THERE COMES A point in every brand's tenure where inspiration, design and panache all converge to create huge desirability for the product. Of course it may occur more than once with varying degrees of intensity, but we're talking about those lightning in a jar moments where you just know something is going to be a hit. With Apple it was probably the invention of the iPhone, for Rolex, the Oyster Perpetual, and this week the new flagship Audi A8 is the pinnacle of 'vorsprung' in the company's motto: 'vorsprung durch technik' (progress through technology). This car drives itself, for crying out loud! Well, to a certain extent. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect from one of the most talked about cars to hit the market this year.

Autonomous driving

Can the A8 actually ferry you around without your input? Yes and no. While fully automated driving is still a bit of a way off, this A8 can pilot you in traffic jams at speeds of up to 60km/h meaning if you're stuck in the morning commute you can catch up on some reading (your favourite motoring column, perhaps?) or watch TV. Take your hands off the wheel and the traffic jam pilot manages starting, accelerating, steering and braking. As soon as the system reaches its limits, it calls on you to take back control and carry on your way. How does it do this? Witchcraft. No, the onboard computer is fed by multiple images from around the car to keep you in line and safe.

What's under the bonnet?

The new A8 will start out in the German market with two reengineered V6 turbo engines: a 3.0 TDI and a 3.0 TFSI producing 340hp. Two eight-cylinder versions - a 4.0 TDI with 435hp and a 4.0 TFSI with 460hp will follow slightly later. The exclusive top engine version will be the W12 with a displacement of six-litres. You can guess which will be popular here, right?

Style

Audi is always known for its sports appeal and quattro permanent all-wheel drive and the A8 doesn't disappoint. Muscular shapes above the wheel arches evoke the quattro drive ethos, but it is the back which interests us most. It's just so sporty for a luxury saloon. And despite appearances, when it comes to cabin space, this is the largest A8 ever produced. What we love inside though is the rear right seat- the optional relaxation seat in the A8 L that comes with four different adjustment options and a footrest. In this seat, you can warm and massage the soles of your feet on a unit with multiple settings incorporated into the back of the front-passenger seat.

Parking pleasure

You never have to park again. Seriously, if backing into a space isn't your thing the A8 will do it for you and you don't even need to be in the car while it does it. It'll autonomously steer into and out of a parking space or a garage when you start the appropriate system from your smartphone using the new myAudi app. Watch what it's doing from the car's 360 degree cameras on your device.

Cost

We hope we've done enough to tickle your fancy with this car. We really love it. Plus, you know with Audi, it's built to last. But, when all's said and done, much of the time it comes down to brass tax, so here goes. The first A8s will appear in Germany in late autumn with a starting price at today's exchange rate of Dhs383,500 (EUR 90,600) for the A8 and Dhs398,275 (EUR 94,100) for the A8L.Luxury isn't cheap, but we feel this is value.

Source: Khaleej Times