2018 Audi A8 now available in the UAE & GCC

In its fourth generation, Audi’s flagship model,the A8, is presented with a new design language, a touchscreen operating concept and a systematically electrified drive. The Audi A8 is also the first production automobile in the world to have been developed for conditionally automated driving. Audi will gradually be taking piloted driving functions such as parking pilot, garage pilot and traffic jam pilot into production for the Middle East market once the laws allow for it in this region.

The body of the new A8 follows the Audi Space Frame principle. The body consists 58 percent of aluminium parts, whose strength has significantly increased compared to its predecessor.

Compared to the previous gen model, the interior has grown in length by 32mm in both body versions. The Rear Seat Entertainment system comprises of two Audi tablets, and the Rear Seat Remote. Rear-seat passengers can use the touch control on this new operating unit to run numerous convenience and infotainment features as well as make discreet phone calls. The Rear Seat Remote with its OLED display is approximately as big as a smartphone and can be removed from where it is stored in the centre armrest.

The A8 dispenses with the rotary/push-button control and touchpad of its predecessor. The MMI touch has become MMI touch response. At the centre of the instrument panel is a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The user can freely arrange the icons according to their importance on the screen. The driver controls the infotainment system on the large display. A second touchscreen display on the console of the centre tunnel is used to operate the climate control and convenience features, as well as enter texts through handwriting recognition. When the driver activates a function in one of the two displays by touch control, they hear and feel a click by way of confirmation. This pulse is created by means of an electromagnet moving the spring-mounted display minimally to the side by roughly the width of a human hair. At the same time a small loudspeaker emits a click sound.

The new A8 will be launched in the Middle East market with a 340 hp V6 turbo engine: 3.0 TFSI, the A8 55 TFSI. The new Audi A8 will, for the first time, be equipped with an electrified drivetrain as standard. The engines are equipped for this purpose with mild-hybrid technology. The new A8 can then coast at speeds between 55 and 160 kph with the engine off. As a result, the vehicle can then travel with zero emissions for up to 40 seconds. As soon as the driver steps on the gas again, the system prompts a restart. The combined effect of these measures is to bring down the fuel consumption by as much as 0.7 l/100 km. All engines work in conjunction with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The new Audi A8 and the A8 L began deliveries to Middle East at the end of April. The base price for the sedan with normal wheelbase is Dhs 357,000, with the A8 L starting at Dhs 380,100.

Read our First Drive story of the 2018 Audi A8 in Spain.