New A8 is lighter, more efficient and full of tech goodies

By Derryn Wong

AUDI HAS RELEASED information on the latest generation of its flagship luxury saloon, the A8, coinciding with a worldwide premiere in Miami, USA.

Three engine variants have been announced – a 3.0 V6 and 4.2 V8 turbodiesel units, along with a 4.2-litre V8 petrol version. Expect only the latter to make it to Singapore; it’s an updated version of the 4,163cc engine found in the R8 supercar.

It makes 372bhp, over 350bhp of the old 4.2 A8L, and consumes less fuel, too, now getting 10.5km/l as compared to 9.2km/l before (see chart for more info).

While only slightly more powerful, the new car hits 100km/h 0.6 seconds quicker. The drivetrain includes a new, eight-speed conventional automatic transmission and Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive with a 40:60 front-rear torque split. Like on Audi’s S4, a sport differential is an option for increased cornering ability. Audi’s customisable driving parameter system, called Audi Drive Select, as seen on the A4, will also be present.

Audi makes no mention of a smaller gasoline engine to replace the 3.2-litre A8L, but we won’t be surprised to see the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 from the A6 3.0 or S4 sedans debut under the hood of an A8 in future.

The A8 also incorporates Audi Space Frame technology, its term for frames of aluminium construction, claimed to be lighter and 24 percent stiffer than before. Indeed kerb weight of the new A8, at 1,835kg, is significantly lighter than the German competition.

On the inside, the main draw will be a new version of the Multimedia Interface (MMI) system – besides the standard controller (like BMW’s iDrive and Mercedes’ COMAND systems feature) there’s also a touchpad. Audi claims one can input characters directly using the touchpad and in different languages like Chinese or Japanese.

LEDs also play a big part in the new A8 – it’s the second car after the R8 5.2 to incorporate full LED headlights, and the cabin also features LED mood lighting, as found in the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Optional safety and assistance systems that will debut on the A8 include adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go feature, night vision, lane departure warning and a new pre-collision safety system.

Audi Singapore says the new A8 will arrive in Singapore in the second half of next year, with pricing information not yet available. A long wheelbase version is also in the works. Stay tuned to CarBuyer for more information as it becomes available.