New Audi A8: first test drive. The line of engines of the new Audi A8

22.09.2019

Audi A8 L 55 TFSI quattro	Audi A8 L 50 TDI quattro
Length/width/height/base 5302/1945/1488/3128 mm
Trunk volume (VDA) 505 l
Curb weight
1945 kg	2000 kg
Engine
gasoline, V6, 24 valves, 2995 cm³; 250 kW/340 hp at 5000–6400 rpm; 500 Nm at 1370-4500 rpm	diesel, V6, 24 valves, 2967 cm³; 210 kW/286 hp at 3750–4000 rpm; 600 Nm at 1250-3250 rpm
Acceleration time 0–100 km/h
5.7 s	5.9 s
Max speed 250 km/h
Fuel/fuel reserve
AI-95/72 l	DT/72 l
Fuel Consumption: Combined
7.5 l/100 km	5.6 l/100 km
Transmission four-wheel drive; A8

The laws of the genre require me to tell you how the car accelerates and registers turns, which engines suit it best, does it make sense to overpay for all-wheel drive. But when it comes to executive sedans, the rules change: it's not the driver who chooses the car!

Megalomania

That's why I started my acquaintance with the Audi A8 from the back seat. I lay out my seat as much as possible and shift the right front to the limit forward. Not bad, but it will not be possible to sleep in this position with complete comfort. And the rear headrests for some reason are manually adjustable.

And yet, as it turned out, in vain I put on formal socks in the hope of a beautiful photo shoot: the advertised foot massager was not in my car. Well, I'm not a Rothschild, seven programs for back massage, ventilation and heating are enough for me in the seat.

The road took us to the serpentines in the vicinity of Valencia, and a colleague sitting at the wheel stoked the pedal. In the first turn, my smartphone made a long flight from the armrest under the driver's seat. The subsequent acceleration in a short straight sent a comfort control tablet in my face, which I held in my hands in a relaxed way. I would have fired such a "personal worker"!

Having got over after a short halt behind the wheel, I myself drove faster than usual - the "eight" is controlled with dignity, even incites. But there is some kind of bifurcation of the “car personality” in this: the Audi A8 is not suitable for such pirouettes. Not by ability, by status. I was seasick from behind for about twenty minutes, and now, I look, and my partner has changed in the face. Definitely the boss needs to be carried in a different rhythm - slowly, with dignity.

New world

I was offered the choice of keys to cars with 3-liter six-cylinder engines - gasoline (340 hp) and diesel (286 hp). The possibilities of both are enough for powerful accelerations - at least in the range up to 120 km / h (this is the limit allowed on the roads of Spain). Acceleration to hundreds - in 5.7 and 5.9 seconds, respectively. Personally, I would not even look at larger engines. But that is me. And buyers of such machines often do not rack their brains, but order “full stuffing”.

Diesel is, first of all, draft traction. However, his superiority was almost imperceptible. And the characteristic diesel rumble during acceleration is somewhat hysterical. However, the diesel engine still has two indisputable advantages: it consumes five liters less in the same driving modes, and for the Russian market it will probably be derated to tax-friendly 249 hp. (This is already a standard move of the German "big three").

Level 3 autopilot, which allows you to remove your hands from the steering wheel, will appear on the A8 only in mid-2019. The system is ready, but waiting for changes in legislation. In the meantime, the car is able to go in the middle of the lane and independently adjust the speed in accordance with the established road signs, the boundaries of settlements and upcoming turns.

On the front panel - the realm of touchscreens. Classic keys and knobs are gone from everywhere! Headlights, air flow from the front deflectors, alarms, climate control - everything is controlled through touch panels. And they didn’t touch the buttons on the steering wheel - so as not to be like a Mercedes?

The new style of communication with the car takes some getting used to. The displays and pictograms of the virtual keys do not glare even in the bright sun, the performance is on top, the response is clear. But, with my hand relaxed on the gear lever, I accidentally changed the climate control settings more than once. The sensitivity threshold in areas not protected from unintentional contact should be made higher. And, of course, it is very interesting how all this luxury will make friends with the Russian winter? Applicants for frost testing are already pulling up - in addition to the Audi A8, this is also the Range Rover Velar.

