future.
Three engines will be offered from the beginning. Audi starts of with a 4.2 FSI with 273kW (372hp) and a 4.2 TDI, packing 258kW (350hp). They will be followed by a 3.0 TDI with 184kW (250hp). A second variant of the 3.0 TDI will follow at a later date. It provides 150kW (204hp) of power and drives the front wheels. No words about a S8 version yet, nor an electric version. But we are sure those will be in the pen for the future.
All this power is transferred to the road via an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox with shift-by-wire control. Each saloon has standard quattro all-wheel drive. On request, you can choose for the sport differential which dynamically distributes the forces between the rear wheels; on the A8 4.2 TDI this feature is standard. Audi drive select driving dynamic system is available as standard and includes adaptive air suspension and adaptive damping. You can get dynamic steering as an option.
The new luxury sedan, to arrive at dealerships in early 2010, is a technical work of art, if we listen closely to what Audi says. Its body is an aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF), weighing about 40 percent less than a comparable steel structure. The interior is the first in its class to get emotionally charged ambient lighting and power adjustable seats in the rear. All the seats have optional ventilation and massage.
The sound system from Bang & Olufsen got an output of over 1,400 watts and 19 speakers. The multimedia interface (MMI) includes combines the navigation system with a touchpad. MMI touch enables the driver to control many functions intuitively. For example, the navigation destination can be entered by tracing the letters on the pad.
MMI navigation plus got more advanced driver assistance and safety systems. It follows the route in advance during driving and provides the data to the control units for the automatic transmission, the headlights and for the ACC stop & go function. The new system includes a night vision assist with marking of detected pedestrians, the Audi pre sense safety system as well as a speed limit display.
The new Audi A8 and all its brand new features will be available soon. A long wheel base variant will be revealed in 2010 in addition to the confirmation of a hybrid model on the way.
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