2017 Audi A8: Fully Autonomous With More Aluminium & Magnesium Materials, New Taillights & Rear Window

Apr 04, 2017 06:10 AM EDT | Gerone Trish

The 2017 Audi A8 has been spied revealing something about the rear section of the new model. Reports also reveal the weight of the new model has been altered due to the full autonomous technology inputs.

The mule in camouflage did not hide the taillight design of the new Audi A8. As boldly shown on the spied prototype, the new car has continuous taillights now. A light bar can also be spotted connecting the taillights.

It can also be seen from the spy photos that the mule has bigger rear quarter windows. In addition, the C-pillars are now gradually sloped.

Meanwhile, the 2017 Audi A8 is reportedly coming out with a lightweight material. The new model will now sport an aluminium, magnesium and carbon fiber parts to lessen the weight of the car.

Audi is reportedly utilizing an aluminium for the base of the next A8. The automaker is also shifting to use magnesium and carbon fiber for the components of the new model.

Although the new model will make use of lightweight materials, there is still an additional weight that will be added due to the autonomous technology. Aside from this, another weight factor is the planned hybrid powertrain of the next A8.

Audi claims that the next generation A8 was designed to satisfy the demands of the customers. The new model will need to consider the additional weight caused by the autonomous technology inputs in the car.

The automaker listed three major factors for the increase in weight of the next generation Audi A8. The full-length panoramic sunroof of the new model will fill in the first major factor of increased weight. This design will require extra bracing ensure elimination of chassis flex.

The second major factor points to the autonomous technology inputs on the 2017 Audi A8. The new model will sport additional cameras and electronics which add up a bulky weight. The use of a 48-volt electric for the army of sensors is also an additional weight.

The last major factor relates to the powertrain options. The next generation A8 will have a plug-in hybrid variant which carries heavy batteries.

Considering these three major factors in the increase in the weight of the new A8, the engineers from Audi decided to use aluminium to cover 58 percent of the body. Whereas, the rest of the car will have magnesium and carbon fiber materials. Apparently, the use of magnesium will decrease the weight by 28 percent if the component will be made of aluminium.

The 2017 Audi A8 will be the brand's first fully autonomous car. The report says the new model is built with full "Level 3" autonomous driving technology which will enable the car to take full control of driving while the driver gets relieved of supervision and can do anything or nothing at all, as he desires.

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