The new Audi S8, or one car and 38 assistants | CHIP

The new Audi S8 is a much sportier version of the German brand's biggest limousine, the Audi A8. In the enhanced version, the driver can use as many as 38 assistance systems, which the manufacturer has collected in two packages: City and Tour. As you can easily guess, the first set consists of city driving support systems. The second is to be tested on further routes. The main element of the tour package is the so-called adaptive driving assistant. It is a solution that combines the functions of adaptive cruise control, lane tracking and traffic jam support. The car independently maintains the track on the given lane, automatically maintains the right distance in front of the vehicles ahead, as well as independently brakes the car in a traffic jam and starts when the vehicle in front also starts moving. Of course, these systems can also be found in other, much cheaper vehicles (such as the latest VW Passat), but in this case they work with other comfort solutions, such as suspension.

The new Audi S8 is equipped with the so-called predictive performance assistant. This system, depending on road conditions, brakes or accelerates depending on the traffic of other vehicles, cruise control and navigation settings. Since we are talking about a luxury car, the computer controlling the speed, adjusting it to e.g. the route, will not only ensure that the car brakes before taking a sharp turn, but also that the intelligent, active air suspension and the 4-wheel steering system compensate for lateral overloads when overtaking bend. During dynamic turns, the new Audi S8 in the new (previously unavailable) Comfort+ mode automatically tilts up to 3 degrees to reduce the overload felt by passengers. On the other hand, in Dynamic mode, designed for sporty driving, the computer controls the suspension to ensure the least possible roll and maximum grip of the car on the road. The activity of the intelligent suspension is not limited only to the journey, but also when stationary. When the owner of the Audi S8 touches the door handle, the vehicle automatically raises up to 50 mm to make it easier to get in.

It is worth noting that the new S8 is also equipped with a predictive system that controls suspension work based on real road conditions. The front camera analyzes unevenness, thanks to which the car "learns" about e.g. a hump on the road before it even reaches it, so at the time of passing the suspension is already configured in such a way as to overcome the obstacle as comfortably as possible. Of course, the front camera is only a fraction of the sensory capabilities of this car. The new Audi S8, fully equipped, includes as many as five radar sensors, six cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner.

Coming back to the assistance packages, the manufacturer emphasizes the presence of a solution called Audi pre sense 360° in the City package. It is a system that constantly monitors the actual environment of the vehicle in real time and reacts to potential threats to the safety of the driver and passengers. For example, if a risk of a side impact is detected, the computer uses information from sensors and radars to work with the active suspension to instantly raise the body by up to 80 mm, which puts the sill in a better position to absorb impact energy, reducing the potential consequences of an accident for occupants.

Nevertheless, technology is found inside the new Audi S8. Virtual cockpit and two touch screens in the center console, voice control and of course the head-up display. Audi also touts car-to-X services that use the distributed intelligence of the Audi fleet. The manufacturer in some European cities already offers a service thanks to which the car knows what the configuration of the signal lights at intersections on the route set in the vehicle is. The car is connected to the city infrastructure and, based on the received signaling data, it suggests the vehicle speed at which to drive so that the route is as smooth as possible and the driver has a "green wave" in front of him. As part of the car-to-X services, Audi also receives information about road signs online (not just a hard-coded database locally in the vehicle), and there is also a search function for on-street parking spaces.

At the end, there is information that is probably of interest to many automotive enthusiasts. As I mentioned, the Audi S8 is a sporty variant of the flagship limousine: the Audi A8. The power unit of the new Audi S8 is a powerful V8 engine (TFSI 4.0 biturbo) with mild hybrid technology (MHEV), which generates a maximum output of 420 kW (571 hp) and 800 Nm of torque. Such parameters ensure performance worthy of a sports car. The over five-metre (5.18) limousine reaches the first 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. The final price of this model has not yet been revealed, but one thing we can be sure of. It will be expensive. | CHIP