The 2018 Audi A8 is currently undergoing pre-launch
road tests globally. Recently, the 2018 Audi L (long-wheelbase) was spotted on
the roads in China, courtesy auto.sohu.com.
The new generation Audi A8 is based on the latest
version of the company’s MLB-Evo platform. At 5,172 mm long, 1,945 mm wide and
1,473 mm tall, the all-new A8 is 37 mm longer, 4 mm narrower and 13 mm taller
than its predecessor. The all-new A8 L is 5,302 mm long (+37 mm), 1,945 mm wide
(-4 mm) and 1,488 mm tall (+17 mm). The wheelbase has extended by 6 mm to 2,998
mm in the SWB version and by 6 mm to 3,128 mm in the LWB version.
The 2018 Audi A8 has five engine options, three
petrol and two diesel. The range starts with 3.0L TFSI (340 hp/500 Nm) petrol
and 3.0L TDI (286 hp/600 Nm) diesel engines. Moving up, it adds 460 hp 4.0L
TFSI petrol and 435 hp 4.0L TDI diesel engines at the middle. At the top of the
range, there’s a 585 hp 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine exclusive to the LWB
version. At launch, Audi will offer only the V6 engines in Europe. A 48-volt
mild-hybrid system is standard.
An A8 L e-tron quattro with a plug-in hybrid
powertrain will follow later. Its powertrain’s 3.0L TFSI petrol engine and
electric motor together develop 449 hp and 700 Nm of torque. The e-tron quattro
variant’s pure electric driving range is approximately 50 km. The company will
offer a Wireless Charging pad for it.
On the outside, the 2018 Audi A8 features wider and
more expressive Singleframe grille, HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser
lighting, 21-inch wheels and OLED tail lights. Two-section panoramic sunroof
(in LWB version), new Audi virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch full-HD screen,
10.1-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system, 8.6-inch secondary
touchscreen display for the AC and comfort controls, air vents with electric
shutters, Matrix LED reading lights and Rear Seat Entertainment system with two
10.1-inch full HD screens are among the interior highlights.
The 2018 Audi A8 and 2018 Audi A8 L’s production at
the Neckarsulm facility in Germany has started. Their domestic launch will take
place in late fall 2017. The A8 and A8 L range will start at € 90,600 and at € 94,100 respectively. Chinese launch
should take place only next year.