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From YourSITE.com Audi
Behind the wheel, A8 L owners will experience driving the most sporty of luxury sedans, with its advanced aluminum air spring suspension and shock absorber control, quattro ® permanent all-wheel drive system and powerful 4.2-liter V8 engine. Passengers will enjoy tremendous seating comfort and space. Ergonomic power front seats with available massage, heating and ventilation functions are designed to envelop passengers, while the optional four-zone automatic air conditioning with individual rear-seat settings provides a high level of comfort and well-being. Indirect ventilation prevents drafts and ensures desired climate settings during every trip. Additionally, the air conditioning’s quiet operation has highly refined acoustics.
Design The flowing lines of the new Audi A8 L clearly reveal the personality of this nearly 17-foot-long sedan: a harmonious combination of clarity and sporting character, grace and elegance. A low front with an unusually short overhang, a high, powerful tail and the distinct wedge-shaped body of the new A8 L are all features of its dynamic styling. The A8 L’s crouched silhouette and shoulder line rising to the rear underline the sporty effect. The powerful, well-proportioned styling of the A8 L radiates both elegance and agility.
The extended wheelbase of the A8 L, at 121 inches, is neatly incorporated between the B- and D-pillars. The rear doors, which are also increased by five inches, allow for particularly convenient passenger entry and exit. Even more convenience awaits the passengers inside. Head room in the rear, along with shoulder height and elbow room has been increased as compared to the previous generation. The Aluminum Body The innovative aluminum body of the A8 L uses a further developed form of the Audi Space Frame (ASF ®) (see ASF release for details), and is the basis for the newA8 L’s ride comfort, excellent road behavior and handling characteristics. Compared to the previous A8 model, the number of body elements has been significantly reduced by using more functional large castings and extruded sections. The A8 L has a completely closed space frame and therefore has considerable increase in static torsional rigidity — a decisive yardstick for dynamic driving and freedom from vibration. The A8 L’s performance in these areas, and its balance of high rigidity and low weight, challenges standards set in the luxury sedan segment.
Engine and Driveline The 2004 A8 L features a 330-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 five-valve engine and Audi’s legendary quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The standard six-speed Tiptronic ® automatic transmission invites the driver to choose freely between the sportingcharacter of a manual- shift gearbox and the convenience of an automatic transmission. The engine has gained significantly in terms of output and performance. An additional 20 hp and 15 lbs. ft. of torque results in an estimated 0-60 miles per hour sprint of just 6.3 seconds. The A8 L has an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. The A8 L features a new six-speed Tiptronic with Dynamic Shift Program (DSP). Thanks to the additional ratio, power output and torque are always available in such accurately controlled amounts that there are no further conflicts between spontaneous power flow, high performance and refinement. Those who prefer to shift manually will appreciate the convenience of the A8 L’s adaptive electronics. A version of the DSP specially developed for the six-speed Tiptronic helps to reduce the number of gear shifts, despite the additional ratio compared to the previous five-speed unit. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive, through which the A8 L transfers its power to the road, remains an advanced feature in the luxury car class. It provides excellent traction and stable cornering, and minimizes any self-steering tendency caused by the influence of tractive force through the driveline. This is a precondition for high cornering speeds and a high level of dynamic stability. The end result is maximum driving pleasure and active safety.
Suspension The 2004 A8 L has an aluminum suspension with a four-link front axle layout and a controlled toe-angle trapezoidal-link rear axle — both concepts that gave the A8 L’s predecessor its renowned responsiveness and steering precision. Audi’s suspension engineers have now purposefully developed its strengths. The braking system and steering system with variable transmission ratio and Servotronic ® are newly designed.The adaptive air suspension (see Air Suspension release for details) is an air suspension concept used for the first time in the luxury car class, which eliminates the classic conflicting goals of satisfactory handling properties versus a high level of suspension comfort. Lowering the ride height at high speeds improves the aerodynamics of the A8 L and therefore helps reduce its fuel consumption. The A8 L features sporty seven-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/55R17 tires — a combination that provides excellent handling and ride comfort. This equipment also sets high standards for wet road grip and low rolling resistance.
