Tag Archives: A8
2019 Audi A8 Reveals Starting Price Of $84,795
The last time we have seen the 2019 Audi A8 flagship luxury sedan was more than a year ago, so we’re excited to get our hands on it this year. Audi revealed that the sedan will go on sale this fall with a starting price of $84,795.
To put it into perspective, that’s $150 more than the base rear-drive BMW 7 Series and about $3,000 less than the all-wheel-drive version. It’s also $6,000 less than the base rear-drive Mercedes S-Class.
If you think about it, the Audi A8 has quite a lot of value in terms of price. Its competitions from other countries are priced lower than it but once the taxes are measured and added, the amount could be staggering. The Lexus LS starts at under $80,000 while every version of the Cadillac CT6 is priced less than the Audi except for the CT6 Platinum, which is $85,290.
This base price refers to just one body style—the long wheelbase model. It is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. This is the only available engine for the A8 for now. If you want more power, a V8 version is coming next year.
The American version of the A8 will have a number of high-tech optional features, particularly a suspension that can raise and lower each wheel preemptively to better handle bumps, four-wheel steering, and an adaptive cruise control that can handle acceleration, braking, and steering at low speeds.
The adaptive cruise control is a hands-on system. This is not the same as the Level 3 semi-autonomous technology that the company used when it previewed the car. Because of legal issues, Audi is not yet ready to offer that system in the US.
4 Things We Can Expect From The First Ever 2018 Audi RS8
Since the RS-badged Audi came out in the 1990s, people have been clamoring for a high-performance version of its A8. But until now, we have yet to see an RS8 model, which can compete with the likes of the AMG S63, the S65, and the BMW M7.
Without the RS model, Audi would be left behind by its competition in the market. Hopefully, the brand is tired of trailing behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and would eventually work on their RS-badged A8. Above are renderings of what the Audi RS8 could look like when and if it’s launched in 2018.
1. Exterior
There is no hint whatsoever about how the styling of the RS8 would look like, but it’s safe to assume that the appearance and design of the RS8 would be very similar with other RS-badged vehicles. The A8 would still be the basis for how the RS8 would look like, although the latter would have a more aggressive front and rear fascias. The grille would have a honeycomb mesh with the RS8 badge, of course, and the headlamps will get black vents on the edges.
Both the bumper and the side vents will have a sportier styling. Except for the double-five spoke wheels in black chrome, there is not much change on the sides.
2. Interior
The Audi A8 sports a newer continuous air vent design with a simplistic and clutter-free instrument panel. The cabin will have horizontal lines all over that would give it a wider look with a cleaner and smoother surface on the center. The RS8 will follow this styling, though it would be sportier, of course. Audi would probably use darker colors for the RS model.
The tech package would include the Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, the new AI traffic jam pilot, and a remote parking system.
3. Drivetrain
It’s hard to think about what will power the Audi RS8, but expect the automaker to come after something that could give the high-performance vehicle an output of at least 620 horses. This would make it compete with the Mercedes-AMG S63 and the BMW M760Li. Hopefully, Audi can go more than 620.
4. Prices
The RS8 will cost more than the outgoing S8 Plus, that’s for sure. That means on the upward trend of $114,900.
A Closer Look At The 2019 Audi A8
The unveiled 2019 Audi A8, which will go on sale in 2018, may be a little conservative when it comes to its exteriors looks, but the technology is super advanced. This fourth-generation A8 is the oldest among its peers, but there is still significant interest on what Audi can still possibly do with this particular line.
A redesigned version of the flagship sedan was launched on Tuesday during a special event in Barcelona, Spain. It’s nothing special from the outside, but Audi fitted it with a “Level 3” self-driving capability. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a Level 3 self-driving technology is when a car can take complete control in specific situations, with the driver being able to take over after a short warning period.
Level 3 Artificial Intelligence
The major technological feature of the 2019 Audi A8 is the AI-based software that it comes fitted with. The system not only controls the self-driving capability of the vehicle, but also acts as an “electronic concierge” of some sorts. This is the first software announced to have a Level 3 capability since the most advanced software the public has seen so far is a Level 2 self-driving capability.
A Level 2 software requires the driver to monitor the situation and to take over in an instance in case of an emergency.
