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Reader Spy: Next-gen Audi A6 caught in So-Cal... or is it an A8?
by Sam Abuelsamid on Sep 21st 2009 at 7:00PM 
Audi A6/A8 mystery mule - Click above for image gallery
It's no secret that Audi will be introducing new versions of both of its biggest sedans in 2010. Redesigned iterations of the A6 and A8 are coming, with one possibly appearing at the Detroit Auto Show in January and the other likely to drop in Geneva. Thankfully, another of our ever-alert readers happened to catch one of them racking up durability miles somewhere in Simi Valley near Los Angeles. Judging by the car's psychedelic mojo, the team in Ingolstadt have hired the same company that supplies camouflage wraps for BMW.
So which of the new sedans are we seeing here? Our man Lieberman seems to think it's the A8. However, close examination of the C-pillar reveals some details despite Audi's efforts to obscure them. Overall, the car has the same steeply sloped rear glass as the current – and previous – A6. The A8 has had a more upright rear window befitting its more premium position in the lineup, but that's no guarantee for the future. We'll find out which this car is soon enough. Thanks to Nathan for the tip and the photos!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tool 7:11PM (9/21/2009)
Great find.
I recently saw the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee driving around West Los Angeles with only tape over the Jeep label on the rear tailgate.
Couldn't get my camera out quick enough to get some shots, like this ^^^ lucky guy.
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AMcA 11:20PM (9/21/2009)
I go with your man Lieberman. The thing's got a little bit of a trunk on it. A6s, for at least a couple generations, have been nearly fastbacks.
This is clearly an A8.
timurjonchik 12:13PM (9/22/2009)
They even copy camouflage from BMW.
ran 6:02PM (11/12/2009)
@timurjonchik: It's also possible that the same company does the camouflage jobs.
gearhead18 7:11PM (9/21/2009)
I'm goin to have to go with Johhny on this one, it has gotta be the 8. Either way it looks pretty good so far.
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F50 7:16PM (9/21/2009)
I hope the A6 and A8 don't look like the A4/A5. Otherwise they would all look the same. still looks good though.
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Kaveh 7:19PM (9/21/2009)
Those pictures are hard to tell what size it is, but the rear end looks like the A5 so I bet its a A6.
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James 7:41PM (9/21/2009)
This looks like a tad bigger than the current (C6/Type 4F) A6...so I'd go for the A6.
MikeofLA 7:28PM (9/21/2009)
I grew up in Simi Valley (and work out there now) and the area is frequently used to test and develop cars. I actually saw a new 5 series with all the "armor" on it about 2 months ago.
Any way, it is really hard to tell what it is A6/A8.
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few 7:44PM (9/21/2009)
First the mitsu grill and now BMW's camouflage? lol..
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fahnlanders 10:53PM (9/21/2009)
Mitsu grill? Mitsu is copying Audi who did this grill 5 years ago now. LOL
Clippy 6:17AM (9/22/2009)
"Mitsu grill? Mitsu is copying Audi who did this grill 5 years ago now. LOL"
Audi grill? Audi is copying Alfa Romeo who started with such grills 10 years ago. LOL
The "shield grill" was a design element of Walter de Silva. Shortly after it gained success in Alfa Romeo, he was poached by VAG and not even 1 year later Audi suddenly had shield grill.
Freedman 9:27AM (9/22/2009)
Audi had the grill long before Mitsubishi... Mitsubishi tried to use a variation by making their grill upside down. Audi's grill goes far back to the original Auto Union (Audi) Silver Arrow racecars that raced Mercedes of the day. This was before BMW was even a car manufacturer...
Chris Doane 7:47PM (9/21/2009)
A8
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xtasi 7:48PM (9/21/2009)
looks like a traverse mounted engine. I'm going by the distance from front door to wheel arch. Dam it Audi! Why do your base A6 have to be FWD?
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audi_arena 10:19AM (9/22/2009)
Nope, as with the previous A8 and the current A4, it looks like their repositioned front axel (moved forward in relation to the trans) for better weight distribution.
Fewer than 1% of the A6's sold (in the North East US at least) are the front wheel drive... they really are only for cheapasses who want the badge at the lowest price possible
Hank 8:02PM (9/21/2009)
That has got to be the best camo design I have seen for these test cars. Distracting as hell, it's hard to make out the body characteristics.
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FSM 8:04PM (9/21/2009)
who cares? The A6 and A8 are both big time snorers in the exterior looks department. It's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other as far as I'm concerned.
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RadicalxEdward 8:06PM (9/21/2009)
i don't get why if they want it to be camera camo they don't just make the whole thing like neon green so that it just reflects light.
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RadicalxEdward 8:07PM (9/21/2009)
maybe that wouldn't be good for other motorists?