Spyshots: Next-Gen Audi A8

Audi A8 is brought back in the spotlights thanks to a new set of spyshots showing the car during a night testing session. Just like the photos we showed you yesterday, the car is again camouflaged, hiding most modifications the future model will bring in late 2010 when it will be officially released.

Just as we told you yesterday, Audi officially introduced the A8 model in 2003, rolling out a facelift a few years later and bringing a number of upgrades at both the interior and the exterior.

The new A8 however will be based on an extended version of the A4 modular platform. Furthermore, the car will rely on new and lightweight materials, as the German manufacturer is struggling to make the whole vehicle lighter and thus improve both fuel efficiency and engine performance. No specific figures are available at this time, but aluminum and magnesium are expected to still make their way on the new A8.

As for the engines, the only things we have at this time are again a few rumors pointing to more environmentally-friendly configurations. The engine lineup will be pretty much the same with the one available on the current A8 but a new 2.8-liter petrol V6 and the 4.2-liter V8 FSI will be available as well, while the 6.0-liter V12 TDI is still under consideration.

The A8 will be offered as standard with FWD but an all-wheel drive version will join the range from the launch. There's still no word on the official launch but the A8 will be most likely revealed at one of the shows taking place in late 2010.
More images in the gallery below.