Up and down

As a VIP passenger, I was deprived of the function of foot massage, and sitting in the driver's seat, I could not fully appreciate the unique optional air suspension without classic anti-roll bars, which can adapt to bumps: all the G8s available for driving turned out to be with the usual "pneumatics" . And only on a specially prepared site I was able to drive a little on the A8 with an advanced running gear.

To demonstrate its capabilities, the Germans built a protruding well hatch and a huge speed bump - like those that are often made of asphalt in our country. The stereo camera on the windshield scans the road and recognizes the bump. Approaching it, the car automatically raises the body by 50 mm, compensating for the upcoming vertical movement, and the suspension works out unevenness, practically not transmitting vibrations further: sitting behind the wheel, you practically don’t feel the “wave”.

However, magic has a limit. Electronics does not have supernatural speed: the "predictive" function only works at speeds up to 60 km / h. Above this limit, the suspension is no longer able to level the terrain. It was not for nothing that we were shown the passage of only smooth and strongly rising bumps. The “smart pneuma” will work out road trifles and deep pits not so jewelry.

This pendant also has other abilities. With the threat of a side impact, it instantly raises the “impact” side of the body by 80 mm, substituting a strong threshold for contact, which increases the level of protection for passengers (usually the main impact energy is extinguished by the central pillar, which is often not strong enough).

Audi is moving to a new designation system. Now the two-digit index indicates the power range, and not the engine size (this information has become useless in the era of turbo engines of varying degrees of forcing and electrification). For example, the nameplate "30" indicates a motor with a return of 110-130 hp, and "70" indicates an engine with an output of more than 544 hp. “Fifty kopecks” at the stern is a sign of a 286‑horsepower diesel engine.

Expensive crossovers have a “landing” mode, in which the air suspension is lowered as much as possible, facilitating access to the cabin. And in the Audi A8, the body, on the contrary, rises by 40 mm per second when the door is opened. The engineer assigned to the prototype enthusiastically told me how much more convenient it became to get into the car. I did not feel the difference, but out of politeness I did not upset the engineer. Older people will certainly welcome this curtsy of the pendant.

Finally, the air suspension with electromechanical stabilizers more effectively dampens rolls in corners and pecks when braking. We will wait until the middle of 2018, when mass-produced cars with such a suspension appear. In the meantime, in Ingolstadt it is brought to the ideal. Apparently, not everything went smoothly, since the first "eights" go on sale without a system that the main competitor has.

In Russia, the Audi A8 will appear in the first quarter of next year (if the plan is not revised in the Moscow office).

At first, they promise to import only 340-horsepower gasoline cars. Later, a diesel version and top-end A8s with V8 and W12 engines will arrive.

Prices will be announced later, but a fairly accurate forecast can be given now. BMW 740Li xDrive with 326 hp give for 6.4 million rubles, and the 367-horsepower Mercedes-Benz S 450 4Matic - for 6.5 million. This means that the gasoline Audi A8 L TFSI quattro will also be somewhere nearby.

When I picked up the car from Audi, I was afraid that three gasoline liters of the engine would not be enough for such a colossus. How wrong I was ... Even with such an engine, the A8 is damn fast. You just need to not be lazy and turn on the sports mode more often. I will say this: this unit rides harder than the eight-cylinder versions of the previous generation A8! At the same time, even if you do not hesitate with the gas pedal, as I have been doing for almost a week, fuel consumption will not go beyond the reasonable: 14.7 liters per 100 km - it seems to me more than an adequate figure after all my nightly "rides ".

And when the snow melted under the onslaught of reagents cursed by all the townspeople, the A8 again became just a limousine. Great car for a business person. But we all know what he's capable of, don't we?

