CAR Investigates Audi's Predictive Active Suspension

Deep Dive

Active suspension technology has been around for quite a few years now. But Audi might have finally perfected it with their new Predictive Active Suspension, present on the new S8. This shiny new tech has some pretty amazing features indeed, including the ability to raise the vehicle 50mm when you simply touch the door handle to make ingress that much easier. All of this sounds good on paper, of course, but we were intrigued to find out how it works in the real world. And now we can do just that, thanks to the U.K.'s CAR Magazine.

Photos: Audi

Technological Wizardry

Aside from the cool aforementioned party trick, the S8's new Predictive Active Suspension has many more features up its sleeve. For example, the car is able to tilt into corners up to three degrees for improved handling. It can also raise itself up 50mm to clear speed bumps and other obstacles. And all of this is accomplished with some serious technological wizardry.

Photos: Audi

>>Join the conversation about Predictive Active Suspension right here in Audiworld.com.

Eye in the Sky

To accomplish all of this, Audi's Predictive Active Suspension uses an electromechanical actuator on each suspension arm. All four of them are controlled by a central computer. The system receives information from a camera embedded in the windshield, which keeps an eye on road conditions ahead. 

Photos: Audi

>>Join the conversation about Predictive Active Suspension right here in Audiworld.com.

Next-Level Comfort

The main goal of all this is to anticipate changes in road conditions, then act to minimize body roll and the g-forces imposed on occupants. In simpler terms, to provide the best possible ride comfort, no matter what's going on outside. Audi even went so far as to add a Comfort+ setting to the new S8, which offers up even more of a posh experience than regular old Comfort mode.

Photos: Audi

>>Join the conversation about Predictive Active Suspension right here in Audiworld.com.

Stealth Mode

A good example of this comes from the car's speed bump anticipation. As the ride height increases, the suspension chambers compress in order to soak up the bump. The same goes for acceleration and cornering forces between 50 and 80 miles-per-hour. Unless you switch over to Dynamic mode, that is, at which point the S8 tightens things up so you can actually feel the road.

Photos: Audi

>>Join the conversation about Predictive Active Suspension right here in Audiworld.com.

Feat of Engineering

In the end, CAR came away quite impressed with this fancy new tech in the real world. "The road scanning works best when you're not tailgating, and the tilt function can feel unnatural at first," they note. "But Audi has managed to bring to market a clever suspension system capable of literally defying the laws of physics, all in the name of keeping its occupants comfortable. Quite the feat of engineering."

Photos: Audi

>>Join the conversation about Predictive Active Suspension right here in Audiworld.com.

Party Trick

Personally, we can't think of a higher accolade than that. It's no wonder that VW has entrusted Audi with its future tech endeavors. And for owners, it's just another feather in the cap, as well as a nifty party trick for jealous onlookers to stare at.

Photos: Audi

>>Join the conversation about Predictive Active Suspension right here in Audiworld.com.

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