The long-awaited debut of the Audi A8 happens today, and if the hype surrounding the company’s new flagship model is any indication, we could be in store for a few treats. One particular aspect about the new A8 that’s getting a lot of attention is its dashboard, and just in time for the sedan’s debut, Audi Design boss Marc Lichte is throwing more wood on that fire by hinting at what could very well be the latest innovation to come out of Ingolstadt.

In an interview released by Audi itself, Lichte explained that the A8 will hardly feature any buttons or switches in the interior. In their place will be a new touchscreen display integrated into the dashboard, essentially serving as the brain and command center. Lichte's comments aren't exactly ground-breaking; we’ve already seen Audi’s new virtual dashboard, albeit in concept guise when it was introduced with the E-tron Quattro Concept back at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s unclear how much of the virtual dashboard from the concept is going to be used in the A8, but remember, that dashboard featured not one, but three different digital displays that were responsible for all of the vehicle’s operations. All signs, including Lichte’s comments, seem to point to the new A8 getting a production version of this virtual dash. How close the production version is to the concept will only be answered when Audi finally pulls the covers off of the new A8. Good thing then that it’s happening today.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

A lot of questions will be answered once the new A8 is revealed

To say that Audi has a lot riding on the success of the all-new A8 flagship would be a massive understatement. Competition in this ultra exclusive market has never been as high as it is now and if Ingolstadt really wants to make an impression in the market, it’s going to have to pull out all the stops to do it.

The good news is that it appears that Audi is doing just that. The evolutionary virtual dashboard technology is a great way to attract attention, especially if it’s set up similarly to what the concept version looked like inside the E-Tron Quattro Concept. Remember, that dashboard featured not one, but three different digital displays that were responsible for all of the vehicle’s operations. The largest of the three displays measured 14.1 inches and served as the actual instrument panel of the concept. The two smaller touchscreen were located on the center console, one on top of the other and featuring navigation, infotainment, and interior control operations.

Move beyond the virtual dashboard and there’s also word that Audi has a few more surprises in store for the people. Marc Lichte hinted that the A8 will have a distinctive look that will eventually define the company’s new “vision of luxury and prestige.” That likely points to a body that’s going to carry a new design, including a large single-frame grille that Audi is reportedly basing on the one featured on the Prologue Concept. Then there’s the light animation sequence on the body of the car. As Lichte explains it, “when the customer approaches the rear, for example, the light graphics develop across the entire width of the car."

Whether it’s by necessity or just simple novelty, one thing appears to be clear about the new Audi A8. It’s going to be talked about for a while after its debut. Here’s to hoping then that with all the built-up anticipation surrounding its debut, Audi’s new flagship sedan more than lives up to all the hype.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Audi A8.