Audi Ireland has revealed the pricing of the all-new and eagerly anticipated Audi A8 which will start from €99,950 OTR and will be available to order from 2nd October, 2017. In its fourth generation, the Audi A8 truly defines Vorsprung Durch Technik, with a contemporary new design, an innovative touchscreen operating concept and a systematically electrified drive. The Audi A8 is also the first production automobile in the world to have been developed for highly automated driving.
The new Audi A8 has launched in the Irish market with two extensively re-engineered V6 turbo engines: a 3.0 TDI and a 3.0 TFSI. The diesel version outputs 286 hp, and the petrol version 340 hp. An eight-cylinder version – a 4.0 TDI with 435 hp will follow in the coming months. The exclusive top engine version is the W12, with a displacement of 6.0 litres. All engine variants operate in conjunction with a belt alternator starter (BAS), which is the nerve centre of the 48-volt electrical system. The mild hybrid technology (MHEV, mild hybrid electric vehicle) enables the car to coast with the engine switched off and to restart smoothly.
With its wide single frame grille and its fluid, muscular body, the front of the car has a sporty, yet sophisticated look. The Audi A8 design represents the core attributes, for which the Audi brand is renowned worldwide – sports appeal, lightweight construction and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Muscular shapes above the wheel arches give visual expression to the quattro drive.
Audi‘s new flagship model showcases a radically new operating concept, setting a new and exciting standard. A sleek 10.1-inch touchscreen display screen appears as soon as the car is opened, welcoming the driver to their Audi A8 driving experience. The cutting-edge Infotainment system is prompted with fingertip control on the large display screen. Thanks to its black-panel look, once powered off, the display blends almost invisibly into the car’s high-gloss, black surround. A second touchscreen display is positioned on the centre tunnel console, which can be prompted to access the car’s air conditioning and comfort functions, as well as make text inputs. A combination of acoustic and tactile feedback, along with the use of common touch gestures, such as swiping, makes the new MMI touch response technology safe, intuitive and quick to use. The Audi A8 can also engage in intelligent conversation, meaning the driver can activate an array of functions in the automobile using a new, natural form of voice control.
The new Audi A8 is set to prove itself to be a responsive performer on the road, thanks to the optional, Audi AI active suspension, which will provide a comfortable yet dynamic drive. This flexibility is made possible thanks to a new active suspension based on the 48-volt electrical system, which will be used for the first time as the main electrical system. Through the use of electric actuators, the system cleverly allows the driver to raise or lower each wheel separately, depending on road conditions. Combined with pre sense 360°, the car is raised with lightning speed. This flexibility allows the driver to modify the car’s driving characteristic with huge latitude, ranging from the smooth ride comfort of a classic luxury saloon, to the dynamism of a sports car.
In another first for the premium car-maker, the Audi A8 has been developed especially for Level 3 highly automated driving. The Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes charge of driving in slow-moving traffic at up to 60 km/h on motorways where a physical barrier separates the two carriageways. The system is activated using the AI button on the centre console, prompting the traffic jam pilot to initiate starting, accelerating, steering and braking. The Audi A8’s Audi AI remote parking pilot and the Audi AI remote garage pilot autonomously steers the Audi A8 into and out of a parking space or a garage, while the manoeuvre is monitored by the driver, either inside or outside the car. Audi will initiate series production of the traffic jam pilot in the new A8 incrementally, depending on the legal situation in the respective country.
The new Audi A8 will be available to order from 2nd October 2017 and we can’t wait to have the opportunity for our full road test in this flagship model for Audi.
