High voltage for more efficiency
AUDI The flagship A 8 model celebrates its world premiere at the Audi Summit in Barcelona on July 11. For the first time, the new model generation will be equipped with an electrified powertrain as standard, featuring a high voltage of 48 volts. The engines of the new A 8 will be equipped with mild hybrid technology for this purpose. The basis for this is a 48-volt electrical system, which is used here for the first [...]
The engines of the new A 8 will be equipped with mild hybrid technology. This is based on a 48-volt electrical system, which is being used as the main electrical system in series production for the first time.
Mild hybrid with 48 volt
The mild hybrid drive is made up of two central components: firstly, the water-cooled 48-volt belt starter generator (RSG), which supplements the conventional pinion starter. The latter is only used in the new Audi A8 for cold starts. Secondly, the lithium-ion battery placed in the luggage compartment forms the energy storage system with 10 Ah charge carrier capacity and a 48-volt voltage rating. According to the supplier, the advantage of the RSG becomes particularly clear when the driver approaches a red light or a traffic circle: When the traffic light turns green as the car is approaching while braking, or when there is a gap to merge and the driver releases the brake, the internal combustion engine is started immediately. The car accelerates without deceleration. This is only possible with a belt starter generator that is permanently connected to the combustion engine.
"Sailing" as needed
The fourth-generation A8 can take off into silent "sailing" in the speed range between 55 and 160 km/h. The car can be driven for up to 40 seconds with the engine completely switched off. The car can "sail" emission-free for up to 40 seconds with the engine completely switched off. As soon as the driver accelerates again, the engine is quickly restarted. In addition, start-stop operation starts at just 22 km/h. To achieve this high level of efficiency, the new Audi A8 has a special drive management system: it processes both route data and information from its sensor set, which also includes the front camera. On this basis, the drive management system decides whether the A8 "sails" or recuperates. According to the manufacturer, the mild hybrid drive reduces consumption in customer operation for the A8 by up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers.
Premiere in the cinema film
Even before its official world premiere, the new Audi A8 is coming to the movies. It has a guest appearance in the blockbuster "Spider-Man: Homecoming. This means that movie fans will be the first to see the luxury sedan at the film premiere on June 28 in Los Angeles (in Switzerland from July 13). Parts of the front and side design of the new sedan can be seen in the film scene.
