Could this be the future of car technology?
Laser headlights, suspension that raises the vehicle in case of a crash – these are just some of the features RAA’s Mark Borlace tried out when he got a chance to take the new Audi A8 for a spin.
While most of us won’t be buying a car with a price tag north of $200,000 any time soon, they do offer us a glimpse into the future. What’s cutting-edge technology today could in a few years be a regular feature.
The 4th generation Audi A8 is a great example of a technology tour de force. It has on offer everything from laser headlights that bathe the road in light over half a kilometre out, to autonomous emergency braking that works up to 250kph – which is handy for Europeans but won’t be needed here.
The Specs
Value for money
It’s hard to explain value for a car that’s so expensive, but according to Audi, it’s $36,000 better value than the previous model. There are also 2 people who have to be catered for the Audi A8 – the driver, and the owner or customer who sits in the back. For an eye-watering $18,500 extra, the executive package includes a foot massager and warmer built into the back of the front passenger seat. Included in the relaxation seat package is a back massager, electrically height adjustable comfort head restraints, footrests, a long centre console and optional folding tables. While we’re on the subject of prices that are incomprehensible to the regular car buyer, the full headlight package with laser beam lights is another $13,200 option. These cars are truly in the realm of those who are cashed up and love the latest technology.
Design and function
The A8 is, as you might expect, loaded with safety gear. There are 11 airbags that come standard, and as an option you can include a pair of centre airbags to keep bodies from crashing into each other in a side impact or rollover. It’s also got an exit warning system which will not only warn you, but will actually stop the door from being opened when a car or cyclist is approaching from behind. In terms of optional safety gear, you can choose from AI systems such as lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward and rear auto emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. On A8 vehicles equipped with the pre-sense 360° system, the Audi AI active suspension also increases passive safety. In the event of an impending side impact at more than 25km/h, the car body is raised by up to 80mm within half a second. As a result, the other car in the accident collides with a more resistant zone of the A8’s body, which Audi says reduces the deformation of the cabin and the loads on the occupants by up to 50%, compared to a similar collision in which the suspension is not raised.