Audi presents the all-new A8’s innovative turning lights.
In the new Audi A8, the turn signal lights will now indicate the turning direction in an innovative way, which has the potential to significantly enhance traffic safety. That is because the lights provide a visual signal that can be clearly and quickly perceived, even at long distances and in poor visibility.
Each of the enhanced headlights contains18 light-emitting diodes arranged in a strip that is subdivided into seven blocks. Each tail light contains 24 LEDs in eight segments, which are used to dynamically indicate the turning direction. During flashing, the blocks are sequentially activated at 20 millisecond intervals, from the inside outwards in the desired turning direction. After 150 milliseconds, all segments are bright; for another 250 milliseconds they illuminate with full intensity. Afterwards, the turn signals go dark before repeating the lighting sequence.
Considering their capabilities, the Audi Matrix LED headlights can be regarded as a cutting-edge innovation. In each headlight, 25 light-emitting diodes generate a highly variable high-beam light. When the on-board camera detects other vehicles ahead, the Audi Matrix LED headlights mask the relevant sections of the high-beam by dimming or shutting off individual diodes. Very bright illumination is preserved in the remaining zones.
The Audi Matrix LED headlights also feature navigation-based cornering lights and, in cooperation with the night vision assistant, a marker light that warns the driver of pedestrians in the dark and which also alerts the pedestrians.
Audi will be presenting the upgraded A8 in September at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt.
Audi celebrates 500,000 TT models with special-edition Audi TTS competition.
The Audi TT has long been a design icon, and Audi is setting new accents with the TTS competition. It is available exclusively in the special paint finishes Imola yellow or Nimbus gray, and its exterior calling card is a fixed rear wing with bars in a matt aluminum-look finish. The Roadster’s top is available in either Black or Gray. The 19-inch wheels feature a five-arm “Rotor” design and are shod with beefy 225/35 tires.
The Impulse leather package in steel gray dominates the interior of the TTS competition and uses characteristic leather bands as decorative elements. Their cut edges are dyed Imola yellow, and this same shade of yellow is used for the contrasting stitching. Aluminum badges on the door trims embossed with “1 of 500” further accentuate the exclusivity of the special edition model.
A leather multifunction steering wheel with a more strongly contoured rim and the rear parking system round out the equipment. All other features – from xenon plus headlights and Audi magnetic ride damper control system to aluminum inlays – correspond to the already comprehensive list of standard equipment in the TTS. The TTS competition is also very attractive financially. The extra charge for the competition package is just 1,900 euros.
With its 200 kW (272 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque, the 2.0 TFSI engine defines the dynamic character of the Audi TTS competition. Paired with the six-speed S tronic, it accelerates the Coupé from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.3 seconds (5.5 seconds with manual transmission). Average fuel consumption for the Coupé is 7.7 liters per 100 kilometers (30.55 US mpg) with the S tronic, 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers (29.77 US mpg) with the manual. The Audi TTS competition Roadster with the six-speed S tronic sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.5 seconds. With the manual transmission, this same sprint takes 5.7 seconds. The Roadster consumes 7.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (29.77 US mpg) when equipped with the S tronic and 8.1 liters per 100 kilometers (29.04 US mpg) with the manual. quattro permanent all-while drive delivers the power to the road in all models, and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph)
Limited to just 500 units, the Audi TTS competition is a particularly exclusive special edition model. For all regular TT variants with up to 155 kW (211 hp), Audi offers the S line competition trim line, which also features special visual cues, 19-inch wheels and the S line sports package.
The production of the 500,000th Audi TT documents the success of the compact sports car. The TT achieved design icon status with the very first generation, which debuted as a Coupé in 1998 and as a Roadster the year after. Its consistently implemented clarity of form and the loving attention to detail continues to captivate both the media and customers alike.
As a Coupé, the compact sports car impressed with its 2+2 seating concept and variable luggage compartment; as a Roadster with its puristic, lightweight cloth top. It set standards with its technology: with the potent downsizing turbocharged engines, quattro all-wheel drive for the high-end models and with the six-speed S tronic, which debuted in the model series in 2003.
The second generation, which followed in 2006/2007, marked the first time that Audi succeeded in reversing the weight spiral. The ASF (Audi Space Frame) body, which is made predominately of aluminum, made the new version as much as 90 kilograms (198.42 lb) lighter than the previous model. The low weight enables strong performance with very low fuel consumption. Another Audi innovation was the TT 2.0 TDI quattro: the world’s first premium-segment sports car with a powerful diesel engine and all-wheel drive.
(Image and content source: Audi)
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