2019 AUDI A8

ARRIVES THIS FALL – LEADING PREMIUM INTERIOR DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE FOR AUDI

• Fourth-generation 2019 A8 delivers serene interior design and is the first production execution of the all-new Audi premium design language
• Infotainment and all-new MMI system with touch response delivers new level of Audi technology
• Predictive active suspension and driver assistance features set a brand benchmarks in driving experience

HERNDON, Virginia– The all-new 2019 Audi A8 delivers a modern, serene interior design, usable technology, seamless connectivity and cutting-edge driver assistance features to make driver and passengers better informed and more relaxed. In its fourth generation, the A8 redefines the Audi design language with its integrated technologies and sets new standards for the segment and brand.

Design
The 2019 A8 is the first production execution of the all-new premium Audi design language deriving from Design Chief, Mark Lichte’s Prologue concept, which is founded in state-of-the-art exterior lighting, a powerful stance and precise, proportional design.

The front with its broad, upright Singleframe® grille, the flowing and muscular body design and the rear with its full-length strip of dynamic lighting accentuate the distinctive the stance of the all-new A8. The proportions equally highlight the front and rear wheels, with definition at the wheel arches calling attention to the standard quattro® all-wheel drive. The exterior lighting is state-of-the-art, particularly when equipped with the HD Matrix design and rear lamps with OLED technology, further cementing the Audi lighting leadership.

The new Audi design language is manifested in the interior through an intelligent redesign, featuring exceptional precision and material selection, as well as advancements to enhance relaxation and comfort for the driver and passengers alike. The A8 interior offers simplicity through the elegant use of piano black surfaces that give way to the two integrated touch display screens surrounded by brushed aluminum. Offering exceptionally clean design, a multitude of individual buttons have been eliminated in favor of the consolidated into the dual screen MMI touch response using the same intuitive operations as the latest smart phone interfaces.

The A8 provides a sense of ceremony to the driver and passengers through a theatre-like lighting display when the vehicle is unlocked, followed by the personalized welcome of the A8 in the virtual cockpit while the audio tweeters emerge and the air vents open to let its passengers know they are driving the pinnacle of the Audi lineup. Attending to every element of the user experience, through the available Premium air quality option, the cabin air is ionized for purification before passengers enter the A8 and a pleasant aroma can be selected to add to its interior ambiance.

For passengers in the rear of the vehicle, stored in the rear center console, a smartphone-sized OLED rear seat remote control allows passengers to conveniently customize their seating and infotainment preferences. Completing the luxury cabin, for ultimate relaxation, the right rear passenger seat offers an available heated massaging footrest discretely positioned on the rear of the front passenger seat. The result is an interior offering a serene respite from the hectic life that surrounds it.

Standard interior features include:

• Heated 18-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment and seat memory
• Power tilt and telescopic steering column with memory
• Valetta Leather interior with Fine Nappa Extended Leather
• Black glass touch control buttons with haptic feedback

Optional interior features include:

• Rear right passenger relaxation seat with heated massaging footrest
• Air quality package, including ionizer and aromatization
• Aluminum-optic control buttons
• Adjustable rear Matrix LED reading lights.
• Smartphone-sized OLED touch remote control to customize rear seating and infotainment preferences including Matrix reading lamps.
• Front 22-way seats with massage, ventilation
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual-pane acoustic glass
• Front and rear heated center and door armrests
• Folding productivity tables in center console
• Alcantra® headliner
• Valcona Leather interior and Extended Leather Package

Technology and Connectivity
As the flagship of the brand, the A8 has long presented industry-leading technologies that make their way into future Audi models. This latest generation is no different as Audi approaches the digital age with a revolutionary infotainment concept debuting in the A8 that features haptic touch functionality, user-friendly menus and the simplicity of operation known from your smart phone. Extending the ease in usability for all occupants, the smartphone-sized OLED remote control allows rear seat passengers to conveniently customize their seating and infotainment preferences as well as the ambient and matrix interior lighting settings.

