March 3, 2005
New Face,
New Technology:
Single-frame Grille for Every Audi A8
Source: Audi AG
All versions of the new Audi A8 will from now on sport the exclusive front end
featuring the single-frame grille, which has until now been the distinguishing
feature of the 12-cylinder A8. This reshaping of the model's "face" also goes
hand in hand with the inclusion of new, innovative technology in the Audi
fleet's flagship model.
The combination of dynamic cornering light, adaptive light and daytime driving
lights is now available as an option for the first time behind the covers of the
xenon plus headlights. Another new feature: a tuner for digital radio reception
is available for the Audi A8.
The standard specification of Audi A8 models now includes a light/rain sensor,
the Isofix preparation for the rear seats and an aspherical door mirror on the
front passenger's side.
The 12-cylinder A8 became the first production model to sport the single-frame
grille in January 2004. As the new face of the Audi brand, it has meanwhile also
been adopted for the A3 Sportback, A4 and A6 car lines, new models of which were
launched in 2004. It is now set to become the distinctive hallmark of the 6 and
8-cylinder versions of the Audi brand's sporty luxury saloon from March 2005.
The striking single-frame look is also finding its way into the A8 driving area:
the trapezium now adorns the centre of the new family of steering wheels.
The combination of dynamic cornering light and adaptive light, which pioneers
new standards of optimum visibility and therefore driving safety, is entirely
new on Audi production cars.
The headlight module of the dynamic cornering lights pivots by up to 15 degrees,
depending on the road speed, in response to the movement of the steering. The
benefits are plain to see: the road is appreciably better illuminated in bends.
The road surface area illuminated is almost doubled. The dynamic cornering
lights operate for both the dipped and main-beam headlight functions.
The adaptive light is located in the headlight unit between the main-beam and
dipped headlights. It comes on automatically when the turn indicator is operated
at speeds of less than 70 km/h, or if the driver turns the steering wheel by any
significant degree. This illuminates the road in the direction of turning,
before the car has actually changed direction. Both dipped headlights are in
addition switched on when reverse is engaged - a vital source of assistance when manoeuvring into a parking space.
The daytime driving lights, which are notable for their extremely low energy
consumption, are a further clear safety benefit.
The specification of the optional adaptive or cornering light includes the
high-intensity xenon plus headlight system.
A DAB tuner, the controls for which are integrated into the Multi Media
Interface MMI, is another optional extra. Digital radio technology provides
virtually interference-free radio reception and music quality worthy of a CD,
plus a much wider range of stations as well as new services such as radiotext in
the future. The DAB tuner is moreover a sound investment, as both public and
commercial radio stations will be switching to digital radio in the medium term.
With the new face and new equipment, Audi is adding another chapter to the
success story of the A8. The saloon with the aluminium body built using the Audi
Space Frame principle has been a resounding success since its debut in autumn
2002. Both the eight-cylinder versions and the range-topping 12-cylinder A8 are
the European market leaders in their respective segments.
