The world debut of the Luxury Flagship model from Audi, we give you the Audi A8.

All-new luxury saloon which pushes technological limits in numerous areas, including full driving automation, makes its world debut

• World debut for flagship model at Audi Summit in Barcelona
• New design language and a pioneering touch operating concept
• Piloted driving functions to be rolled out in production Audi A8 versions from 2018
• Available to order in the UK from September, UK pricing TBC, first deliveries in late 2017

Today is where the future begins in the luxury class: The new Audi A8 makes its world debut at the Audi Summit in Barcelona. In its fourth generation, the flagship model again sets the benchmark for Vorsprung durch Technik with a new design language, an innovative touchscreen operating concept and systematic drivetrain electrification. 

The Audi A8 is also the first production car in the world to have been developed for highly automated driving. From 2018, Audi will gradually be taking piloted driving functions such as parking pilot, garage pilot and traffic jam pilot into production.

Doyen of style: the exterior design

The new Audi A8 is stylistically defining – it signals the beginning of a new design era for the entire brand. The front end with its wide, upright Singleframe grille and the fluid, muscular body convey power, elegance, sophistication and modernity, and deliver on the promise made by the Audi prologue design study. 

The luxury saloon makes a suitably emphatic statement whether in 5.17-metre ‘standard’ form or as the A8 L, which has a 13 centimetre longer wheelbase.

The Audi brand is renowned worldwide for consistent innovation in design and engineering, for lightweight construction and for quattro permanent all-wheel drive – and every facet of the new A8 reflects these values.

The balanced proportions emphasise all four wheels in equal measure, and the muscular definition above the wheel arches gives visual expression to the quattro drive. Viewed side-on, the upright front end combined with the gently inclined rear create visual tension which is intensified, particularly at night, by the striking HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser lighting, and the LED light strip combined with OLED technology at the rear. These produce unique light animations as the driver approaches and leaves the car.

Luxury from head-to-toe: the interior

Space is often considered to be the ultimate luxury, and compared to its predecessor the new A8 has grown substantially in length in both body styles. Occupants can also now relax in even more sublime surroundings, with every detail radiating superlative bespoke quality – from the perforation in the seat upholstery to the electrically opening and closing shutters on the air vents.

The most sought-after seat in the new Audi flagship model could quite possibly be the rear left – the optional relaxation seat in the A8 L that comes with four different adjustment options and a footrest. In this seat, the passenger can warm and massage the soles of their feet on a unit with multiple settings incorporated into the back of the front-passenger seat. The new comfort head restraints complete the experience. 

Rear passengers can also control an array of functions such as ambient lighting, the new HD Matrix reading lights and seat massage, and can make private phone calls via a separate operating unit. The rear seat remote control, with its smartphone-size OLED display, is a removable unit housed in the centre armrest.

Fingertip response: the controls

The luxury saloon’s interior deliberately adopts a reductive design; the interior architecture is clear and with a strictly horizontal orientation. Audi carries its high quality standards into the digital age with a radically new operating concept. 

It dispenses with the familiar rotary pushbutton and touchpad of the predecessor model in favour of an instrument panel which is largely free of buttons and switches. At its centre is a 10.1-inch touchscreen display which, when off, blends almost invisibly into the high-gloss black surround thanks to its black-panel look.

The user interface appears as soon as the car is opened. The driver controls the Infotainment system with a fingertip on the large display. He or she can use a second touchscreen display on the centre tunnel console to access the air conditioning and comfort functions as well as make text inputs. 

When the driver activates a function in the upper or lower display, a click is heard and felt by way of confirmation. The glass-look operating buttons respond in the same way. 

The combination of acoustic and tactile feedback along with the use of common touch gestures such as swiping make the new MMI touch response especially safe, intuitive and quick to use.

The A8 can also engage in intelligent conversation. The driver can activate an array of functions using a new, natural form of voice control. Information on destinations and media is either available on board or is delivered from the cloud at LTE speed. The extensive Audi connect range also includes traffic sign recognition and hazard information – innovative car-to-X services that draw on the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet.

