Presentation and test drive Audi A8 2018: the pleasure of not driving

Working in the motoring press implies driving, it is what we enjoy most and our passion, but there are some special cars that are enjoyed almost to the same degree behind the wheel as seated in the rear seats, the new Audi A8 is a clear example of this. At its national presentation in Andalusian lands we were able to put the new Audi A8 and A8L to the test which comes with an impressive arsenal of technology, so much so that it is ahead of our outdated laws on autonomous driving.

The design, which sets a new line across the brand’s models, is also new, as are the connectivity and services available on board, both in the front and rear seats. What does not change is the interior quality, which remains in line with what one can expect from a luxury saloon like this one. How does a head of state travel? Make yourself comfortable and join us in this first contact with luxury as interpreted by the brand of the four rings, and if you are lucky enough to have one in your garage, it will surely be interesting to learn first-hand what the new Audi A8 we tested with the 286 CV diesel engine has to offer.

Exterior design: Measured renewal, with elegance above all

The brand’s new design language is evident in every line of its exterior, from the front with its huge hexagonal grille to the rear with the lights that outline the entire rear end. Starting at the front, the new grille is lower and wider, extending to the headlights, which are also of new design, and it features Laser LED technology combined with the already familiar Matrix LED (which change depending on the maximum speed).The new A8 measures 5.17 metres, 5.30 m in the case of the A8L

In the side profile, the straightness of its lines stands out, along with the enormous 20-inch wheels that even look small on a vehicle measuring 5.17 metres (5.30 m for the A8L). At the rear , what stands out most are the new lights, with rounder shapes that extend horizontally, creating a unique light identity that makes each Audi A8 easily recognisable at night. In fact, when opening and closing the lights, they also accompany you with their specific animation.

All of the above can be summed up as an exterior appearance far more elegant than the previous generation, greater robustness and a clear commitment to technology, which is even noticeable in the exterior design thanks to the new lights. The only detail that caught my attention was the hidden exhaust outlets (even though it has two), but I understand it is a design licence, although the future owner would surely not mind if those outlets were visible, adding a more sporty touch. That said, there will be a future exterior sport line that, while maintaining the elegant image, will add a more dynamic touch.

Interior design: Travelling first class, in front or behind

As with the exterior, the interior has been completely renewed, starting from new design lines that will serve as a reference for other models of the brand. There is also more space in both the front and rear seats. The main element of the interior is the Black Panel, which in a T shape forms the backbone of the central console, surrounded by wood and leather. The two screens have their own processor developed by NVIDIA

Technology is present in the form of two fully touch-sensitive screens that control the multimedia system and the climate control. In addition, this second climate screen can be used to write down the different addresses or whatever we need. These screens are not simply touch-sensitive, as they also incorporate an analogue touch feedback for the user when pressed, feeling as if it were a physical button. This click that you feel, which also moves the screen, is possible thanks to an electromagnet that provides feedback for each press on the touchscreen. That said, unlike a conventional touchscreen, here you have to press a little harder, and simply hovering your finger is not enough.

The central screens have their own processor developed by NVIDIA, as does the digital instrumentation with a full HD resolution of 1920×720 pixels. Moreover, the entertainment and navigation system has been developed using the latest advances, such as the navigator’s ability to learn from routes and offer journey suggestions in real time.

But without a doubt, the most comfortable place to travel in the new Audi A8 or in the extended A8L version is in the rear seats, which are really armchairs with all kinds of connectivity and entertainment. Optionally, it can be fitted with two tablets located behind the front headrests, as well as a remote control from which to operate the entire vehicle -Rear Seat Remote- including the lighting and the television, radio or making a private phone call. From the rear screens, which are fully touch-sensitive and run an Android operating system, you can watch television, listen to the radio, change car settings or even browse the internet.

The rear seats can also feature electric adjustment and a massage function, an advanced massage with several different programmes that can be adjusted in intensity and that turn the journey in the rear seats of the Audi A8 into the best business seat for covering kilometres without even noticing. Compared with other similar massage systems in other executive saloons, the specific design of each programme depending on the area to be massaged or its function stands out, achieving a level of effectiveness that is not common in a vehicle.

Dynamics: Diesel and petrol engines up to 340 CV with agility above all

The Audi A8 is initially available with two engines, one petrol and one diesel, both with mild-hybrid technology that provides electric assistance to the engine and therefore greater efficiency. The diesel unit under the new designation A8 50 TDI is a 3-litre V6 that produces 286 CV, while the petrol unit called A8 55 TFSI is a 3-litre with 340 CV (this is the first model from the brand to introduce the new engine nomenclature).

