2010 Audi’s flangship is here - Ther new 2010 Audi A8 [80 pics + video]

udi is bringing the next generation of the A8 to the starting line. 2010 Audi A8 comes with a series of good improvements. Is based on a light aluminum body, has a series of powerful and highly efficient engines, an improved MMI operating system, new driver assistance systems, full LED headlights and an elegant interior with a craftsman’s level of workmanship.

The all-new 2011 model year A8 will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2010.

[ Technical data - 2010 Audi A8 4.2tdi 258kw | 2010 Audi A8 4.2fsi273kw ]

The 2010 A8 3.0 TDI with front-wheel drive, to follow at a later time, emits only 159 grams of CO2 per kilometer (255.89 g/mile) – and with 6.0 liters of fuel per 100 km (39.20 US mpg) it achieves the lowest consumption rate in the luxury segment.

Its multimedia interface (MMI) includes a pioneering innovation:
Combined with the optional navigation system it has a touchpad. MMI touch enables the driver to control many functions intuitively; for example, the navigation destination can be entered by tracing the letters on the pad. MMI navigation plus is networked in a novel fashion with the advanced driver assistance and safety systems. It follows the route in advance during driving and provides the data to the control units for the automatic transmission, the headlights and for the ACC stop & go function. Their enhanced intelligence enables these systems to recognize complex scenarios and to make anticipatory decisions to assist the driver. The new technologies include a night vision assist with marking of detected pedestrians, the Audi pre sense safety system as well as – in the course of 2010 – a speed limit display.

Another high-end solution on board the new A8 is the full LED headlights, which use light emitting diodes for all light functions.

The new A8 starts off with either of two engines, a 4.2 FSI with 273 kW (372 hp) and a 4.2 TDI, packing 258 kW (350 hp). They will be followed by a 3.0 TDI with 184 kW (250 hp). All engines afford increased power and torque – but their fuel consumption has dropped by 13 to 22 percent, thanks to intelligent and efficient technologies like the recuperation system and innovative thermal management. A second variant of the 3.0 TDI will follow at a later date. It provides 150 kW (204 hp) of power, drives the front wheels and consumes only 6.0 liters per
100 km (39.20 US mpg) in the EU driving cycle. That corresponds to a CO2 emission rate of 159 grams per km (255.89 g/mile)

Eight speeds for more comfort and efficiency
2010 Audi A8 comes with a new electronic tiptronic transmission with 8 speeds. The
quattro permanent all-wheel drive has a distinct sporty and rear-end character.
On request, the sport differential dynamically distributes the forces between the
rear wheels; on the A8 4.2 TDI this feature is standard. The distribution of the axle loads is balanced, and
all wheel control arms are aluminum. The adaptive air suspension together with
adaptive damping is always on board, forming part of the Audi drive select
vehicle dynamics system, also standard. The optional dynamic steering is a
supplementary component.

Design
A coupé-like roof line lets the silhouette flow. 5137 mm (16.85 ft) in length, with a 2992 mm (9.82 ft) wheelbase, 1949 mm (6.39 ft) in width and 1460 mm (4.79 ft) in height.

The Audi A8 significantly exceeds in length and width its predecessor. The Audi A8 looks out on the world through newly designed headlights – with xenon plus units and the innovative full LED headlights, a technology Audi was the first to introduce worldwide in the R8 high-performance sports car. The adaptive light system augments the xenon plus units – it controls the swiveling modules so that they always provide the perfect lighting for intersections, the city, country roads and highways. The new all-weather light integrated into the headlights replaces the fog lights. Their traditional location in the air intakes is
now occupied by the radar sensors of the optional adaptive cruise control with stop & go function.

Another module offered by Audi is the continuous headlight range control, a further development of the high-beam assistant. A video camera mounted in front of the inside mirror recognizes other vehicles by their lights. A computer adapts the vehicle’s own light through a sliding range that guarantees the
maximum possible illumination.

The full LED headlights offer a number of functional advantages in everyday situations. With a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin, their light resembles daylight and thus is much less tiring to the eyes. They also offer efficiency advantages. The low beams, for example, consume only 40 watts per unit, a bit less than the already highly efficient xenon plus headlights.

Interior
The center tunnel in the new A8 is wide and evenly inclined. As an ergonomically ideal control console, it contains the control panel for the automatic air conditioning and the terminal of the MMI control and multimedia system, now in a new version. It forms a clearly organized touch & feel arrangement of three zones, one of which is reserved for audio. Operation is totally stress-free: The driver’s wrist on the selector lever of the 8-speed tiptronic, asymmetrically located on the center tunnel, leaving the hand at ease to touch and turn switches. The large monitor with its 8-inch diagonal is extremely flat. Its display area is divided into three information zones, while the menu control system follows a further improved and intuitive logic. All topics are presented in elegant, three-dimensional graphics.

