A Sharpened Up Luxurious Sedan

Audi just lately unveiled a mildly up to date A8 luxurious sedan for the worldwide market, which we anticipate might be heading to the U.S., too. Basically a mid-cycle refresh of the fourth-generation A8, modifications to the flagship four-door embrace new headlights, a revised grille, and commonplace OLED taillights.

At first look, you will discover the 2022 Audi A8 wears a extra dynamic entrance finish design that provides character to its general—dare we are saying it—uninteresting profile. Newly formed headlights utilizing Audi’s Digital Matrix LED know-how with 1.3 million micromirrors sit astride a widened grille. Including depth, the decrease fringe of the delicate headlights creates a contour above the aspect air intakes that at the moment are upright.

The A8’s rear will get new OLED (natural LED) taillights, as properly. S8 fashions have three completely different mild signature kinds, whereas all different variants supply up two. If you choose the “Dynamic” drive mode within the S8, the tail lamps will swap to an expanded, Dynamic-exclusive signature. One other nifty operate is the proximity indication function; when different autos pull inside 6.6 ft of the again of a stationary A8, this operate prompts all of the OLED segments to present the opposite driver a heads-up. Furthermore, extra capabilities encompass dynamic flip indicators and distinct sequences for coming and leaving house.

Audi now affords the S look bundle on the A8. For a sportier and bolder look—as a result of you’ll be able to by no means have an excessive amount of dynamism on an enormous sedan—prospects can mix the non-compulsory S and black look packages. Those that need elaborations that stand out will most likely favor the chrome bundle. New exterior paint coloration choices embrace metallic District Inexperienced, Firmament Blue, Manhattan Grey, and Extremely Blue.

The lavishly appointed inside comes properly outfitted and is absolutely configurable with high-grade supplies and a variety of seat layouts and gear. The techy cabin makes use of Audi’s MMI system and has two touchscreens: a ten.1-inch infotainment and an 8.6-inch display screen for local weather settings. An all-digital digital cockpit—Audi-speak for a digital gauge cluster—straight going through the motive force takes navigation to the following degree. Audiophiles will get pleasure from listening to extremely curated playlists on the 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Issues are quite a bit fancier within the rear compartment, particularly in A8 L fashions. The range-topping A8, that includes choices galore, comes with a stretched-out heart console and a footrest that may therapeutic massage and warmth your ft.

In these top-dog A8s, rear passengers can stream their favourite content material on 10.1-inch screens fitted to the entrance seatbacks, loosen up with a physique therapeutic massage, and seize a chilly beverage from the built-in cooler. Fold-out tables and an air high quality bundle that features a perfume system are additionally non-compulsory. 4-zone computerized air con, together with energy adjustable seats and headrests put the “c” in consolation.

And if you have not heard, there may be an ultra-luxurious A8 version that may go on sale in China solely, taking the stage at this 12 months’s Guangzhou Auto Present. The A8 L Horch, because it’s named, is straight aimed on the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and has an prolonged wheelbase and a fancy inside virtually spewing opulence. We’re speaking tender mini throw pillows, diamond-pattern quilting, embossed logos, deep-pile flooring mats, an expanded panoramic roof; you get the image.

The A8’s U.S.-market powertrain decisions are more likely to stay the identical, together with a mild-hybrid V-6 and the highly effective twin-turbo V-8 producing 563 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The refreshed 2022 Audi A8 goes on sale in Europe in December. Based mostly on present trade charges, it is going to begin at $115,000 and roughly $168,000 for the S variant.