Standard Equipment Undeniably, it’s not the quantity alone but the special quality of the new A8 L’s standard equipment that sets a benchmark in the luxury car class: The A8’s speedsensitive Servotronic with new steering-angle sensing assists in matching the car’s speed and steering wheel angle. The new six-speed Tiptronic and multifunction, four-spoke steering wheel ensures a high level of handling confidence. Additionally, Audi’s development engineers concentrated on improving the automatic air conditioning system by reducing the likelihood of unpleasant currents of air inside the cabin. Additional air outlets have been integrated into the top of the fascia, from where the necessary air volume is distributed without any noticeable drafts. Air is supplied to the rear seats through outlets in the B-pillars, at the rear end of the center console and in the rear foot wells. A newly developed moisture-sensing system in the A8 L reduces the risk of fogged windows. The demisting performance of the air conditioning evaporator is based on data from the temperature and moisture sensors and from an infrared radiation sensor that determines the temperature of the windshield without touching it. But that’s not enough. Forward-looking technologies such as the Multi Media Interface (MMI) (see MMI release for details), the electro-mechanical parking brake with starting assistant, and LEDs in the rear turn indicators and side repeater lamps are once again confirmation of Audi’s advanced technology. The same applies to passive safety equipment. The driver’s and front passenger’s airbags have dual-stage inflation for optimum protection in frontal collisions; the driver’s airbag is a ring pattern. In the event of a side collision, side-impact airbags in the seatbacks and the SIDEGUARD ™ head airbag system help provide occupant safety in theoutboard seating positions.
The A8 L’s interior ambience is governed by the fine wood décor that extends to the sides. Various color combinations — from Black and Light Beige to Brown and Matte Palladium — are available for the seat upholstery and trim. The striking aluminum optics in the cockpit highlight the dynamic character of the A8 L, such as the MMI terminal, the instrument panel’s tubular dial surrounds and the clip on the multifunction steering wheel. The premium Bose ® Surround Sound stereo/CD changer with dynamic noisecompensation offers the utmost in acoustics and keeps occupants supplied with up-todate information. Four-way antenna diversity and 12 speakers provide premier reception and sound quality for all seating positions. An equalizer matched to the car’s equipment and trim specification takes into account changes to interior acoustics caused, for instance, by the choice of upholstery. The Bose system is a completely new design and assures listening pleasure via the five amplifier channels. The channels distribute sound around the listener as in a concert hall — an aural experience that is setting new standards in the automotive luxury class.
Optional Equipment Distinction is of the highest importance when designing an automobile — particularly in the luxury class. The new A8 L offers an almost inexhaustible list of design, equipment and technical options. Power front seats with massage, heat and ventilation functions, together with four-zone automatic air conditioning, provide among the best in travel comfort. An optional solar-cell sunroof produces enough electrical energy to supply the passenger compartment continuously with fresh air via the blower — even with the ignition off. Additional leather upholstery choices extend to the door armrests and center consoles. With the selection of Amber Vavona wood or Beige Grained Birch, an additional note of individuality is created in the A8 L interior. The extended aluminum look with numerous applications on the center console and fascia underlines the sporty flair of the A8 L cockpit. The interior lighting package with ambient illumination has several pre-defined profiles to ensure a light intensity in the interior that matches actual driving conditions. Ambient illumination creates a new level of harmony with the entire interior design. Audi Advantage The 2004 Audi A8 L is backed by the Audi Advantage. This industry-leading combination of warranties and protection includes: • Four-year/50,000-mile no-charge scheduled maintenance• Four-year/50,000-mile limited new vehicle warranty• 12-year limited warranty against corrosion perforation• 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years
2004 AUDI A8 L WITH NEW ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION RAISES HANDLING, COMFORT, SAFETY LOS ANGELES — As Audi’s flagship model, the A8 L exemplifies sporting character, clear design, innovative technology and superlative quality. Featuring a new adaptive air suspension, the all-new 2004 A8 L represents the utmost execution of Audi’s commitment to that charge. The adaptive air suspension of the A8 L resolves the classic conflict of achieving superior sports car handling qualities while maintaining the suspension comfort of a luxury-class vehicle. The unique system, which is standard on every 2004 A8 L, replaces the entire conventional steel suspension system of the previous generation. Reducing body movements while optimizing road manners, the adaptive air suspension of the all-new A8 L has continuously variable damper settings and four predefined settings — from overtly sporty to ultra-comfortable — for a suspension characteristic to best suit the moment and the road ahead. In addition, the adaptive air system allows the suspension to be raised or lowered to better match road and driving conditions. When lowered, the center of gravity drops, significantly increasing directional stability and optimizing aerodynamics for increased fuel economy. Raised, the system produces a compliant ride and added ground clearance over uneven roads.