Technology and connectivity features include:

• MMI touch response® with two stacked touch interface screens
• The upper 10.3“ screen with smartphonelike functionality, offers intuitive and flat menu structure where the user can freely arrange the feature icons according to personal preferences
• The 8.6“ lower control panel offers simplified button free adjustment of, HVAC, seating, and storage of up to 32 short cuts frequently accessed MMI and infotainment functions
• Up to seven individual storage driver profiles
• A8 voice interaction with natural language processing for MMI commands and vehicle functions
• All-new HERE-powered map and navigation system that is able to learn drive routes over time so the system can make smarter routing suggestions
• New myAudi app enables greater range of smartphone-controlled vehicle selections. Single application consolidates touchpoints into one location including lock/unlock, geo-fencing, speed warning, destination entry and others functions.
• Standard is the second generation Audi virtual cockpit featuring a large, 12.3-inch display that delivers vibrant color at 60 frames per second with K1 chip from NVIDIA® quad core processing power at 1920 x 720 pixels per inch. The virtual cockpit helps make viewing and navigating via the large Google Earth Satellite images supported with 4G LTE (where available) easier via the full map display and through its placement directly in front of the driver. The virtual cockpit is fully controllable via the steering wheel.
• Available full-color head-up display, projecting relevant driving information directly in the driver’s field of vision including speed, traffic signs, navigation and driver assistance system information
• Audi smartphone interface including Apple CarPlay™ and Google ™ Android Auto
• Available Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Sound System with 3D surround sound:
  • 23 speakers including Acoustic Lens Technology (ALT)
  • 24-channel BeoCore amplifier with ICEpower® technology
  • 1,920 watts and 5.1 Surround Sound
• Available Audi smartphone wireless charging with antenna booster in the center console
• Available Audi dual tablet rear seat entertainment system with DVD changer

Technology

As the flagship of the brand, the A8 has long presented industry leading technologies. This latest generation is no different as Audi approaches the digital age with a revolutionary infotainment concept debuting in the A8. It transforms the award-winning rotary/push-button control and touchpad – into the MMI touch response® a step-change system for the future of the brand. At the center of this intelligent new system’s instrument panel is a 10.1-inch touchscreen display that, when turned off, blends almost invisibly into the high-gloss black surround. When the system is started, the user interface illuminates with a soothing greeting and a new, simple graphic configuration. Like a smartphone, the menu structure is intuitive and flat, and the user can freely arrange the feature icons according to their personal preferences. The intelligent system can store up to seven profiles, allowing each driver an entirely unique and customized experience, from lighting preferences and media favorites to preset navigation inputs.

The driver interacts with the infotainment system through two large stacked touch displays positioned in the center console. The lower control panel, previously consisting of numerous individual buttons, is now a simple touch surface to operate the climate control and convenience features, as well as enter text through a keyboard or freeform handwriting. When the driver makes a selection across the platform, the system offers confirmation through an audible and tactile ‘click’ that helps the driver use the system without diverting his or her eyes. All audible and haptic feedback can be configured to the drivers’ wishes.

The A8 voice interaction extends to a new level of search commands as well as driver-activated functions in the vehicle using an updated, natural form of voice control. Information on destinations and media is either available on-board or is sourced from the cloud at LTE speeds. The driver can make commands with the voice recognition system and dialogue manager understanding complete sentences for navigation searches or requests for adjustment to HVAC or media. A multifunction steering wheel and an optional head-up display round off the new infotainment offering.

The all-new, MMI Navigation plus functions as a multifaceted media center, using th modular infotainment platform in its latest version, the MIB 2+. It integrates cutting-edge processing power to seamlessly link the multi-surface system, including the standard Audi virtual cockpit. Connectivity throughout the vehicle, as well as an onboard Wi-Fi Hotspot for up to eight passenger devices is offered through LTE capability.

