Audi has just released the fourth generation of the A8, with its AI traffic jam pilot and 48-volt electrical system – and a plug-in hybrid is to follow.

During a launch ceremony yesterday at the Audi Summit in Barcelona, the company said the full-size sedan has a “systematically electrified drive” and will be the first production volume car in the world to have been developed for “highly automated driving.”

Automated driving features would be considered Level 3 by SAE standards, and will provide a few convenient functions through a parking pilot, garage pilot, and traffic jam pilot. Along with parking itself, the traffic jam pilot can take control of the car during slow-moving traffic and speeds up to 60 km/h (37.3 mph).

The driver can push an AI button on the center console. The traffic jam pilot can do the driving and manage starting, accelerating, steering, and braking.

All variations of the 2018 A8 will have a belt alternator starter (BAS), which is central to its 48-volt electrical system. The 48-volt system powers a number of functions increasing fuel efficiency, including an extended start/stop function and an energy recovery output of up to 12 kW. This will add as much as 0.7 liters (0.2 gallons) per 100 kilometers (62.1 miles) in real driving conditions in fuel savings.

For the 2018 model year, the A8 will start by being first sold in the German market. Car buyers can choose one of two engine options, one powered by diesel and one by gasoline – a 3.0 TDI and a 3.0 TFSI.

As for power output, the diesel version develops 210 kW (286 horsepower), and the gasoline engine produces 250 kW (340 horsepower).

Two eight-cylinder versions of the A8 – a 4.0 TDI with 320 kW (435 horsepower) and a 4.0 TFSI with 338 kW (460 horsepower) – will come to market at a later time.

The Audi A8 L e-tron quattro plug-in hybrid will also follow at a later date, possibly in the 2019 model year. The German automaker said it will still have to find regulatory approval. It will be powered by a 3.0 TFSI engine and an electric motor that can, combined, produce 330 kW (449 horsepower) of system power and 700 Nm (516.3 pounds-feet) of system torque.

SEE ALSO:  Next Audi S8 to Get Hybrid Power?

Audi said it will be able to go about 50 kilometers (31.1 mi) on lithium-ion battery power. That’s most likely based on Europe’s NEDC range standard, and it would be less when being rated in the U.S. under the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard.

It will be able to be charged by Audi Wireless Charging. Just drive the A8 sedan over a pad where power inductively transfers through a receiver coil in the car.

Other features on the fourth generation A8 being promoted by Audi include a 10.1-inch dashboard touch screen display that blends into the surrounding panel; a stylistically defined exterior and “luxury lounge” interior; and a new suspension based on all-wheel steering offering sporty steering combined with stability.

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Audi has announced a new, standardized nomenclature for its cars.

It’s always a bit jarring when automakers decide to change how their models are named, but sometimes it turns out for the better. Audi is hoping its latest move will make sense once it starts rolling out, since badges such as 2.0 TFSI will be replaced by something more obscure, like 30 TFSI. The names for the model series – A4, A5, A6, etc. – aren’t changing; it’s the power output designations that are getting overhauled.

According to the German automaker, the move is being done because “engine displacement as a performance attribute is becoming less important to our customers.” In addition, the current designations doesn’t work very well for the future electrified models so Audi will be using two-numeral combinations.

The number combinations identifying the performance levels will increase in increments of five and each one represents a power output range. For example, “30” will appear on models with power output between 81 kW (110 horsepower) and 96 kW (129 horsepower). Engines producing between 227 and 248 horsepower will have a “45” badge, while slightly more powerful cars will have “50” and “55” badges. The top of the range will be identified by “70” and that represents models with over 400 kW (536 horsepower). For each model, the numbers will be followed by the engine technology: TFSI, TDI, g-tron or e-tron.

The changes will start with the new Audi A8 launching this fall with the Audi A8 50 TDI and Audi A8 55 TFSI.

You can view the move as being made due to the perception that larger numbers are better. Compared to competitor Mercedes-Benz, which uses a somewhat similar naming convention, an Audi 2.0 TFSI doesn’t sound as impressive as the CLA 45 for example, even though both cars are powered by 2.0-liter engines.

This article originally appeared at AutoGuide.com

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The Audi e-tron SUV prototype has been previewed at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, giving us more insight into Audi’s battery electric vehicle ambitions.

