The third-generation Audi A8 has been on sale since late 2009 and this is a long period of time, but luckily, we are going to see the brand-new model in less than four months. At the Annual Press Conference 2017, company’s chairman Rupert Stadler announced the flagship car which will be revealed on July 11 at the first Audi Summit in Barcelona, Spain.
It will be known as a “high-end sedan” and it is expected to sport “completely new operating concept — generously dimensioned and intuitive.” The Ingolstadt-based automaker will implement the most advanced autonomous driving system into the new Audi A8, but this system will not be offered immediately as the car hits the market due to some legislation issues. Rupert Stadler promised that “as soon as legislation is passed in our core markets allowing highly automated driving on the highway, and when that is legally safe, we will offer the new key technology in the A8.”
2018 Audi A8 Design
The design will be changed to some extent and according to an official sketch and numerous spy photos, we can conclude that Audi will once again go with the familiar exterior look. However, there will be more modifications inside the cabin and the new Audi A8 will be the first vehicle that will use the second-generation Audi Virtual Cockpit or in other words, an all-digital instrument cluster. The sedan is going to have MIB2+ or Modular Infotainment Platform that will be powered by Nvidia’s Tegra K1 processor, whereas the traffic jam pilot that you will have a chance to try out is the most advanced even in an Audi.
The 2018 Audi A8 will be based on the MLB Evo architecture because of which the new model will be significantly lighter, although it will be slightly larger than the current model. Audi plans to offer the VW Group’s 6.0-liter biturbo W12 but the output of this engine remains unknown. (Bentley Bentayga also uses this engine and it produces 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bUqJB-cXw8
The performance S8 has already been conducting some tests and it should come with a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 that also powers the Porsche Panamera Turbo where it delivers 550 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque. Speaking of the A8, it is still early to assume that a plug-in hybrid version will be assembled, but it will be fun to watch whether Audi plans to put the SQ7’s 4.0-liter V8 TDI engine combined with an electric-powered compressor into the A8. If that happens, the complete output of this drivetrain will be 429 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.
Audi A8 2018 Release Date
After the debut in July, the 2018 Audi A8 will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and it is expected to go on sale by the end of 2017.