The navigation system has also evolved in line with the car which houses it: It is self-learning, based on the route just driven. This provides the driver with intelligent search suggestions. The map also incorporates highly detailed 3D models of major European cities.

World premiere: the pilot-driving Audi A8

The new A8 is the first production car to have been developed specially for highly automated driving. The Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes charge of driving in slow-moving traffic at up to 37mph on major roads where a physical barrier separates the two carriageways. The system is activated using the AI button on the centre console.

The traffic jam pilot manages starting, accelerating, steering and braking. The driver no longer needs to monitor the car permanently. They can take their hands off the steering wheel permanently and, depending on the national laws, focus on a different activity that is supported by the car, such as watching the on-board TV. As soon as the system reaches its limits, it calls on the driver to take back control of the task of driving.

The introduction of the Audi AI traffic jam pilot means the statutory framework will need to be clarified in each individual market, along with the country-specific definition of the application and testing of the system. 

The brand’s high quality standards are equally applicable in the realm of highly automated driving. In addition, a range of approval procedures and their corresponding timescales will need to be observed worldwide. Audi will therefore be adopting a step-by-step approach to the introduction of the traffic jam pilot in production models.

From a technical perspective the traffic jam pilot is revolutionary. During piloted driving, a central driver assistance controller (zFAS) now permanently computes an image of the surroundings by merging the sensor data. As well as the radar sensors, a front camera and the ultrasonic sensors, Audi is the first car manufacturer also to use a laser scanner.

The Audi AI remote parking pilot and the Audi AI remote garage pilot autonomously steer the A8 into and out of a parking space or a garage, while the manoeuvre is monitored by the driver. The driver does not need to be sitting in the car – he or she can start the appropriate system from their smartphone using the new myAudi app. It broadcasts a live feed of the parking manoeuvre taken from the car’s 360-degree cameras on their handheld device for easy monitoring.

New dimension: the suspension

With a whole package of innovations, the suspension pushes the very limits of what is physically possible. One such innovation is dynamic all-wheel steering, which combines quick and direct response with unshakable stability. 

The steering ratio for the front wheels varies as a function of speed; the rear wheels are turned in or against the direction of steering depending on the speed range. The car’s handling becomes even more dynamic and precise with the sport differential. This actively distributes torque between the rear wheels, complementing the quattro permanent all-wheel drive that is standard in the new A8.

The second new technology, Audi AI active suspension, is a fully active suspension system. Depending on the driver’s wishes and the driving situation, it is capable of raising or lowering each wheel separately with electric actuators. 

This newfound latitude enables it to deliver the polished ride comfort of a classic luxury saloon and the taut, composed agility of a more driver-oriented performance car in equal measure. In combination with pre sense 360°, the car is rapidly raised if there is an impending lateral collision, reducing the potential consequences of the accident for all occupants.

This highly innovative suspension system obtains the energy it requires from a 48-volt electrical circuit. The A8 is the first Audi model to use this more powerful network as its primary electrical system, and all versions reap its benefit. In conjunction with the advanced air suspension for the A8, the innovative fully active suspension concept delivers an utterly new driving experience.

Mild hybrid and e-tron

The new A8 makes its debut with two extensively reengineered V6 turbo engines: a 3.0 TDI and a 3.0 TFSI. The diesel develops 286PS, and the petrol version 340PS. An eight-cylinder TDI – a 4.0-litre with 435PS – will follow slightly later. The exclusive top engine version is the W12 with a displacement of 6.0 litres.

All five engines operate in conjunction with a belt alternator starter (BAS), which is the nerve centre of the 48-volt electrical system. This mild hybrid technology (MHEV, mild hybrid electric vehicle) enables the car to coast with the engine switched off, and to restart smoothly. 

It also has an extended start/stop function and an energy recovery output of up to 12 kW. The combined effect of these measures is to bring down the fuel consumption of the already efficient engines even further – by as much as 0.7 litres for every 100 kilometres (62.1 miles) covered in real world driving conditions.

The A8 L e-tron quattro with its powerful plug-in hybrid drivetrain will follow at a later date: Its 3.0 TFSI engine and powerful electric motor achieve 449PS of system power and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of system torque. 