Audi offers five basic colors for the interior, and three shades for the roof lining. The selection of coverings ranges to natural leather, which is especially soft and breathable. Passionate individualists can choose from two Audi design selections in special colors that integrate many luxurious equipment features. Audi also
offers several leather packages, an Alcantara package and the extended aluminum look in the interior.
At dark another high-end feature comes into play – the new ambient light. White LEDs add a few subtle highlights to the interior. The optional ambient light package is an emotional overall orchestration, providing effective illumination and making the center console seem to float. Many LEDs here are two-colored or three-colored – the color schemes of ivory, polar and ruby can be selected at the
MMI.

The standard front seats feature 12-way electric adjustment. The comfort seats offer even more luxury with their 22-way adjustability, also incorporating the sides of the seats. Audi also offers optional seats with a sporty look and top-stitched diamond patterns. Three-staged ventilation is offered in addition to the heating.

Another luxury extra is the pneumatic massage, in which twin air chambers pulsate in the backrest – the driver and front passenger can regulate them in five programs, with the intensity graduated in three stages.

Safety
The new A8 protects its passengers with a high-stability body, adaptive restraint systems and with the new Audi pre sense system. It’s available in a standard version and in three expanded levels.
In the standard variant – Audi pre sense basic – the system analyzes the information from the ESP sensors. When they signal maximum brake applicationor skidding, the control unit intervenes. Depending on the situation, it activates the hazard warning lights and closes the side windows and the sunroof; it also
tensions the front seat belts. Electric motors trigger this process, which is reversible – if the situation ends well, the belts are released again. The expanded levels of the system are called Audi pre sense front, Audi pre sense plus and Audi pre sense rear. They are integrated in the optional assistance systems adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and Audi side assist.
In interplay with ACC stop & go, Audi pre sense front monitors the traffic in front of the new Audi A8 and supports the driver in multiple stages. The first is a warning signal, and the second a warning jerk in the form of a brief deceleration.
If the driver now depresses the pedal, the brake assist system initiates precise braking relative to the preceding vehicle. Even an avoidance maneuver – often the better solution – would still be possible.
Should the driver remain passive, the third stage follows – autonomous partial braking that slows the A8 at a rate of 3 m/s2. Windows and the sunroof are closed, the hazard warning lights are activated and the seat belts are tensioned.
If the full version of Audi pre sense plus is on board, a fourth stage comes into play: braking with an initial deceleration of 5 m/s2 followed by maximum braking. This phase is initiated roughly one half second before the collision. While a collision can no longer be avoided in this case, its consequences are greatly
ameliorated, for up to impact the A8 has reduced the speed by about 40 km/h (24.85 mph).

The Audi pre sense rear system mitigates the consequences of a rear end collision. Here, too, it closes the windows and sunroof and tensions the seat belts. If the A8 has the optional front memory seats on board, they move into a position that protects the passengers well.
The high-stability ASF body affords excellent protection in any type of crash. In the interior the adaptive restraint system stands guard. Particularly with smaller and lighter people it significantly reduces the severity of injuries by intelligently managing the interplay between the front airbags and the belt tension limiters. For side collisions the A8 has side airbags in the backrests of the front seats and the outside rear seats. The two head airbags extend from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.

Assistance systems
The radar-aided automatic proximity control system, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, has undergone intensive development. Its two radar sensors are now located in the front end of the A8 in the air inlets.
The system regulates the speed and the proximity to the preceding vehicle in the range of 0 to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). In stop-and-go traffic it decelerates the new A8 to a standstill. In short stops the sedan automatically resumes moving when the preceding vehicle drives off; after a longer stop the driver must tap the accelerator or the cruise control lever. Informed by the new navigation system, the ACC stop & go function always knows where the A8 is located. It retrieves data from up to 27 control units and
operates closely together with the other driver assistance systems, such as the rear radar of the Audi side assist. Thanks to this high level of information the system can detect complex scenarios and make anticipatory decisions in support of the driver.
On the highway, if the car ahead puts on its right turn signal and slows down because its driver wants to exit, the ACC stop & go function recognizes this fact thanks to the camera image and because it can read the exit from the route data supplied by the navigation system. A conventional system would now brake
analogously to the car ahead; in many cases the A8 continues on almost without change.

High end: the A8’s optional extras
Deserving special mention are the deluxe front center armrest, the convenience key for accessing
the vehicle, the electric sun blinds for the rear, the 230 V outlet on the tunnel, the four-zone automatic air conditioning, the auxiliary heating and the ambient light package. The comfort seats for the driver and front passenger can be adjusted 22 ways; heating, ventilation and a massage feature with five programs are
available on request. For the rear of the sedan two seat configurations are available.

• Video: Audi A8 reviewed by Autocar
• 2011 Audi A8 by ABT Sportline
• [VIDEO] Three new Audi A8 commercials
• [VIDEO] Frankfurt: Audi A8 Hybrid revealed
• World premiere of 2010 Audi A8 set for November 30
• US: Audi A8 L W12, prices announced
• Best 2011 auto interiors

• Video: Audi A8 reviewed by Autocar
• 2011 Audi A8 by ABT Sportline
• [VIDEO] Three new Audi A8 commercials
• [VIDEO] Frankfurt: Audi A8 Hybrid revealed
• World premiere of 2010 Audi A8 set for November 30
• US: Audi A8 L W12, prices announced
• Best 2011 auto interiors