Spy Shots: 2011 Audi A8 coming with four-cylinder turbodiesel, new V12 under development
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 27th 2009 at 7:57PM 
2011 Audi A8 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Camouflaged prototypes of the 2011 Audi A8 have been caught running the Nurburgring, and accompanying these newest shots comes word that Audi's reworked flagship will be available with a host of new powerplants.
According to reports, Audi's range-topper will continue to be available with a W12, but it's expected to grow from 6.1- to 6.5-liters and exceed 500 horsepower -- 50 hp more than the outgoing twelve. Stepping down from that would be a supercharged V8 with more than 400 horsepower and a cylinder management system that could shut down up to four cylinders.
To really get the gas mileage going, however, Audi is reportedly working on a new 2.0-liter diesel with two turbos that pumps out more than 200 horsepower. If the new powerplant comes to market, it would match Mercedes-Benz' BlueEfficiency four-cylinder in the S-Class. The new A8 is expected to debut at the Detroit Auto Show this January, with sales beginning in late 2010.
Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Audi A8
[Source: L'Automobile]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Paul 8:08PM (10/27/2009)
i hope audi puts that 4-bangin turbodiesel in the A4 or Q5.
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abbas350 8:36PM (10/27/2009)
word.
RainCleans 8:12PM (10/27/2009)
Wow, what a shocking turn in Audi's design vocabulary...
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Auari 8:19PM (10/27/2009)
Why would they need to change their design dramatically, All of them look good as is.
RainCleans 8:31PM (10/27/2009)
@Auari I agree that they look good, but I feel that they're also beginning to look derivative and uninspired. A cohesive design language is great, but things become generic when the only things changing are LED placement, grill size, and model dimensions. Just my opinion...
The diesel option sounds great though. Hopefully it helps Audi's push for diesel in the US (assuming its emissions are in check).
homunculus 10:08PM (10/27/2009)
you can't be derivative of yourself.
evolutionary design works for porsche and it works for audi.
homunculus 10:16PM (10/27/2009)
*911
Monica Dickey 11:15PM (10/27/2009)
Yeah that new finish is totally crazy! ;P
RainCleans 1:08AM (10/28/2009)
@homunculus You're right-derivative was a poor word choice. Generic and uninspired are spot on though.
You're also right that evolutionary design has worked for Porsche in the past. However, Porsche is a niche automaker. Audi is not.
Now that Porsche is trying to break out of that mold and into the SUV/4-Door market that 'evolutionary' design language is reeking havoc and garnering some extremely negative aesthetic reviews. Why's this? Perhaps because 'evolutionary' design too easily leads to an extremely restricted aesthetic where possibilities for innovation lose ground to tradition. And when that restricted aesthetic is applied to a new idea we get...well, a Panamera.
Again, I agree that Audi's look good right now. But this is a future model. And even in its heavily camouflaged presence I see more and more constrictive visual rules in each model and less and less design. And I'm worried about where that will lead. Just my .02 .
Alex 8:17PM (10/27/2009)
Audi does not have a V12 currently, it is a W12.
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zamafir 8:46PM (10/27/2009)
doesn't and never have in the A8. come on autoblog, it's not like you'd refer to the previous M3 as "V6" powered.
Hike15 8:23PM (10/27/2009)
I feel that it needs to look even more upscale than the s5 since it is the top of the line. It should have some of the dramatic design of the r8, but a bit classier and less angry. Hopefully they keep around the s8, but i doubt it is likely we will see another lamborghini v10 in an audi.
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Gardiner Westbound 8:33PM (10/27/2009)
Can't imagine anybody paying $75,000 for a 4-cylinder diesel.
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Victorface 9:06PM (10/27/2009)
At least not in America. Most luxo-barges sold in Europe are diesel powered, though I don't think any of them are 4-cylinders.
Mike7 8:36PM (10/27/2009)
I'm assuming the V12 won't be available in front wheel drive. Even with equal half shafts, the little, torquey A4 2.0T Fronttrak has torque steer, I'd hate to see (okay, I'm curious to see) what a V12 would do.
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Rick 12:19PM (10/28/2009)
My chipped (298? ft lb tq) A4 FWD doesn't have torque steer. Of course I'm on a lowered, stiffer suspension with 19"s, but it's still pretty straight on.
MikeW 1:44PM (10/30/2009)
Do you have 245s on the front axle?
MikeW 8:46PM (10/27/2009)
Why should any A8s come without four wheel drive?
The ratio spread of the ZF 8 speed auto is big enough.
Porsche's 7 speed double clutch has over 10:1 ratio spread. That is german nuttiness!
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Mirko 6:34AM (10/28/2009)
Because Audi has always made smaller engined version of the A8 with FWD. Why should they stop doing so, when there obviously is a market for it?
Have a look at the Euro price list:
http://www.audi.de/de/brand/de/neuwagen/a8/a8/Katalog_und_Preisliste.html
2.8 and 3.2 V6 gas versions are available with FWD. Diesels (3.0 V6 and 4.2 V8) are quattro only.
MikeW 11:11AM (10/28/2009)
Because, now they have the ratio spread.
The ZF 8hp30 has more ratio spread than the Multitronic, so you can have Quattro in the short wheelbase A8, with the 2.8 V6 [they would probably use the 8hp45, just in case the 3.0 supercharged shows up]
and you can have Quattro in the long wheelbase with the 3.1 V6 [which would/should be replaced with the 3.2 AVLS]
Why wouldn't the market want a more capable vehicle, no slower in the dry, much more apt for the snow. No change in mileage.