Audi A8 Prototype Hits the Ring

 Audi A8 Prototype Hits the Ring
2011 Audi A8 Prototype testing on Nurburgring / Copyright S.B.Medien

Next-generation Audi A8 spied while doing some laps during track testing

An Audi A8 prototype has been spied testing again.

The pics do not reveal anything new and what to expect from the next-generation of Audi's flagship sedan is based mostly on speculation.

But that the new A8 will be fitted with Audi's standard array of large engines is an easy guess to make. Those include the 3.0 liter TDI and the 4.2 liter V8 petrol/gasoline. Despite reports of the S8 being cancelled in America, perhaps and S8 will come with a variant of Audi's 5.0 liter V10 FSI engine as seen in the R8.

Questions arising, though, as to what new technology Audi will introduce into the A8 to keep it competitive, newsworthy and eco-friendly. Mercedes has an S-Class hybrid, as does BMW with the 7-Series, but there's been no word yet about any possible hybrid A8.

Likely to be featured is a second-generation of Audi's Aluminum Space Frame (ASF II) technology which makes the A8 standout in terms of engineering accomplishment. The aluminum frame keeps the A8 light and agile, a key distinction in this notoriously heavyweight class.

The next-generation Audi A8 will be making its debut sometime next year - maybe at the Geneva auto salon, or perhaps later at the Paris show in September. Audi will want to make sure that its flagship sedan will get the appropriate amount of fanfare for what is one of the most important launches for the German premium brand.

 

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 Siawa Siawa
Like expected, looks like a bigger A4 from these pics. But hey I love the new A4, it's gorgeous.
October 13, 2009 6:44 pm
 theoldman theoldman
nice!
October 13, 2009 7:23 pm
 jerry05cod4 jerry05cod4
Key car to determine audi's success as a premium auto builder... the actual a8 will look nothing like this probably @siawa
October 13, 2009 7:43 pm
 DeeKay DeeKay
Love the headlights... Like I would expect from the upcoming über-Audi...
October 13, 2009 8:43 pm
 machida machida
That's some serious front overhang. You sure this isn't a FWD Mitsubishi?
October 14, 2009 12:37 am
 BabyMilo BabyMilo
I like it, i think that itll look good like the rest of the Audi lineup. I hope that they add some pepper to the mix though
October 14, 2009 2:58 am
 nederina nederina
I am sure the new A8 is going to be a great car and packed with the latest innovation and cutting edge technology. But please do something with the grille!
October 14, 2009 10:02 am
 HEMI426 HEMI426
It's allright. Hope the v10 won't die. It does look like a big a4, and the space between the front door and the front wheel isn't big, even smaller as with the a4. So the engine doesn't really lie farther back as the previous a8. With that comes that the hood is way too short, I love long hoods, and this one is the size of a bmw 3 series, which was good if an a8 was 20 inch shorter.
October 15, 2009 5:39 pm