The new Audi A8 was caught by spies as it underwent hot weather testing. This new set of photos shows the prototype with a little less camouflage than before. Audi's flagship car is expected to get several efficient V6 and V8 engines, as well as the 258 horsepower 3.0-liter TDI that produces upwards of 258 horsepower.
In the latest set of photos, we are able to see what the vehicle looks like with LED daytime runners. The end of these lights lead towards the grille, which appears to be distinctly separated into an upper and lower section, unlike on the current model. Absolutely do not be surprised if this changes, although the new bumper appears to have space for integrated fog lamps. The rear section of the vehicle looks a bit more prominent as well, and should also include LEDs. Through the rear glass we can also see a bit of the interior.
Audi is rumored to unveil the new Audi A8 by the end of the year as a 2010 model, but a Geneva appearance is also possible. Whether or not it will be offered as either a hybrid or electric remains to be seen.
2011 Audi A8 Prototype Already Shedding Some Camouflage - Spied Hot Weather Testing
2011 Audi A8 Full Body Prototype Spy Photos / Copyright: CarPix
By Zack Newmark
September 22, 2009 9:51 PM
Filed Under: Audi, German, Spy Photos
Comments
FP23
September 22, 2009 11:39 PM
WCF a n00b site?
The grille won't be seperated OMG? Have you ever heard about Audi SINGLE FRAME? You even posted the offical Audi sketch ...
Another thing: There is no space for integrated fog lamps, because they are integrated in the headlights and the space in the bumper is the place of the radar systems (can be also seen on the pictures, if you would also look and not only post them)
motorjedi
September 23, 2009 3:54 AM
"..as well as the 258 horsepower 3.0-litre TDI that produces upwards of 258 horsepower..." (?)
catchmyshadow
September 23, 2009 7:33 AM
disagree, i think it is gonna look great. subtle changes, understated elegance FTW!
nederina
September 23, 2009 10:10 AM
i guess you are right but i just wish they could have taken more risk with the styling or just be more adventurous - and that doesn't mean that it should have be controversial. the original TT and the previous A6 was ahead of its time and still looks good today. the next A8? i am not sure but i got a feeling that it is just an evolution and not a revolution. Like all carmakers, i guess they're all playing safe with their design that makes their cars somehow very predictable. looks like they sketch on a template rather than on a clean sheet of paper. if i were them I'll start looking at their Audi rosemeyer concept car. looks modern, pure Audi and ahead of its time. the next A8 is not.
122
September 23, 2009 12:58 PM
Car styling is usually subjective and this one is no exception. This next gen A8 follows on from their styling direction, so it is as expected that it will look similar to its siblings. For them to go adventurous in a exec's luxury car is a bit like asking lamborghini going conservative in their sports car.
Audis past and present have always been understated and usually cool and this fits with market that they cater for.
nederina
September 23, 2009 2:02 PM
At the end of the day, it all about the numbers. BMW understands that very clearly and did well with their E65/E66. Mercedes-Benz is always popular with their S-Class. I love the D2 and the D3 Audi A8 when it first came out. They're playing safer than Durex with the D4 that soon might hurt them in the long run. At this losing money segment, they need to shift more volume and the Audi A8 is never good with numbers. Or it will be just another white elephant like what the Phaeton is to Volkswagen or the XJ to Jaguar. The A8 is not a low volume car like the Maserati Quattroporte or the Porsche Panamera. I love Audis and admire their brilliant build quality, engineering, techno innovation and image. This is a classic example comparing the Rolls-Royce Ghost and the Bentley Mussane. I can assure you that many would dig the one that breaks the mould. Isn't that why people love the original Audi TT at the first place?
122
September 23, 2009 3:30 PM
"At this losing money segment, they need to shift more volume and the Audi A8 is never good with numbers."
I think this clarifies why Audi have been seeking at other segments for profits in their cars. Phaeton was more or less the same car with a different badge, that in my view was never going to work. Jaguar (XJ) broke the "old styling" mould and went revolutionary in terms of their design philosophy which is based around, much like the audi's design philosophy. I do believe A8 is a relatively low volume car as it is the high end luxury market and there isn't any competitive advantage over its competitors that could provide them with more sales.
"I can assure you that many would dig the one that breaks the mould. Isn't that why people love the original Audi TT at the first place?"
Yes, but Audi TT was 1) a sports car - where exploitation of "breaking the mould" tends to be more accepted 2) It was a first generation of its kind, not a lead-on from another model 3) target market/the identifying of target market
Sure i'm all for Audi if they would break the mould with this car. But be realistic, they wouldn't. This also applies with a lot of manufacturers.
