Audi is busy in 2019. Redesigned A6, A7, and A8 models arrive, and the automaker’s smallest SUV, the Q3, is also new, perhaps arriving for 2020 rather than 2019. Two new SUV models debut, too: the electric E-tron and the flagship Q8. Audi’s redesigned models feature next-generation infotainment, driver-assistance, and collision-avoidance technologies. Notably, Audi also switches to new engine horsepower figures derived from a single, global kilowatt metric confirmed by a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) horsepower test.
2019 Audi Q8
Detailed changes for each 2019 Audi car and SUV model are shown below, listed in alphabetical order.
A3 Premium receives standard smartphone interface technology and new 17-in. aluminum wheels
A3 Premium Plus adds standard full LED headlights, LED taillights with dynamic turn signals, and Audi Phone Box with wireless charging and a signal booster
A3 Prestige and S3 Prestige include standard Park Assist autonomous steering for parallel and perpendicular parking exercises
Updated Convenience package for A3 sedan and A3 cabriolet includes blind-spot monitoring, LED interior lighting, and fancy window trim for the sedan
S3 includes standard brushed aluminum and illuminated cabin trim, with available Audi Sport carbon illuminated inlays
New 19-in. 5-arm-wing design aluminum wheels with summer performance tires are optional for S3
Updated S3 Black Optic package has new 5-arm-rotor design aluminum wheels in a titanium matte finish and high-gloss black exterior mirror housings
RS 3 adds Audi Phone Box, and extended leather treatment for the interior, two rear USB ports, direct tire-pressure monitoring, new 19-in. 5-arm-blade design wheels with a titanium finish, and summer performance tires as standard equipment
An RS fixed sport suspension is offered for the RS 3 as a standalone option
A5 Prestige trim, in all three body styles, adds Park Assist autonomous steering for parallel and perpendicular parking situations
Updated Convenience package now includes blind-spot monitoring and Audi Pre-Sense Rear collision-preparation technology
Black Optic Plus package is new for A5 Coupe and A5 Sportback, installing 19-in. Audi Sport 5-twin-arm design wheels with a titanium finish, summer performance tires, black exterior mirrors, black spoiler, 3-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, piano black interior inlays, and blue contrast stitching
Larger inside, with greater torsional rigidity than before
Promised improvements in ride, handling, and quietness
Audi characterizes the new car as having “end-to-end digitalization”
New MMI Touch Response dual-screen control panel technology replaces conventional controls with smartphone-style operation, haptic and audible feedback, and natural-language voice control
Available next-generation Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation, Intersection Assist and Turn Assist driving aids, Vehicle Exit Warning when parallel parked on a busy street
A6 3.0T equipped with new turbocharged V-6 engine supported by 48-volt mild-hybrid system producing 335 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque
A6 3.0T has a standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
A6 3.0T includes standard Quattro Ultra AWD
Turbocharged 4-cylinder version arrives soon
S6 sport-tuned version on hiatus until further notice
Flagship sedan is redesigned for 2019; comes only in long-wheelbase format
First Audi to wear new Prologue Concept-inspired design philosophy, followed by new A6 and A7
Turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engine making 335 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD
Engine is supported by a 48-volt electric mild-hybrid system, which serves as the car’s main electrical system to help preserve fuel
First Audi equipped with new MMI Touch Response dual-screen control panel, replacing knobs and buttons with smartphone-style interfaces, glass black haptic feedback controls, and natural language voice-recognition technology
Cabin details remind owner the A8 is special: theatre lighting, personalized welcome via next-generation Audi Virtual Cockpit instrumentation, emerging audio tweeters, and opening air vents set the A8 apart
Available Premium Air Quality system purifies cabin air before owner gets into the car, while aroma system can add a pleasing scent
Available heated and cooled and massaging everything
Available 1,920-watt, 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system
Laser scanner is part of the Driver Assistance package, providing greater accuracy in terms of measuring distance and orientation for smoother driving-assistance technology operation
Emergency Assist is part of the Driver Assistance package, detecting an unresponsive driver, bringing the A8 to a stop in its lane, activating the hazard lights, and placing an emergency SOS call to first responders
New Predictive Active Suspension system can detect an impending collision from the side and raise the car 3.1 ins. in half a second to channel impact energy to the strongest part of the vehicle architecture, while simultaneously preparing the cabin for the collision
S8 sport-tuned version on hiatus until further notice
Q5 Premium adds standard heated front seats, electric rear door child locks, roof cross bars, aluminum-look window surround trim, 7-in. color driver information display, and Audi Connect Care services
Q5 Premium Plus adds standard Audi MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, Audi Phone Box wireless charging with signal boosting, USB chargers for the rear seat
Q5 Prestige adds standard Park Assist autonomous steering for parallel and perpendicular parking situations
Updated Convenience package now includes blind-spot monitoring and Audi Pre-Sense Rear collision-preparation technology
New Black Optic package equips Q5 with 20-in. 5-arm-offroad design wheels with titanium matter finish, matte black roof rails, and titanium black exterior trim
SQ5 is now offered in Premium trim at a lower price; Prestige adds standard Park Assist
Q7 Premium trim adds standard Audi MMI Navigation Plus
Q7 Premium Plus trim includes standard Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation, Audi Phone Box wireless charging with signal boosting, 360-degree surround-view camera, LED headlights, and LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
Q7 3.0T Prestige adds standard Park Assist autonomous steering for parallel and perpendicular parking situations
Updated Convenience package now includes blind-spot monitoring and Audi Pre-Sense Rear collision-preparation technology
Updated Driver Assistance package now includes Park Assist
Optional 20-in. aluminum wheels now wear run-flat tires
New 21-in. 5-spoke-blade design wheels for Q7 3.0T; painted gloss black with Titanium Black Optic package
5-passenger seating due to “dynamic roofline” design
Audi says the Q8 sets the stage for future SUV design from the company
New turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engine making 335 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, supported by 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system that powers the vehicle’s technologies and systems
8-speed automatic transmission, standard Quattro AWD
Accelerates to 60 mph in a claimed 5.6 seconds
Standard adaptive damping suspension; optional Adaptive Chassis that includes Allroad and Lift/Offroad modes
Standard MMI Touch Response dual-screen touch-panel control technology, with smartphone-style operation, haptic and audible feedback, and natural language voice-recognition system
Standard next-generation Audi Virtual Cockpit instrumentation
Available 1,820-watt, 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system
Available driving-assistance systems include Intersection Assist, Turn Assist, and Vehicle Exit Warning
Rear seat slides, offering plenty of room for passengers or extra room for cargo
Maximum cargo volume is 67.5 cu. ft. with the rear seat folded down
New 7-speed dual-clutch transmission replaces previous 6-speed DCT
Standard Audi Phone Box wireless charger and signal booster
TT S-line Competition package adds 19-in. Audi Sport high-gloss gray wheels, 3-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum door sill trim
TTS adds standard Virtual Cockpit instrumentation with a Sport mode
TTS Competition package includes fine Nappa leather S sport seats, Audi Sport carbon fiber inlays, Alcantara-wrapped 3-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel with a 12-hour marker, 20-in. Audi Sport high-gloss black wheels, high-gloss black exterior trim, and red brake calipers
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