Audi announced on May 5 that it will release the advanced sedan "A8" which was completely improved on October 15 in Japan. It was supposed to have the latest function that the driver will drive automatically even if the driver does not grasp the steering wheel, but it was sent off because the legal development has not progressed.
This function corresponds to "level 3" when automatic operation is divided into five stages. Although Audi announced as the world's first "Level 3" car in July last year, it will be put into practical use in 18 years although the condition that runs on the highway at the time of congestion with a median strip at speeds of 60 km / h or less It became a topic.
However, international regulations are not in place, and level 3 cars are not yet released. In Japan, it is prohibited in principle that by the road traffic law, the driver releases his hand from the handle and lets the car drive. Even if laws will be developed and able to run in the future, we can not run at level 3 in A8 which we sell this time.
President Philipp Noack of Audi Japan corporation said, "Legal development is being debated internationally and we want to realize Level 3 as soon as possible."
There are 3 liter and 4 liter gasoline engines, respectively, which combines a "mild hybrid" system in which a generator, which also functions as a motor, supplements the engine drive. Consumption tax included from 11.4 million yen. (Satoshi Kimura)