2011 All-New Audi A8 Fully Unveiled

As promised, the 2011 fourth-generation Audi A8 is here, with a brand new positioning as “the sportiest sedan in its segment” in the Normal Wheel Base (NWB) as fully unveiled today. The Long Wheel Base (LWB), to arrive next year, will focus more on comfort instead. We leave the appearance aspect to your own interpretation, but generally, we find the evolved looks as classy and understated as before. While the claim of sportiest luxury sedan can only be verified in the future, let's talk more about what the new A8 brings.

There will be four engines, a pair of V8 petrols, a V6 petrol and a V6 diesel, all of which benefit from direct injection. For a start, A8 is powered by a 4.2-litre V8 FSI with 372 hp and 445 Nm. An eight-speed tiptronic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive are standard for this A8 variant. 0-100 km/h can be completed in 5.7 seconds, and the top speed electronically controlled at 250 km/h. The best part? The increased power comes with a 15 percent lower fuel consumption, thanks to the innovative thermal management and recuperation system, which converts kinetic energy to electric power during deceleration.

The chassis features a lightweight wheel suspension and Audi drive select system, which controls the adaptive air suspension and adaptive damping, the engine response, the transmission and the servotronic steering via the MMI system. There are three familiar modes to choose from—Comfort, Auto and Dynamic—and a new customisable Individual mode. Dynamic steering is optional.

Like before but now in a more advanced form, the aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) makes up A8's body, weighing about 40 percent less than a comparable steel structure. Full LED headlights are standard, setting A8 apart as the first car to have such a feature.

One of the most intuitive central control system, the multimedia interface (MMI) now comes with a touch pad, enabling drivers to control functions more intuitively than before. The front seats offer 12-way electric adjustments as standard, but 22-way adjustable comfort seats can be ordered, along with the pneumatic massage function. Electric-adjustable outer rear seats and a rear massage function can be specified, too.

On the safety front, the new Audi pre sense safety system analyses information from the ESP sensors, and if a potentially hazardous situation is detected, it will activate the hazard warning lights, shut the side windows and sunroof, and tighten the front seat belts. The more advanced Audi pre sense front, Audi pre sense plus and Audi pre sense rear are optional.

Some other notable high-tech features include the adaptive restraint system, Night vision assistant with pedestrian marking, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and Audi side assist.

The all-new A8 will arrive in the U.S. late next year, before making its way to the rest of the world in 2011. Meanwhile. enjoy the gallery!