Audi A8 (US-Spec)

Published: Oct 24, 2018Modified: Oct 24, 2018

2019 Audi A8 (US-Spec)

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

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.

2019 Audi A8 (US-Spec)

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

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	Parking system plus
Audi side assist	Predictive efficiency assistant
Collision avoidance assist	Rear cross traffic assist
Cruise control	Reversing camera
High-beam assist	Traffic jam assist
Multicollision brake assist	Traffic sign recognition
Night vision assist	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.

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