Audi A8 L

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY - Clever shifting

The all-new 8 speed tiptronic transmission is a technical tour de force combining ratios which allow quick acceleration to those for low rev cruising to maximize efficiency

Management of the new tiptronic is handled by the innovative dynamic shift program (DSP), which is networked with the detailed route data delivered by the MMI navigation system.  The DSP uses this information to incorporate approaching corners or junctions into its shift strategy, so the days of an automatic gearbox changing gears mid-corner are truly behind us.

Adaptive Cruise control with Stop and Go

Using the satellite navigation data, the optional Adaptive cruise control knows exactly where the car is, so if traveling on a motorway and the car in front brakes and indicates left (because the driver wants to take the next exit) the system can recognize this - thanks to the camera image and because it sees the exit on the navigation data.  In this scenario a traditional radar based cruise control system would brake, whereas the A8 would continue uninterrupted.

Fully integrated system

Wouldn't it make sense if your car knew the road you were driving on and adjusted its setup accordingly?

Imagine if it could make the suspension could improve the aerodynamics of the car by lowering itself when on a motorway or ensure the gearbox was in the correct gear for a corner so it didn't have to change down mid-bend.  Maybe it could even switch on the corner lights to better illuminate a crossroads.

Welcome to the New Audi A8's integrated technology.
Illuminating your path

Another technological breakthrough from Audi is the networking of the headlamp control unit with the navigation system. The control unit reads the route data in advance and passes this information to the lighting computer.  This means that the car knows the road you're driving on and adjusts the headlights accordingly.

For example, when driving down a slip road to join a motorway the lights are already set with a longer range to further illuminate the road ahead. When approaching a T-junction the corner lights are switched on to give you better visibility of the adjoining roads. German Engineering according to the motto: Vorsprung durch Technik.

Double glazing as standard

A specially developed film forms the double glazing in the A8 and enhances your driving pleasure by minimizing external noise, making the Audi A8 one of the quietest cars in the world. It also helps the electronic climate control to maintain a constant internal temperature.

Double glazing is standard across the A8 range.
Effortless door operation

With the Audi A8's optional power-closure doors, you simply pull the door to, and at the last moment, an electric motor closes the door for you perfectly, every time. It is touches like these that make owning an Audi A8 such an unrelenting pleasure.

Cushion your ride

The Audi A8 floats on cushions of compressed air at all four wheels. The suspension system, working in conjunction with the electronically controlled damping system, adapts to the immediate driving circumstances. In this way, top-class driving dynamics are combined with optimal comfort.

Adaptive air suspension is a standard feature throughout the A8 range.

By using Audi's MMI system the driver can select four modes depending on the situation and your requirements: Dynamic, automatic, comfort and lift.

Automatic

Automatically adapts depending on driving situation but heavily geared towards comfort. The suspension is automatically lowered by 25mm at higher speeds and raised again to its normal level if you drive at under 43mph for more than two minutes
Comfort

The damping characteristics are tuned to optimal comfort at all times.

Dynamic

Lowered suspension with harder damping characteristics for sportier driving.

Lift

Raises the ground clearance - particularly useful when driving on rough and uneven surfaces or negotiating steep ramps in underground garages, for example.

Seating

The Audi A8's extensive range of seat versions, upholstery and options are unequaled in any other Audi , or indeed in the entire luxury class.  The highly diverse options make a clear statement about the quality of this exceptional car.

For example, there are three seat options for the front and two for the rear.

The standard front seats are by no means "standard", being electrically adjustable 14-ways, heated and featuring a memory function for both driver and passenger. The driver's memory function also stores the door mirror and steering wheel settings.

Comfort seats add to this 22 way electrical adjustment. You will also be able to take advantage of a raft of comfort orientated features, such as a massage function or seat ventilation, both available as options for the front and rear seats.  In addition to this the rear seats can be individually adjusted electronically.

Feel-good atmosphere at every seat

Being driven in an A8 is as much of an occasion as driving one.

