the sportiest sedan of the luxury class
Advanced illustrations of its future product lineup was released in 2008 by Audi which included the latest D4 A8. It was further revealed that the latest A8 will be the beginning of a new styling language for the car maker. With the third generation it will be more aggressive, sharper and clear-cut.
However, with the succeeding generation, the theme was styling with softer, smoother lines. According to Audi, the first generation was very rigid and inflexibly designed. The latest illustrations are somewhat different from the initial previews with its new slotted lower air intakes in the front air dam and modified LED-edge headlamps.The distinctive elements include a large single-frame grill, LED daytime running lights and a profile like that of a coupe. The final curb weight of the new model will come between 3,630lb (1,560kg) and 4,180lb (1,900kg) contingent on the specs of the model.It will still come with the aluminum spaceframe body which will cut more than 150kg of weight in contrast to the conventional steel body. The design of the upcoming model is a development of the present model as what can be observed from its illustrations. What gave it away as the next generation version are its extended fender flares, stretched wheelbase and broader track. A test model, which has kept under the present D3 body, has been seen going through cold weather testing several times already. Together with this, it is also reported that for the very first time a new entry-level version, which will come with a turbo-charged 4-cylinder unit, will be made available.
This minor styling will have to suffice for at least one more year as the succeeding generation 'D4' A8 which was reported to arrive in the middle of 2010 as a MY 2011 car. Since it began selling in 2003 the Audi A8 has received only a minor facelift just to make it appear fresh beside the Lexus LS, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the BMW 7-Series which was revealed just of late.
The Audi A8 profilation of this cars :
Audi has launched the next generation of the Audi A8 - the sportiest sedan of the luxury class sets new standards. Its elegantly styled body with the Audi Space Frame (ASF) is aluminum, the engines are powerful and highly efficient, and the power transmission and running gear combine dynamics with convenience. The new flagship's generously designed interior captivates with its luxurious equipment, newly developed control system MMI and the excellent quality of its workmanship. Innovative assistance systems lend even more confidence to driving.
Design
Audi design is always fascinating in its complex intelligence. The outer skin of the new Audi A8 conveys homogeneity, as if modeled from a full volume. A coupé-like roof line lets the silhouette flow; sculptured surfaces conveying calmness and prestige contrast with sharp lines. The new A8 underscores the leading position maintained by Audi in the field of automotive design. Representing the cutting edge in many innovative technologies, the Audi A8 indicates this role through new and progressive design elements.
5137 mm (16.85 ft) in length, with a 2992 mm (9.82 ft) wheelbase, 1949 mm (6.39 ft) in width and 1460 mm (4.79 ft) in height - the new luxury sedan is generously proportioned. The Audi A8 significantly exceeds in length and width both competitors. Its height, however, remains below that of its immediate rivals in Germany - the proportions follow the dynamic line.
The Audi A8 displays its single-frame radiator grille like a proud coat of arms. Framed by a chrome edge, the grille presents a new design - sculptured, three- dimensional and rich in details. With angular upper corners, it is neatly integrated in the front section, while the prominent, horizontal chrome braces emphasize the vehicle width.
The Audi A8 looks out on the world through newly designed headlights - with xenon plus units and the innovative full LED headlights, a technology Audi was the first to introduce worldwide in the Audi A8 high-performance sports car. The adaptive light system augments the xenon plus units - it controls the swiveling modules so that they always provide the perfect lighting for intersections, the city, country roads and highways. The new all-weather light integrated into the headlights replaces the fog lights. Their traditional location in the air intakes is now occupied by the radar sensors of the optional adaptive cruise control with stop & go function.
A technological breakthrough from Audi is the networking of the headlight control unit with the optional MMI navigation plus. The navigation system analyzes the route ahead and relays the data to the light computer to activate highway lighting with its extended range while still on the ramp to the highway, for example. Before entering an intersection, the system activates the cornering light, which provides wider-angle illumination and thus enhances safety.
High-end technology: the full LED headlights
The high-end solution on board the new A8 is the full LED headlights. They give the big sedan an unmistakable appearance even in daylight and even more so after the fall of darkness. Their revolutionary optics mean a departure from the large, tubular light modules commonly used today.
The low beams comprise ten individual modules forming an arc situated below the wing-shaped chrome contour known as the "wing." Just below this is another arc of 22 white and 22 yellow LEDs for the daytime running lights and the turn signals. Their thick wall technology makes them appear from the outside as homogenous, continuous strips of light.
Located above the wing are the high beams, whose light is generated by two powerful four-chip LEDs and a free surface reflector system. An assistant switches between the high and low beams, and additional high-power LEDs generate the highway light and cornering light. A separate fan and heat sink moderate the system's temperature.
The full LED headlights offer a number of functional advantages in everyday situations. With a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin, their light resembles daylight and thus is much less tiring to the eyes. They also offer efficiency advantages. The low beams, for example, consume only 40 watts per unit, a bit less than the already highly efficient xenon plus headlights.
