Monday 11th January 2010

Audi A8 Gets First Show Reveal

New Audi flagship saloon gets its first public outing

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Audi's new A8 flagship luxury saloon has been revealed at the Detroit show to, er, enraptured murmurs of "it looks a bit like a stretched, overweight Audi A4, doesn't it?"

But despite the undeniable visual similarities with Audi's rather more humble saloon offerings, the third-generation A8 still aims to be the sportiest saloon in its segment.

To help fulfil its sporty promise, all new A8s will get Quattro four-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, the clever fellows in Ingolstadt have shaved 110kg from the A8's kerb weight, despite the new car having grown in both length and girth.

The first petrol-powered car to arrive will be powered by the familiar 367bhp 4.2-litre V8 from the current car, and will share brochure space with a gutsy 345bhp 4.2-litre V8 turbodiesel. A 247bhp 3.0-litre diesel will also follow on soon after.

An S8 version is rumoured, but it is likely to be powered by a turbocharged V8 rather than the current Lamborghini-sourced V10.

Inside, Audi has deliberately focused on a more 'premium' feel to the A8's cockpit. The result, to these eyes at least, has a rather American feel. Though whether that's more to do with the cream leather, light wood trim combination of the show car or the wide, flat dash (which Audi calls 'spacious styling') it's hard to be sure.

There's the usual gizmo count, too, with LED headlights front and rear, adaptive cruise control, a night vision mode with pedestrian 'marking', and an updated touchscreen MMI infotainment system to name but a few tech highlights.

The new A8 will go on sale in the UK from £54,760. Order books are open now.

You can read the full official Audi press release here

 

 

[greggy50]

It just looks like an A4 to me albeit with a far uglier front :/

[MrTappets]

The A4 already looks too big, so i expect this comes across as even more bloated. I used to like the first A8, when it was stealthy and different, but this... yawn.

Edited by MrTappets on Monday 11th January 16:45

[KingJeff 4th]

The lack of creativity and imagination astounds me on this.

I understand audi keeping to a brand image etc... with common design themes. But come on, this is unbelievable. Almost the whole audi saloon range now looks IDENTICAL to each other barring size.

At least the BM's and Merc's look different.

The most boring, unispiring car i have seen in many years

[leon9191]

I think it looks like a Rover 75 from the side, thing is 75s are a bit old man cool, this isnt.

[sprinter1050]

I've always had a hankering for a V8 Audi A8- in this version it would have to be the 4.2 TDi.


However, the patriotic person that I am would probably find it hard to resist a Jaguar XFR in preference & at similar (?) price ?

[Lagerlout]

Oh. my. god. That is truely hideous. What is that front end? Looks like corrugated iron off a shed! I'm sure those appalling wheels can be changed but.. the rest.

[mylesmcd]

KingJeff 4th said:

The lack of creativity and imagination astounds me on this.

I understand audi keeping to a brand image etc... with common design themes. But come on, this is unbelievable. Almost the whole audi saloon range now looks IDENTICAL to each other barring size.

At least the BM's and Merc's look different.

The most boring, unispiring car i have seen in many years

As a driver who is on my second Audi, I couldnt agree more. The first A8'sstyling was brilliant, very low key, with brilliant engines. This misses the mark completely I feel. It is neither ultimately sporty or ultimately luxurious! IMHO, of course!

[soad]

Doesn't look very inspiring. Bloated, over-laden with gadgets & new technology - nice to see Audi concentrates on the driver comfort.

[666 SVT]

And people thought the new Focus lacked imagination ?

[Mikeyboy]

I thought this was the A4 until i read the article. Where's the imagination gone?

[Libertine]

Where does the front reg go? Alfa 156 style, maybe?

Agree with what's been said..uninspiring. A pity, when past A8 have always looked better than the competition, IMO.

The term "slab sides" comes to mind.

[scubasteve4389]

Is it just me or do all new audis look the same?
lazy designers taking notes off porsche just make it the same but give it a diffrent name

[CTT]

Is it me or are alot of new cars going backward in design rather than forward, whilst the new models may look abit more edgeyer etc they arnt always that much better. I know designs grow on you and you often end up loving the design you intally hated when it first came out but has anybody else noiced this?

e.g MK5 golf vrs MK6, new megan vrs old megan ( Loved the old curved back window ) A8, A4 pref the older one. New New focus vrs current.

[oagent]

It looks comfy inside.

[bazking69]

What worries me is that Audi have a made a car look almost American...

[R360]

Not a fan, the current A8 is a lovely looking car but this looks werong

[Garlick]

I'll quote myself from when we first saw pics of the new A8 on 01/12/09

Garlick said:

I was the A8s biggest fan. I still am, but sadly my favouritism relates to the previous model(s).

The interior of the new one is nice enough, but the exterior now lacks the prettiness, sophistication and uncluttered look of the previous incarnations. The A8 always had class, but now looks like a larger A4/A6, and as for those front lights......

I really wanted to like this car too, perhaps it looks better in the metal?

Nothing has changed since then.

[toppstuff]

Agreed, Horribly, horribly lazy design. Ugly, dated and dull before it is even in the showroom.

A huge mistake from Audi.

With cars like the new Jaguar XJ coming on song, this look very dated.

Still, it will be a cheap luxo barge in a few years time.

I am surprised Audi got this so wrong.

[Matt UK]

Doesn't really move the game on does it..

[andy-integrale]

I have got to admit, even being a bit of a Audi fan and currently driving an A5, that they have completely lost their way in terms of styling.

I honestly cant tell the difference between the current A4 and A6.

I had a 92 Audi 80 in the early 1990's and can remember when the original A4, A3 and TT were launched and Audi refreshed their image and dealerships. Bauhaus modernism brought to the car market. It was a complete revelation.

Since then, the build quality of the product, particularly of the interiors is still great but the design has gone so stale.

Not sure I will be so loyal when I next come to change.