The new flagship demonstrates the brand's
proverbial Vorsprung durch Technik with its light aluminum body, its powerful
and highly efficient engines, the further improved MMI operating system,
new driver assistance systems, the full LED headlights and an elegant interior
with a craftsman's level of workmanship. With all this technology the new
Audi A8 offers the perfect synthesis of dynamics, perfection in design,
workmanship and pioneering efficiency. The A8 3.0 TDI with front-wheel drive,
to follow at a later time, emits only 159 grams of CO2 per kilometer (255.89
g/mile) - and with 6.0 liters of fuel per 100 km (39.20 US mpg) it achieves
the lowest consumption rate in the luxury segment. "The new Audi A8 is the
sportiest sedan in its segment," says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board
of Management of AUDI AG. "It combines numerous functions in a new and
intelligent way. And it's unmatched in the stylistic elements and impression
of the interior." The new luxury sedan, to arrive at dealerships in early
2010, is a technical work of art. Its elegant and forceful body is an aluminum
Audi Space Frame (ASF), weighing about 40 percent less than a comparable
steel structure. The interior is captivating, with its new and spacious design
and uncompromisingly high-quality workmanship full of attention to the smallest
detail. The comfort on board is
first class - from new, emotionally charged ambient lighting to the
luxurious, power adjustable seats in the rear. The Audi A8 combines a new
level of intelligence with exemplary and easy operation. Its multimedia interface
(MMI) includes a pioneering innovation: Combined with the optional navigation
system it has 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 is networked in a novel fashion
with the 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. Their enhanced intelligence enables these systems to recognize
complex scenarios and to make anticipatory decisions to assist the driver.
The new technologies include a night vision assist with marking of detected
pedestrians, the Audi pre sense safety system as well as - in the course
of 2010 - a speed limit display.
Another high-end solution on board the new A8 is the full LED headlights,
which use light emitting diodes for all light functions. They give the luxury
sedan an unmistakable appearance even in daylight and even more so after
the fall of darkness. The revolutionary optics used in these headlights mean
a departure from the tubular light modules commonly used today. The full
LED headlights herald a new chapter in lighting technology. The new A8 starts
off with either of two engines, a 4.2 FSI with 273 kW (372 hp) and a 4.2
TDI, packing 258 kW (350 hp). They will be followed by a 3.0 TDI with 184
kW (250 hp). All engines afford increased power and torque - but their fuel
consumption has dropped by 13 to 22 percent, thanks to intelligent and efficient
technologies like the recuperation system and innovative thermal management.
A second variant of the 3.0 TDI will follow at a later date. It provides
150 kW (204 hp) of power, drives the front wheels and consumes only 6.0 liters
per 100 km (39.20 US mpg) in the EU driving cycle. That corresponds to a
CO2 emission rate of 159 grams per km (255.89 g/mile) - a value hitherto
unattained in the luxury segment.
The new tiptronic: eight speeds for more comfort
and efficiency
The standard new transmissions also
play a large role in increasing efficiency - the extremely convenient 8-speed
tiptronic finely graduates its eight gears while achieving a large overall
spread. Its control system is purely electronic, operated with an elegant
selector level and rocker switches at the steering wheel. The quattro permanent
all-wheel drive has a distinct sporty and rear-end character. On request,
the sport differential dynamically distributes the forces between the rear
wheels; on the A8 4.2 TDI this feature is standard. The new A8 also documents
its standing as the sportiest luxury sedan on the market in the chassis sector.
The distribution of the axle loads is balanced, and all wheel control arms
are aluminum. The adaptive air suspension together with adaptive damping
is always on board, forming part of the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics
system, also standard. The optional dynamic steering is a supplementary
component.
In the field of multimedia Audi also offers many attractive modules. They
include a sound system from Bang & Olufsen, with an output of over 1,400
watts and 19 speakers, and include state-of-the-art online services. The
new Audi A8 has gained in dynamics, convenience, prestige and intelligence,
setting new standards in all sectors.
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