4
Introduction
Basics
The basics for understanding air suspension
systems are contained in home study pro-
grams 242 and 243 and are of course also
valid for the system to be introduced in the
A8 from model year 2003.
New technology
The new A8 heralds a new system in terms of
technical content and range of functions. It
differs from the known system of the allroad
quattro in the following features:
CDC instead of PDC damping control:
The control takes account of the current driv-
ing status. The wheel movements (unsprung
masses) and body movements (sprung
masses) are recorded.
Within the choice of four programs (modes),
different damping characteristics are
implemented. In this process, each shock
absorber can be controlled independently.
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Therefore, in each mode which is selected
(comfortable or sporty), the maximum degree
of comfort and driving safety is ensured (see
description "Shock absorber" in the "System
components" section).
The term "mode" can therefore be understood
to be the well-balanced combination of the
adaptive air suspension program and the
damping map.
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Enhanced sensor system:
Three acceleration sensors are employed to
record the body movement.
(See description "Body acceleration sender"
in the "System components" section.)