The rear compartment of the Audi A8 redefines the benchmark for comfort and luxury, giving each rear occupant complete control over their surroundings.  Passengers have the option of being massaged, heated or cooled by their seat whilst watching their own DVDs or listening music.

Starting with two, independently controlled, class leading, 10" high resolution displays and two wireless Bluetooth headsets, each passenger can view their own content, whether it's watching Digital TV or DVDs or listening to music from SD cards, the car's hard drive jukebox or through their individual music devices.

To keep track of progress, rear passengers can also view a duplicate of the main navigation screen.

4-zone climate control

To suit the comfort preferences of you and all of your passengers, the Audi A8 can be specified with 4-zone climate control.  In addition to the standard 2-zone controls, for front passengers, this advanced system provides two controls in the comfort rear armrest, so everyone can maintain their perfect temperature inside the car, regardless of the temperature outside.

The driver and front passenger also have controls to change the temperature of their foot wells, giving complete, unrivaled comfort.

It's the smaller touches which people will remember, such as a glove box cooler or the air humidity sensor keeps the windows clear of condensation.

The new operating philosophy

Intuitive, intelligent and innovative - and that was our "old" MMI system.

The new MMI touch, which is standard across the A8 range, gives drivers a new and unique ways of operating the MMI navigation system, without the need to divert their eyes from the road ahead.  By integrating a touch-pad into the center console drivers can simply write characters to enter addresses, phone numbers or even choose which album to play.  The MMI Touch can recognize over a million characters, including Japanese, Chinese, Cyrillic and Korean to name but a few.

Of course the system can still be controlled by voice, however in the spirit of progress through technology town and street names can now be spoken in a single command.

Integrated Safety

Audi pre-sense is a comprehensive technical package for identifying dangers well in advance and intervening appropriately.  It categorizes driving situations as critical or as an impending collision, with the aim of preparing the vehicle and its occupants as thoroughly as possible.  Pre-sense does this by networking the various active and passive safety systems into a single, integrated safety system.

Revolutionary lightweight design

The all aluminum and highly innovative Audi Space Frame (ASF) is exceptionally strong but substantially lighter than a conventional chassis. In fact, the new Audi A8's ASF is lighter than the outgoing model, whilst being 24% stiffer.

Safety, performance, handling and efficiency are all enhanced through the careful hand-welding of magnesium and aluminum panels.  Using steel the structure would weigh around 40 percent more.

The benefits explained

A lightweight body is vital for excellent performance and the Audi Space Frame has helped significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. However the benefits of aluminum are not just reflected through better performance and efficiency. The high rigidity of the body provides outstanding safety. And the lightweight metal allows for a level of creative freedom that would simply be unattainable with steel panels.

The Audi Space Frame was pioneered in a design study in 1993 and features also in the Audi R8 and Audi TT model range.

One-touch memory

After someone else has been driving your Audi A8, you'll want to get everything back in position as quickly as possible. The Audi one-touch memory can be used to personalize numerous settings on the Audi A8 and its MMI for up to 3 users.

Once the driver selects their personal configuration, by pushing one of the three buttons on the driver's side door, an array of processes are initiated: the seats, mirrors and steering column are adjusted in line with the preselected configuration, together with the climate control's temperature and air distribution settings. One-touch memory can also activate the radio volume, preferred radio station and tone settings for each driver.

Clear visibility - no matter the conditions

The light and rain sensor, standard on all Audi A8 models  automatically activates or deactivates the low-beam headlights and the windscreen wipers when required. This is particularly convenient, for instance, in unpredictable and poor weather, deteriorating light, entering tunnels, or simply, when it's getting dark. And the rain sensor reacts to the strength of the rain - adapting the wiper interval accordingly - meaning you can just concentrate on driving.

 

The Audi A8 L is ready to get taken out for a test drive here at our Jim Ellis Audi Marietta store.

Below are 2 videos. One is the official AUDI USA introduction of the 2012 Audi A8L and the second one shows Ryan Cameron demo the A8 in front of the Atlanta Radio station V103.3 - enjoy!