2018 Audi A8 unveiled, India bound

Taking inspiration from the Prologue concept, design of the new Audi A8 looks sharp and minimalistic. There is absolutely no quirkiness in the design. The wider hexagonal grill and Matrix LED headlights lend a mean look at the front, while its slab-sided profile accentuates the sheer length of the luxury sedan. The rear end, featuring OLED tail lamps, is the most prominent change over the previous generation A8. Split 5-spoke alloy wheels add a bit of flair to the otherwise sober design.

On the inside, the 2018 Audi A8 uses a virtual dashboard design where displays have taken place of old-school buttons. When turned off, these screens merge well into the black surroundings. Pressing the virtual buttons on the displays results in a small vibration through the use of haptic feedback.

As is the case with luxury barges of this segment, rear seat experience carries a lot of significance. The rear armrest houses a plethora of controls for infotainment system, seat massager and other functions. Audi has also included an improved voice recognition software to control a variety of functions in the car. Relaxation seat, which includes a dedicated footrest with foot massager, for the rear passengers is optional on the long wheelbase version.

The German carmaker claims that the A8 is the world’s first car developed for automated driving. It supports Level 3 autonomous driving, which enables the car to weave its way through traffic without human assistance. Called as AI (Artificial Intelligence) by the manufacturer, the maximum speed for this mode is restricted to 60 km/hr.

The new A8 comes with a magnitude of engine options as well. The revised 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder TDI and TFSI engines generate peak power figures of 286 PS and 340 PS respectively. In addition, the A8 will also get more powerful 4.0-litre V8 petrol and diesel engines. The range-topping 6.0-litre W12 motor is reserved for the long wheelbase version.