[supra93]

http://www.carscoops.com/2017/07/all...stication.html

Finally, after years of testing, months of teasers and days of eager anticipation, the all-new Audi A8 has officially premiered at the Audi Summit in Barcelona, Spain.

As we previously learnt, the new A8 will make use of a 48-volt electrical system and therefore adopts a number of advanced technologies, including a fully active, electromechanical suspension system and is said to be the first car on the market that offers level 3 autonomous driving.

The aforementioned suspension system works thanks to an electric motor on each wheel and incorporates a rotary tube and an internal titanium torsion bar and lever that can apply up to 1,100 Nm (811.3 lb-ft) of torque on the suspension courtesy of a coupling rod. This system then works in conjunction with the luxury sedan’s front camera which detects bumpers and allows the suspension to automatically adjust to offer the smoothest ride possible. Audi says this system will be able to eliminate almost all vibrations and jolts.

On highways at up to 60 km/h, the autonomous system can take full control of the vehicle and permits the driver to completely remove their hands from the steering wheel. Like its rivals, the new A8 includes remote parking which can be operated via a remote, even without any occupants seated inside.

In terms of its design, the A8 is heavily inspired by 2014’s Prologue Concept and brings a new Audi design language into reality. Created by Marc Lichte, the A8 is significantly sleeker than the outgoing and still manages to ooze the sophistication and class you’d expect from the company’s flagship sedan.

At the front, Audi has integrated a set of thin horizontal headlights with LED daytime running lights seamlessly incorporated within. Additionally, the front is made of up an enlarged chrome grille. Audi says that it has also designed a sleek roofline for the car, allowing it to achieve a “coupe-like” shape. There is also an elegant line running the length of the car on both sides.

The rear meanwhile incorporates overhauled taillights dramatically different to those of the outgoing model. Perhaps the most obvious change are the twin LED taillights which incorporate a light bar stretching the width of the rear. Altogether, the design of the new A8 isn’t quite as revolutionary as the Prologue was but it is certainly modern enough to rival the existing Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series.

In Germany, the new A8 will initially be offered with two V6 turbo engines, a 3.0-liter TDI and a 3.0-liter TFSI. The diesel engine will deliver 286 hp while the petrol powertrain will offer up 340 hp. Further down the road, a 4.0-liter TDI V8 with 435 hp will be introduced alongside a 460 hp 4.0-liter V8. The range will then be completed by a 6.0-liter W12 delivering an undisclosed amount.

All five engines operate alongside a belt alternator starter thanks to the 48-volt electrical system. This means the new A8 can coast with the engine switched off and restart smoothly when required. Audi says that this alone can drops fuel consumption by as much as 0.7 liters per 100 km in real driving conditions.

At a later date, an A8 L e-tron quattro will hit the market. It will combine a 3.0-liter TFSI engine with an electric motor to deliver 449 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to its lithium-ion battery, it will also have an all-electric range of about 50 km.

German prices for the new A8 will start at 90,600 euros ($103,248) in Germany while the A8 L kicks off at 94,100 euros ($107,236).

[keanu1]

superb! This is what 7 series should 've been! Sorry bmw , But you are left behind

[Red Bread]

Oh looks, the old A8, which looked a heck of a lot like the previous A8. Audi styling stopped happening about ten years ago, now they're just essentially doing LCI's again and again. Weak.

[Daftasabrush]

How does the driver use the wing mirror when the seat is like that?

[supra93]

[ShocknAwe]

Looks like a 2003 Toyota Avalon with a huge grille on it.



Shut up and take my money!

[smrtypants44]

I'm really not a fan of this fake exhaust thing that VAG is starting to go with.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

I'm really not a fan of this fake exhaust thing that VAG is starting to go with.

MB started the dumb trapezoid shape, Audi followed and now BMW is doing it too.

Still not as stupid as I6 and I4's having dual sided exhaust, but still stupid.

[FriskyDingo]

Simply stunning. This might be the first competitor to rival MB from an interior standpoint. Audi just keeps killing it.

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Overall I like it. I just don't understand that strip of leds below the DRLs..looks weird and an after thought..it's like they took the prologue headlights and thought: "it'll be too expensive to make the headlights that sleek, let's put the high beam there, and then put the normal headlight below it". When I saw the car in that spider man event it looked way better, because it had this part taped.

Inside, I think it was a mistake to make it all touch screen, even the AC controls, like on the velar. They even ditched the MMI controller..now you can only use it touching the screen..which imo is a step backward..a bit overdone.

Having said that, this car features a lot more useful technology, hybrid power..way bigger step than what BMW did with the 7er..and they were bragging about "gesture control" as if it was impressive and an incredible accomplishment. Lol. Now the 7er looks outdated already.

The S-class has class. The A8 has technology. The 7er..hum, well, completely forgettable. And the S has been around for a long time. Too bad they f*cked up big time with that facelift.

[Red Bread]

That's one dumb looking steering wheel. Guess they were jealous of the S Class Clown Wheel.

[img]https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...ccfc3rxjpg.jpg[/img]

[mirob]

Sweet Passat!

I didn't know it was up for a refresh already.

[vividracing]

Meh. Interior is really nice, in my opinion, but the exterior just looks really basic. Now, if they made an RS8, with a twin turbo V8 with 600-700hp and an aggressive front fascia.. THEN I might get excited.

[stooker]

It's always hard to tell with these superimposed press release photos. I've always liked the A8s and this looks to be another great design, but I hate where Audi has been going with their exterior designs the last several generations.

That interior, though, amazing... Audi has always been my favorite for interiors. I love how the center console screens are seamless with the surrounding trim!

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by mirob

Sweet Passat!

I didn't know it was up for a refresh already.

Not impressed either...

[R N M]

I think S Class is safe at its #1 spot for many years after seeing what the new 7series, A8 and Lexus LS offer.

[smrtypants44]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

MB started the dumb trapezoid shape, Audi followed and now BMW is doing it too.

Still not as stupid as I6 and I4's having dual sided exhaust, but still stupid.

nope this is worse. At least the MB/Lexus/BMW ones have exhaust flowing through it, this exhaust is a turn down behind the bumper. What's in the bumper is blocked off with plastic.

SQ5:

[infinitekidM2C]

For $100k+ i'd have to live in the damn thing like the guy in the first pics!

[LiquidMercury]

Overall to me, it looks like a Taurus now and those taillights remind me of the new Chargers. Meh. Interior is fine, minus that gaudy shifter.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

nope this is worse. At least the MB/Lexus/BMW ones have exhaust flowing through it, this exhaust is a turn down behind the bumper. What's in the bumper is blocked off with plastic.

SQ5:

Man, the more I see that, the more annoyed I am with it. FU Audi!

[infinitekidM2C]

fake exhaust, pumped in faux "engine noises", electronic steering...WHERE DOES IT END MAN?!

[Germanauto]

BMW truly, royally, f*cked up with the new 7er. It's a snooze-fest inside and out. Completely forgettable.

This A8, while certainly understated, is way more compelling/interesting than the 7-series. The S-class and upcoming Lexus LS are too. BMW is in last place 1 yr into production of their flagship, ouch.