adaptive air suspension

adaptive air suspension
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Driving dynamics and comfort

The Audi A8 successfully combines top-class driving dynamics with the highest comfort demands placed on a luxury saloon.

The adaptive air suspension is an electronically controlled air suspension system at all four wheels in conjunction with a - likewise electronically controlled - continuously adaptive damping system. It automatically adapts the suspension setup to the driving situation.

There are also four selectable modes by which the driver can adjust the suspension to suit individual needs.

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Operating principle

In any driving situation the Audi A8 driver can select from the automatic, comfort and dynamic modes by way of the "Car" menu on the MMI. Below a speed of 80 km/h the lift mode is also available, offering increased ground clearance, as well as a special trailer mode and a service mode for jacking the vehicle.

Each mode represents a coordinated combination of adaptive level control strategy and damping characteristic attuned to ensuring the optimum required road-holding and braking distance.

Automatic mode
  • Comfort-oriented damper characteristic
  • Normal level approximately 120 mm ground clearance at speeds up to 120 km/h
  • Automatic suspension lowering by 25 mm if vehicle is driven above 120 km/h for more than 30 seconds
  • Raised back to normal level after 120 seconds at speeds below 70 km/h and immediately at speeds below 35 km/h

Comfort mode
  • Highly comfort-oriented damper characteristic, attuned to the needs of comfortable cruising
  • In the lower road speed range less influence of damping forces than in automatic and dynamic modes
  • Ground clearance approximately 120 mm at all speeds

Dynamic mode
  • Sporty damper characteristic
  • Normal level approximately 100 mm ground clearance at speeds up to 120 km/h
  • Automatic suspension lowering by 5 mm if vehicle is driven above 120 km/h for more than 30 seconds
  • Raised back to 100 mm ground clearance after 120 seconds at speeds below 70 km/h and immediately at speeds below 35 km/h

Lift mode
  • Damper characteristic as automatic mode
  • Ground clearance increased to approximately 145 mm, e.g. for driving on country tracks and overcoming difficult underground parking garage thresholds
  • Selection only possible at road speeds below 80 km/h
  • Mode is quit at speeds above 100 km/h; the previously set mode is reactivated

adaptive air suspension - sport

The optional sports suspension on the Audi A8, in its automatic and comfort modes, is set around 20 mm lower than the standard adaptive air suspension.

Even the adaptive air suspension sport automatic mode is considerably sportier than the standard setup. The dynamic mode offers an even tighter, sportier setup based on harder damping.

In an extraordinary contrast, the comfort mode offers a level of ride comfort not achievable by conventional sports suspension systems.