The 2019 Audi A8 made its North American debut at
the Los Angeles Auto Show last year and now we’re learning how much it will
cost when it goes on sale in the United States this fall. Audi‘s new flagship will start at US$ 83,800 before destination and
delivery fees. That’s a modest increase of US$ 1,300 over the 2018 model which
starts at US$ 82,500.
Despite the small price increase, the 2019 A8 comes
loaded with features as the entry-level model will reportedly come equipped
with an adaptive air suspension, leather upholstery and 18-way power front
seats. Drivers will also find three screens including a 12.3-inch digital instrument
cluster, a 10.3-inch infotainment system and a lower 8.6-inch display which
handles the climate control settings and seat features.
Audi made a big deal about the fact that the A8 was
the first production model to offer a Level 3 semi-autonomous driving system
but it won’t be available stateside. According to the publication, Traffic Jam
Pilot won’t be offered in America thanks to “infrastructural and consumer
issues” as well as a “quagmire of legal” problems surrounding the technology.
Despite eschewing the Level 3 system, the A8 will offer a Level 2 system which
includes adaptive cruise control.
The A8 will be offered exclusively with a
turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine which produces 335 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It will be connected to an eight speed automatic
transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive system with a self-locking
center differential. In Europe, this powertrain enables the car to accelerate
from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 250 km/h.
Buyers looking for something more powerful will
reportedly have to wait until the summer of 2019. Roadshow reports a V8 variant
will be added to the lineup then but details remain elusive. As a result, it’s
unclear if the publication is talking about the S8, which is slated to use a
twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with around 530 hp, or a mainstream model with
a V8 engine.
