Spy Shots: 2010 Audi A8 is met by the sculptor's rasp
by Jonathon Ramsey on Sep 12th 2009 at 9:05AM 
The evolution of any Audi is a study in subtlety. The evolution of the A8, even by Audi standards, has been especially delicate, going from brazen lozenge to the softly curved – and elegant – geometric form it is today. There is nothing sculpted about it, and perhaps the most notable styling element the entire time has been the sedan's gaping grille.Yet based on the teaser for and spy shots of the next version, it looks like the A8 is going has had the sculptors' hands laid upon it. Even under the camo, one can see the distinctly raised hood line and the Bangle-esque trunk line. Even though the car is longer, the greenhouse appears to be shorter, but that could be an effect of the camouflage and the way the C-pillar now flows into the sloping rear deck.
Also in contrast to the current model, the trunk is no longer flush with the rear panels, so the rear lights are broken up on two different planes, and might even be staggered – reminiscent of the previous BMW 7 Series design. We'll find out how it all comes together soon enough, but this redesign could be the biggest thing to hit the A8 since... the A8.
[Source: Fastest Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
O.Z.Racing_UK 9:38AM (9/12/2009)
Looks like a blown-up A4. Well maybe I'm just judging it because I can only see the front lights.
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John 9:47AM (9/12/2009)
Those Bangle touches are just built-up padding in the camouflage. I'm sure it's as Audi-sleek as everything else they build.
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audi_arena 10:04AM (9/12/2009)
I agree.
I can't wait to see this, it has the potential to push Audi way forward in US consumer's eyes.
Moe 10:24AM (9/12/2009)
Yeah, I'll agree with that. The "Bangleness" of it is all camo. The real thing will probably look like a super-sized A4.
Jono 1:28AM (9/13/2009)
LOOKIN' KINDA BMW THERE AUDI, WITH YOUR CAMO
Visnick 10:31AM (9/12/2009)
Audi please don't f__K this one up like BMW and Merc have done to their big saloons.... pretty please.
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zamafir 4:39PM (9/12/2009)
Audi won't, it's not their style, look at the a5 sportback.
What audi does need to do is make it noticeably lighter than it's predecessor now that jaguar has raised the bar.
Tagg 11:01AM (9/12/2009)
I always find Audis to be amongst the best looking cars on the road. The l.e.d. strip, is simple but as it is definately lets you know what's comming down the road at you. Better than a hood ornament, better than a 3-bar grille, better than a "flame surfacing".
I don't think there is an offensive design in the entire Audi lineup which is rare but the only design that really stands out from the crowd excluding the R8 is the TT. Not the most practical car. So maybe this is the a step towards a little more flair but I hope it's not over the top but judging from other Audi designs I don't see that happening which is good.
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Other Man 11:30AM (9/12/2009)
Hope they don't follow everyone into Bangle-like or Bangle-hint styling.
I loved their Sportback Concept, or whatever it was called. The front and rear ends would be perfect for the new A8.
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Farmboy 11:34AM (9/12/2009)
Nice camo. Ford should ditch the Cheetos for this. But PLEASE Audi, don't screw this up. You are barely keeping me interested in your brand.
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Nick 12:53PM (9/12/2009)
Hope it won't be another boring one.
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future-autos.blogspot.com 1:01PM (9/12/2009)
Looks about as interesting as the new 7-series design to me (I.E. not so much, but not inoffensive either). Definitely not revolutionary, but then what is from Audi? The last A8 was the revolution, this is the evolution.
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Jon (Aussie) 1:11PM (9/12/2009)
Didn't BMW also used this kind of camouflage on their test cars?
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vespid82 2:16PM (9/12/2009)
yup.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/upload/19373/images/BMW5-seriesSpyPhoto2.jpg
http://www.bmwcoop.com/wp-content/images/2008/10/2010_bmw_z4_spy_shots_oct_08_005-1013-950x673.jpg
vespid82 2:15PM (9/12/2009)
Meh... looks too tame.
New Jag XJ > that.
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catchmyshadow 2:19PM (9/12/2009)
looks understated and powerful, Audi A8 FTW!
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BluePariah 3:32PM (9/12/2009)
That roof bulge is padding. Look at how sharply it drops off once it hits the quarter panel. Same for the trunk.
And the syncopated taillights, that's clearly just red tape.
At the risk of sounding like a fan boy, boring or not, Audi always designs an elegant car.
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P.V. 5:15PM (9/12/2009)
I honestly think that the current A8 is too subtle; it's almost vanilla.
I kinda like the way the new one is going, actually.
Unrelated: I walked out of the house to the intersection of our (short, purely residential) street to the main road and saw a red Nissan GT-R tooling around (not racing). It was GREAT!
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Alex Hobbs 12:10PM (9/14/2009)
Audi has great details like the LED lamps but the overall form of their sedans with the rounded green house and flat clean sides is getting a little boring now that everyone has copied the look they started with the A4 back in the 90's. I like subtle, clean designs which is why I have liked Audi in general but take away the monster grille and the LEDs and much like the current A4 this looks like it could really be any car. I'd like to see Audi take some more design chances like they did back then.
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