Audi Announces A8 Pricing, but Model Lacks Tech Promised for U.S.
Audi recently announced pricing for the V6-equipped A8, arriving in dealerships this fall for the rock-bottom price of $83,800. Alright, so that’s not exactly chump change, but Audi promised tech that would embarrass practically everything else on the road — including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
In some markets, it seems as if the brand will deliver on those promises. The sedan is practically dripping with technology, including the impressive-sounding Traffic Jam Pilot. The system offers a claimed hands-free experience at speeds below 37 mph, as the vehicle can crawl in heavy traffic without the need of a driver. You’ll still need to turn it off and take over in urban environments but, so long as it’s a relatively straight shot, the car will do all the work.
Unfortunately, Audi seemed to have axed its availability for the United States.
Audi claims America’s legal system, mixed-bag roadway infrastructure, and recent consumer issues has forced it to stall the technology. That doesn’t mean it won’t eventually get here, but it definitely won’t arrive when the A8 shows up in the autumn.
When Traffic Jam Pilot was announced, the automaker recommended only using the feature on straight roads where a “physical barrier separates the two carriageways.”
How relevant the suggestion is in regard to Audi’s decision, is debatable. It’s not as every roadway in Europe is separated by a center median. Our guess is that the growing safety concerns surrounding autonomous cars is the primary culprit here — with a dash of legal fears. Despite the federal government green lighting unproven technology from auto manufacturers and tech firms that would never in a million years be okay to test out on your garage build, there’s been moderate backlash against self-driving hardware following a string of high-profile accidents.
However, the 2019 A8 will still come with the sort of tech that may have contributed to those incidents. Instead of the hands-off Level 3 system, the car will be available with hands-on Level 2 adaptive cruise control with lane keeping and full braking support. It’s basically Audi’s version of Tesla’s Autopilot or Cadillac’s SuperCruise.
There’s still a lot of tech on offer here, though. The base model comes with ridiculously adjustable front seats, adaptive air suspension, and uses a 48-volt mild hybrid system with regenerative braking and stop-start (which nobody really likes in practice). There is also an enviable safety suite that’s chock full of driving aids.
Audi’s MMI infotainment system is split between two screens — a 10.3-inch top unit for entertainment or navigation and an 8.6-inch lower screen for in-car settings (climate control, seat warmers, etc). Meanwhile, a wildly customizable 12.3-inch gauge display keeps the driver abreast of the vehicle’s status. Leather everything is standard and you can kit the already well-equipped sedan out to a ludicrous degree if you want to spend more. But the only upgrade that really springs to mind is the engine.
The base model’s 3.0-liter V6 produces 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. While those numbers are serviceable, the heavy all-wheel drive sedan is only about as fast as a Volkswagen GTI (5.7 seconds to 62 mph, estimated). We don’t really see that as a problem, but some buyers of a prestigious super sedan are going to want to have the ability to embarrass as many cars as possible. For them, the V8 variant will be the way to go.
It isn’t slated to arrive until next summer and, unless Audi brings in Traffic Jam Pilot within the next 12 months, you’ll have to use your hands and eyes to drive it.
[Images: Audi]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
Start stop systems vary widely by make and model. The one in the new 7 series is absolutely undetectible. Others totally suck. Don’t assume every system works the same.
Do airbags work if the engine is off? Suppose you’re sitting at a red light in stop mode and a Tesla on autopilot slams into you, head on, will the bags inflate?