The line of services from Audi connect is highly diversified. The all-new HERE-powered map and navigation system debuting in the A8 is able to learn overtime through driven routes, so that the system can make smarter route suggestions. The new myAudi app enables a greater range of smartphone-controlled vehicle selections, including myAudi Navigation. This time-saving function becomes a personal mobility manager, where a route started on a smartphone and continued on the on-board system upon entering the vehicle can be passed back to the smartphone to guide the occupant to their next destination – by foot or public transport.

Driver Assistance
The A8 will be introduced with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems and functions that benefit from:

• The world’s first laser scanner in a production vehicle,
• Fundamentally improved sensors
• The zFAS central driver assistance computer that processes all of the sensor information.

Delivering an Audi benchmark in driver assistance and convenience systems, the 2019 A8 sets a new standard in luxury providing increased ease of mind and operation through its comprehensive assistance functionality. In addition to advancements in systems previously debuted by Audi, including the stress reducing adaptive cruise assist, advanced collision mitigation and cross traffic assist, through its onboard sensors, cameras and laser, the A8 sets a new technical standard.

The advanced systems debuting in the A8 offer an added element of ease behind the wheel. While the driver maintains control, the intelligent systems in the A8 simultaneously assess the vehicle’s surroundings, providing the driver with added confidence and stress reduction.  The impressive array of safety enhancing systems, including improved lane centering capabilities and more precise lane tracking, make the A8 the driver assistance benchmark for the brand and the segment.

Enhancing the groundbreaking A8 system further is the introduction of the first production automotive laser scanner with a wide horizontal range that is more precisely able to provide detailed, contoured images that measure distance and orientation. Together with the vehicle’s long-range radar and front camera, the laser scanner forms a trio of sensors with various functional strengths that complement each other. It is these sensors combined, as well as the powerful zFAS driver assistance computer, which generates an image of the surroundings and processes the data to help inform the driver and actuate the driver assistance systems as needed.

New A8 driver assistance systems included in the driver assistance package:

• Adaptive Cruise Assist – (ACA)
  The Adaptive Cruise Assist (ACA) function is a ‘hands-on’ system that assists the driver with acceleration, braking and steering at low speed and in traffic jam situations, improved navigation of tight lane situations such as construction zones, as well as supporting highway speeds.

• Intersection assist – can help supports the driver avoid low-speed collisions with cross traffic in front of the car when entering an intersection or when leaving a parking space with an obstructed view. The system warns the driver visually of approaching traffic and audibly as well as initiating braking when needed.
• Predictive active suspension – is an automotive first and can detect a potential collision from the side via Audi pre sense side, and can raise the chassis by 3.1 inches within half of a second to help channel the impact toward the strongest structures of the A8 while also preparing the cabin for optimal seating position and condition in order better protect its passengers.
• Audi pre sense 360 – detects potential collision hazards all around the car and initiates specific preventative measures ranging from full emergency braking, preconditioning seat belt tensioners, raising windows, closing sunroof and prepares airbags for deployment in case of a pending front, rear and now side collisions.
• Emergency assist – detects if the driver is unresponsive and brings the car to a stop in its lane, engages emergency hazard lights and places an emergency SOS call.
• 360 degree cameras (‘Virtual top view’) – simplifies parking and maneuvering by providing a virtual 3D image of the vehicle’s surroundings, allowing the driver to spin and zoom the image for optimal view.
• Exit assist – now delays opening of door through the electronic latch system if a vehicle or bike rider is approaching as you look to open door.
• Loose wheel detection

All of these new driver assistance functions join the impressive offering already available on Audi models today:

Audi active lane assist Audi side assist Collision avoidance assist Cruise control High-beam assist Multicollision brake assist Night vision assist

Parking system plus Predictive efficiency assistant Rear cross traffic assist Reversing camera Traffic jam assist Traffic sign recognition Turn assist

