The previous generation A8 (D4) was sold in 2010, and after a facelift in 2013, the fourth-generation A8 (D5) was finally launched in 2017, replacing the previous generation model and continuing to compete with the S-Class, 7 Series, and LS. The next-generation A8 debuted in Spain in July 2017 and was first launched in Germany at the end of the year, while other countries such as the United States and China went on sale in 2018.
 
The fourth-generation A8 uses the MLB evo platform, which is commonly used in high-end Volkswagen Group models, and is not a new technology, but this generation A8 uses a new generation of ASF (Audi Space Frame) body structure. In the trend of general weight reduction, the body-in-white of the new generation A8 is 51kg heavier than the previous generation A8, because Audi has a very high strength-to-weight ratio on the all-aluminum body of the new generation A8, but the toughness is still not enough, so Audi gave up the all-aluminum body, reduced the aluminum content of the body to 58%, and hot-stamped high-strength steel accounted for 40%, improved the use of steel, added magnesium alloy and CFRP carbon fiber, and improved the strength of the body. Obviously, increasing the amount of hot stamping steel is a low-cost and easy-to-use way to improve torsional rigidity in a car body.
 
In terms of appearance, the new generation A8 is already a new family design, the front face has been replaced with a 6-sided radiator guard, and the taillights have been replaced by the Volkswagen Group's more common through-type taillights, although there is no sense of grace and luxury, but the sense of science and technology is sufficient. This generation of A8 will still have a standard axle version and a long axle version, the standard axle version wheelbase is 2998mm, the car length is 5172mm, the long axle version wheelbase is 3128mm, and the car length is 5302mm.
 
This generation of A8 canceled the 2.0T 40 TFSI, the entry model is already the 3.0T 55 TFSI, this 3.0T engine comes from Volkswagen's EA839, 340 horsepower, 500 Nm, 000 acceleration time of 5.6 seconds, 60 TFSI will have a 4.0T V8 engine, 450 horsepower, 600 Nm, 000 Nm, 000 acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. In addition to the gasoline engine, the A8 will also have a diesel version, but it is not sold in China, while the traditional W12 engine will be available for the time being, which will be canceled in the future. The new A8 will also be available in a plug-in hybrid version, called the 60 e-tron, with a combined power of 449 hp, which will be released later.
 
The new generation A8 is still equipped with an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox, because in the Volkswagen Group, this gearbox can withstand more torque, and there is no problem in terms of smoothness and speed of shifting, but there is a problem that when you start, the response will be a little slower, and when you close the throttle, its reaction will also be a little slower, resulting in a fuel recovery will also output a part of the power, which is not very satisfying.
 
This generation of A8 also comes with a 48V mild hybrid system, which can actually be simply understood as the basis of the original 12V electrical system. In addition, a 48V electrical system is added, a 48V lithium battery is placed at the rear of the car, and a starter is added to the front of the engine. The mild hybrid system is relatively low-cost, but it improves fuel economy and can support a wider range of technical needs.
 
The A8 chassis of this generation has also undergone significant changes, with air suspension and quattro four-wheel drive system as standard, rear-wheel steering technology provided by ZF, as a car of more than 5 meters2, four-wheel steering will make it more agile in low-speed steering and more agile in high-speed line changes. As Audi's flagship sedan, it is also equipped with active suspension, including a system that scans the road surface in advance to adjust the suspension, as well as an active anti-roll bar, which is very calm when passing over bumpy roads, and the road surface changes are barely noticeable when sitting in the back seat.
 
The interior of this generation of A8 has also kept up with the trend of the times, that is, more large screens have been added, but in fact, when the central control is controlled through the touch screen, the driver's eyes need to often go back and forth between the road and the screen, which is actually a safety hazard, and the other point is that the touch screen of A8 is also a fingerprint collector, which needs to be taken care of frequently, which is not too convenient.
 
The rear row of the A8 has a three-seater and a two-seater, and the two-seater is also a relatively standard boss seat in the same class, and the comfort of the first-class seat is very good. Because the wheelbase reaches more than 3.1 meters, the knee room is much more than the previous generation, and similarly, the increased wheelbase of the long axis version is also reflected in the knee room, and the central armrest box has a Pad that can be taken out to control the functions of each part of the car, and the large screen hanging behind the front seats can also be taken down as a tablet, and the Matrix LED on the top of the head can also adjust the lighting angle as you like.
 
The safety protection of the new generation A8 is also very complete, in addition to the basic high-rigidity car body, tracking system, airbags, it also includes ultrasound, radar, laser, camera and other 24 detection instruments, which do a very good job in preventing collisions. In addition, A8 also has an Audi AI driving assistance system, including automatic parking, garage remote parking and Level 3 high-speed traffic jam automatic driving, but it is a pity that the high-speed traffic jam automatic driving function is currently only allowed to be used in Germany.
Audi A8 test report