Audi’s plans to revolutionise car customisation are well under way and proof to that is the 2011 Audi A8 that will be the first car in the world to offer optional factory installed WLAN hotspot for Wi-Fi access.

All passengers will be able to connect to the internet simultaneously through the car’s integrated WLAN module via UMTS, using up to eight terminal devices such as netbooks, Ipads, Smartphones and laptops.

“Using the WLAN hotspot is remarkably simple. To activate Internet access with speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s, the driver merely needs to insert a data-capable SIM card into the Bluetooth online car phone. Alternatively, an Internet connection can be established via Bluetooth by using a compatible mobile phone with a SIM Access Profile. Any existing mobile phone contract can be used for this – often coupled with a flat-rate data plan.”

Communication with the Internet takes place through the rooftop antenna of the Audi A8 via the car’s own UMTS module. This enables utmost connection stability with outstanding reception quality and WP2 encryption provides the necessary security for data transfers.

The Audi A8 is already a reference vehicle for top end executives thanks to its high standard luxurious features. During this year’s Beijing Motor Show Audi presented a longer wheelbase version of the Audi A8 offering additional luxuries, 130mm more space in which to recline and the option of a new 500PS W12 FSI petrol engine offering a further improved power and efficiency.

Add all that to the in-car Wi-Fi access and the Audi A8 will sure be one of the most desired company cars in the world.

For Audi A8 lease options and Audi A8 contract hire and to learn more about Audi Lease & Audi Contract hire or other Audi Finance options please contact Audi Nationwide or follow Audi Nationwide on Twitter.

There’s no shortage of Vorsprung durch Technik with this new model.

Known for its all-aluminium spaceframe construction and luxo-barge looks, the A8 sells modestly around the world and is admired both for its meticulous interior and its all-weather traction.

It’s ironic, then, that the most popular A8 model in Britain will be the front-wheel-drive model powered by the smallest diesel engine, which will sell mainly to the chauffeur market. The back seat is the closest that most of us will ever get to driving the new A8.

This simply highlights the fact that the Audi A8 is the ideal company car for higher branch executives.

Engines at launch will include two 90-degree V8s; a 366bhp/328lb ft, 4.2-litre FSI petrol unit and a 345bhp/590lb ft, 4.2-litre TDI turbodiesel unit. Audi retains its aluminium featherweight stance and this new A8 goes on sale in right-hand drive in May with prices starting at £54,760.

Launch models will use the standard wheelbase and quattro four-wheel drive as well as debuting the latest ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

There is also a new rear axle for the quattro models, with Haldex-type clutch packs on each side of the differential to deliver torque between the rear wheels for additional traction and something all new to the previously strait-laced A8.

While you are holding the slithering monster at an impossible angle of drift, you might also want to admire the improvements to the excellent Multi-Media Interface (MMI).

This now includes a touch pad, which recognises a driver’s finger tracing out letters to dial destinations into the satellite navigation system.

Capable of recognising Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Cyrillic alphabets, the driver traces a letter on the pad, which appears on the MMI screen with voice confirmation.

The system also combines with Google Maps via a 3G internet link to allow the selection of destinations not included in the navigation system’s memory.

MMI also reads the road ahead like a rally co-driver.

It prepares for the more severe bends by swivelling the light emitting diode (LED) headlamp beams into the corner before the driver has moved the steering wheel, it also prepares the gearbox for a change down and will disengage the cruise control system.

As the A8 also knows which country it is in, it will also automatically switch the headlamps from left-to-right dipping and back again.

From the back seat, however, little of this need bother you at chauffeuring speeds. Savour instead the immaculate interior, the exquisitely stitched leather upholstery, the myriad and brilliant surface changes and the voluptuous comfort of the generous seat.

Pull down the centre arm rest and play with your individual heater controls, or scroll through the downloaded CDs on the player, or perhaps just plug in your MP3 player. The ride comfort is cushion-like, but never nauseous.

At speeds up to highly illegal, there is no discernible wind noise and the big tyres are also dialled out of your listening horizon.

You can feel and hear the mighty 3.0-litre diesel, especially when James floors the throttle, but it’s not at all unpleasant, merely the confirmation that this is a car of substance, concealing iron-fist performance beneath a kid-glove interior.

Once again emphasizing the fact that the Audi A8 is the ideal company car for CEOs, Directors and high end business managers.

The gearbox is never lost for a ratio and slurs the changes without becoming impaired in slush.

Read the complete review here.

For Audi A8 Contract Hire and Leasing options contact Audi Nationwide

The new Audi A8 has redefined auto luxury in the premium sector with an array of technologies; hence the all aluminium construction using Audi’s exclusive ASF technology contributing to a best-in-class economy and exemplary comfort. As we anticipated, Audi presented its newest flagship model this week at the Design Miami exhibition in Florida, USA.

With a fascinating design conveying homogeneity, the new Audi A8 gives the impression that it was modelled from a full volume, with sculptured surfaces that convey calmness and prestige that’s reinforced with sharp lines. The new and progressive design elements of the new Audi A8 has gone some way towards solidifying Audi’s leading position in the field of automotive design.

