2019 Audi A8 Sedan

We previously drove the European version of the 2019 Audi A8 and reported on our experience in our First Look article. Now we've sampled the American-spec A8, which differs in a few ways. Here's what you need to know about this redesigned A8.

Improved Customizable Drive Modes

Supporting what we wrote in the First Look, the A8 is engaging to drive and provides an excellent balance of handling precision and ride comfort. Audi equips the A8 with four selectable driving modes. The two fixed modes, Dynamic and Comfort, provide enough variation in handling and comfort to make a noticeable difference in what you feel from the car. In previous years, the A8's Dynamic mode felt excessively stiff and artificial, so this is a welcome change. You could probably drive it in Dynamic mode all the time and still enjoy luxury-car levels of on-road comfort. Then there are two adjustable modes, Individual or Automatic. Here, either the driver (Individual) or the computer (Automatic) can make adjustments to the powertrain, suspension, and steering to change the ride comfort and performance.

These modes are also relevant when you turn on the A8's adaptive cruise control. The A8 will make subtle changes in the settings based on the amount of spacing between you and cars in front of you. It can also make adjustments based on the aggressiveness of an upcoming turn. In Comfort mode, the system is conservative and exercises caution when going around turns. In Dynamic mode, the A8 acts more like a regular driver. We found the sensors couldn't keep up when driving around sharper mountain road turns, but they worked great on the open highway.

Easier-to-Use Infotainment Interface

The 2019 Audi A8 is one of the most advanced sedans on the market. Alas, the car's complete catalog of equipment won't be available until sometime in calendar year 2019. That's because some of the high-tech features won't be available with the first batch of cars coming to the States, but more on that later. To make the advanced features easy to use, Audi changed the way you interface with the A8.

The dual-screen Multi Media Interface (MMI) is, at first examination, no different than a regular touchscreen that's found on any typical luxury car. The most significant difference is in the amount of customization you can make and the system's haptic feedback.

First, the customization. Most of the aspects of the MMI operate like a smartphone. On the top screen, the driver can move any of the large icons to whatever position he or she wants. There's a persistent ticker tape display on the left margin that is also customizable to quickly switch between navigation, audio controls, vehicle settings, or whatever you want.

The bottom screen handles climate control, but it also has the buttons to disable the stop-start system, HUD display control, lane departure warning, the rear sunscreen, and a Homelink button. Another button squishes down the climate control display and adds a bookmark bar. The driver can select just about any function that's possible within the MMI and have it display as a one-touch icon in the bar. Radio stations, frequent destinations, and configuration screens are just some of the choices available, and the bookmarks help streamline operations that require multiple inputs.

To make using the gigantic screens easier while on the move, Audi's MMI features haptic feedback. Instead of a traditional system in which only a touch is required to activate a function, the A8's system requires an actual push and follows it up with an actual click feel and sound for feedback. It's weird at first because you're not used to pushing down on a screen, but you get accustomed to it and it's helpful to prevent inadvertent clicks as you're driving down the road.

The overall effect is that you feel as if you're still pushing a button, just without the actual button. It prevents accidental pushes and feels more satisfying to interface with than a lifeless piece of clear plastic. You notice the benefit of the effect when you switch over to Apple CarPlay, as the screen then works like a regular touchpad without any haptic functionality.

Very Comfortable, Just as You'd Expect

The seats feature plenty of adjustment range, as does the steering wheel. The seat width is excellent, and you never get the feeling of being cramped or even cocooned. At maximum intensity, the available seat-massaging function may be uncomfortable for some, but the two remaining less intense settings should be just right. Seat ventilation and heating are also very effective.

Active noise cancellation and excellent passive sound-deadening measures ensure the cabin is secluded from the outside, and an available scent system can inject fragrant scents into the airstream. An ambient light system is also completely configurable based on location in the car, and even driving mode. To keep all of these adjustable settings in check, memory profiles for up to seven drivers allow all that customization to be stored for the next time you get to drive the car.

Audi offers two rear seat packages, and both of them feature adjustable seats, Matrix beam lights, and rear-seat climate and infotainment system control via wireless tablet controller. The Matrix beam interior reading lights have a similar technology as the A8's LED headlights. They use an array of LEDs pointing in different directions that can be adjusted for the direction and width of the beam. There's nothing mechanical in the light. It's a clever gimmick that also shows the lack of lag between the wireless controller and the car.

It's Fast, but You Might Want to Wait for the V8

For the near term, the only engine that will be available is the turbocharged V6 that produces 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It's enough power to move the big sedan on flat ground, but you'll want more when the road gets hilly or when you've got a full load of passengers and luggage. Helping out the V6 is an integrated starter-generator system. It provides a seamless stop-start experience and helps boost up initial torque when leaving a stop to smooth out acceleration.

It's an odd choice to bring a flagship sedan but only have the base engine available, so we're looking forward to the 460-hp turbocharged V8 that will provide more legitimate flagship-sedan performance.