Lighting and Convenience
Design and body highlights include:

• LED headlights, available HD Matrix-design LED headlights (US availability TBC)
• LED taillights with dynamic turn signals, available OLED taillights with animation
• Singleframe® grille
• Power soft-closing doors
• 19” 15-spoke design wheels and available 20” 20-spoke-structure design wheels
• Power-adjustable, auto-dimming, power-folding, heated exterior side mirrors with memory
• Power trunk, open/close with hands free operation
• Headlight washing system
• 2-panel panoramic sunroof with black-out shade
• The 2019 A8 is offered exclusively as a long wheelbase model, measuring 7 inches in length

Chassis and Suspension
With dynamic all-wheel steering, Predictive active suspension and the powerful all-new electronic chassis platform, Audi has rethought every aspect of the all-new flagship’s handling and ride experience. Comprised of 29 different frame materials and 14 cold and hot joining techniques, the A8 delivers an intelligent material matrix. The result is outstanding driver handling and premium passenger comfort in a safe and quiet package.

Chassis and suspension features include:

• Standard Adaptive air suspension enables the various suspension and damping combinations to provide a luxurious ride and dynamic driving experience
• Available Predictive active suspension, a fully active, electromechanically operated system that can reduce or increase torque and raise or lower each wheel individually in 300 milliseconds, thereby controlling body motion for benchmark levels of agility and passenger comfort. Simultaneously, the forward facing camera scans the roadway to help anticipate irregularities in the surface and make adjustments for optimal ride quality
• Available dynamic all-wheel steering offers increased maneuverability at low speeds and more precise steering at higher speeds

Powertrain and Performance
Launching with a new 3.0 liter V6 turbo engine, the A8 powertrain is paired with a standard new 48-volt electric mild-hybrid drivetrain. This 10Ah lithium-ion battery and new belt driven alternator starter (BAS) has been engineered to support the TFSI® engine and functions as the main vehicle electrical system enabling the advanced infotainment and luxury equipment, including the driver assistance systems and electromechanical suspension in the A8. This system allows for recuperation of power and is designed to help provide a more responsive and smooth ride. The powertrain operates in conjunction with a fast and gently shifting eight speed tiptronic transmission and standard quattro® all-wheel drive with self-locking center differential.

Performance

Launching with a new 3.0-liter V6 turbo engine, the A8 powertrain is paired with a standard new 48-volt electric mild-hybrid drivetrain. This 10Ah lithium-ion battery and new beltdriven alternator starter (BAS) has been engineered to support the TFSI engine and functions as the main vehicle electrical system enabling the advanced infotainment and luxury equipment including the driver assistance systems and electromechanical suspension in the A8. This system allows for recuperation of power and is designed to provide a more efficient, responsive and smooth ride. The paired powertrains operate in conjunction with a fast and gently shifting eight speed tiptronic transmission and standard quattro® all-wheel drive with self-locking center differential.

With dynamic all-wheel steering, active electromechanical suspension and the powerful all-new electronic chassis platform, Audi has rethought every aspect of the all-new flagship’s chassis and ride experience.

All-new technologies and control systems make the A8 more comfortable, dynamic and adaptive to the driving environment. The available dynamic all-wheel steering allows the steering angles at the front and rear axles to be set independently of one another. It combines instantaneous response and steering behavior with superior driving stability, tightening the steering radius and offering improved performance at high and low speeds. This all-wheel steering remarkably shrinks the turning radius of the A8 long wheelbase to 38.7 ft (11.8 m), that of an A4 sedan.

Audi AI active suspension is an active electromechanical suspension system. It uses rapid electric actuators to increase or decrease the load on each wheel individually as a function of the driving situation for active and optimal control of the body, far quicker than available hydraulic systems currently on the market allow. The characteristics range from the gentle rolling of a premium sedan to the agility of a sports car, with the energy coming from the new 48-volt mild hybrid. In daily driving conditions, this ground breaking system allows the vehicle to intuitively adapt and effectively float above imperfections in the road, leading to an effortlessly premium ride.