The skeleton of the new Audi A8 is built with the evolved ASF; a lighter and 24% more rigid aluminium body. Three newly reworked FSI and TDI will be available from launch – the 3.0-litre V6 TDI with 250PS and 550Nm of torque (up from 233PS and 450Nm), the 4.2-litre V8 TDI with 350PS and 800Nm (up from 326PS and 650Nm) and the 4.2-litre V8 FSI with 372PS and 445Nm (up from 350PS and 440Nm) – and an even more economy and emissions focused version of the 3.0 TDI is expected some time in 2010.

The upgraded 4.2-litre FSI benefits from a 13% improvement in fuel economy, taking its combined figure to 29.7mpg and dropping CO2 output to 219g/km. The equivalent V8 TDI gets a 19% boost to 37.2mpg with CO2 emissions down to 199g/km, while the 3.0-litre TDI moves to the top of the luxury saloon class in economy terms, with a 22% economy hike to 42.8mpg with CO2 of 174g/km.

Further fuel and CO2 savings are complemented by recuperation technology available as standard in all A8 models – incidentally the A8’s engine, the 3.0 TDI, is only engine to feature Audi’s economy focused Start-Stop technology, which is capable of enhancing fuel savings even further.

These new highly efficient engines are matched by the new eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission which reduces fuel consumption by another 6% thanks to its quick virtually seamless changes.

Looking inside the new Audi A8; Audi have raised the bar with its interior design. At first sight the layout is similar to its predecessor with a two-circle instrument cluster and the revolving, hidden navigation screen larger than previous ones. However on closer inspection, you’ll find Audi’s latest MMI system, which features a touch pad with an iPod Touch-style sensitivity that changes the function for preselected stations.

Attention to detail has been broadly improved by a luxurious and extensive combination of aluminium alloy paired – with handsome new wood accent applications for a familiar Audi-style beltline trim. Add to that a mounted clock – adorned with four-rings that resemble the Audi logo – for a classical touch.

Here’s what the Auto Industry press has been saying about the new Audi A8

Fourtitude

“The new flagship’s generously designed interior captivates with its luxurious equipment, newly developed control system MMI and the excellent quality of its workmanship. Innovative assistance systems lend even more confidence to driving.”

AutoBlog

“More evolutionary than revolutionary in style, the new wundersedan is nevertheless an impressive looking piece with the visual charisma to go toe-to-toe with the celebrities that filed in to fawn over its broad shoulders.”

Car Magazine

“There’s also a gorgeous interior, some very cool gadgets, and the promise from Audi that the A8 will be the sportiest luxury saloon in its class.”

Now we want to hear your opinion. What do you have to say about the new Audi A8?

P.S: This elegant new saloon range opens for UK orders this month and Audi leasing as well contract hire options should be available soon.

The 100th anniversary year of the Audi brand is set to be crowned by a very special occasion.

November 30th sees the world premiere of the new Audi A8 – in the extraordinary setting of Miami – where Audi’s new flagship vehicle will be presented in a truly innovative way.

The event takes place in a temporary museum structure named the Audi Pavilion. The focal point of the event will be “The Art of Progress” exhibition, which portrays cultural and technological progress and echoes the spirit of Audi’s current ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ (progress through technology) A8 campaign.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, commented on the exhibition concept:

“Our claim “Vorsprung durch Technik” also embraces design, which is one of the outstanding elements of the Audi signature. And as top design has now emerged as an acknowledged art-form, we see the bridge between art and architecture as a logical step in advancing our brand.”

Audi is celebrating the world premiere in unconventional style with this exhibition, which symbolises the cultural and technological progress embodied in the Audi A8 with its history, its engineering and its emotion-packed design. Inspired by the guiding principle “The Art of Progress,” the Audi flagship is due to be unveiled in the Audi Pavilion amidst selected art works from the new exhibition ‘Beg, Borrow and Steal,’ which belongs to the Rubell Family Collection (one of the world’s most important art collections). Also featuring within the exhibition is an installation created by top British designer Tom Dixon. The installation is named the ‘The Light’, and is an aluminium structure artfully decorated with LED lights.

The exhibition in the Audi Pavilions is a satellite of Design Miami and Art Basel Miami Beach. This year Audi is the exclusive automotive sponsor of both fairs.

Expected to debut at the Detroit Auto Show this January, the Audi A8 has been caught testing at the Nurburgring racing track and word is, Audi’s flagship model will have a new set of powerplants.

The powerful W12 engine will continue to top the A8 range, but power is expected to grow from 6.1 to 6.5-liters and exceed 500 horsepower. Below the W12 will be a supercharged V8 with more than 400 horsepower and a cylinder management system that could shut down up to four cylinders.

Audi also seems to be working on a less powerful but more efficient 2 litre diesel bi-turbo engine with just over 200hp to also power the next of Audi A8s.

We can’t give you the prices yet on the new Audi A8, but sales are likely to begin in late 2010.

The UKTV Car of the year awards results are in and Audi got the silver in medal in two categories: The Audi Q7 in the 4 X 4 category and the Audi S8 in the Luxury car category.

But with no real suprise the winner of the UKTV Car of the Year and also the star of the Sports category was the Audi R8.

The final votes were cast between 12th November 2007 and 16th November 2007 in the 5 main categories in which a shortlist of 3 cars per category from the previous weeks votes were published.

Votes were cast via the UKTV website by you after adverts were shown across the UKTV Network predominantly one their newest channel Dave!

Click here for a full list of winners.