In honour of the upcoming release of Audi’s redesigned flagship, the fourth-generation A8, we put the spotlight on an interesting piece of onboard technology: a fully active, electromechanical suspension. 

There are other vehicles that utilize a similar concept, continuously altering dampening settings according to road conditions, but the electromechanical setup in the Audi is actually quite ingenious in design. Powered by the main electrical system, it enables the occupants to be in constant comfort whether the executive sedan is travelling over a pothole-ridden road, or carving high-speed corners.  

An electric motor with built-in gears is mounted to each individual wheel. A camera mounted on the front of the car scans the driving surface ahead and pre-emptively adjusts the suspension settings so that by the time the tires roll over say, a small rock, everything is already calibrated to relay minimal noise, vibration and harshness to the cabin. 

Aside from absorbing vibration over bumps, rolling movements normally induced by excessive g-forces, as well as changes in pitch from hard braking and acceleration, are mitigated.  

The active hardware also serves to increase safety in a passive manner. Sensors detect risks of collision from any direction 360 degrees around the vehicle. For example, if a side impact occurring at speeds greater than 25 km/h is unavoidable, actuators raise the suspension, and in turn the body, on the affected side up to 80 millimetres within half a second. This causes the stronger areas such as the side sills and floor structure to absorb the brunt of the oncoming forces. Audi says this results in a 50 per cent improvement in load reduction to the passenger compartment. 

Consumers can get a closer look at the technology when the 2018 A8 is launched in North America later in the year. 

The approximate English translation of Audi’s slogan Vorsprung durch Technik is “advancement through technology.” The phrase is usually in reference to the German manufacturer’s vehicles, but it is also the perfect way to describe OpenRoad’s latest flagship store, OpenRoad Audi Boundary.

Just down the road from the previous location that operated for over 10 years, the new 113,000-square-foot, $19 million state-of-the-art dealership officially opened last Thursday with a launch party featuring plenty of surprises. 

To name a few, there was a performance by Trevor Guthrie, Juno award winner and former frontman of Canadian pop group soulDecision; catering courtesy of celebrity chef Vikram Vij and his three Lower Mainland restaurants; and an exclusive showcase of aluminum art by artists Noah Deledda and Robert Davidson, complementing the vehicles on display such as the 2017 Audi Q7 that has dropped 700 pounds thanks to use of the lightweight metal in 41 per cent of its construction.

“This building is about advancing your automotive experience. We’ve built this building for you. We’ve built it to make your car buying and servicing experience legendary,” said general manager Brad Beckett, who kicked off a series of presentations by Audi representatives and OpenRoad president and CEO Christian Chia.

“We have a 12-car drive through that I please ask you to visit. Come in out of the rain and get service. We have a 24-bay shop, the most advanced shop in the Lower Mainland. We have this beautiful 18-car showroom — we can exhibit every car in the Audi lineup. And right above me is a brand new indoor, stay dry, used car showroom we’re so proud to have.”

The reimagined store was designed at Audi AG headquarters in Inglostadt, Germany and planned by Vancouver architect Christopher Bozyk. The project utilizes the automaker’s “terminal” concept that, like its products, focuses on sophistication, sportiness and the illusion of movement, translated through prominent application of the colour aluminum, an asymmetrical layout and an abundance of glass and natural light. 

OpenRoad Auto Boundary is located at 3701 Lougheed Highway, and is now the largest dealership in Western Canada and the second largest in the country. For more information, visit openroadaudi.com.

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