Two engines available: 50 TDI with 286 CV and 55 TFSI with 340 CV
Both feature mild-hybrid technology (light hybridisation), which incorporates a belt-driven alternator and a lithium-ion battery with 10 Ah of capacity. What does this mean in practice? Basically, fuel savings when coasting, completely switching off the engine when we drive without pressing the accelerator and up to 160 km/h. According to Audi you can save up to 0.7 litres per 100 km in real driving conditions.

Dynamically, the rear-wheel steering is also very noticeable, giving the A8 much more agility on the road and better manoeuvrability when driving at low speeds or in town. The active air suspension combined with the Audi AI can predict the condition of the road surface and act to keep the interior comfort level intact. Audi AI Active Suspension that absorbs irregularities of up to 8 cm Thanks to its four electric actuators, it can raise or lower each wheel depending on the chosen driving mode or driving conditions. In practice, this translates into a sublime level of comfort, absorbing irregularities or speed bumps of up to 8 cm without them being felt in the cabin. But beyond providing comfort when driving over a pothole, it also provides safety, because in the event of a side impact the suspension raises the side of the impact to protect the occupants.

In addition to the two available engines, a plug-in hybrid powertrain will go on sale, expected at the end of the year.

Technologically advanced beyond the laws themselves

This title may seem like a literary hyperbole, but it is simply a clear description of the current situation: many manufacturers are developing autonomous vehicles, but the laws do not currently allow them to be driven on the road.

The new Audi A8 is a clear example of this technology’s performance. Under the name Audi AI, the German firm already has the capacity today for its flagship to be an autonomous vehicle, and it features three systems that represent a major advance in driving as we know it: Audi AI remote parking pilot, the Audi AI remote garage pilot and the Audi AI traffic jam pilot.

The first system, Audi AI remote parking pilot, allows us to park the car from our mobile phone without being inside the vehicle. From our smartphone we can park the Audi A8 in any space in a car park (bay or parallel) thanks to its sensors and without needing to be inside the car. This system is complemented by the Audi AI Remote garage pilot, which allows us to park the car in our garage without being inside it.

It features autonomous technology not yet legal in Spain
Although without a doubt the most revolutionary autonomous system is the Audi AI Traffic Jam Pilot, an autonomous assistant for traffic jams. On motorways and other roads with multiple lanes and physical separation between the two directions of travel, the Audi A8 takes care of starting, braking and steering, all of this up to 60 km/h, at which point the car would warn us so that we take the wheel. The Audi A8 is capable of managing all of this without driver intervention.
But as I already mentioned, this set of Audi AI assistants is currently not legally permitted either in Spain or in Europe. That said, in the short term a legislative update that would allow the use of these and other autonomous systems in vehicles is feasible.

Behind the wheel of the Audi A8 and A8L: smoothness, comfort and agility

The first Audi we drove as soon as we arrived in Córdoba was the A8L 50 TDI with 286 CV, a saloon of imposing size that takes care of every comfort detail for its four passengers. The first thing you notice is the smoothness of the engine: despite being a diesel, the noise level is low, and smoothness is what best defines the operation of this unit. The journey was entirely on motorway, putting the rear-wheel steering (optional) to the test, which translates into lane changes or turns with minimal steering input, providing agility in driving.

We deviated slightly from the marked route to take some photos, and when manoeuvring we again noticed how easy it is to turn the Audi A8. Without a doubt, incorporating rear-wheel steering in such a large car was a success. Once we got going again, we confirmed the enormous pushing power of the diesel unit, which has a powerful torque of 600 Nm and a very reasonable average consumption, which in our case, driving on the motorway, hovered around 7 litres per 100 km (with a completely carefree driving style).

The standard suspension is air suspension, although we were unable to test the new Audi AI active suspension because it will be available at the end of the year. The comfort offered by the standard air suspension is outstanding, and we can also change its stiffness by selecting a different driving mode, even lowering the ride height at high speeds or in Dynamic mode for a better response.

During the test the following day on roads with many more bends, we saw that the behaviour of the new Audi A8 combines the perfect smoothness and interior comfort with the dynamism typical of much smaller saloons.

For those who want an Audi A8 in their garage, prices start at 97,500 euros and for the Audi A8L they start at 100,400 euros. That said, it is certainly worth waiting until the full set of Audi AI technologies is available, because this makes the Audi A8 one of the most technologically advanced executive saloons, both in driving assistance and in safety.