The side view of the new Audi A8 also gives the image of concentrated and forward-thrusting power. Typically for the Audi line, the vehicle line makes up two-thirds of the height, with the remaining third falling to the greenhouse. From the single-frame grill Audi's characteristic Tornado line runs as a light edge just beneath the window sill. The line continues close above the wheel arches, giving the Audi A8 a powerful appearance on the road.
The surfaces below the Tornado line interpret the interplay of light and shadow, of convexity and concavity, and are statement of seriousness and timeless elegance. Proceeding downwards, the surfaces are framed by the rising dynamic line running above the side sills. Large wheels - from 17 to 21 inches in diameter - fill the wheel arches pulled out wide.
At the rear the separation edge gives an impression of sleekness, which further reinforces the impressively sculptured surfaces. A chrome strip underlines the width of the sedan, terminating in a diffuser.
The tail lights also produce an appearance both three-dimensional and striking - and typically Audi. They, too, use LED technology with 72 light-emitting diodes per unit. Chip-on-board LEDs, which can be packed tightly together with high precision, are used in many areas due to the limited amount of space available.
The tail lights, which consume only 9 watts per unit, form a trapezoidal contour that appears as an even, homogenous strip. Its upper segment is a light guide - a plastic tube; the lower section is a reflective, textured free-form surface. It is thicker than the upper segment to optically lower the center of gravity of the Audi A8's back end. The turn signal is a horizontal line. The five-segment brake light is located inside the trapezoid.
Body
Big, strong, safe and yet amazingly lightweight - the aluminum body once again sets new standards. Its low weight is a key factor for the outstanding driving dynamics, exemplary efficiency and very good comfort of the new A8. Audi, the lightweight design pioneer of the automotive industry, again demonstrates its leadership role.
Fifteen years ago the four rings brand introduced the technology of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) into production - with the Audi A8 generation. ASF has proven its merit outstandingly; and now Audi is again using it in a much more advanced form. In its basic design the ASF body brings a latticed framework to mind. Its skeleton comprises extruded sections and pressure diecast parts of aluminum. The aluminum panels - such as the roof panels and the side panels - are joined by friction connections.
Depending on their tasks, the components of the ASF body fully differ in shape and cross-sectional area. For example, the A-pillar nodes of the new Audi A8 - one of 25 castings in the body - interconnect the longitudinal member, the sill, the omega cross-member, the windshield crossmember, the roof frame and the suspension strut mount. The lateral roof frame, on the other hand, is formed by a single extruded section; its cross-section changes flexibly from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.
Audi has substantially increased the strength of the higher-strength body components in the new Audi A8, thereby significantly reducing both material thickness and weight.
One of the keys for this is a novel composite material for the aluminum panels. The use of this new, high-strength aluminum alloy alone enabled a weight saving of 6.5 kilograms (14.33 lb).
High stiffness, low vibrations
Besides the low weight, the ASF body of the Audi A8 has many other strengths. The static torsional stiffness has increased by 25 percent compared with the predecessor, already a leader in the field; it forms the basis for the precise, dynamic handling. In terms of lightweight quality — the relationship between weight, torsional stiffness and size — the body achieved an improvement of 20 percent. The ASF principle ensures comfortably low levels of vibrations and impressive quietness on board for that typical Audi feeling.
The new A8 glides calmly, sleekly and quietly through the wind. The 4.2 FSI version has a drag coefficient of only 0.26, with the frontal area measuring 2.41 m2 (25.94 square ft). Low lift coefficients at the front and rear axles ensure confident stability at highway speeds. The luxury sedan also once again leads its class in wind noise comfort.
Audi regards the development of a new vehicle as a holistic mission. The overall energy balance sheet covering the entire vehicle life reveals the new Audi A8 achieves better results than its predecessor with respect to all important environmental criteria, including CO2 emissions. The crucial factor is the phase of use, where in particular the new, highly efficient engines play a positive role. Aluminum is also superior to steel as a body material with respect to CO2 thanks to its excellent recycling properties.
Interior
The interior of the new Audi A8 is a wellness lounge for the senses. With its elegant styling and quality of workmanship on the craftsman level, the interior is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the four rings brand. In the cut it is much wider, more airy and spacious than its predecessor. Its salient element is the "wrap- around" - a circumferential curve forming an elegant beltline as on a yacht. The large curve integrates the sleek and low instrument panel. Its neat & tidy front is shaped like a gentle wave.
The Audi brand's clear and intuitive operating philosophy reaches new heights in the Audi A8. The large, round instruments are clearly delineated. The driver information system (DIS), which serves as a fully fledged information and control center, has a new layout. Its center display has increased to a 7-inch diagonal, showing all functions according to an easily understandable concept. It is operated at the equally improved multifunction steering wheel.
EnginesSuperior power and high efficiency - the new Audi A8 makes its debut on the market with a strong V8 engine. With 372 hp, they never fail to impress with their superior power and mighty but discreet propulsion. All engines feature direct fuel injection, and consume 15 percent less fuel than their respective predecessors.
