Check Out How the 2019 Audi A8 Jumps Up to Protect Passengers in a T-Bone Crash [Video]

The 2019 Audi A8 adds on another accident avoidance feature.

Pre sense 360 is the name of Audi’s safety system that identified hazards around the car while driving. Using a network of sensors and radar, the 2019 Audi A8 will look out for obstacles up to 75 meters away. If the central driver assistance controller thinks an accident is inevitable, it will take steps to protect the passengers.

For example, if you’re about to crash into something, the new Audi A8 will take steps to mitigate injury. Pre sense 360 will close the windows and the sunroof, tightens the seatbelts, adjusts the headrests and puts the hazard lights on to warn other cars in the vicinity. The system goes one further than just adjusting everything on the inside to protect passengers. It will actually lift up the car itself as well.

We had the opportunity to head out to southern California to test out the new Audi A8, including a technical demonstration of Pre sense 360. The demonstration in the video above illustrates a t-bone, side-on collision. If you’re in a sedan that’s fairly low to the ground, you’re in a world of hurt if you face something larger. Like, say, the millions of crossovers people drive on today’s roads. To compensate for the height difference, Audi uses the active chassis to the car’s advantage. When it detects a side-on crash will happen, it raises the side of the car. That way, the crash forces go into the bottom end of the car along the floor. That’s the safest possible location, rather than forces transferring through the doors into passengers.

Check out the practical demonstration above! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views and real-world reviews.