The lithium-ion battery stores enough power for about 31 miles of electric driving. It can optionally be charged by Audi Wireless Charging. A pad in the garage floor transfers the power inductively to a receiver coil in the car with a power output of 3.6 kW.

The new Audi A8 and A8 L are being built at the Neckarsulm plant in Germany and will be appearing on UK roads in late 2017 following initial availability for ordering in September.

The world Debut of the All-New A8 gets shown to the world on the 11th July, cant wait.

Forthcoming Audi luxury saloon to feature advanced new camera-linked adaptive suspension for exceptional ride and handling composure

• Global first: Raising the body during a side impact improves passive safety
• Fully active suspension for maximum comfort and dynamism
• 48-volt main electrical system powers electromechanical suspension system
• Dynamic all-wheel steering resolves the conflict of aims between agility and stability
• The new Audi A8 makes its world debut at the Audi Summit in Barcelona on July 11
• Turning circle smaller than an A4 thanks to the option of all-wheel steering

Befitting of the premium brand’s flagship luxury saloon, the all-new Audi A8 makes its world debut at the first ever Audi Summit on July 11 with a host of innovative new technologies that will again elevate it to the pinnacle of Vorsprung durch Technik.

One of the myriad new features available for the most advanced Audi model ever launched will be active suspension, which through the use of advanced camera technology linked to individual electric motors for each wheel can adapt incredibly precisely to changes in the road surface and provide a more finely differentiated balance than ever before between a cosseting ride for the driven and a rewarding experience for the driver. 

This flexibility is made possible thanks to the new active suspension based on the 48-volt electrical system, which is used for the first time as the main electrical system.

The all-new active suspension on the Audi A8 is a fully active, electromechanical suspension system, which drives each wheel individually and adapts to the prevailing road conditions. The electric motor at each wheel is powered by the 48-volt main electrical system. Additional components include gears, a rotary tube together with internal titanium torsion bar and a lever which exerts up to 1,100 Nm (811.3 lb-ft) on the suspension via a coupling rod.

Predictive and preventative

Thanks to the front camera, the luxury saloon detects bumps in the road early on and predictively adjusts the active suspension. Even before the car reaches a bump in the road, the preview function developed by Audi transmits the right amount of travel to the actuators and actively controls the suspension.

In this way the suspension reacts precisely at the right time, virtually completely eliminating any vibrations and jolts. This complex process takes just a few milliseconds, with the camera generating information about the road surface condition 18 times a second.

The electronic chassis platform (ECP) processes the road surface information and precisely controls all suspension components almost in real time. In conjunction with the air suspension fine-tuned for the A8, the innovative suspension concept delivers an entirely new driving experience in this way. Irrespective of the high level of comfort, the new luxury saloon sits close to the road even with a dynamic driving style.

The active suspension specifically influences and minimises rolling movements when cornering, and pitching movements when braking or accelerating, for instance. The customer can drive dynamically while keeping the vehicle under control or work undisturbed in the rear.

The innovative combination of dynamic and rear axle steering resolves the conflict of aims between agility and stability in the shape of dynamic all-wheel steering: The steering characteristics are direct while ensuring a high level of handling stability; the steering feel encompasses a wide spread from comfortable through to intense feedback. The turning circle of the A8 is smaller than that of an A4.

In conjunction with the Audi pre sense 360˚ safety system, the active suspension on the new Audi A8 takes passive safety to a new level. The system uses the sensors networked in the central driver assistance controller (zFAS) to detect risks of a collision around the car. In the event of an imminent side impact at more than 15mph the suspension actuators raise the body on the exposed side by up to 80 mm within half a second. As a result, the collision is directed to the even stronger areas of the luxury saloon, such as side sills and floor structure. Hence the load on the occupants is reduced by up to 50 percent compared with a side impact where the body is not raised.

The fifth generation of the ever popular SEAT Ibiza is about to be released - we look back !

• About to enter its fifth generation, the SEAT Ibiza has sold more than 5.4 million units
• 80% of its production is exported to over 75 countries 
• It has been on the market for 33 years and was the car that internationalised the brand

In 1984, Michael Jackson took the music world by storm with Thriller. On the big screen, Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom smashed all box-office records. 

