The new Audi A8 has made its world debut at the Audi Summit in Barcelona, Spain. In its fourth generation, the flagship model again sets the benchmark for Vorsprung durch Technik with a new design language, an innovative touchscreen operating concept and systematic drivetrain electrification. The new A8 is the first production car to have been developed specially for highly automated driving.

The Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes charge of driving in slow-moving traffic at up to 60km/h on major roads where a physical barrier separates the two carriageways. The system is activated using the AI button on the centre console. The traffic jam pilot manages starting, accelerating, steering and braking. The driver no longer needs to monitor the car permanently.

They can take their hands off the steering wheel permanently and, depending on the national laws, focus on a different activity that is supported by the car such as watching the on-board TV. As soon as the system reaches its limits, it calls on the driver to take back control of the task of driving. The Audi AI remote parking pilot and the Audi AI remote garage pilot autonomously steer the A8 into and out of a parking space or a garage, while the manoeuvre is monitored by the driver.

The driver does not need to be sitting in the car - he or she can start the appropriate system from their smartphone using the new myAudi app. It broadcasts a live feed of the parking manoeuvre taken from the car's 360-degree cameras on their handheld device for easy monitoring. With a whole package of innovations, the suspension pushes the very limits of what is physically possible. One such innovation is dynamic all-wheel steering, which combines quick and direct response with unshakable stability.

The steering ratio for the front wheels varies as a function of speed; the rear wheels are turned in or against the direction of steering depending on the speed range. The car's handling becomes even more dynamic and precise with the sport differential. This actively distributes torque between the rear wheels, complementing the quattro permanent all-wheel drive that is standard in the new A8. The second new technology, Audi AI active suspension, is a fully active suspension system.

Depending on the driver's wishes and driving situation, it is capable of raising or lowering each wheel separately with electric actuators. This newfound latitude enables it to deliver the polished ride comfort of a classic luxury saloon and the taut, composed agility of a more driver-orientated performance car in equal measure. The car is also rapidly raised if there is an impending lateral collision, reducing the potential consequences of the accident for all occupants.

This highly innovative suspension system obtains the energy it requires from a 48V electrical circuit. The A8 is the first Audi model to use this more powerful network as its primary electrical system, and all versions reap its benefit. In conjunction with the advanced air suspension for the A8, the innovative fully active suspension concept delivers an utterly new driving experience. The new A8 makes its debut with two extensively re-engineered V6 turbo engines - a 3.0 TDI and a 3.0 TFSI.

The diesel develops 282bhp, and the petrol version 335bhp. An eight-cylinder 4.0-litre TDI with 429bhp will follow slightly later. The exclusive top engine version is the 6.0-litre W12. All five engines operate in conjunction with a belt alternator starter, which is the nerve centre of the 48V electrical system. This mild hybrid technology enables the car to coast with the engine switched off, and to restart smoothly. It also has an extended start/stop function and an energy recovery output of up to 12kW.

The combined effect of these measures is to bring down the fuel consumption of the already efficient engines even further - by as much as 143km/L covered in real world driving conditions. The A8L e-tron quattro, with its powerful plug-in hybrid drivetrain, will follow at a later date. Its 3.0 TFSI engine and powerful electric motor combine to produce 443bhp of system power and 700Nm of system torque. The lithium-ion battery stores enough power for about 50km of electric driving.

Audi Wireless Charging will be offered at a later date as an option. A pad in the garage floor transfers the power inductively to a receiver coil in the car. The new Audi A8 and A8L are being built at the Neckarsulm plant in Germany and will be appearing on U.K. roads in late 2017 following initial availability for ordering in September.