Adaptive Air Suspension with Continuously Adjustable Damping The 2004 A8 L achieves absolute driving comfort by combining the adaptive air suspension with an electronically controlled, continuously adjustable damping system. Numerous sensor signals, including the rate of acceleration of the body, vertical movements at the four wheels, steering angle and position of the brake and accelerator pedals determine optimum suspension resistance. When driving straight ahead on smooth roads, and if no higher damping forces are required, the damper settings remain comfortably soft, while specific damping force adjustment at individual wheels eliminates any body movements that might reduce occupant comfort. The configuration also benefits dynamic handling properties by reducing roll or pitch when starting, stopping and cornering. Components and Function The components of the adaptive air suspension on the 2004 A8 L are "layered" to enable excellent running characteristics while maintaining the sensitive response needed to handle minor roadway imperfections. At all four wheels, air-suspension bellows are arranged concentrically around continuously variable twin-tube shock absorbers and airsuspension struts that are pressurized by an electric air compressor in the engine compartment and a pressure reservoir at the rear of the vehicle. The bellows, constructed of a special multi-layered elastomer material with polyamide cord inserts to increase strength, absorb the forces produced in the air spring. Air lines connect the individual components, while electromagnetic valves regulate airflow. Data from four sensors on the axles and three acceleration sensors on the body are evaluated in the suspension control unit. Based on the driving situation identified, the computer adjusts individual shock absorbers in milliseconds to maintain optimum driving dynamics and ride comfort. The adaptive air suspension system maintains vehicle suspension height, irrespective of loads. Extra air is pumped into the springs at high gross weights, and discharged when the load is removed. This function adapts the firmness of the springs to the load situation at all times, resulting in a consistent ride and stance.
Running Gear Attached to the aluminum chassis is a four-link front suspension and self-tracking, trapezoidal-link rear suspension — concepts responsible for the characteristic agility and high-precision steering found in its predecessor. The four-link front axle of the 2004 A8 L has been moved forward by 2.5 inches compared to the previous model, providing a much more favorable axle load distribution to maximize handling advantages. Lightweight components help reduce unsprung masses up front while sheet-metal shells with greatly reduced wall thickness at the subframe reduce weight 20 percent compared to previous generations. The trapezoidal-link rear suspension also has been advanced, with reduced toe-in across the entire spring travel to enhance directional stability, steering precision and handling. Further, the adaptive air suspension system allows for even more ride comfort from this axle design.