Competitors

Rivals at A8 - one is more serious than the other. But if we consider compatriots, the difference is clearly visible. Mercedes S-class - softness itself. The latest generation of the W222 is obscenely luxurious, but the brand philosophy is always the same: the passenger is the main one. BMW 7 series - on the contrary, rather for the driver: the seven is noticeably tougher, and no one hides that it is built around the driver and is designed to indulge him in everything. Audi is a truly universal option. He will arrange both corporate parks and those who like to drive themselves. Well, I already mentioned about winter joys.

Whole photoshoot

During the planned modernization, the flagship model Audi A8 has slightly changed in appearance and received a number of technical innovations. We have tested almost all modifications of the novelty

At the presentation of the executive sedan, there was perhaps no hybrid modification of it - all other options were made available to me. But first, let's talk about external changes. The car received new bumpers, a more embossed hood and a voluminous radiator grille, as well as new “insides” of the headlights. The rear lights have been slightly modified, which makes the “stern” more expressive.

But the main innovation is just the aforementioned “insides” of the headlights, which are offered as an option. They are called Matrix LED (that is, matrix) and differ from all other LED headlights by the presence of 25 high beam light emitting modules that allow you to configure the light beam in a variety of ways. Each of these 25 elements can work independently, almost completely eliminating the blinding of oncoming and passing cars, even if there are several of them on the road. In addition, the headlights work in conjunction with the navigation system, illuminating corners in advance.

Among other innovations, it is worth noting a projection display that duplicates the readings of instruments and a navigation system, as well as a noise suppression system that generates noise through the speakers of the audio system in antiphase to the sounds of the motor, oncoming air flow and tires. Previously, nothing like this was offered for the A8.

And finally, engines. Almost all modifications (with the exception of the hybrid version with a 2-liter turbo engine and an electric motor, which has not changed) have become either more powerful and more economical at the same time, or simply more economical with the same power. So, the 3-liter gasoline compressor TFSI now develops 310 hp. against 290 hp A turbodiesel of the same volume added from 250 to 258 hp. A 4-liter gasoline turbo engine began to develop 435 hp. instead of 420 hp, and a 4.2-liter diesel engine added 35 hp. - up to 385 hp But the sports version of the S8 with a 4-liter TFSI remained at its 520 hp. The flagship 6.3-liter 12-cylinder modification has not changed in power either - it still develops 500 hp. Only the 435-horsepower petrol version is currently available in the salons of Russian official dealers, other engines will appear during 2014.

A couple of strokes

The interior at first glance has not changed at all. Moreover, you can order a car with exactly the same interior as before restyling. And from the updates - several types of exclusive finishes with expensive varieties of leather and wood, as well as new color schemes. Otherwise, the same reference ergonomics, excellent quality of finishing materials and a wide variety of textures, which makes the interior look somewhat fractional.

The landing geometry is ideal - the ranges of movement of the seat and steering column will satisfy riders of a wide variety of builds. The same can be said about the shape of the seat. With the help of a small “ring” on the side of the base of the chair, you can choose the level of lateral support for the hips and back (separately), the height and degree of “protrusion” of the lumbar support, change the length of the pillow and “break” the back. In this case, all actions are duplicated on the screen of the MMI interface with excellent graphics. The padding at the seat is moderately dense, but the headrest is still too hard.

I settle down on the second row of the short-wheelbase modification. There is, in principle, enough space in all directions, but for those who like to ride with a hired driver, the long-wheelbase version will certainly be preferable. However, about it later. Even in the short modification, the excellent profile seats are equipped with many adjustments and allow you to accommodate even reclining. The only inconvenience, in my opinion, is that when the backrest is tilted, the pillow moves forward and upward, strongly lifting up the front. That is, reclining will have to go with knees up. Otherwise, comfort is top notch. Of course, there is an individual separate “climate”, heating, ventilation and massage, as well as the ability to move the right front passenger forward if suddenly there is not enough legroom.

But in the long-wheelbase modification, it is unlikely that there will be a need to move the front rider, since the legroom is a wagon and a small cart. In this parameter, neither the BMW 7 Series nor the new generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class can be compared with the Audi A8. And as an option, you can order the right front seat moving forward, from the back of which the footrest leans back. The only thing missing is a pillow on the headrest, otherwise it, like in front, is harsh.

