2011 Audi A8

After the excitement and tedium of the official 2011 Audi A8 launch in Miami, we can now sink our teeth in the details of the all-new luxury limousine.

The new generation Audi A8 will introduce a "new era in progressive excellence" and as well as the headline technologies -- a unique touch-pad built into the infotainment MMI system, an eight-speed automatic gearbox, night vision and industry-first full LED front headlights -- the car has been given a new design.

There are no wild styling cues to be seen; Audi has kept the sheet metal conservative and very much in line with the companies design philosophy.

Appearing almost like an up-sized A4, with subtle hints of the R8 sports car in its front fascia, the new A8 represents a restrained design but with sporty elements, seen in areas like the steeply angled rear windscreen.

Two V8 powerplants will be offered initially, after the A8 goes on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2010 -- a petrol and a diesel engine.

The 4.2-litre FSI petrol engine boasts 273kW of power, while the 4.2-litre TDI turbodiesel mill outputs 258kW of power.

Audi will offer a fuel efficient A8 3.0 TDI further down the track generating 184kW, while an ultra-efficient 150kW version of the 3.0-litre diesel will also be offered, using a claimed 6.0L/100km.

Audi is putting a lot of emphasis on the car's athletic nature, and together with its powerful engines and eight-speed tiptronic auto transmissions, the new A8 is coupled with quattro all-wheel drive, while adaptive air suspension and adaptive dampers are also standard.

"The new Audi A8 is the sportiest sedan in its segment," says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. "It combines numerous functions in a new and intelligent way. And it's unmatched in the stylistic elements and impression of the interior."

Along with aluminium suspension components, the highly rigid Audi Space Frame is also made of aluminium. The A8's lightweight frame is claimed to improve static torsional rigidity by 25 per cent.

The new A8, known internally by Audi as the D4 model, is longer and wider than its predecessor and offers more interior room with a range of cutting-edge technologies to improve the journey.

The MMI navigation is interlinked with the car's safety and drive systems, such as automatic transmission, the headlights and the Adaptive Cruise Control ACC stop and go function, which better prepares the car for types of roads it approaches.

A new night vision system helps mark out pedestrians while the Audi pre-sense safety system makes its debut on the Audi A8, combining all the car's safety features to work in concert. It also benefits from a speed limit display so drivers will always know what the legal speed limit is.

The German luxury car maker has also hinted at further A8 models to come. We know the long wheel-base versions are being developed and will be unveiled mid-2010, but there is also talk of "performance, prestige and alternate-fuel variants" which suggests the S8 will make a return and there could even be a hybrid model in the works.

The range-topping Audi A8 will compete in the same market as the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class and as a result features an opulent interior with the "highest quality craftsman-level workmanship" according to Audi.

One of the many options available is a 1400 watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with 19 speakers, replacing the 1000 watt version of the previous A8 model.
The electrically adjustable leather seats can be optioned with ventilation and massage functions and various rear seat options will be offered as well.

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