The e-tron prototype is described as a “sporty SUV,” that “combines the space and comfort of a typical luxury car with a range suitable for everyday use,” Audi says. It has received a secret-concealing camouflage wrap for Geneva, which is meant to evoke the “high voltage drive system,” and battery technology hidden beneath the bodywork.  All e-tron SUVs will come with all-wheel drive, suggesting each axle will receive at least one electric motor. At 150 kW charging outposts, the vehicle will fill its battery in just under 30 minutes, Audi says. It will launch in the European market before the end of the year.

Audi says the e-tron SUV will be joined by two other EVs by 2020: the production version of the e-tron Sportback concept and a new compact model. In a statement, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said the company “will be launching more than 20 electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2025 – spread across all segments and concepts.”

Prototypes similar to the vehicle pictured here will be running around all year, putting on test miles in preparation for its arrival in Audi dealers early next year. Stay tuned for more information on the pure electric SUV as it becomes available.

A version of this story originally appeared on AutoGuide.com.

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Audi has announced a plan to sell 800,000 battery-electric and hybrid vehicles by 2025, intensifying the electrification arms race between Tesla and other emerging automakers.

Announced at AUDI AGS annual meeting as part of its “Audi.Vorsprung.2025.” (“Audi Advancement”) campaign, the brand revealed the number as part of its roadmap, with most of the vehicles to be all-electric.

“Our ambition has always been and will continue to be Vorsprung durch Technik,” says Rupert Stadler, board chairman. Vorsprung durch Technik translates into “Advancement through Technology.”

ALSO SEE: Audi E-Tron to Offer 150 KwH DC Fast Charging, 250 Miles of Range

“Our goal is to revolutionize mobility. Also in electric mobility, we want to become the Number 1 among the premium manufacturers – with full suitability for everyday use, no compromises, top quality and driving pleasure for the customer,” he added. “With our technological excellence, we are utilizing our Vorsprung and lifting electric mobility to the next level.”

The 800,000 milestone also joins the German automaker’s goal to introduce more than 20 electrified vehicles to the market by 2025 using Volkswagens new MEB molder platform, an increase over a previously announced 20 vehicle target.

Also, it elaborated upon its “Action and Transformation” plan, which sought to reevaluate organization cost structure, new business models and reinvest money into e-mobility and self-driving in a bd to increase profitability and market share.

At the moment, Audi sells three plug-in hybrids, with approximately 16,000 hybrid vehicles sold in 2017. This year, it will launch the E-Tron, its first ever all-electric SUV, followed by the e-Tron Sportback in 2019 and the e-Tron GT in 2020.

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Audi had planned to show its new electric SUV at a glitzy event in Belgium at the end of August, but it’s now been rescheduled following the arrest of its CEO Rupert Stadler.

According to Automotive News, Audi had already invited journalists to the August 30 event, where it planned to show off its first mass-produced electric vehicle – the e-tron SUV.  The automaker sent out an email Monday saying the event had been called off, citing “organizational reasons.” It will instead hold the event at a later date somewhere in the United States.

While not confirmed by Audi, it’s believed the cancellation of the event is related to the brand’s image in Europe following Stadler being taken into custody for reasons related to VW Group’s ongoing ‘Dieselgate’ scandal.

Audi said the postponement of the debut event won’t result in the e-tron coming to market any later than anticipated.

“The e-tron will have its market launch at the end of the year,” an Audi spokesperson said in a statement. “Nothing has changed.”

SEE ALSO: Tuners Turn Audi RS3 into a 1,183-HP EV

While Audi will still get its electric SUV to market in time, that doesn’t mean it won’t lose out in some way. Mercedes-Benz is will show off its first purpose-built electric offering, the EQC crossover, on September 4th. Audi’s rescheduled event in the US is slated to happen after the Mercedes showing, so its German rivals will be first to show off their answer to the Tesla Model X.

The Audi e-tron will feature all-wheel drive as standard, the automaker has confirmed, with all versions featuring two electric motors mounted at each axle. A performance-oriented three-motor version will also eventually arrive, but won’t be available from launch. The crossover will also come with standard 150 kWh DC fast charging, capable of charging the battery from flat to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes. Range for the standard two-motor version is anticipated to sit at around 250 miles. Pricing in Europe starts at 80,000 euros.

We’ll have full details on the Audi e-tron SUV following its rescheduled US debut – whenever that takes place.

[Source: Automotive News]

A version of this story originally appeared on AutoGuide.com.

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