Veil of Secrecy: Next-generation Audi A8 teased
Next-generation Audi A8 teaser – Click above to view in high-resAs we reported last month, the debut of the next-generation Audi A8 is tipped to have been pushed back from its anticipated launch at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show. But that apparently hasn't stopped the German automaker from releasing this veiled teaser photo, giving us a hint of what we can expect from its next flagship sedan.
Peering around Audi development chief Michael Dick, the first thing that can be discerned from this shot is the strip of LED headlights forming an aggressive silhouette through the veil, a design cue that is quickly becoming Audi's trademark. Beyond that, the new A8 appears to cut a more coupe-like form in the mold of the new A5 Sportback, though not quite as extreme, with a steeply raked windshield, lower roofline and gently tapering trailing edge.
The next-gen A8 is expected to carry a wide range of engines, from a 3.0-liter diesel V6 all the way up to a 620 horsepower V10 for the S8 model.
[Source: Autovisie]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TKE 2:33PM (7/22/2009)
I'm tiring of these teasers. I don't feel teased. I feel like I wasted my time. Ooo, we can vaguely see the approximate profile of the car. Which we all could have drawn on a napkin beforehand.
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Jacob 2:38PM (7/22/2009)
Boo freaking hoo, you're lucky you got anything! Now quit your yapping and finish your broccoli!
AndrewNoNumbers 3:09PM (7/22/2009)
You wouldn't feel you had wasted your time if only they had used a model rather than an old man.
Quantumphysics 3:25PM (7/22/2009)
Those LED's don't make up for the fact the new Audi's aren't as good as the new Benzes or BMW's.
I own an S550 and Audi ain't got nothing on me.
Kitko 3:31PM (7/22/2009)
Only with Audi we always get the same shape only bigger or smaller, apparently, all designers are left and they got stuck with a copy machine. They should start selling cars by pounds or feet.....
Anti-believer 5:19PM (7/22/2009)
It's nothing but a stretched A4.
Rev 5:59PM (7/22/2009)
Nothing but a stretched A4 because a 4 looks like a 6 looks like an 8. And now with the ghettoriceriffic Christmas lights these cars look even more similar and more ridiculous.
I'll take a BMW, thanks.
Raz 1:04AM (7/23/2009)
@ Quantumphysics,
Audi's manufacturing technology is as good if not ahead of bmw and merc, so stop being a s class die hard, audi and merc are setting different trends and different benchmarks. On another note, a lot of us dont give about your s550
@Kitko
What audi has is a consistent design language for the entire brand. This makes sure that people know each model is distinctively audi and won't mistaken it as something else
talldude13 2:37PM (7/22/2009)
Take the picture here and use any photo editing software (even Microsoft's own Picture Manager) and increase the brightness of the photo. This will more clearly reveal the shape of the car. After doing this, I don't see the "coupe like" shape at all. Perhaps you could post both for comparison?
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zamafir 2:52PM (7/22/2009)
yup, looks a lot more blocky like their drawings we've seen, and might even have an a5 sportback tail to it.
Yaroukh 2:37PM (7/22/2009)
PLZ PLZ PLZ no more rescaled clone!
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Gabe 3:42PM (7/22/2009)
Thankfully it looks like we've been spared the A7 concept's hexagonal grill. It took me awhile to buy into the shield grille Audi started doing a few years back, and I can honestly say that while not overly attractive it's grown on me over time. That hexagonal grille, however, is downright ugly.
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Mike7 3:58PM (7/22/2009)
"Thankfully it looks like we've been spared the A7 concept's [downright ugly] hexagonal grill"
Audi also release a teaser sketch, and I think you'll be disappointed.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/audi-a8-teaser-2009-07-22
Gabe 7:31PM (7/22/2009)
Nooooooooooo.....
Sal Collaziano 2:48PM (7/22/2009)
I can't wait to see what this car is going to look like - inside and out. I kinda hope it's more of a change than BMW did with their 7-Series.. Audi's been on such a role that I'm sure whatever the outcome, it's going to be really good...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.audiforum.org/
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zamafir 2:56PM (7/22/2009)
I'm sure you'll get what you want. BWM's just been doing damage control with each revision, Audi's fine, their A8 is very old now and still beating the 7 series in some comparisons. expect a new exterior and interior, hopefully taking a lot from the A7 concept (as it'll need to as the XJ has an awesome interior and it would appear BMW may finally be getting the basics of above the bar design if the 5 series GT interior is any clue. hell or getting it in general with this crazy speak of FI fours).
Sal Collaziano 3:07PM (7/22/2009)
Speaking of the new 7-Series, the interior is the biggest and greatest update.. It's now just as luxurious as a Lexus LS460 but actually fun to drive - and just as quick as the Lexus as well.. It's really the total package.. I love the car but I think the exterior could have been a little more aggressive.. Still, I love the "seven". I have even higher hopes for the A8...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.cardealer411.com
hakuta 2:48PM (7/22/2009)
The lamp of Christmas treeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
pikapika
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Mike 3:38PM (7/22/2009)
Seriously, what is up with that? Why do all these cars ornament their headlights with weird ass LED Christmas lights? It's only a pinch less dopey looking than the undercarriage neon craze that came out of Miami in the late 80s.
senseition 2:54PM (7/22/2009)
A standard Audi shaped car with big grille in front. How exciting...
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