There is roughly a month to go before the unveiling of the fourth generation Audi A8, and as such the technical details about Ingolstadt's standard bearer continue to be revealed in a trickle. This time, we were introduced to the power unit of the German model – and this is where one of the new features of the new Audi A8 resides.
For the first time, an Audi production model will be offered as standard with a semi-hybrid engine – or MHEV (mild hybrid electric vehicle).
The secret is in the new 48-volt electrical system from the German brand, comprising an electric motor and a 10 Ah lithium-ion battery, located under the luggage compartment. The system does not allow electrical autonomy, but assists the combustion engine, provides energy to the various consumables and increases the functionality of the start/stop and “coasting” system, that is, the ability to run with the engine in neutral.
According to Audi, the start/stop system becomes active from 22 km/h and comes with new predictive functionality. In other words, if the front camera together with the A8's sensors detect that the car in front of us starts to move, the electric motor can start the combustion engine in advance, even if we are still pressing the brake pedal.
Engine may shut down at 160 km/h
Regarding the "coasting" function, it not only disengages the engine, how to turn it off in full, up to 40 seconds, at speeds between 55 and 160 km/h, all in the name of consumption, emissions and noise – a solution similar to that found in the new Golf. As soon as the driver presses the accelerator again, the combustion engine comes into play “quickly but smoothly”.
The semi-hybrid system of the new Audi A8 makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 liters per 100 km.
In addition to the second generation of the Audi Virtual Cockpit system, Audi's technological flagship will have the privilege of debuting another novelty of the German brand: semi-autonomous driving technologies. The system, which has been developed by the brand's engineers for several months, is still dependent on the legislation in force in each of the markets, but according to the president of Audi, Rupert Stadler, it will allow the Audi A8 to take over driving at speed. up to 60 km/h. It's wait and see.
The new Audi A8 will be unveiled at the Audi Summit in Barcelona on 11 July.