Audi reveals new self-driving A8 sedan

Audi Chief Executive Officer Rupert Stadler, under fire for the luxury-car maker’s role in parent Volkswagen's emissions scandal, is counting on the revamped A8 and other new models to appease his critics.

Unveiling the latest version of the US$96,000 flagship sedan in Barcelona – surrounded by spinning cars and flashing lights – the CEO only hinted briefly at his mounting troubles as he described the new A8’s self-driving prowess and Audi’s upcoming lineup of SUVs and electric autos.

“Audi in Latin means listen,” said Stadler, who’s taken a lot of heat from fellow executives and labor leaders in the past year amid declining sales and widening legal probes into Audi’s role in the diesel manipulations. “‘We listen when we get applauded and we listen when we get criticized.”

Stadler, who took over at the luxury brand a decade ago, faces his toughest test yet as Volkswagen’s biggest profit contributor struggles to get out of a funk that’s tarnished its premium reputation and left it trailing competitors Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

A successful launch of the new A8 would help allay concerns about the CEO’s ability to turn the brand around, and quash complaints about Audi’s static designs and outdated portfolio.

The updated A8 – the first vehicle styled from scratch by Audi’s new design chief Marc Lichte – features voice controls and an electric powertrain, and can drive autonomously in slow-moving traffic. Appearing in the latest Spiderman blockbuster, the car has sharper lines all around to make it more muscular, and a wider front grille.

The revamp is part of Audi’s strategy through 2025 to focus on adding all-electric cars to its lineup, boosting digital services and adding autonomous driving options.

The manufacturer is gearing up to roll out key models including its first full-size sport utility vehicle Q8 and the first all-electric vehicle dubbed E-Tron in coming years, cars that will determine if Audi can regain lost sales ground to Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

“It’s an important car that could help them move forward in the current situation, especially since the last iteration of the A8 was a little disappointing,” said Tim Urquhart, a London-based analyst at IHS Automotive.