It's all about the settings

The first modification that I tried was equipped with a 4.2-liter turbodiesel with 385 hp. At idle, there is no sound of a running engine or vibrations. The thrust is powerful at any speed, and the sound is noble. The automatic transmission works invisibly. Acceleration is very smooth and therefore imperceptible. In this regard, the speedometer must be monitored very carefully so as not to lose your rights. Fortunately, now the Audi A8 has a projector readings on the windshield. Moreover, the numbers can be adjusted in height using a simple knob to the left of the steering wheel, while competitors from BMW have this procedure hidden in the wilds of the menu.

Course stability on the autobahn - railway. The active steering, which my test vehicle is equipped with, “dissolves” at high speed and almost does not react to small deviations of the “steering wheel”. And at low speed, the car, on the contrary, is characterized by quick reactions. But still, on modifications with the most powerful turbodiesel in the range, “lighting up” on a winding road does not pull at all. The heaviness of the front end is felt, and the reactions to pressing the accelerator pedal are damped.

Another thing is the petrol 520-horsepower sports modification S8. Bubbling exhaust, instant reactions to “gas” and cannon acceleration. This sedan in its habits is completely different from the executive car. He literally asks for winding roads. Thanks to the rear active differential, which adds traction to the rear outer wheel in the turn, understeer is almost not felt, and the car itself seems to be reduced in size. And on the autobahn, the stability is great. Moreover, if the diesel A8 at speeds under 200 km / h is already sour, the S8 version continues to steadily pick up pace until the cutoff at 250 km / h.

The smoothness of the S8, however, is also not quite representative - the chassis rigidly counts even a few bumps in German roads. In Russia, I think the situation will worsen. However, the version with a 4.2-liter turbodiesel, although softer, is also harsh for the executive class. And all the modifications I tested (except for one, which I will talk about later) clearly hear the noise of the oncoming air flow and tires.

Petrol version with a 4-liter 435-horsepower TFSI in terms of driving comfort at the level of a 385-horsepower diesel modification. That is, the car rides pretty well, but misses hard shocks on bumps. But the engine here, according to the sensations, is almost as good as the one on the S8 version. Which, in fact, is not surprising, since in both modifications the motor is, in fact, the same, only the degree of forcing is different. The car accelerates like a cannon, but the growls are not so strong and in turns are no worse. In short, this variant delivers almost as much fun on a twisty track as the S8, and at the same time has a higher level of comfort.

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Generation VIII Test drives 12

Modification with a 3-liter 310-horsepower compressor gasoline engine does not ride so noble. Acceleration is good here, although it is no longer intoxicating, and the sound of the motor is simpler. And the suspension of this instance is set up even harder - almost like a sports S8. Moreover, the wheels and tires have nothing to do with it - all the tested specimens (with the exception of the version with a 3-liter turbodiesel) were equipped with the same 20-inch wheels and the same “rubber”. But handling is almost better than the aforementioned S8. And all because the 3-liter modification has a very light engine, and this is very noticeable. In turns, this A8 dives incredibly easily.

I change to a version with a 3-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 258 hp. This car has 19 inch wheels. Maybe he will go softer? No matter how. The ride of the sedan is as hard as the version with a 3-liter gasoline unit. In general, these modifications are very similar in terms of dynamics, only the sound of a turbodiesel is not particularly impressive. But the handling is the same. That is, for driving pleasure, it is best to choose from 3-liter options, and gasoline or diesel is not so important.

And finally, the flagship version with a 6.3-liter W12 engine. It can only be long-wheelbase and meets the concept of “executive car” without any reservations. The non-active gear steering (although an active steering can be ordered) provides smooth cornering responses, and the sound from the motor is barely audible, but at the same time the most noble. The reaction to pressing the accelerator pedal in a naturally aspirated engine is ideal - smooth and immediate at the same time. And finally, I felt a real smooth ride. Hard shocks on bumps disappeared somewhere, and the car rolled very gently. Moreover, I drove all modifications on the same roads, and the smoothness of the 12-cylinder version was radically different from all the others.

