Audi has stolen the technology march on its rivals with the new A8, which will feature Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. Now, Ingolstadt is looking to the future as it plans to unveil two concept cars with Level 4 and Level 5 tech at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.
The first car, a low-slung SUV “coupé”, is based on the e-tron Sportback concept and features technologies meant to lighten the driver’s workload, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, grouped under the Audi AI umbrella. It will also be linked to the cloud, connecting with other vehicles and infrastructure via car-to-X communication to enable the car to behave in a more proactive way.
The next-generation central driver assistance controller (zFAS) enables the car to fully take over driving duties at speeds of up to 130 km/h – more than double that of the A8 – and even change lanes automatically. Otherwise, it’s exactly the same car as the e-tron Sportback, propelled by an electric quattro all-wheel drive powertrain with three motors and a combined output of 370 kW (496 hp).
A more advanced concept will be a showcase of what is possible with a true fully-autonomous vehicle designed for long-distance driving. The flagship all-electric luxury model will have a range of between 700 and 800 km and feature new technologies in terms of connectivity, communication and operation – enabling passengers to spend their extra time on something other than driving.
Also debuting is the new RS4 Avant, shown here in new spy photos. The super wagon will ditch the 4.2 litre naturally-aspirated V8 found in the past two generations, in favour of the RS5‘s 2.9 litre biturbo TFSI V6 that develops 450 hp and 600 Nm in the coupé. The outgoing seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission will also be replaced by an eight-speed auto, while a rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive system will remain.
There’s one last world premiere from the RS division, and it’s a surprising one – a limited-edition rear-wheel drive model. That’s likely a rear-driven version of the R8, following in the footsteps of the Huracan RWD.
GALLERY: 2018 Audi RS4 spyshots
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RWD? Just take a Quattro and remove the front drive linkage
All car manufacturers light years away with so advanced tech.
But Proton and Perodua still tidur
Best they think they have done is get YES 4G to fix their YES 4G MIFI unit and then Proton say their cars now 4G Internet equipped.
I think Malaysia do autonomous driving only in 2080 or 2090.
Err. What does ur wall of cave facts have anything related to the article?
Proton is not sleeping, Proton got contribute something but Perodua still sleeping and Perodua didn’t do anything
Ooh a sexy new RS4 Avant. Very nice.
All look same, sack the designer
I think the rs3 should be rear wheel driven instead of Quattro