Steering Gear As standard equipment, the 2004 A8 L has variable-ratio rack-and-pinion steering and advanced Servotronic ® speed-dependent power assistance. The variable ratio of therack and pinion improves steering stability at high speeds without compromising comfort and convenience at lower speeds. Servotronic enables a driver to maneuver into parking spaces with minimum steering effort and maximum accuracy, and provides a clear response from the road at higher speeds. Further, the system offers a higher level of sensitivity in the straightahead position and more comfortable response. Steering kinematics have also been optimized so that the longer wheelbase, all-wheel drive A8 L provides a turning circle that is shorter than comparable class competitors with rear-wheel drive. To ensure driving comfort, the A8 L’s steering wheel can be electrically adjusted nearly two inches up or down and toward or away from the driver. Intensive detail work where the steering column is attached to the body ensures vibrations through the steering wheel are suppressed and isolated from driver feel. Driver-influenced Driving Dynamics The adaptive air suspension system of the 2004 Audi A8 L allows for driver influence of suspension characteristics and operating dynamics. Via the car’s MMI terminal (see MMI release for details), drivers can choose between four common damping traits and ride heights, and two situation-specific modes: • Automatic level, with an initial ground clearance of 4.7 in.• Dynamic level, with a ground clearance of 3.9 in.• Comfort level, with a constant ground clearance of 4.7 in.• Lift level, with a ground clearance of 5.7 in.• Trailer towing• JackWhile stationary or traveling up to medium speeds with typical road conditions, Automatic level sets the vehicle at 4.7 in. of ground clearance. To maximize aerodynamic advantages when speed exceeds 75 miles per hour for longer than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered one inch to the "Motorway" setting of 3.7 in. of ground clearance. When aerodynamics are less of an issue, such as speeds below 44 mph for longer than 30 seconds, the vehicle automatically lifts to its original stance. For more active driving response, the Dynamic level lowers the center of gravity .79 in. and sets firmer springs and harder damping characteristics with 3.9 in. of ground clearance.
If speed exceeds 75 mph for longer than 30 seconds, aerodynamic advantages are maximized by automatically lowering the vehicle an additional .20 in. to the 3.7 in. Motorway setting. The vehicle automatically returns to the static Dynamic level of 3.9 in. of ground clearance when speeds stay below 44 mph for more than two minutes, or immediately upon slowing below 22 mph. In Comfort level, extra-smooth bump control is provided by less-frequent adjustments to the damping force to maximize compression travel with a constant ground clearance of 4.7 in. For travel on uneven terrain, Lift level can be activated on demand at speeds below 50 mph for an added .98 in. of ground clearance — to 5.7 in. To prevent topheavy tendencies, the suspension automatically lowers to the most recent previously selected mode when terrain and conditions permit speeds above 62 mph. There are also two situation-specific modes available: Trailer towing becomes the default setting whenever a trailer is hitched to maintain the suspension attitude and avoid altering vehicle front height. Jack mode, meanwhile, interrupts all control processes to prevent undesired automatic height changes during wheel and/or tire service.
Adaptive Air Suspension – Sport A sport mode for the A8 L’s adaptive air suspension will be available as a late introduction. The adaptive air suspension – Sport mode blends aggressive suspension attitude with comfort — a combination unmatched by conventional sport suspensions. Like standard adaptive air suspension, adaptive air suspension – Sport has four modes, each with its own characteristic: • Sport Comfort• Sport Automatic• Sport Dynamic• Sport LiftIn adaptive air suspension – Sport, damper and suspension characteristics are noticeably firmer, and at 3.9 in. initial ground clearance, vehicle level is approximately .79 in. lower than the standard adaptive air suspension. Adaptive air suspension – Sport Comfort provides slightly more aggressive ride and handling characteristics than standard Comfort. In Sport Comfort, the shock absorber damping forces are not increased as often in the lower speed range and, in order to optimize full spring travel when driving at high speeds, the body level and ground clearance are held constant. Spring and damping rates in Sport Dynamic are slightly higher than in standard Dynamic, as they are in Sport Lift mode, with the body raised .98 in. to a maximum 4.7 in. of ground clearance. Sport Automatic is more aggressive than standard Automatic, and is the only Sport mode that automatically adjusts suspension height according to vehicle speed to maximize aerodynamics.
Adaptive Air Suspension Evolution The advantages of air suspension have been successfully demonstrated by the Audi allroad quattro, combining the dynamism of a sports wagon with the capability of an off-road vehicle. The adaptive air suspension of the 2004 A8 L, however, is completely new. A key development target of the all-new A8 L was to resolve the conflict between superior handling and a level of ride comfort befitting a vehicle of this class, while maintaining driving dynamics and qualities that are entirely in keeping with the sporting character of the A8 L. With the technically advanced adaptive air suspension, a powerful V8 engine, new six-speed Tiptronic ® transmission, a low-weight aluminum body, Audi’s legendaryquattro ® permanent four-wheel drive system and advanced aluminum running gear, the2004 A8 L offers unrivaled comfort, handling and safety in a world-class luxury car.
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