Redesigned Audi A8 to Debut July 11

CARS.COM — Technophiles and luxury shoppers, mark your calendars: The next-generation Audi A8 debuts July 11. Audi will unveil its redesigned flagship sedan, which will offer self-driving capabilities heretofore unseen in a production vehicle, at an event in Spain dubbed the first-ever “Audi summit,” Automotive News reports.

Related: Which Cars Have Self-Driving Features for 2017?

Audi officials confirmed the date to Cars.com and said shoppers can expect the new A8 to hit U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2018. The next A8, whose current generation is already among the lighter cars in its segment, will boast advanced materials like magnesium and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers to reduce weight, Audi said. It will also be the first production car with “Level 3” self-driving — a reference to SAE International’s widely adopted six-level classification of self-driving capabilities (Level Zero to Level 5). SAE calls Level 3 a legitimate “automated driving system,” which can fully drive the car in certain conditions but still requires you to be able to take over if needed.

A crucial difference between Level 3 and the widely available Level 2 — which brands from Kia to Tesla offer today — is that the car, not the driver, monitors its surroundings. The driver merely serves as a backup. Regulators say Level 3 is the threshold for “highly automated vehicles.” That’s what Audi targets in the next A8’s Traffic Jam Pilot system, which will fully drive the car at speeds up to 35 mph when certain conditions are met. You won’t be able to nod off while it’s driving: Audi says TJP will have a Driver Availability Detection system to confirm you’re alert and able to intervene if necessary.

Don’t get too excited just yet. Traffic Jam Pilot depends on what’s allowed by local authorities. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told reporters in March that the self-driving functions will only work in countries where it’s legal, according to Automotive News. U.S. states have varying legislation when it comes to self-driving cars, though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to improve their consistency. The exact legalities remain to be seen, however.

“Obviously, regulation at all levels is an issue for automation,” said Ellen Carey, Audi’s senior manager of corporate and innovation communication. “We need to do a lot of education again at all levels across the board on Level 3, Level 4, Level 5.”