Audi A8's fully active suspension offers tailor-made flexibility

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

Thanks to a front camera, the luxury sedan 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 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 processes 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. The new Audi A8 makes its world debut at the Audi Summit in Barcelona, Spain on 11^th July.