"Our new flagship comes in the next year," an Audi spokesman said, without giving any other details regarding the subject. Nevertheless, some information about the new vehicle is available, as it includes some of the technology we will see in the new A4 and A6.
For the development of the car, Audi will use some of the components developed for the A4 and A6, at least as far as the car's structure is concerned. Most likely, the manufacturer will use a the second generation Aluminum Space Frame (ASF 2), which is comprised of an aluminum passenger cell, reinforced in sensible areas by steel and foam.
Engine wise, the future A8 will use 8 cylinder powerplants, two petrol and two diesel. Engine displacements will include the 3.0l and 4.2l, both with improved fuel efficiency and start/stop system. The S8 version will probably use a 5.0l V10 FSI engine, capable of developing 620 horsepower, worldcarfans.com reported.
It is too early to say when the first preview of the 2011 model year of the A8 will be put on display, but with a bunch of other auto shows left on the calendar, it will not be a surprise if we'd see it before the end of 2010.
Until then, we are left to wonder whether Audi's policy of providing smaller displacement engines, as is the case with the next generation S4 and S5, will affect the next A8 as well.
Google News