New Audi A8 unveiled

Featuring new technologies, comfort and driving dynamics, the eagerly-anticipated new Audi A8 is set to be the sportiest sedan in its segment, says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG.

Highlights include more powerful engines, dramatic LED headlights, aluminium body, updated MMI operating system with writing recognition, and new driver assistance systems.

The new luxury sedan will arrive in European dealerships in the first quarter of 2010, featuring two engines, a 4.2 FSI with 273kW and a 4.2 TDI packing 258kW. A 3.0 TDI with 184kW will follow. Each engine has increased power and torque but fuel consumption has dropped by 13 to 22% thanks to technologies such as the recuperation system and innovative thermal management.

An electronically controlled eight speed tiptronic transmission makes its debut on the new Audi A8, operated by a gear selector level and rocker switches at the steering wheel.

The Audi A8’s body is made from aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF), weighing almost 40% less than a comparable steel structure.

The multimedia interface (MMI) features a touchpad, allowing the driver to control functions such as entering a navigation destination by tracing the letters on the pad.

MMI navigation plus is networked with the new Audi A8’s 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 LED headlights and the Adaptive Cruise Control ACC stop & go function. These enhanced systems recognise complex scenarios and anticipate decisions to assist the driver.

Night vision assist with marking of detected pedestrians, Audi pre sense safety system and speed limit display will also make their debut on the new Audi A8.

Audi says the car is longer and wider than its competitors but sits lower.