The same applies to sound insulation - the noise of the oncoming air flow and tires comes as if from behind a very thick wall. How is this possible? Maybe the flagship version is equipped with additional noise-absorbing materials? No. It's all about the optional noise cancellation system, which does its job superbly. Its dynamics, by the way, can be seen in the ceiling above the heads of riders. This option is available for other versions, and I think it will not be superfluous.

The updated Audi A8, surprisingly, turned out to be very versatile. It seems to be the same model, but its versions go completely differently. So the buyer will be able to choose a car for himself, based on personal preferences.

Specifications of the Audi A8 4.0 TFSI Quattro
Dimensions, mm	5135x1949x1460
Wheel base, mm
Track front / rear, mm
Turning diameter, m
Clearance, mm	no data
Trunk volume, l
Curb weight, kg
engine's type	petrol V8 turbo
Working volume, cu. cm
Max. power, hp/r/min
Max. moment, Nm/r/min

Transmission	automatic 8-band
	ventilated disc

Max. speed, km/h
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s
Fuel consumption (average), l/100 km
Tank volume, l

Author Dmitry Zaitsev, columnist for the Avtopanorama magazine Edition Autopanorama №1 2014 Photo photo of the manufacturer

Audi A8 (Audi A8) test drive

Test drive Audi A8 (Audi A8)

The new Audi A8 sedan (Audi A8) will have an autopilot. Moreover, a full-fledged - the so-called third level. This is when you can generally let go of the steering wheel and go about your business. Everything else the car has to do itself. And this, you see, is a kind of breakthrough not only in the automotive industry, but also in our everyday life. What science fiction writers have been talking about for so long on the pages of their books has finally become a reality.

It is not surprising that as soon as we got the fourth-generation G8 at our disposal, we immediately reached for the coveted autopilot button. And ... this very button was not found. There is no her! It turned out that while the autopilot on the Audi A8 will not be installed. The Germans claim that this is prevented by the current legislation. So far, the only country where it is possible to entrust the control of a car to a level three autopilot is Germany.

In the rest of Europe, as well as in other priority markets for the Audi A8, such driving will be illegal. This, of course, should not be allowed under any circumstances. Although something tells us that Audi's autopilot itself is still damp. So the German company is in no hurry - neither to lobby for changes in legislation, nor to install the autopilot itself on their cars.

Although in order to drive independently in more or less ideal conditions, the new Audi A8 is really ready. There are twelve sonars here, several cameras scanning the surrounding space with laser beams. Making it all work in unison is quite the challenge. But how much vaunted autopilot will really be needed by future owners of the Audi A8 is a big question. In our country, for example, a German sedan is most often bought in a long-wheelbase version, which means that most of the time its owner spends not driving, but in the back passenger seat.

And behind the wheel is a driver who receives money for his work. And it seems that there is no point in making his work easier by paying extra for a by no means cheap autopilot. Yes, and the accidents that “self-driving” Teslas periodically get into still give food for thought. And after thinking it over, you come to the conclusion that it is too early to trust your life even to the most advanced electronics.

Okay, since we haven’t been able to evaluate Audi’s autopilot yet, let’s focus on traditional values. That is, in the rear seats, which in the case of executive class sedans, by definition, should be ideal. With the new Audi A8, this is no exaggeration.

There is enough space in the back, although with a change of generations, if it has become more, then at best by a couple of centimeters. Impeccable and the landing itself: the seats are moderately soft, their profile is perfectly aligned, the head is supported by a soft headrest. Among the innovations are optional removable tablets mounted on the backs of the front seats, with the help of which passengers can control the ventilation and heating of the seats, the climate control system and the Bang & Olufsen audio system. The latter, to be expected, sounds excellent. Interestingly, the German company did not dare to completely abandon the usual buttons. With their help, in the long-wheelbase version of the sedan, passengers customize their seats for themselves.