So What's Not Available Yet?

There are two features that are notable but not yet available: a predictive suspension and a bigger engine. The suspension is already an adaptive system. It senses what the shocks are doing and adjusts them to suit the road conditions while keeping the ride level. But it's not predictive yet. We sampled a car with the A8's predictive system onboard. It works by utilizing the output of a forward-facing camera to analyze what dips and bumps are on the road ahead. It then can raise or lower the car in anticipation of the road surface irregularity. For example, if a bump is seen by the camera and analyzed by the computer as the car approaches the bump, electromechanical actuators raise the entire car, giving the wheel that will hit the bump more travel to dissipate the shock. Think of a landing cat, with its paws stretched out.

The system works well and is also used in conjunction with Audi's Pre Sense impact mitigation system. It can raise the side of the car that's in imminent danger of a side impact, thereby moving the impact from the door to the relatively stronger lower frame of the body.

So should I get one now, or wait?

As it stands, the first batch of A8s will be missing some of Audi's key features, such as the predictive suspension, that will set the sedan apart from its competitors. Still, the A8 provides an engaging driving experience for individuals who value having the ability to control and customize hundreds of features about their car. It's comfortable and has enough gadgets to draw out oohs and ahhs from your friends and family in both the front and rear seats.

If you're in the market to buy soon, we still recommend the A8 due to its efficient powertrain, standard all-wheel-drive, and tidy driving dynamics. Starting at just under $85,000 with destination, it presents a substantial value in this routinely stratospheric price segment.

2019 Audi A8 Release Date and Price

The 2019 Audi A8 is expected to go on sale during the fall of 2018. The first A8s to go on sale will be the turbocharged V6 models. The V6 will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. According to Audi, the A8 equipped with a V8 powertrain will go on sale in summer 2019.

Pricing for the entire A8 lineup hasn't been released yet, but we do know what it'll cost to get your hands on a 2019 A8 with the 3.0-liter V6. That model has an MSRP of $84,795, including destination. With a wide array of available options (and the not-yet-available V8), you can expect prices to go up significantly from there, likely upwards of $100,000. Similarly priced competitors include the Mercedes-Benz S Class, the BMW 7 Series and the Tesla Model S.

After nine years on the market, the Audi A8 received a full redesign for 2019. The 2019 Audi A8 still has a classic Audi look, yet there are obvious changes, such as the prominent trapezoidal grille up front, accentuated by crisp and angular LED headlights. Out back, fantastically complicated taillights make for a sophisticated and fantastically sleek and luminescent display. Despite all the new details, the 2019 Audi A8 still looks stately and mature rather than bloated or overly complicated.

More Power and Passenger Space

Though its styling is certainly impressive, the A8 also has a commanding presence thanks to it significant size. Underneath its new sheet metal is a new structure, which is bigger and more rigid than before. The new design has a slightly longer wheelbase and extends the A8 from bumper to bumper by 1.3 inches. The A8's slightly larger size delivers more legroom and headroom than the previous model, making an already spacious luxury cruiser even more friendly on the inside.

Under the hood, the A8 will arrive with a new turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 as the standard engine. It puts out 340 horsepower (up 7 hp from the previous supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine) and is surprisingly capable of hauling around the A8's significant weight. A standard eight-speed automatic transmission sends the power to all four wheels through Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system.

A 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 with a much more satisfying 460 horsepower will eventually become available as an option. An even more powerful 12-cylinder engine might arrive later, along with a plug-in hybrid model. A diesel-powered A8 isn't a likely option for the U.S. this time around.

The Future of Luxury

When it comes to technology, this A8 luxury sedan is a showcase of the brand's most innovative new features. From the new MMI touch infotainment interface to Audi Connect services such as traffic sign recognition and on-street parking information, the A8 pushes the limits at every opportunity. Its Level 2 autonomous driving features such as lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control are expected in this class, but its Level 3 features, including the Audi AI (Artificial Intelligence) Traffic Jam Pilot, offer an increased level of automated driving. The Traffic Jam Pilot allows for "conditional automated driving" in which the A8 will handle acceleration, braking and steering below 37 miles per hour. A promising future, no doubt, but it has yet to be approved for use in the U.S.

The A8 will also eventually offer features driven by communication between cars, also known as "swarm intelligence." For example, on-street parking data will be shared between cars, so another A8 could alert you to open parking spots in your area. Another potential use is the transmission of alerts between cars regarding accidents and traffic backups, allowing the driver to avoid an area entirely.

During our drive of the A8, we were able to test many of the Level 2 features, and Audi employees were on hand to give demonstrations of the Level 3 technology. Though many of the features were impressive, none felt flawless. For example, the AI remote parking pilot (in which you control the parking from outside the car on your smartphone) worked well, but it took a few attempts to get the car parked properly. The parallel parking assistant did well, but it required a few tries to get within a respectable distance of the curb.

