S8 Safety

Protection

Outstanding levels of driver and passenger safety

The Audi S8 is one of the safest vehicles in its class. First, innovative Audi technology helps to prevent any kind of collision in the first place by giving you an immense amount of control in difficult driving circumstances. For example, the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) reacts in seconds to help restore traction. And Audi's legendary quattro permanent all-wheel drive helps maintain grip and control - even when the car is being driven towards its limits or in adverse weather conditions.

If a collision does occur, active head restraints play a decisive role in preventing neck injury, innovative two-stage airbags offer proven protection and the third-generation Audi Space Frame provides additional strength and rigidity to protect the cabin's occupants.

Pre Sense

Integrated Safety

Audi pre sense is a comprehensive technical package for identifying dangers well in advance and intervening appropriately. It categorises driving situations as critical or as an impending collision, with the aim of preparing the vehicle and its occupants as thoroughly as possible. Pre sense does this by networking the various active and passive safety systems into a single, integrated safety system.

quattro: Assured cornering, superb control

Off the racetrack, Audi's quattro technology isn't all about high-performance handling. For every-day driving, especially with non-ideal road conditions, quattro will help you reach your destination quickly and safely.

It works by varying the amount of drive that is sent to each of the four wheels, reacting in milliseconds, constantly feeling for any loss of grip. So, on slippery surfaces, if one or more wheels are at risk of spinning, more drive is directed to wheels that have better road-surface contact. You don't notice this happening: all you feel is more assured cornering, whatever the weather.

Dynamic steering & ESP

Progressive steering technology

Dynamic steering adapts its steering ratio and boost to the vehicle's speed, making for sporty steering and driving style. The ratio spread can be determined by the driver via Audi drive select. Dynamic steering also works with the ESP when the vehicle is over or under steering and can increase vehicle stability by active steering interventions.

ESP keeps you pointing in the right direction

Audi's electronic stability program (ESP) is a combination of advanced technologies that helps keep the car under control in more extreme situations such as when you need to avoid an unexpected obstacle in the road. ESP is especially helpful in adverse weather conditions.

When you need to turn quickly and sharply, ESP identifies your intended direction and responds by applying the brakes to individual wheels. It works by using a computer-controlled combination of the following technologies:

ABS

The Anti-lock braking system works by momentarily releasing and then applying the brakes when it detects a skid resulting in reduced stopping distances and being able to turn under emergency braking.

ASR

Anti-slip regulation - or traction control - reduces power to any wheel that is in danger of spinning. Full power is returned when traction is re-established.

EBD

Electronic brake-force distribution works in conjunction with ABS to ensure an even maximum braking force between the front and rear wheels.

EDL

The electronic differential lock allows a smooth getaway on surfaces with mixed levels of grip.

Brake disc wiping - keeping your brakes dry

The Audi S8 also offers the innovative brake disc wiping system that works to improve braking in wet conditions by automatically pulsing the brakes to dissipate water build up, allowing the brakes to stay as dry as possible.

Audi Space Frame

Revolutionary lightweight design

The innovative Audi Space Frame (ASF) is exceptionally strong but substantially lighter than a metal chassis. Safety, performance and handling are all enhanced through the careful hand-welding of magnesium and aluminium panels.

The benefits explained

A lightweight body is vital for excellent performance and the introduction of the ASF has helped significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. However the benefits of aluminium in the ASF are not just reflected through better performance and efficiency. The high rigidity of the body provides outstanding safety. And the lightweight metal allows for a level of creative freedom that would simply be unattainable with steel panels.

The Audi Space Frame was pioneered in a design study in 1993 and features also in the Audi R8 and Audi TT model range.