Adaptive air suspension is an electronically controlled air suspension system at all four wheels with a continuously adaptive damping system. It unites sporty handling and a high level of ride comfort. In addition, the air suspension allows the speed-dependent lowering of the body – this change in ride height means a low centre of gravity and significantly increased directional stability as a result. The vehicle’s aerodynamics is improved at the same time.

The vehicle has air suspension struts on all four wheels. The data from sensors on the axles and acceleration sensors on the body is evaluated in the adaptive air suspension's central control unit. This computer controls the adjustment of the individual shock absorbers in milliseconds depending on driving situation. Provided no higher damping forces are required – for instance when driving straight ahead on good roads – the damper settings remain comfortably soft.

Controlled changes to the damping force at individual wheels help to eliminate body movements at any time which could reduce occupant comfort. The adaptive damping system automatically reduces rolling or pitching movements when cornering, braking or driving off. Adaptive air suspension moreover offers the advantages of a traditional self-levelling suspension system. The vehicle's suspension height remains constant irrespective of the load it is carrying.

The adaptive air suspension generally also allows the driver to influence the suspension characteristic – and thus the operating dynamics – as individually preferred. The damping characteristics and ride height can be adjusted in a single process via the MMI "CAR" menu system. Adaptive air suspension (sport), which is available as an option in the Audi A8, is the first Audi sports suspension system to be based on the principle of air suspension.

The Audi one-touch memory can be used to personalise numerous settings on the Audi A8 and its MMI for up to four users. The one-touch memory recognises the driver by their fingerprint on the identification field integrated into the start button. Once the system has positively matched the fingerprint recorded with a stored print, an array of processes are initiated: the seats, mirrors and steering column are adjusted in line with the pre-selected configuration, as are the climate control’s temperature and air distribution settings. One-touch memory can also activate the radio volume, preferred radio station and tone settings for each driver.

The one-touch memory personalisation system includes the access and authorisation system advanced key.

The Audi voice control system can be used to operate the most important navigation, radio and hands-free car phone functions by speaking the necessary commands directly. The Audi A8 is having all the functions of the Navigation system with DVD available by voice control. The driver or front passenger can use this method to enter roads, house numbers and special destinations and can control the route calculation and route selection processes. To make a speech input, the driver presses the “Push to Talk” (PTT) button on the multifunction leather-covered steering wheel. The system can accept various accents and dialects, and even identifies words spoken quickly and run together. There is an electronic background noise reduction circuit to filter out unwanted noise effectively.

The feel-good factor: active ventilation and seat heating provide the right seat climate – a delight on long journeys. Automatic heating protects against overcooling. Whether it is keeping you pleasantly cool in the summer heat or warm in the middle of winter, the climate-controlled comfort seat means guaranteed comfort.

Luxurious seat comfort: the climate-controlled comfort seat is an exclusive seating option with substantial side sections and a soft cushion structure. The active ventilation provides the right seat climate – a delight on long journeys. The perforated leather on the ventilated front seat surfaces is breathable and quickly warms up. And perforated leather upholstery makes for relaxing seat comfort on the outer rear seats too.

Memorised: electric seat adjustment with memory function stores the individual seat settings and the mirror positions for up to two users of the driver’s seat – no need for complicated readjusting of seats and mirrors.

Electric seat adjustment with memory function keeps track of your personal seat position for you. It stores your individual seat settings for the driver’s seat. Thanks to two separate preset configurations, two different drivers can restore the seat to their preferred positions at the touch of a button, and the settings for the exterior mirrors are also retrieved from the memory – very handy when a car is used jointly by two drivers of different stature. The driver-specific seat position is stored to your personal key. In some models this function is also optionally available for the front passenger seat.

The driver’s seat with memory function is only available in conjunction with memory exterior mirrors.

Full control at your fingertips. The multifunction steering wheel helps the driver concentrate on the traffic – with attention focused on the road and hands on the wheel, you can still benefit from all entertainment and information functions. The multifunction steering wheels are available with or without a gearshift function, combine a wide range of functions, are easy to use and enhance safety on the road.

Whether you are tuning the radio to select a station, operating the CD changer, activating the telephone or giving commands to the speech dialogue system – even complex functions like selecting addresses from the phone book can be carried out straight from the steering wheel. The Audi multifunction steering wheels certainly live up to their name. They let the driver keep both hands on the wheel while operating a whole variety of different functions.

Two neatly arranged control elements are positioned symmetrically on the horizontal spokes of the multifunction steering wheels. They each consist of a roller control, which can be turned and pressed, and an easy-to-reach button.
Using the left-hand controls, the driver can control the main radio and telephone functions and access the on-board computer.
The right-hand controls adjust the infotainment system volume and activate the optional voice control.

The Audi multifunction steering wheels have won acclaim from the motoring press for their intelligent design as the steering wheels with the best multifunction operation.

The Audi multifunction steering wheels are available in three or four-spoke versions, and also with shift paddles in models with an automatic gearbox or S tronic.

Full control at your fingertips. The multifunction steering wheel helps the driver concentrate on the traffic – with attention focused on the road and hands on the wheel, you can still benefit from all entertainment and information functions. The multifunction steering wheels are available with or without a gearshift function, combine a wide range of functions, are easy to use and enhance safety on the road.

Whether you are tuning the radio to select a station, operating the CD changer, activating the telephone or giving commands to the speech dialogue system – even complex functions like selecting addresses from the phone book can be carried out straight from the steering wheel. The Audi multifunction steering wheels certainly live up to their name. They let the driver keep both hands on the wheel while operating a whole variety of different functions.

Two neatly arranged control elements are positioned symmetrically on the horizontal spokes of the multifunction steering wheels. They each consist of a roller control, which can be turned and pressed, and an easy-to-reach button.
Using the left-hand controls, the driver can control the main radio and telephone functions and access the on-board computer.
The right-hand controls adjust the infotainment system volume and activate the optional voice control.

The Audi multifunction steering wheels have won acclaim from the motoring press for their intelligent design as the steering wheels with the best multifunction operation.

The Audi multifunction steering wheels are available in three or four-spoke versions, and also with shift paddles in models with an automatic gearbox or S tronic.