New Audi A8 Revealed — Boasts Of Level 3 Autonomous Features

Audi has revealed the all-new A8 luxury sedan and sales are set to begin from October 2017; India launch is expected to be in 2018.

The flagship sedan of the German carmaker, the new-generation A8 has been completely re-engineered. In its fourth generation, the new Audi A8 receives an all-new exterior design language and new interiors with massive boost on future technology and connectivity.

The new A8 is also capable of advanced Level 3 autonomous driving, touted as first of its kind in automobiles globally. The luxury saloon also supports future autonomous driving features such as parking pilot, garage pilot and traffic jam pilot.

Audi has equipped the new A8 with the Quattro driveline as a standard fitment equipping the A8 a permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

Design

Up front, the new A8 features a new design with large single-frame hexagonal grille and laser headlamps. The look has evolved but not significant from the previous generation A8. The new-generation A8 is a lot muscular and sculpted compared to the outgoing model.

The side profile of the new A8 now features low rung shoulder lines that complement the width of the luxury sedan. On the rear, the A8's taillights are connected with a long strip of both chrome and more taillight.

Inside the cabin, the new Audi has a clean and contemporary looking dashboard, a redesigned multi-function steering wheel and touchscreen controls similar to those first seen on the Prologue concept car.

Highlights include new front seats that are 4kg lighter compared to the previous model, HD digital instrument graphics and an updated MMI (Multi-Media Interface) system with two separate displays - one measuring 10.1inch and the other an 8.6inch curved unit.

Additionally, there is a second-generation MIB infotainment system that employs a quad-core processor from Nvidia, claimed to be 50 times faster than the first-generation unit.

Engine Specifications

Audi is offering a choice of two turbocharged V6 engines on the new A8. One is a 3.0-litre petrol engine producing 335bhp and the other a 3.0-litre diesel with 264bhp, a 10bhp increase compared to its predecessor.

Both the engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and Quattro four-wheel drive, which can be ordered with an optional sports differential.

The new A8 will come standard fit with a 48V electrical system which offers a range of mild-hybrid functions such as engine-off coasting, extended start/ stop operation and kinetic energy regeneration under braking.

In 2018, Audi will add V8 petrol and diesel engines while the top of the line model will be the W12. Also, there will be a powerful S8 variant on offer.

Audi will introduce the all-new A8 in India late 2018 and is expected to cost upwards of Rs 1 crore. The new Audi A8 will compete with the likes of BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

DriveSpark Thinks!

The new Audi A8 will be the flagbearer of future Audis and subsequent models will follow the sedan's features including autonomous driving features.