Edited by user on September 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Wickedated
September 23, 2009 5:25 PM
nederina- your comment is way to presumptious. First of all, you have NO IDEA how this car is going to look like, inside or out. Aside from sketches floating on the internet (none of them official yet great looking) and this pic of a heavily camo'ed mule, for you to say this car will look "old and dated" is way too much of a statement. What is FACT is that Audi never dissapoints (you said it yourself how you liked the D2 and D3), and the fact that they're launching this after BMW and Merc released theirs means that the new D4 will be packed full of state of the art technology. This being a flagship executive sedan, it won't be as radical as a Lamborghini Estoque, but numbers don't lie- Audi is among the few auto companies in the world that are still profitable with a string of hits- from the R8 to the new S4 and everything in between. Even the Q7 and Q5 who were so scrutinized in this site, sell extremely well. Audi knows what theyre doing my friend. The D4 will look stunning once the camo is off, inside and out.
nederina
September 23, 2009 6:28 PM
Thank you and I appreciate all your great comments. I believe that the D4 A8 will have every right ingredient to be a great sportslimo, since the lightweight aluminum spaceframe will be shared with Lamborghini's Estoque. After seeing the A5 Sportback, it leaves me rather disappointed with the looks department for the Ingolstadt luxury carmaker. Here's hoping.
catchmyshadow
September 23, 2009 11:56 AM
if u design an all new model there is much more room to be risky (A5, Q7, upcoming A7) but the A8 isn`t new it has history and many loyal customers, so it is tough to get the balance rite between more risk and the last generation DNA. Look at BMW, they have lost lots of customers over the last 10 years because they tried too much. i think we should wait till the final curtain is raised, it won`t be a revolution but i don´t think it will look dated from the start either.
Wickedated
September 23, 2009 5:28 PM
I agree with you. Way too early for people to be criticizing the design, it hasnt even been seen yet. Also, let's not forget that the average A8 owner has owned previous A8s. It's a car that retains customer loyalty. Most D3 A8 owners will upgrade to the D4.
catchmyshadow
September 23, 2009 1:55 PM
But look Audi is already outselling them on home territory (western europe). BMW is traditionally stronger in some other parts of the world (for ex. the US) but that won`t last forever as well imho. Audi is growing much faster and i guess one of the main reasons is that they sticking to their DNA and that they are not experimenting too much. building gorgeous looking cars with classy, sleek and elegant lines is simply a good recipe, even if they don`t differ that much.
car sales, first half of 2009 (western europe)
320.240 Audi
297.373 Mercedes
283.769 BMW
Edited by user on September 23, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Triple_X
September 23, 2009 5:29 PM
When you give 30% reduction of the retail price to get rid of your vehicles due to overproduction, it ain’t hard to sell. A friend of line had that nice price tag! A market leader has to be innovative, that is what makes him the leader. A challenger copies the leader. Guess who is who. That was the marketing lesson of the day
catchmyshadow
September 23, 2009 6:20 PM
30%? i think u are dreaming :D. u can get 15% max over here on Audis and BMW is almost on the same reduction level at the moment. so no excuses plz.
davethepetrolhead
September 23, 2009 3:21 PM
I wonder when Audi are finished with the current gen A8 will it end up as a Seat with a minor nosejob??
Uptohere
September 24, 2009 4:44 PM
Congratulations to all those with x-ray vision who can see through the camo! I suspect this car will be a knock-out.
archytype
September 24, 2009 2:06 AM
My pop had Audi's and Saabs. He never wanted his employees to know he made the big bucks. This A8 is invisible, usually automakers give the big boat some styling as there are fewer buyers to lose; while the bread and butter (A4) gets toned down so as not to take chances. With the exception of a rich interior, Audi sedans of late are just VW's.
Edited by user on September 24, 2009 at 2:08 AM
siu16
September 24, 2009 3:32 AM
This is about as exciting as Audi design gets...only because it has camouflage. Without it, its just plain boring!
HEMI426
September 24, 2009 9:59 PM
What about this http://images.google.nl/imgres?imgurl=http://www.rpmgo.com/images/volkswagen_phaeton_coupe1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rpmgo.com/the-new-volkswagen-phaeton-coupe&usg=__7nYOpJlr8auIT_BXg_46C8PxEWo=&h=292&w=440&sz=14&hl=nl&start=9&um=1&tbnid=wNm4eFo_nU--0M:&tbnh=84&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daudi%2Ba8%2Bcoupe%26hl%3Dnl%26rlz%3D1T4HPEA_nlNL311NL311%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1 then? Ok it is more than 2 years ago, but why should audi make a prototype with the engine so far back for no reason?
0to60
October 8, 2009 3:59 AM
This car will blow away any competition as far as styling. Do not be fooled by the Camo. Already when you see those LED lights behind you know an Audi is coming and you get out of the way. The grill is said to be like the BLACK HOLE it is so massive that it will suck in everything in it's path. I cant wait to see it.
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Wasn´t this car supposed to be shown at the 2009 IAA??