On vehicles equipped with the pre sense 360° system, the Audi active suspension also enhances passive safety systems through mitigating the impact of side collisions. In the event a potential side impact is detected through onboard sensors and camera systems at more than 15.5 mph, the body is raised by up to 80 millimeters (3.1 in) within half a second. As a result, the other vehicle collides with a more rigid zone

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Model	Engine	Horsepower	Torque
A8 L 3.0 TFSI V6 quattro®	Eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission and quattro® all-wheel drive	335 hp	369 lb-ft of torque

Market Introduction & Pricing Detail
The all-new 2019 A8 will go onsale in the Fall of 2018 with the 3.0 Liter V6 TFSI engine. A V8 engine will be available by Summer of 2019.

Starting manufacturer suggested retail prices:

Model	MSRP
A8 L 3.0 TFSI V6 quattro	$83,800

Starting MSRP of $83,800for more information on the 2019 Audi A8L 3.0 TFSI V6 quattro® with automatic transmission. Prices above excluding destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charge. Dealer sets actual price.

Final U.S. offerings may differ. Full product portfolio and pricing will be confirmed closer to on-sale date in the fall of 2018.

Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted. See Owner’s Manual for further details, and important limitations for MMI Touch response®.

Audi Navigation plus depends on signals from the worldwide Global Positioning Satellite network. The vehicle’s electrical system, and existing wireless and satellite technologies, must be available and operating properly for the system to function. The system is designed to provide you with suggested routes in locating addresses, destinations and other points of interest. Changes in street names, construction zones, traffic flow, points of interest and other road system changes are beyond the control of Audi of America, Inc. Complete detailed mapping of lanes, roads, streets, toll roads, highways, etc., is not possible, therefore you may encounter discrepancies between the mapping and your actual location. Please rely on your individual judgment in determining whether or not to follow a suggested Audi navigation plus route.

Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted. The Wi-Fi hotspot feature is intended for passenger use only. 4G LTE coverage is not available in all areas. The Wi-Fi feature is provided through Connect PLUS. Connect PLUS features and technologies are optional, may require an additional subscription with separate terms and conditions, and should be used only when it is safe and appropriate. See materials provided by wireless carrier for terms, privacy, data security details. Returning devices connect automatically and use plan data unless hotspot is removed from device settings.

Driver Assistance features are not substitutes for attentive driving. See Owner’s Manual for further details, and important limitations.

 

UNIQUE MIX OF MATERIALS USED IN THE NEXT AUDI MILESTONE

• Luxury saloon lives up to its reputation as an innovation driver in lightweight design
• Comfortable entry and improved view thanks to roller hemming
• Extraordinary torsional rigidity delivers gains in driving dynamics and acoustics
• Intelligent mix of four materials: aluminium, steel, magnesium and CFRP
• Know-how based on more than one million series cars with Audi Space Frames

Neckarsulm, April 5, 2017 – Audi is writing a new chapter in its lightweight design success story. For the next generation of the Audi A8, an intelligent mix of four materials is being used for the first time in the weight-bearing body structure – more materials than in any of the brand’s previous production models. The luxury saloon is thus once again rightfully claiming its role as an innovation driver in automotive lightweight design: Its low weight and impressive rigidity offer greater performance, efficiency and safety.

The lightweight design experts at Audi long ago abandoned the fixation on using a single material in lightweight design. With a mix of aluminium, steel, magnesium and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) they are establishing a new stage in multi-material construction in the Audi Space Frame (ASF) for the next generation of the Audi A8 – in keeping with the principle “the right material in the right place and in the right amount.”

Audi consistently applies new material technologies and designs that directly benefit the customer – and not only in terms of weight. The upcoming flagship’s torsional rigidity – the critical parameter for precise handling and pleasing acoustics – surpasses the excellent values of its predecessor by a factor of about one quarter.

