Photo: SB-Medien
The refreshed Audi A8 with its sexy LED headlights is just now making its way to the US market. However, it's been on sale for over a year in Europe and Audi has already started development of the next generation.
These are the very first photos that indicate road testing for the next A8 has begun. However, there really isn't that much to see here. The prototype caught by our spies takes the shape of an average current generation A8 and only the miss-fitting suspension gives it away.
Attached to every wheel, the latest generation of more compact testing sensors measure different parameters coming from what's most likely an all-new engine. They will undoutedly be more efficient and should include at least one plug-in hybrid unit, as promised by company officials.
As for the platform, well that's most likely an evolved version of Audi's bread and butter, the MLB. Nicknamed the MLB Evo, this new architecture will be lighter than its predecessor and should make full use of aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
Since the next generation A8 won't be ready until 2016 at the latest, it's a bit early to talk about exterior design. However, Audi might have dropped some clues with the last version of the Sport quattro concept, the "Laserlight" shown at the Consumer Electronic Show. As you can see from the adjacent photo, their aim could be simplification, by moving the gear selector, radio controls and MMI system together into one unit.
Speaking of the Laserlight, that concept was Audi's first to get the laser high-beam system that seems to be sweeping the industry. Since its debut, a production model has made its debut in the form of the R8 LMX, a very expensive but interesting limited production super sportscar.
It's only natural to assume that in two more years, we could see the A8 offered with laser headlights as an option. However, our test mule is packing the old-fashioned bi-xenon lamps.
Finally, we couldn’t talk about the A8 without mentioning the W12. Many would be inclined to believe that such a big motor has no chance of surviving the downsizing trend. However, Bentley has just been received a huge investment fund and 100 new jobs to make the Crewe factory in Britain a "centre of excellence for all VW Group W12 engines." However, it's a safe bet either Audi, Bentley or both companies will turn to plug-in to drop W12 emissions.
Attached to every wheel, the latest generation of more compact testing sensors measure different parameters coming from what's most likely an all-new engine. They will undoutedly be more efficient and should include at least one plug-in hybrid unit, as promised by company officials.
As for the platform, well that's most likely an evolved version of Audi's bread and butter, the MLB. Nicknamed the MLB Evo, this new architecture will be lighter than its predecessor and should make full use of aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
Since the next generation A8 won't be ready until 2016 at the latest, it's a bit early to talk about exterior design. However, Audi might have dropped some clues with the last version of the Sport quattro concept, the "Laserlight" shown at the Consumer Electronic Show. As you can see from the adjacent photo, their aim could be simplification, by moving the gear selector, radio controls and MMI system together into one unit.
It's only natural to assume that in two more years, we could see the A8 offered with laser headlights as an option. However, our test mule is packing the old-fashioned bi-xenon lamps.
Finally, we couldn’t talk about the A8 without mentioning the W12. Many would be inclined to believe that such a big motor has no chance of surviving the downsizing trend. However, Bentley has just been received a huge investment fund and 100 new jobs to make the Crewe factory in Britain a "centre of excellence for all VW Group W12 engines." However, it's a safe bet either Audi, Bentley or both companies will turn to plug-in to drop W12 emissions.
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