Audi India has announced the new Q5 SUV as its first launch of 2018. Alongside, the German carmaker is all set to bring in the new 2018 Audi A8 luxury sedan in the country. The new-generation A8 had its world premiere at the Audi Summit in Barcelona in July 2017, followed by its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December. For the record, the German luxury carmaker claims that the new 2018 Audi A8 is the first series production car in the world that is especially developed for highly automated driving. The A8 will be the first-ever autonomous production car with ‘level 3’ automated driving technology. It will also come with piloted driving functions such as garage pilot, parking pilot and traffic jam pilot.
Latest News
– The carmaker has listed the new A8 L sedan on its official Indian website. This indicates that the saloon’s long-wheelbase will soon go on sale in the country. Though, the official launch date is yet to be announced.
– While the new A8 will make its way to India sometime next year, the carmaker has already begun testing the vehicle in the country. Set for a generation change, the Audi A8 has undergone significant cosmetic updates along with an ultra luxurious cabin laden with advanced connectivity technology. Though, the major highlight is the advanced Level 3 autonomous driving feature that takes a complete control over the car allowing driver to relax.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Key Features
– Hexagonal Singleframe grille
– HD Matrix LED headlamps (optional) with DRLs
– 5 spoke alloy wheels
– Lower shoulder line
– New tail lamp design with OLED tech
– Revised bumper with chrome strip
– Exhaust system with trapezoidal trims
– 10.1-inch touchscreen display with black panel technology
– 8.6-inch touchscreen display on the center tunnel console
– Gloss black surfaces with high mounted wood accent piece
– New steering wheel design with mounted touch controls and silver accents
– LED reading lamps
2018 Audi A8 Spy Pictures
New 2018 Audi A8 India Launch Date
The A8 sedan is ready to enter into its fourth generation, and will soon hit the Indian roads. The saloon will be launched the first half of 2018. The carmaker will manufacture the luxury sedan at its Neckarsulm based facility in Germany. Read – Audi Q4 SUV Launch Details Confirmed
New 2018 Audi A8 Price in India
In the European market, the new A8 will be offered at a starting price of EUR 90,600 and its long wheelbase version (A8 L) will cost EUR 94,100. The India-spec version of the saloon is estimated to be priced above Rs 1 Crore (ex-showroom). Read – Audi Q2 Coming To India
New 2018 Audi A8 Picture Gallery
New 2018 Audi A8 India Exterior
The new-generation A8 uses the MLB Evo platform, and carries an evolutionary design inspired by the Prologue concept. Just so you know, the Prologue concept was first previewed at the 2014 LA Auto Show. Cosmetically, the sedan features a new singlframe grille, OLED headlamps, daytime running lights and front bumper with integrated air inlets on the outer end. The coupe-like silhouette on sides highlights its sporty character. What further add to its premium appeal are pronounced wheel arches, low shoulder line, the segmented OLEDs at the rear, exhaust system with trapezoidal times. Read – Audi’s Top Selling A7 and A8 Models Impacted In VW Emissions Scandal
Compared to the current generation, the 2018 Audi A8 is around 50kg heavier – thanks to its 58% extra aluminium and bare metal construction. The saloon also uses magnesium in the front strut brace and carbonfibre. The increased kerb weight has helped with integration of a full-length panoramic sunroof and extra autonomous technologies. With respect to dimensions, the new A8 L measures 5,302mm in length, 1,945mm in width and 1,488mm in height. This makes it 37mm longer, 4mm narrower and 17mm taller than the current model. It has more cabin space to offer – thanks to its 6mm longer wheelbase. It now measures 3,128mm.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Colours
Globally, the fourth-generation A8 sedan will be offered in 12 colour options including an all-new Terra Gray, Seville Red and Vesuvius Gray. The Impala Beige and Navarra Blue shades will be introduced for the first time on the carline. Interestingly, Audi will also be offering an exclusive programme under which the sedan will be provided in personal colour choice of customers. There will also be an optional chrome exterior package. However, there is no clarity whether the India-spec model will come with exclusive package or not.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Interior
Laden with ultra luxury features, the 2018 Audi A8 is a sheer German beauty from inside. It has simple cockpit design with horizontally oriented dashboard with wood accent pieces and gloss black surfaces enhancing its premium look. There is high mounted wood accent piece into the side panels. Interestingly, the new A8 will be the first Audi to get the brand’s second-generation virtual cockpit fully digital instrument panel and MIB2+ that supports multiple high-resolution displays.