Innovative production process – the carbon rear panel in the new Audi A8

In terms of its overall dimensions, an ultra-high-strength, torsionally rigid rear panel made of CFRP is the largest component in the occupant cell of the new Audi A8, and it contributes 33 percent to the torsional rigidity of the total vehicle. To optimally absorb longitudinal and transverse loads as well as shearing force, between six and 19 fibre layers are placed one on top of the other, ensuring a load-optimised layout. These individual fibre layers consist of tapes 50 millimetres wide and can be placed individually in a finished layered package, with any desired fibre angle and minimal trimming of the fibres. The innovative direct-fibre layering process specially developed for this purpose makes it possible to entirely dispense with the normally needed intermediary step of manufacturing entire sheets. Using another newly developed process, the layered package is wetted with epoxide resin and sets within minutes.

A high-strength combination of hot-formed steel components make up the occupant cell, which comprises the lower section of the front bulkhead, the side sills, the B-pillars and the front section of the roof line. Some of these sheet metal blanks are produced in varying thicknesses using tailoring technologies – meaning they are customised – and others also undergo partial heat treatment. That reduces weight and increases the strength, especially in areas of the vehicle that are particularly critical for safety.

The aluminium components make up 58 percent of the new Audi A8 body, the largest share in the mix of materials. Cast nodes, extruded profiles and sheets are the elements characteristic of the ASF design. And here too the competition of materials has been driving progress. New heat-treated, ultra-high-strength cast alloys attain a tensile strength of over 230 MPa (megapascals). The corresponding yield strength in the tensile test is over 180 MPa, and for the profile alloys it is higher than 280, i.e. 320 MPa – significantly higher values than seen previously.

Rounding out the intelligent mix of materials is the magnesium strut brace. A comparison with the predecessor model shows that it contributes a 28-percent weight savings. Aluminium bolts secure the connection to the strut tower domes, making them a guarantor of the body’s high torsional rigidity.

In the event of a frontal collision, the forces generated are distributed to three impact buffers in the front end.

Benefits for customers and the environment – the new body shop for the Audi A8

In addition to the complete redevelopment of the Audi Space Frame for the next generation A8, the production halls at the Neckarsulm location were specially built for the upcoming flagship. A total of 14,400 metric tonnes of steel were needed just for construction of the new, 41-metre-high body shop, twice as much steel as was used for the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The highly complex yet energy-efficient production operation uses 14 different joining processes, including roller hemming at the front and rear door cutouts. This mechanical, “cold” technology is used to join the aluminium side wall frame to the hot-formed, ultra-strong steel sheets at the B-pillar, roof line and sills. The engineers thus realised improvements of up to 36 millimetres at the door cutouts compared to the predecessor model. That in turn makes getting in and out of the car even more comfortable and widens the driver’s field of vision around the A-pillar, an area that is key to safe driving.

As for the “warm” joining processes, Audi stands alone among the premium automakers by virtue of its development of remote laser welding for use with aluminium. Exact positioning of the laser beam in relation to the welding edge considerably reduces the risk of hot cracking during the production process. The new process makes it possible to precisely control the penetration depth of the laser by means of the heat input. In this way, process control can immediately determine the gap width between parts being joined, and this can effectively be closed using regulating controls. The laser beam’s high feed rate and low energy use reduce the CO₂ emissions of this production step by about one fourth.

This new process also results in a 95 percent savings on recurring costs in series production because it eliminates the need for costly process controls required with conventional laser welding. The remote laser welding technology perfectly symbolises the entire production of the new Audi A8.

In 1994 it was the first generation of this luxury saloon, with its aluminium unitary body, that made the Audi Space Frame an established presence in the automotive world. Since then the company has built more than one million production cars in accordance with this design principle, and it has been continually building upon its know-how in the use of materials and joining techniques.