Driver assistance systems

Whether parking, in the city or on long journeys – the Audi Q8 supports and relieves its driver in many situations. Audi bundles the individual assistance systems into a total of four packages – Tour, City, Parking plus and plus assist package

For long distances: the Tour assist package
The central system in the Tour assist package is the adaptive cruise assist. It assists the driver with longitudinal and lateral control at speeds up to 250 km/h (155.3 mph) – substantially enhancing comfort on long journeys, in particular. It incorporates the functions of adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and active lane assist. The system detects lane markings, roadside structures, vehicles in adjacent lanes and vehicles driving ahead. In construction zones, the Audi Q8 automatically adapts its speed to the traffic situation, taking into account the speed limit. If the lane is too narrow to allow side-by-side driving, adaptive cruise assist enables offset driving through narrow stretches.

In combination with the efficiency assist, the adaptive cruise assist slows and accelerates the Audi Q8 predictively by analyzing sensor information, navigation data and traffic signs. It automatically adjusts to the current speed limit, reduces the speed before corners, during turning and on roundabouts. The system always considers a driving style in keeping with the selected driving program, from efficient to sporty, and thus with its predictions optimally supports the advantages of the mild hybrid technology (MHEV).

If the adaptive cruise assist is deactivated, the efficiency assist displays predictive tips in the instrument cluster and also provides haptic feedback through the active accelerator pedal. By so doing the system helps the driver to drive efficiently. This results from the use of the MHEV recuperation and the intelligent selection of coasting or thrust, depending on the events ahead.

The emergency assist ensures safety in exceptional circumstances. It detects within system limits whether the driver is inactive and, in such cases, prompts them via visual and acoustic signals as well as brief activation of the brakes to retake active control. If this does not prompt a reaction, the system takes control of the Audi Q8 and automatically stops it in its own lane. This also activates the safety measures of Audi pre sense and triggers an automatic emergency call, depending on the country.

The Tour package also comes with Audi pre sense front including turn assist and collision avoidance assist, as well as camera-based traffic sign recognition.

For the urban jungle: the City assist package
Five systems provide safety in city traffic. The crossing assist uses mid-range radars at the front corners of the vehicle that can measure to a distance of roughly 75 meters (246.1 ft). If they detect critical crossing traffic in front of the car, the system notifies the driver of the hazard visually and acoustically and applies the brakes if necessary. Audi pre sense 360° also warns of vehicles approaching from the side. The cross traffic assist rear detects approaching vehicles when slowly driving backwards, for example when backing out of a parking spot perpendicular to the road. Exit warning and lane change warning system audi side assist supplement the package.

For maneuvering: the Parking plus assist package
The systems of the Parking plus assist package, which will be added in early 2019, helps drivers with maneuvering. Maneuvering assist helps to avoid imminent collisions with small steering impulses and autonomous braking to a standstill, for example when detecting pillars in a multi-story parking garage. Curb warning protects against damaging the rims when parking. Multiple images from the 360 degree cameras allow precise maneuvering down to the centimeter and provide a view of crossing traffic and a detailed view of the wheels. The highlight is the 3D view with freely selectable perspective.

The package also includes the (remote) parking pilot, which autonomously steers the SUV into and out of a parking space. The driver monitors the maneuver but does not have sit in the car – a major advantage, particularly with tight parking spaces. He or she starts and monitors the parking process on their smartphone using the myAudi app. The remote garage pilot offers a similar level of convenience. Thanks to the laser scanner, it can get very close to walls and other obstacles such as bicycles in a garage. It is part of the plus assist package, which combines all three packages.

For special requirements: the individual options
Audi also offers a number of assist systems separately.One highlight for driving with a trailer is the improved trailer maneuver assist. It automatically guides the trailer while reversing in the direction the driver set by swiping on the lower MMI display. The camera image on the upper display shows the current and the desired reversing angle. The driver can observe the maneuver accordingly and steer in the desired direction at any time. Audi also supplies 

park assist separately, if desired. This steers the Q8 virtually automatically into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces – forwards or backwards. The driver only has to accelerate, select the gear and brake. The night vision assist improves difficult visibility after dark. It uses an infrared camera to detect pedestrians and larger wild animals at great distances and marks them with a yellow frame in the Audi virtual cockpit.

Precision on a whole new level: the zFAS and the laser scanner
Behind all of these features is a computer the size of a tablet PC that is mounted under the driver’s seat – the standard central driver assistance controller (zFAS). It continuously computes a differentiated model of the surroundings. This central environmental model enables the assist systems to react precisely and in good time to objects, such as by initiating braking. Navigation also becomes highly precise, because the sensor data fusion locates the driver’s car down to the exact lane.

Depending on the selected options, the zFAS receives the data to do this from up to five radar sensors, six cameras, twelve ultrasound sensors and the laser scanner. Mounted in the left section of the Singleframe, the latter covers a field about 80 meters (262.5 ft) in length and a wide angle of aperture of 145 degrees. Within this field, it detects objects with sharp contours, even in the dark. In bad weather, its covering panel is automatically cleaned and heated.

All terms marked in the text are explained in detail in the technology lexicon at www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/technology-lexicon.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.