It was also the year when Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was born, and the year the first SEAT Ibiza was launched on the market. 

Since then, this model has been driving on streets and roads all over the world continuously for 33 years. Keep reading to find out some interesting facts and figures about this legendary model.

-Four generations and more than 5.4 million units sold

In three decades, the SEAT Ibiza has accumulated four generations. It is the top-selling Spanish passenger car – to date, more than 5.4 million units have been sold. If they were arranged in a straight line, they would exceed the distance between Barcelona and New Zealand.

- Created in Barcelona

Every generation of the Ibiza was designed, developed and produced in Barcelona. Italy’s Giorgetto Giugiaro was the Design Director responsible for the first generation. The engine was developed with the collaboration of Porsche, thereby creating the System Porsche designation, and car module manufacturer Karmann helped build the bodywork. 

- Fuel consumption lowered to less than half

After 33 years, the SEAT Ibiza consumes less than half as much as the first generation – from 7.8 litres/100 km in 1984 down to 3.6 litres on today’s 90 hp Ibiza 1.4 TDI.  

- 8 out of 10 Ibizas are exported

Every day 700 new SEAT Ibizas roll out of the Martorell factory. Of these, 80% are exported to over 75 countries. In fact, the Ibiza was behind the internationalisation of the brand as it was the first model to be regularly exported from Martorell. 

-Headline figures of the Ibiza

More than 700 robots are involved in its production. Each vehicle contains 3,000 parts, and it travels nearly 12 km to complete its production process. In addition, since 1984 more than 70 million kilos of paint have been used, which is equivalent to painting the Eiffel Tower more than 1,000 times. 

- Women’s role

The Ibiza was the first SEAT car to integrate women on the production line. Today, women account for 1 out of every 5 workers on this line (21%), the highest rate in Spanish industry. In addition, the global market has seen more and more women buyers in the last ten years, accounting for 51% of the share compared to 42% in 2004.

-Passion for competition 

The Ibiza was the official car of the Barcelona ’92 Olympic Games. It also achieved notable successes in competition racing, such as the three FIA World Rally Championship titles in the 2 litre category in 1996, 97 and 98.

SEAT surprises some school children on a recent visit to one of their production facilities.

• It's Christmas at SEAT for children from a school in Barcelona who receive presents along the assembly line
• Students visiting the carmaker's factory find out about the manufacturing process of a vehicle

The SEAT factory in Martorell, where more than 2,000 vehicles are produced every day, had presents coming off the assembly line for the first time, just days before the arrival of the Christmas holidays. 

On the occasion of a school visit to the plant, the carmaker had a surprise in store for the 28 visiting students from the Marillac school in Barcelona while they got a close look at the manufacturing process of a vehicle. 

At each stage of the visit, presents randomly appeared on several sections of the production line, the robot stations, smart utility vehicles, and some were even hand delivered by the company’s own employees.

“It looks like Santa was here last night!” the children were heard saying as they found new presents among the various car parts along the assembly line until they reached the final station, where a SEAT Leon was waiting for them filled with educational toys based on science and technology for everyone.

This initiative is part of SEAT’s commitment to young talent and educational projects, which is reflected in the nearly 60 years of existence of the company’s Apprentice School, a vocational training centre whose key to success is the completion of training courses in a real-world environment. 

185 young hopefuls are currently learning and studying there with the option of later becoming a part of the company’s workforce.

The SEAT factory in Martorell has the highest output in Spain. Last year a total of 477,000 units were produced here and later distributed to the more than 75 countries where the Spanish brand markets its vehicles. 

SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80% of its vehicles, and is present in over 75 countries. 

In 2015, SEAT’s turnover amounted to over 8.3 billion euros, the highest in its history, and the company achieved worldwide sales of more than 400,000 units for the first time since 2007.

SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Ateca and the Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Alhambra in Portugal and the Mii in Slovakia. 

The multinational has a Technical Centre, which operates as a knowledge hub that brings together 1,000 engineers who are focussed on developing innovation for Spain’s largest industrial investor in R&D. 

SEAT already features the latest connectivity technology in its vehicle range and is currently engaged in the company’s global digitisation process to promote the mobility of the future.