Included in the A8, the Level 3 system can take over during “some” parking situations and self-drive during traffic jams on uninterrupted roads like highways. The system can provide a speed up to 37mph, allowing ample time for the driver to take over if something goes wrong. Under these situations, the driver can use the phone or read a book while the system has taken over.
The possibility of sleeping in a car under a self-driving situation is still not possible, though, unless a Level 4 is realized. Experts are predicting that a Level 4 car may be available by next decade while a Level 5, where there is no driver needed, would have to take some more time.
Audi A8 Appears in Spider-Man: Homecoming Premiere
Last Wednesday in Hollywood, California, the much-awaited movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming” made its world premiere. Capitalizing on that event was Audi with a live preview of its next-generation luxury sedan, the 2019 Audi A8.
Audi has been very secretive about the the A8. As we have said in our previous report, the car replaces the A6. The auto will be heavily-based on the 8-Series Concept shown at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
In the photo above that was featured in Business Insider, the superhero Spider-Man is seen posing on the hood of the Audi A8. Despite the heavy camouflage of the prototype, it already gives us a better picture of the luxury car’s design.
The A8 appears to be sporting a new grille design as well as more advanced headlamps. A subtle adjustment in the styling of the bumper compared to the A6 is also evident. From the camouflaged prototype in the event, the A8 looks like it has a lot of features that we should be excited about.
According to the source, the A8 will be officially unveiled at the Audi Summit that will be held on Barcelona, Spain on July 11. For those who cannot wait for the debut of the car, rest assured that we will be on the lookout for possible leaks before its public launching.
The A8 will hit showrooms by next year. It will bear a 2019 model year.
The report said that the A8 will center on its maker’s active suspension system and it will have a mild hybrid setup. The car will be one of the automaker’s first vehicles to offer a fully-active, electromechanical suspension paired with a 48-volt electric power source.
All A8 models will likely carry six, eight or 12-cylinder engines. Partnered with an electric motor to deliver a hybrid power, the auto is expected to get a lot of horsepower.
In terms of technology, one of the key highlights of the A8 is Audi’s new infotainment technology, which will be more advanced than the brand’s virtual cockpit interface.
In addition, the on-board cameras of the car located in front can process new information and road conditions up to 18 times per second. The system will guide each corner of the car individually with its series wheel-mounted electric motors.
Lastly, the A8 comes with a rear-wheel steering function to deliver better high-speed stability and improve its maneuvering at low-speeds.
Audi Releases 21-Foot, 6-Door A8 L Extended
The past years have seen a number of automakers rolling out limousines straight from their factories. We previously enjoyed the S600 Pullman from Mercedes-Maybach and the Mulsanne Grand Limousine from Bentley.
Now, it’s time for Audi to amaze us with the A8 L Extended.
Measuring 20.9 feet between its bumpers, the Audi A8 L Extended can carry up to six people according to a report. It has six doors, allowing each passenger to enter and exit the car to their convenience. This isn’t a strategy usually employed by other limousine carmakers.
Inside the limousine, you’ll find all seats facing the front and luxuriously lined in extra-supple Valcona leather. The first two rows are electrically adjusted individual seats. In the third row, you can find a center console with some included amenities such as an entertainment package and a cool box.
Suffice is to say that those seating at the back will most likely feel the luxury of riding in the limousine.
Creating the Audi A8 L Extended took almost a year. According to Audi, the main challenge has been ensuring the safety and the rigidity similar to their sedans or shorter wheelbase models.
The major changes in the A8 are the aluminum spaceframe architecture that include thicker side sills, extruded aluminum sections for the center tunnel, additional aluminum tubes and cross-braces for the roof, as well as a double rear bulkhead separating the passenger and luggage compartments.
These changes pushed the weight of the car to 5,330 pounds, although this is still lighter than the curb weight of the G90 of Hyundai’s new Genesis luxury line. That one weighs 5,335 pounds.
For the drivetrain, the A8 L Extended has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that can produce 306 horsepower on an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. This might be an average engine at best, but even with its size, the A8 L Extended can accelerate from 0-62 mph in mere 7.1 seconds. Top speed is at 155 mph.
Audi has so far made only one A8 L Extended for a customer in Europe. It’s more or less looking like the brand will just build the limo by orders, though Audi said there might be more of the car in the market in the coming months.
