Geek Goals: 5 Supercool Features Of The 2018 Audi A8

The car starring in Spider-Man: Homecoming and then posing on the red carpet at the movie's premiere has finally shed its camouflage. Audi has shared the details about the next-generation A8, and we're impressed by the amount of technology it packs inside, even for a limousine. Let's count down the top five:

5. Colour Displays

There are six of these. Two in the centre stack, one in front of the driver. Then there are two to handle the rear seat entertainment duties and another one embedded in the rear armrest. This car is all about the back seat and the touchscreen unit in the armrest is the most interesting.

The boss can control the AC, music system, rear seat massaging functions, ambient lighting, Matrix LED reading lights and a lot more using the detachable touchscreen. The Matrix LED lights offer spot selection, so you get the light focused exactly where you need it.

Under the armrest is a wireless charging pad where your phone can juice up. While your pocketable computer is filling up, you can access the messages and call logs on that removable screen. What's more, you can also use it to take calls while your phone stays safe in its dedicated storage spot.

While there's nothing new about massaging seats in a car of its class, the A8 takes the game forward and offers foot massages. The optional massagers are embedded into the rear of the front passenger's seat. And, as expected, you control the foot relaxing ritual too with the nifty little bugger that comes slotted in the rear seat armrest.

4. Wireless Charging

For your phone? Of course! For the car? Yup. That too!

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Besides a pair of 3.0-litre V6, two 4.0-litre V8 and a 6.0-litre W12, there's also a cleaner hybrid powertrain exclusively available with the extended wheelbase variant of the A8. Called the A8 L e-tron, this limousine can run for up to 50km without burning fuel. Combined, the 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine and the electric motor deliver a theoretical figure of 449PS and 700Nm.

For a cleaner drive, you can also charge up its massive batteries at home via a regular power outlet. Optional kit includes a floor-mounted wireless charger, which you can install in the car's parking spot.

As you get closer to the charging spot, the car can guide you until it's exactly on top of it. The charger detects the car's presence and rises to get closer to the inductive charging area. It retracts when the car is fully juiced up or if the key fob is detected inside the cabin. With the wireless charging, the e-tron is always ready to move out of the parking spot without even firing up the engine.

3. Four-Wheel Steering

Flagship luxury sedans often stretch a little too much to maximise cabin space. In doing so, they become long, thus making it a chore to manoeuvre in tight spaces. The long wheelbase, however, does make its presence felt by offering improved stability at high speeds.

The four-wheel steering allows the A8 to behave like a car with a longer wheelbase at high speeds and yet have a smaller turning radius. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to make a sharp turn in the parking lot. Once the speedo readings go high enough, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front pair, allowing the car to maintain its composure while manoeuvring at highway speeds.

2. Smart Air Suspension

Air suspension isn't new in limos. The new A8 does one better by giving it the brains to predict the road conditions. The basic features like adjustable ride height, pitch and yaw control under acceleration, braking and quick direction changes are there.

Additionally, a camera continues scanning for imperfections on the surface. The camera informs the car's computers about a pothole or a bump in the road. If the rough surface is only going to affect one wheel at a time, then the car enters tripod mode and retracts the wheel that's about to kiss it. It thus allows the car to go over uneven surfaces without even making contact with the irregularities by momentarily riding on three wheels.

Which wheel goes up? When it goes up? And, for how long it stays retracted? It's all determined by the computers for a jolt-free ride.

1. SAE Level 3 Autonomy

The A8 is for those who don't want to drive. What better car to be the first Audi with self-driving characteristics? Kicking things off with Level 3 autonomy as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, this limo can drive itself under certain conditions. Also known as 'conditional autonomy', this stage allows the driver to take his eyes off the road if:

a) it's well-marked

b) the speeds are below 60kmph

The car will maintain its speed and lane if it has a clear path. If not, it'll keep a safe distance from the car in front. Based on local regulations, some countries may even allow the driver to sip coffee and read a magazine while the car is driving itself. If the vehicle is unsure of dealing with the circumstances, it'll warn the driver well before handing over the controls.

If a Level 3 car crashes while driving itself, the onus is still on the one sitting behind the wheel. So, it'd be wise to keep your eyes open unless you're in a car with better brains. But three is good enough, as it can manage low-speed start-stop situations fairly well on clean roads with civilised drivers around. The cool thing about the next-generation A8 is that the German automaker could just update the software and bring it to Level 4 autonomy, where the car does most of the driving.

Driving in and out of parking lots is also part of the package as it's done at low speeds with limited risk of injuries.

For the Indian market, Volvo is leading the charge in this regard with the Pilot Assist feature available on the S90, V90 and the XC90 cars. Perhaps Audi will bring some competition in the field of autonomy.

Also Read: 2018 Audi A8 Breaks Cover; India Launch Likely Next Year