Photo: CarPix
A full-size luxury sedan is not what you would expect to see on the Nurburgring, yet our spy photographers caught one in the action. Considering that Audi goes the extra mile to hone dynamic capabilities and drivability on the Green Hell, the new A8 holds great promise as far as nimbleness is concerned.
When the first-generation A8 came out in 1994, Audi talked about its all-aluminum spaceframe with much pomp and circumstance. For the fourth-generation A8, the German automaker is be even more impressive in this regard, chiefly because the all-new model will switch to the state-of-the-art MLB Evo platform.
In the case of the 2016 Audi Q7, the said platform made it possible for the full-size SUV to shed 716.5 lbs (325 kg) from the curb weight of the previous model. Despite the lower weight and crisper handling characteristics, the pre-production 2018 Audi A8 still looks out of place on the Nurburgring. I mean, just look at how hard the suspension works on corner exit.
Underneath the swirly camouflage, the newest generation of the A8 luxobarge borrows a handful of styling cues from the Prologue Concept. The slim headlights, the 3D hexagonal front grille, the more confident stance, the tapered rear end, everything looks the part on the pre-production prototype in the gallery below.
Because it rides on the MLB Evo platform, the 2018 Audi A8 is sure to be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Prospective customers who would rather not rock down to Electric Avenue will be motivated by a pretty varied selection of force-fed gasoline- and diesel-fed engines, ranging from your typical 3.0 TDI to a W12 tower-of-power. The A8 L is expected to be available only with the most powerful mills in the range.
These being said, the 2018 Audi A8 (D5) full-size luxury sedan is confirmed to debut sometime in 2017. The best-case scenario is the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March, during the Volkswagen Group Night.
In the case of the 2016 Audi Q7, the said platform made it possible for the full-size SUV to shed 716.5 lbs (325 kg) from the curb weight of the previous model. Despite the lower weight and crisper handling characteristics, the pre-production 2018 Audi A8 still looks out of place on the Nurburgring. I mean, just look at how hard the suspension works on corner exit.
Underneath the swirly camouflage, the newest generation of the A8 luxobarge borrows a handful of styling cues from the Prologue Concept. The slim headlights, the 3D hexagonal front grille, the more confident stance, the tapered rear end, everything looks the part on the pre-production prototype in the gallery below.
Because it rides on the MLB Evo platform, the 2018 Audi A8 is sure to be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Prospective customers who would rather not rock down to Electric Avenue will be motivated by a pretty varied selection of force-fed gasoline- and diesel-fed engines, ranging from your typical 3.0 TDI to a W12 tower-of-power. The A8 L is expected to be available only with the most powerful mills in the range.
These being said, the 2018 Audi A8 (D5) full-size luxury sedan is confirmed to debut sometime in 2017. The best-case scenario is the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March, during the Volkswagen Group Night.
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