Systematic lightweight construction, excellent comfort and a broad portfolio of high-end technologies: Audi has given its flagship, the A8, a wide-sweeping update. The engines are even more powerful and efficient, while new assistance systems and the innovative Matrix LED headlights provide for an added level of composure. The Audi updated Audi A8 will arrive in the Middle East in mid-2014. Prices and specs have not been announced yet. The A8 L, the long-wheelbase version which will be available in the Middle East, gains an additional 13 centimeters in both length and wheelbase and features a new trunk layout for easier loading. Additional noise damping measures reduce the already low interior noise level even further. The dynamic design of the big sedan has become even more expressive. The engine hood, the Singleframe grille and the front bumper are even more sculptured; the lower edge of the headlight units is straight. In addition to LED headlights, Audi also offers headlights featuring Matrix LED technology. The high-beam comprises 25 individual light-emitting diodes per unit that can be switched on and off or dimmed individually depending on the situation. Additional features of the new headlights are the intelligent cornering light, new-look daytime running lights and dynamic turn signals. The lighting system in the A8 uses predictive route data from the navigation system to adjust the distribution of light in response to the current driving situation. The LED lamps at the rear of the new Audi A8 have also become flatter. The redesigned bumper houses two rhomboid tailpipes. New chrome strips, high-gloss black window frames, and five new colors round out the differentiating design details. Audi will offer the A8 L in the Middle East market with two gasoline engines. These are the supercharged 3.0 TFSI with 310 hp, and the V8 twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI with 435 hp. The 4.0 TFSI now accelerates the A8 L from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds; the 3.0 TFSI in 5.9 seconds. The classic variants are joined by two additional models in the Middle East. The top-of-the-line model is the luxuriously equipped Audi A8 L W12 quattro with 500 hp. With 520 hp, the S8 is Audi's big sports sedan. Its sonorous 4.0 TFSI accelerates the S8 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. Fuel consumption is reduced through the use of the Audi cylinder on demand (COD) system, which deactivates four of the eight cylinders of the V8 and six cylinders of the W12 under partial load. Friction-reducing measures reduce consumption by as much as 10 percent. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) ensures excellent acoustic comfort. One great strength of the big sedan is its lightweight construction. The Audi A8 3.0 TFSI with the normal wheelbase (not planned for the Middle East) has a curb weight of just 1,830 kilograms – best-in-class for models with all-wheel drive. The body is made almost entirely of aluminum; an Audi Space Frame (ASF) design, it weighs just 231 kilograms. Length (5.14 meters), wheelbase (2.99 meters), width (1.95 meters) and height (1.46 meters) remain unchanged, making the Audi A8 (normal-wheelbase not planned for the Middle East) the sportiest sedan in the segment. The A8 L gains an additional 13 centimeters in both length and wheelbase. Both body variants feature a new trunk layout for easier loading. Additional noise damping measures reduce the already low interior noise level even further. The dynamic design of the big sedan has become even more expressive. The engine hood, the Singleframe grille and the front bumper are even more sculptured; the lower edge of the headlight units is straight. In addition to LED headlights, Audi also offers headlights featuring Matrix LED technology, which sets new benchmarks with respect to design and technology. With these headlights, the high-beam comprises 25 individual light-emitting diodes per unit that can be switched on and off or dimmed individually depending on the situation. This enables the headlight system to react extremely precisely to other vehicles while always brightly illuminating the road. Additional features of the new headlights are the intelligent cornering light, new-look daytime running lights and dynamic turn signals. The lighting system in the A8 uses predictive route data from the navigation system to adjust the distribution of light in response to the current driving situation. In combination with the Navigation plus with MMI touch, the system recognizes route data contained in the navigation system, such as curves and road classifications. The LED lamps at the rear of the new Audi A8 have also become flatter. In all models except the S8, the redesigned bumper houses two rhomboid tailpipes. There is a choice of twelve colors, including five new ones. Wheels are available in sizes up to 21 inches. Audi will produce the A8 with two gasoline and two diesel engines. These are the supercharged 3.0 TFSI with 310 hp, the V8 twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI with 435 hp, the highly efficient 3.0 TDI clean diesel with 258 hp (not planned for the Middle East) and the extremely high-torque 4.2 TDI clean diesel, which produces 385 hp and 850 Nm (not planned for the Middle East). Performance has increased with most engines. When paired with quattro all-wheel drive, the 4.0 TFSI now accelerates the A8 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. Under partial load, the Audi cylinder on demand (COD) system deactivates four of the eight cylinders. The most efficient engine is the 3.0 TDI clean diesel, which consumes just 5.9 liters of diesel per 100 kms, which corresponds to 155 grams CO2 per km. The new A8 comes standard with a fast and smooth-shifting, eight-speed tiptronic paired with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Audi also offers an optional sport differential, which distributes the power between the rear wheels as needed. The interior of the Audi flagship dazzles with its elegant lines and generous spaciousness. The first-class solution is the relaxation seat with power footrest. A large number of additional features are also available, from power-assisted closing to a cooler. As is typical for Audi, the new A8 features exemplarily clear controls despite the abundance of functions. New in the A8 are Audi active lane assist, which makes slight steering adjustments when necessary, and the park assist system with 360° display, which handles steering when parking. The new head-up display projects important data in the driver's field of vision on the windshield. The night vision assistant can now also recognize larger animals in addition to pedestrians. — SG