Audi also equips the sedan with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with black panel technology on the instrument panel and an 8.6-inch touchscreen display on the center tunnel console. The well-designed steering wheel frames with mounted touch controls and silver accents, door panels, dashboard and steering stalks will add more to its premium feel and appeal.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Specifications
Technical details of the fourth-generation A8 sedan have already been confirmed by the German carmaker. In the global market, the 2018 Audi A8 will be offered with hybrid technology that will save up to 0.7-litre of fuel per 100km while running on a V6 petrol engine. The German carmaker is already working on 48v technology with its V8 SQ7 TDI motor with an electrical compressor that reduces turbo lag. This new system will not only improve the power and torque outputs and fuel efficiency of the engine, but reduce the carbon emissions as well. Audi’s new mild-hybrid technology can stop the car as its engine shut at speeds between 55kmph and 160kmph for up to 40 seconds.
Audi will also introduce the turbocharged V6, V8 and W12 powertrains along with a plug-in hybrid system on the next-gen A8. In the European market, the new A8 will be offered with two highly calibrated V6 turbo engines – a 286bhp, 3.0 TDI and a 340bhp, 3.0 TFSI. While the V8 models will feature a 435bhp, 4.0 TDI and a 460bhp, 4.0 TFSI, the Audi A8 L will come with a 585bhp, W12 powertrain. The hybrid version will also be added to the carline at a later stage.
Engine details of the India-spec A8 are yet to be revealed, though it is reported to use the existing 3.0-litre TFSI turbocharged V6 petrol and 3.0-litre TDI turbocharged V6 diesel powertrains. While the gasoline unit makes 335.3bhp with 500Nm of torque, the latter one delivers a peak power of 282bhp and 600Nm of torque. An 8-speed triptronic automatic gearbox and the Quattro permanent AWD (all-wheel-drive) are standard on the carline.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Mileage
Audi claims that the new A8 engines offer high-level refinement, performance and fuel efficiency. Though, the mileage figures are yet to be revealed by the carmaker.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Comfort
The chauffer driven A8 offers several comfort features for the rear seat occupants including optional ‘relaxation seat’ (only in the A8 L) with four adjustable levels and footrest, seat massagers, a centrally mounted OLED display, matrix LED reading lamps and coolers. What further enhances its comfort and convenience levels is its ‘level 3’ automated driving technology.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Practicality
The A8 offers generous cabin space. Its front seats have comfort customized contour with a contour light strip. Its seats come with heating and cooling function. These are lighter than before thanks to its glass fiber-reinforced polymer. The sedan also offers up to 400 personalization covers from the driver seat position, air conditioning settings to navigation setup. It has a boot capacity of 505-litres. The luggage compartment cover automatically swings up when released.
New 2018 Audi A8 India Safety
The saloon also gets Traffic Jam Pilot function that includes 12 ultrasonic sensors, long-range radar sensors, hi-resolution video cameras and laser scanners. This advanced technology automatically guides the car in traffic jams at up to speeds of 37mph (60kmph). Its active suspension with crossing assist improves passive safety in the case of a lateral collision. The front brakes have aluminium fixed callipers ensuring occupant’s safety. The car also comes with electronic stabilization control alerts, Audi AI park assist package and Audi pre sense front safety system.
Should You Wait For It?
The fourth-generation Audi A8 carries a new design language along with advanced touchscreen operating concept and an electrified drive. Its world’s first production vehicle to get highly automated driving technology, LTE advanced and Laser scanner. Besides this, the sedan comes equipped with piloted driving functions, 3D Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system and several high-tech features. The 2018 Audi A8 will surely be more advanced and premium than its current generation.
Spy Images Courtesy – teambhp