The engine in the A8 has intelligent elements from Audi's modular efficiency system on board. During deceleration the recuperation system converts the kinetic energy to electric power, which is buffered in the battery. In the innovative thermal management a computer monitors numerous actuators for the ideal distribution of the heat flows between the engine, transmission and interior in any situation. After the cold start the engine is temporarily fully uncoupled from the cooling circuit, considerably shortening the warm-up phase with its high loss of friction.
The 4.2 FSI draws 273 kW (372 hp) of power from 4,163 cm3 displacement, generating its maximum of 445 Nm (328.22 lb-ft) torque at 3,500 rpm. It accelerates the Audi A8 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with the propulsion ending (as in all engine variants) at the electronically controlled speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph).
The most important reason for this enhanced power is the reduction of internal friction, especially in the chain drive for the camshafts and auxiliaries. The controlled oil pump with changeover between two pressure stages operates with high efficiency. Like all gasoline engines from Audi, the V8 has FSI direct injection. It allows a high compression of 12.5:1, for increased power and efficiency.
Infotainment systemsAudi has also set the bar significantly higher with regard to multimedia technology with the new A8. The optional MMI navigation plus system provides its data to other technology modules. Its new operating concept with the touchpad - known as MMI touch - is another pioneering idea. The phone, audio and infotainment features are equally state of the art.
The core of the new technologies is the new MMI navigation plus, integrating a large-sized hard disk for navigation, phone and audio data. A graphics processor generates the high-quality, three-dimensional images, which appear in the form of a 3D terrain model. Besides the classic arrows, a new and animated display serves the route guidance.
The database of the new MMI navigation plus describes the road network with countless details. The system analyzes these data predictively, reading the current course of the sedan but always thinking a bit ahead. The data are relayed to the control units managing the ACC Stop & Go, adaptive light and the 8-speed tiptronic so that these systems can precisely adapt their function to conditions well in advance.
MMI touch: a revolution in operation
Audi has entered a revolutionary new path in the operation of MMI navigation plus: it uses a touchpad. To enter the destination or phone number you simply draw the letters or numbers on the control panel with the index finger of your right hand. The system even recognizes Cyrillic, Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese and Korean characters. MMI touch can also be used to navigate on the map. An intelligent auxiliary feature is the Black Panel technology: Here the pad becomes a control panel containing six programmed radio stations.
The new input technology functions intuitively and spontaneously. The driver's right hand is ideally guided by the selector lever of the 8-speed tiptronic. His or her finger draws the lines as if automatically - and the driver's attention remains focused on the road. The system acknowledges the input after each character with an acoustic feedback signal. In contrast to voice control, touchpad input is possible even while conversing or listening to an audio source.
Along with MMI touch, the new Audi A8 also offers conventional operation with the MMI rotary pushbutton. Further improved voice control is also available on request: Places and roads can now be spoken as commands.
A long line of hi-fi elements ensures perfect musical listening pleasure. The Audi music interface is equipped with a USB and an Aux-in connection to form a convenient interface for the customer's iPod or an external video source. Standard in the U.S. is the Bose surround sound system, with a digital amplifier operating 14 speakers through 12 channels with an output of over 600 watts.
The pinnacle of hi-fi listening pleasure: the Advanced Sound System
At the top of the line is the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. It is impressive for its sparkling brilliance, detailed resolution and broad, finely differentiated frequency range. With their digital output stages, two amplifiers with an output of over 1,400 watts operate 19 aluminum-encased speakers through 19 channels. The two acoustic lenses in the cockpit are recessed and extend when the system is started.
The new Audi A8 also offers rear seat entertainment. The backrests of the driver and front passenger seats contain two flat displays with 10.2-inch diagonals. Their inclination is adjustable, and they can separately display different content. The sound passes through headphones. The rear seat entertainment system has its own DVD drive, a 20 GB hard disk, two memory card slots and an AMI interface; it has also has full access to all other infotainment systems on board. A control panel in the rear center armrest serves the operation of the system - another instance of first-class convenience.
High end: the Audi A8's optional extrasThe line of luxurious optional extras is especially attractive. Deserving special mention are the deluxe front center armrest, the convenience key for accessing the vehicle, the electric sun blinds for the rear, the 230 V outlet on the tunnel, the four-zone automatic air conditioning, the auxiliary heating and the ambient light package. The comfort seats for the driver and front passenger can be adjusted 22 ways; heating, ventilation and a massage feature with five programs are available on request.
The new Audi A8 also occupies a leading position in navigation and infotainment systems. The top version, MMI navigation plus, reads the course of the route in advance. The MMI touch also serves operation - another solution from Audi that sets new standards. Three sound systems, including the top-notch system from Bang & Olufsen, are truly music to the ears, while a fully integrated rear seat entertainment system is available for the rear. The new Audi A8 also has intelligent technologies on board for utilizing internet services.
For the distinct individualists among its customers Audi has developed a wide range of interior colors, upholstery and inlays. The Audi design selection impresses with especially exclusive combinations, and with various optional packages containing leather, Alcantara and decorative applications.
