AUDI has revealed its revised A8 limousine line-up with an all-new flagship mannequin made particularly for the Chinese language market.
Common variations of the brand new A8 are anticipated to reach in Australia in mid 2022 and can compete with the BMW 7 Sequence (from $204,400), Lexus LS (from $195,325), and Mercedes-Benz S-Class (from $240,700).
With 130mm added between the B and C pillars, the longer A8 L Horch measures 5450mm in size and boasts lashings of comfort-focussed expertise aimed toward offering added “status and standing” to rich consumers, Audi says.
The roomier Horch options extra diamond-quilted leather-based upholstery all through, brand embossing within the cushions and deep pile carpets that Audi says emphasise the sensation of exclusivity of the mannequin it has been designing in secret since 2017.
Outwardly, the Horch’s two-tone paint schemes and disc-like ‘H Crown’ wheels are complemented by a model-specific Singleframe grille with vertical bases that Audi says “point out that it’s a luxurious mannequin”.
Further chrome garnishes on the mirror scalps, C-pillar, and bumper covers be a part of “particular mild signatures” for the LED headlights and taillights, a bigger panoramic roof, and Horch-specific rear ‘leisure’ seat.
These reclining rear seats characteristic a therapeutic massage operate, heating, and air flow not just for the seat itself, but in addition the electric-folding footrest that deploys from the rear of the entrance seats.
Audi stated the Horch was developed in response to Chinese language prospects who wished a particular luxurious mannequin that was readily identifiable over its A8 L by-product, and which provided larger ranges of personalisation and progressive applied sciences vital to the exacting homeowners, and would “exude authority”.
The China-only stretch limousine is powered by a 250kW 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine badged because the 55 TFSI and presents Quattro all-wheel drive as commonplace.
Audi estimates the Horch will kind as much as 20 per cent of all A8 variants offered in China over the subsequent two to a few years.
“We now have been very profitable in anticipating the wants of A8 prospects within the (Chinese language) market, refining the design with nice care and precision whereas guaranteeing our very excessive commonplace of consolation and driving expertise is maintained,” stated Audi head of world advertising and marketing, Christian Dietl.
Audi describes the Horch is an “acceptable response” to the excessive demand of the Chinese language market, the place giant sedans are seen as “prestigious”, and says the area accounts for greater than 60 per cent of all A8 gross sales – of which there have been 86,000 within the newest era and greater than 570,000 because the first A8 debuted in 1994.
The Horch tops a revised A8 and S8 vary, the styling of which Audi says “redresses the steadiness of sportiness and status” set out by the fourth-generation mannequin it launched in 2017.
The 2022 A8 vary is recognized by a brand new grille design, remoulded bumper covers with decrease chrome garnishing and extra vertical outboard air inlets, up to date headlights with a novel, segmented DRL factor, and “1.3 million micro-mirror” digital Matrix LED headlights as commonplace.
A reprofiled rocker cowl supplies a sportier look to the profile of the A8 vary, whereas the rear bumper and taillights obtain an analogous makeover to the entrance fascia, with Audi’s OLED customisable taillights linked by a horizontal LED strip throughout the boot lid.
Audi will supply its S line look package deal throughout the A8 and A8 L vary for the primary time, the sportier package deal becoming a member of S8 variants in offering a extra athletic look, which within the case of the S8 is enhanced additional by a black look package deal, distinctive grille, seen quad exhaust retailers, model-specific rear valance, and bigger diameter alloy wheels (as much as 21 inches).
S8 variants additionally obtain a three-spoke steering wheel and piano black inside trim as commonplace, with carbon-fibre particulars obtainable optionally.
Upholstery and trim choices improve in ‘L’ variations of Audi’s four-door limo with Valetta upholstery provided as commonplace throughout the A8 L line-up.
Cognac-coloured Valcona leather-based and Dynamica (fake suede) can be found optionally, as is a sporty black hood lining – Audi’s Design choice offering an nearly overwhelming degree of alternative for purchasers eager to make their A8 their very own.
Audi says the comfort seat within the A8 L is “the apex of this system” and presents quite a few adjustment choices that reach to the headrest, footrest, and the seat itself with its 18 enclosed pneumatic cushions.
The rear of the A8 L is accessible as a four-seater with optionally available steady centre console and fold-out workstation. 4-zone local weather management with ioniser and fragrance operate is likewise obtainable, as is a bar compartment with drinks cooler.
Eleven commonplace paint colors can be found throughout the A8, A8 L, and S8 vary – amongst them new metallic shades District Inexperienced, Firmament Blue, Manhattan Gray, and Extremely Blue – and 5 matte finishes – Daytona Gray, Florette Silver, District Inexperienced, Terra Gray, and Extremely Whereas.
Audi’s Unique Program additionally permits prospects to pick out their very own distinctive paint scheme assuming not one of the above are to their liking, Audi A8 head of design Ashley Gleave merely stating that “quite a lot of customisation is feasible”.
Along with Stage 2+ autonomous driving capacity provided within the present vary (and in markets the place it’s “legally doable”), the A8 vary builds on the expertise of the present vary showcasing many new options earlier than they seem elsewhere within the Audi line-up.
The MMI infotainment array – comprising 10.1 and eight.6-inch shows – presents a brand new touch-response working system with “pure voice operation” and is joined by the most recent iteration of Audi’s Digital Cockpit instrument panel, optionally available head-up show, commonplace MMI Navigation Plus and Audi Join performance.
The rear seats additionally embody 10.1-inch shows, set behind the entrance seats, and an unimaginable 23-speaker/1920-watt Bang & Olufsen Superior Sound System managed through a rear-seat distant.
Audi’s newest A8 can also be obtainable with “about 40 driver help techniques” and a variety of latest options clustered into self-explanatory help packages dubbed Park, Metropolis, and Tour, the spotlight of which is Audi’s personal distant self-parking characteristic.
Relying available on the market wherein it’s offered, the Audi A8 vary is accessible with mild-hybrid expertise engines together with a 156kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel within the 50 TDI quattro (0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds), 250kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 petrol in 55 TFSI quattro (0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds), a China-only 210kW variant of the identical engine, and a 338kW/660Nm V8-powered 60 TFSI (0-100km in 4.4 seconds) with cylinder on demand expertise.
The S8 TFSI quattro is powered by a biturbo 420kW/800Nm V8, which drops the 0-100km/h dash down to three.8 seconds, whereas the A8 60 TFSI e quattro provides plug-in hybrid adaptability due to a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery and 340kW/700Nm complete system energy and a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds.
Carbon ceramic brakes are optionally available.
The total Australian A8 vary, specs, and pricing will probably be introduced nearer to the mannequin’s launch.
