The Dynamic and Efficient New Audi A8 is Launched in Australia

ZETLAND, AUSTRALIA – July 29, 2010: Audi’s flagship A8 limousine has arrived in Australia.

The brand’s new aluminium-bodied technology leader will celebrate its official market introduction here in September.

Demonstrating Vorsprung durch Technik with its powerful and highly efficient engine, advanced driver assistance systems, intuitive MMI control system with touchpad and an elegant interior with a craftsman’s level of fit and finish, the all new Audi A8 sends a clear message of what is to come for future Audi generations.

In Australia, Audi’s sporty 4.2-litre V8 FSI engine will lead the range at launch. Priced at $225,904, this 445 Nm, 273 kW powerplant boasts an increased power and torque figure over previous generations and yet achieves a lower combined fuel consumption of 9.5 litres/100km.

This consumption figure represents a hefty 13% reduction over the previous generation, assisted by intelligent efficiency technologies like an energy recuperation system and the innovative thermal management.

The A8 is also light in weight, yet very strong thanks to its elegant and powerful aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) body, weighing about 40 percent less than a comparable steel structure.

The standard new 8-speed tiptronic transmission also plays a large role in increasing efficiency – finely graduating its eight gears while achieving a large overall spread. Its control system is purely electronic, operated with an elegant ‘yacht design’ gear selector and rocker switches at the steering wheel.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive has a distinct sporty and rear-end bias. The standard sport differential (for V8 models) dynamically distributes the forces between the rear wheels for an outstanding handling characteristic.

The new A8 also claims the lead as the sportiest luxury sedan on the market in terms of its chassis. The wheel control arms are made of aluminium. The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is standard equipment and is integrated into the Audi drive select dynamics system. The optional dynamic steering is a great supplement to this system.

“The new Audi A8 is the sportiest sedan in the segment,” said Audi Australia’s managing director, Uwe Hagen.

“It combines numerous assistance functions in a new and intelligent way and the technology it showcases is a clear indicator of what is to come in future Audi models,”

“The all new Audi A8 is the most-important model we will launch in 2010 in terms of driving our prestige image upwards thanks to its aspirational value, unparalleled quality and excellent level of specification,” Mr Hagen said.

The full LED headlights (optional), which use light emitting diodes for all light functions, are a very exclusive high-end solution featured on the new A8. They give the brand’s top model an impressive look even in daylight, and at night they are unmistakeable. The revolutionary optics used in these headlights mean a departure from the tubular light modules commonly used today. The full LED headlights herald a new chapter in the history of lighting technology.

The interior is second-to-none and shouts of hand-crafted, uncompromising quality, unparalleled fit and finish, as well as extraordinary attention to the smallest of details. The comfort on board is first class – from striking ambient lighting, to the extendable and user-friendly front and rear centre consoles, 22-way electrically-adjustable front seats to the luxurious adjustable rear seats (optional).

The Audi A8 combines this class-leading interior package with a new level of technical intelligence with exemplary and easy operation. When combined with the standard satellite navigation system, its Multi Media Interface MMI includes a pioneering innovation called ‘MMI touch’.

This MMI touchpad system enables the driver to control many functions intuitively, by tracing letters, numbers or characters on the drawing pad with a finger. Even messy writers will find the touchpad is able to easily translate letters into locations on the navigation, for example.

In many situations, the new Audi pre sense safety system can mitigate accidents and their consequences with its fast reaction time. Other useful additions are a night vision assistant that highlights detected pedestrians, adaptive cruise control system with Stop & Go function, Audi lane and side assist and a sporty-looking analog clock which is set by GPS.

Following the market introduction of the 4.2 FSI variant, a highly efficient 3.0 TDI quattro version will arrive in Australia by the end of the year with a handy 184 kW of power, a hefty 550 Nm of torque and consumption of just 6.6 litres/100km. A 4.2 V8 TDI will arrive in 2011.

Audi Australia’s national premiere of the all new A8 will take place from 20 – 28 August at the brand’s largest sailing regatta, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Nationally, Audi’s dealerships will invite key A8 customers to join the brand during this highly-competitive sailing regatta for the first public viewing of the new flagship in Australia.

Market introduction of the new A8 in Audi dealerships will follow in September 2010.