But you have to manage, for example, ventilation or massage already from a separate small tablet, which is located in the central armrest. The operation of the ventilation system at the third speed was unexpectedly noisy. But I liked the massage so much that I didn’t want to leave the passenger seat at all. And if it is supplemented with relaxing music and a glass of some noble drink ... Beauty!

But we were not destined to taste all the pleasures of spending time on the second row of the Audi A8. Without an assessment of the driver's seat, even if it will be occupied by a hired driver, the assessment of the car would be far from complete. Naturally, the Audi A8, who is behind the wheel, cares no less than the passengers. Moreover, the German sedan is now ready to take care of the cyclists and motorcyclists scurrying around. In Europe, with suddenly opening car doors, they encounter enviable regularity.

Now, if the sensors detect the approach of something on two wheels, smart electronics simply will not allow the driver to open the door. After a second, the locks are automatically unlocked, which should be enough for the cyclist to leave the danger zone. Yes, and this most dangerous zone in the form of a door will be more whole.

There are a lot of similar electronic systems designed to save, warn and do God knows what else, in the latest Audi A8. You can talk about them endlessly. But is it necessary? Most often, they will do their work unnoticed by the owner of the car. It will be different in sight - the interior, which, in comparison with that of the previous generation sedan, has become an order of magnitude more modern. What is worth at least the steering wheel, stylized under the steering wheel of a Formula 1 car.

And although there is no special meaning, given the purpose of the Audi A8, in such an imitation, it all looks very fresh anyway. Although the main salon innovation, of course, should be considered the appearance of touch panels. Even the ventilation vents on the Audi A8 are now opened and closed using sensors.

Specifications Audi A8

On the move, we've only been able to evaluate the 340-horsepower 3-litre petrol version so far. The motor, its characteristics and coherence with the 8-speed gearbox are so good that you don’t even want to think about more powerful “eights”. I bet that cars with them will be bought solely for image reasons, and not because someone lacks the capabilities of the gasoline “six”.

Although since we are talking about the image (read - about show-offs), then everyone who is asking the price of the Audi A8 should know that the Germans are also working on a version with the W12. A hybrid will also be available, which can be recharged contactlessly. But this is in Europe. In our country, few people think about ecology so far, so the main demand will probably fall on the 340-horsepower version.

The "horses" from Ingoldstadt do not care that the body of the Audi A8 is not so light. It turns out that with the change of generations, the percentage of “heavy” steel in the total mass has even increased and now reaches 40 percent. Everything else is mostly aluminium. Of course, nothing prevented Audi engineers from putting the sedan on a diet, but they did not do this on principle. Safety is above all. Suspension schemes have not fundamentally changed with the change of generations, but now on all Audi A8 it is exclusively pneumatic.

Interestingly, the racks themselves are single-chamber, while on some competitors there are as many as three cameras on each rack. However, Audi engineers are well aware of this and do not express any special concerns about the conservative decision they have chosen voluntarily or involuntarily. Say, and without that, the Audi A8 rides great.

In general, this is true. But without the notorious "but" could not do. On gentle waves, the buildup of the car could be a little less. And the transition to Dynamic mode does not change much. Those suffering from seasickness on a long journey can get seasick. There is only one way out - to fork out and choose the "eight" with an active suspension. I don’t even want to think how much its repair will cost, but the Audi A8 rides better with it. Banks are less, pecks during acceleration and deceleration are not so noticeable, and the smoothness of the ride on good roads is better.

The active suspension has only one minus - it works out the average bumps harder. And this does not allow us to unequivocally recommend the “active” Audi A8, since some of our roads are almost entirely composed of such medium-sized bumps. We'll have to wait until the German sedan reaches our country, and even then check how it will behave in our conditions.

Then, for sure, it will be possible to check one more declared “chip”, which was not on the test sedans. We are talking about a system that, with the help of a video camera, will prepare the suspension in advance for bumps. Although, again, I won’t be surprised if, in our completely non-greenhouse conditions, everything turns out to be far from being as great as the Germans present in their branded commercials. But even if our cars lose all this active-passive-safe “husk”, the Audi A8 still has every chance to seize the class leadership that has eluded it for so long. The German sedan is comfortable, fast, technologically advanced, relevant and modern. He is just beautiful after all.