SEAT details the future of the brand and it's model portfolio to the dealers from around the globe.

• The brand reveals the future models to importers and dealers
• More than 2,400 people from 59 countries attend the presentation 
• The Ateca takes the Internet by storm with 7.2 million visits to the SEAT website

SEAT has presented its strategy and future plans to its global dealer network, a roadmap inspired by the brand’s entry in a new segment with the Ateca. The meeting was held in the heart of Barcelona’s bustling harbour and was attended by over 2,400 participants from 59 countries, who learned all about the new models that the brand is going to launch in the months ahead.

SEAT President Luca de Meo announced the brand’s latest novelties to the entire commercial network. 

“The Ateca, together with the Leon and the Ibiza, will become SEAT’s third pillar, and make a very positive contribution to promoting the profitability of the company and the dealer network”, de Meo explained to the dealers. “With the Ateca, the company is launching a product offensive that will expand and strengthen the model lineup. Thanks to the Ateca and its little brother, the crossover we’re going to launch next year, SEAT will be present in the segments showing the highest growth in the market”, he added.

The Ateca is already an Internet sensation. Since its presentation last February, 7.2 million people have shown interest in learning about the Ateca on the SEAT website in Germany, Spain, the UK, France and Italy. In addition, more than 300,000 configurations have been made of the model, which will be available across the dealership network beginning this June.

Carried out within 50 metres of the Mediterranean shoreline in close collaboration with the port authority, the presentation to SEAT’s global sales network featured a recreation of an authentic sensory experience related with the city of Barcelona. Furthermore, the participants had the chance to enjoy a spectacular cooking show with two multi-Michelin-starred chefs – Sergi Arola and Paco Pérez, both of who delighted their audience with their culinary creations.

In addition to this event intended for importers and dealers, during the entire month of June, 900 international journalists will be flying to Barcelona to gain first-hand knowledge of the new SEAT Ateca and take it for test drives all over the city.

SEAT celebrates the Alhambra's 20th Anniversary with a special edition.

• Attractive special edition for the anniversary of the successful MPV
• Unique design features, premium equipment
• Innovative technology package for comfort, safety, connectivity 

The most spacious and versatile vehicle in the SEAT line-up celebrates its anniversary with a special edition. The first-generation SEAT Alhambra was presented 20 years ago – and quickly developed to become a successful model for family, hobbies and leisure, as well as for business and fleet customers. 

Nowadays, the dynamic MPV for active people counts among its strengths maximum variability, state-of-the-art technologies and assistance systems, powerful and efficient drives and universal connectivity. Added to that – in true SEAT fashion – is exceptionally high quality and perfection combined with excellent value-for-money.

The new SEAT Alhambra 20th anniversary special edition unites unique design features with an extensive package of technologies. The edition is immediately recognisable by its 17-inch alloy wheels in high-gloss black, which are complemented perfectly by the xenon headlamps, the tinted side and rear windows and the large panorama glass sliding roof. 

The interior is defined by distinctive, dark Alcantara upholstery with stitching in light corn silk. Those seated in the first row of the Alhambra 20th anniversary edition benefit from sports seats with massage function.

The technology package is equally extensive. Keyless entry opens the door to one of the most innovative vehicles in this segment – and even the tailgate can be operated hands-free by foot gesture. 

Like the tailgate, the two sliding doors also open and close electrically. 

The comprehensive package of safety and assistance systems includes the Lane Assist lane-departure warning system, Blind Spot Detection, traffic sign recognition and the light assistant. Likewise on board is the SEAT navigation system with the optional Full Link smartphone connection for perfect connectivity.

SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80% of its vehicles, and is present in over 75 countries. In 2015 SEAT achieved worldwide sales of 400,000 units, the highest figure since 2007.

SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Alhambra in Portugal, the Mii in Slovakia and the Toledo in the Czech Republic. 

The multinational has a Technical Centre, which operates as a knowledge hub that brings together 1,000 engineers who are the driving force behind innovation for Spain’s largest industrial investor in R&D. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its activity on sustainability, namely the reduction of CO₂ emissions and energy efficiency.