2018 Audi A8 to Sport Active Suspension that Adjusts Automatically

In the runup to the Audi A8’s launch, the company has revealed details about the model’s innovative suspension system that will make the ride extremely smooth. The A8 will have an active suspension system that has the capability to sense the bumps in the road ahead and thus automatically adjust the suspension for providing the passengers with a smooth ride.

The A8 will have front-mounted camera which will be used to scan the road ahead 18 times per second. The information obtained by the camera is then sent to the suspension, which automatically pre-sets itself. There is no action required on the part of the driver.

This new feature of the Audi A8 will ensure that there are no surprise jolts or vibrations. The system is quick to react once the camera identifies a bump on the road. The suspension’s actuators will be programmed so that they can get the data and actively control the electromechanical suspension system before the vehicle negotiates the bump.

An electric motor is connected to each wheel to make this technology possible and the electric motors will be powered by a 48-volt main electrical system. The active suspension will contribute significantly to the overall stability of the car, and increase comfort when travelling over bumps, especially when the car is cornering, accelerating, or braking. This suspension will work in tandem with a four-wheel steering system that will also help make the vehicle more stable and gives the A8 a turning radius that is smaller than that of the A4.

Another benefit of the sensors in the A8 is that the sensors can warn drivers of an impending collision around the vehicle. For example, if there is going to be an inevitable side crash at speeds of over 15 miles per hour (25 kilometers per hour), the suspension will automatically raise the A8’s body on the side which is exposed by 3.1 inches (80 millimeters) in less than a second, such that its stronger areas like the side sills and the floor structure are more prominent. This will reduce the impact of the collision on the driver and the passengers by 50 percent.

For those who have long commutes or enjoy long drives on the weekend, the A8’s active suspension is indeed the ideal technology to make the ride more comfortable