But I'm afraid that the Audi A8 will not be able to hold the lead for a long time. There is no huge leap in comparison with the previous generation sedan, so the new generation of the same Mercedes Benz S-Class will immediately return everything to normal. The Audi A8 will have a chance to become the "king of the hill" for a long time only if the promised real autopilot appears on all versions and is available for legal use in all countries where the "eight" will be sold. But that still seems to be a long way off.

Price for Audi A8:

New Audi A8 video test drive:

Quick jump to sections

The new Audi A8 has received a more faceted design and even more technology. New features and upgrades include active suspension, autopilot, and a composite body made of aluminium, steel, magnesium and even some carbon fiber. Technology has always been there to allow the new A8 to compete on equal terms with the BMW 7.

The interior of the new Audi A8 looks high-tech, but rather modest, despite all the exhibitions and the abundance of leather. The interior design is dominated by black gloss. This is done so that the darkness of the displays turned off is not conspicuous.

For conservatives

However, in this regard, the new Audi A8 represents a revolutionary change. Not at all because the novelty wants to attract a younger audience. Times change habits. Today, each of us has a smartphone with a touchscreen in our pocket. Push-button phones are no longer used even by conservatives.

The line of engines of the new Audi A8

The engine range offered for the new Audi A8 is more than diverse. It starts with a two-liter turbo engine and ends.

Technically, the new 2018 Audi A8 is a mild hybrid. A complex 48-volt system is installed here, which powers all on-board systems. This allows the internal combustion engine to be switched off when the vehicle is moving, for example, coasting. Moreover, he can do this in the speed range from 50 to 160 km / h.

For a test drive, the Audi A8 was provided with a diesel engine that develops 286 hp. and leaves "up to a hundred" in 5.9 seconds. The car was labeled L, which means Audi A8 long, in other words long wheelbase. It is 130 mm longer than the standard one, but at the same time, driving such a large car on a mountain serpentine does not cause any problems.

The chassis of the new Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a very manoeuvrable car, primarily due to the fully steerable chassis. At speeds up to 60 km / h, the rear wheels turn in antiphase, which makes the car very manoeuvrable. Even the standard A8 has a smaller turning radius than the Audi A4. In the extended version, it is, of course, larger. At speeds over 60 km/h, the rear wheels turn in sync with the front wheels, making the car more stable. We were convinced of this during a test drive that took place along a mountain serpentine.

Door closers on the flagship large sedan today no longer surprise anyone. And the new Audi A8 has a kind of, so to speak, taps. It is enough to easily pull the door handle, as the door opens further on its own.

Despite the fact that the wheelbase of the new A8 has increased by only 6 mm, the interior has added 3 cm in length. For some B-class car, such as Solaris, this would be a very serious figure. However, for the new Audi A8, with its huge space inside, this increase is completely invisible.

Second row of the new Audi A8

Passengers in the second row of the Audi A8 have a control panel with fairly large physical buttons. If you don’t really like the buttons, you can use a backup system, since you can also control using a small touch pad.

So, with its help, those sitting in the back can turn on the “Massage” or forcefully move the seats of the first row. There is another large entertainment tablet in the second row. With it, you can view various data about the car or display a map on the screen. In addition, this screen has its own browser, which means that on the way you can read the news or just “climb” on the Internet.

On the waves of the pavement

The new Audi A8 2018 is a rather soft and stable car. Even in Dynamic mode, the movement is not accompanied by furious rigidity. In addition, there is a traditional system with electric motors that helps the car smoothly overcome the waves of the road surface, lifting one or another wheel at the right time. As the engineers of the German company explain, this system is designed to help with the passage of road waves, and for any small things on a bad road, there are enough air struts.

The new Audi A8 2018 will appear on the Russian market in early 2018. It is not yet known what configurations and what options will be available to us. Nevertheless, it is already known that the first engine will be a 3-liter petrol V6 with a capacity of 340 hp.