Still a Driver's Car

For those who actually prefer to drive themselves, the A8 experience will feel just as enjoyable as previous models. From behind the wheel, it feels easily manageable despite its size. The steering is well-weighted and responsive, and visibility is excellent. It is no more difficult to drive than the compact A4.

No matter the engine under the hood, the A8s we drove felt incredibly refined and silent on the road. Whether we were on smooth highways or bumpy city streets, we felt isolated from the world thanks to features such as active noise cancellation and double-pane window glass. It's truly a quiet and serene driving experience.

The lane-keeping assist system did well on relatively straight roads, but curves on the highway seemed to upset it. We were most impressed by the optional Audi AI active suspension and available all-wheel steering. The all-wheel steering was very helpful in tight spaces, and the optional adaptive air suspension was capable of anticipating a speed bump then adjusting the suspension height, causing the car to glide over the bump practically unfazed.

Impressive Details

Around every corner and crease in the A8, there are a lot of technologies that make it a very smart car. Touch-sensitive door handles can delay the door opening if they sense a car or bike approaching, and front-mounted cameras can sense someone coming from around a corner.

This A8 is also Audi's first use of an all-new driver interface called MMI touch response. Accessed through two touchscreens (a 10.1-inch screen and a 8.6-inch screen below it), this new interface does away with the center-console-mounted rotary knob used on previous MMI systems. In its place are big, easy-to-read icons on the dual touchscreens. Things aren't as simple they used to be with the rotary knob, but the system is definitely easy to use and it feels sophisticated. For those drivers who will lament the loss of something to turn, there is still one physical volume knob below the screens.

As in previous A8s, the back seat offers a potentially more luxurious experience than the front. All U.S.-bound A8s will be long-wheelbase models, so no matter how tall you are, there's room to stretch out. An available rear-seat remote allows you to control varying massage functions, turn on the heated and cooled seats, or even engage the "relaxation seat" on the passenger side, which folds down the front seat and provides a footrest for the rear passenger.

A Package Deal

According to Audi, the new Audi A8 is not about the details; it's about innovation as a package. The A8 has an impressive array of automation without being detached from the driving experience or sacrificing any of its luxurious feel. If you're in the market for serenity and technology all rolled into one package, we think this A8 puts it all together in a way that will be worth the price.

2019 Audi A8 Video

In a packed convention hall in Barcelona, Audi unveiled its flagship luxury sedan, the fourth-generation 2019 A8. The company proudly proclaimed it will feature a Level 3 automated driving system as it marches toward the goal of a fully autonomous vehicle.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, Level 3 automation is "the driving mode-specific performance by an automated driving system of all aspects of the dynamic driving task with the expectation that the human driver will respond appropriately to a request to intervene." That means with a touch of a button, the new A8 will be capable of driving itself when certain conditions are met. If those conditions change, the driver will receive alerts that intervention will be needed. We have it on good authority that the driver will have 10 seconds to respond, which is a generous amount of time.

Dubbed "Audi Piloted Driving," this system will theoretically be effective at speeds up to 60 km/h, or 37.3 mph. We say theoretically because the legality of these systems are still being hashed out worldwide. In the U.S., individual states will be responsible for setting guidelines for automated and autonomous vehicles, so Piloted Driving availability will depend on location. If approved, the A8 will be one of the leaders in what most experts refer to as the next great automotive frontier.

Besides Piloted Driving, the 2019 A8 is all-new from nose to tail. The design adopts Audi's current design language, featuring a bold trapezoidal grille up front and a sharply creased character line all the way down the side. In the back will be a striking band of OLED taillights that will perform a mini light show as the driver approaches. Audi's reputation for simple sophistication is on display inside the A8, with a wide horizontal dash and only the most basic of switches and knobs present. The majority of functions will be controlled via two large touchscreens in the center stack.

The loss of Audi's MMI controller knob is somewhat concerning since it is one of the better systems on the market, but we'll hold final judgment until we get to drive the A8. Though we currently prefer the knob-based controllers, this new touchscreen system shows promise with large configurable buttons and a simulated click to confirm each touch. You have to be very deliberate with touch commands, pushing fairly hard in order to trigger a function. This will hopefully eliminate inadvertent commands caused by accidentally brushing the screens.

Mechanically, the new A8 builds on existing technologies. An advanced active suspension will function much like Mercedes-Benz's Magic Body Control, using a laser scanner on the road ahead and adjusting each individual wheel to react to imperfections. In theory, potholes and bumps will no longer be felt as the car glides unaffected over them. A four-wheel steering system will also be available, enhancing maneuverability at all speeds and contributing to the Audi AI Remote Parking Pilot system. Once activated, the driver can direct the A8 to park itself in a spot without ever having to be in the car, and command it to exit the spot as well.

As far as engines go, the A8 will debut with a turbocharged V6 gasoline engine in a mild hybrid system. A V8 model will follow, as will a plug-in hybrid and a range-topping W12. Expect to see the 2019 Audi A8 in U.S. showrooms in mid- to late 2018 with prices starting around the $100,000 mark.