First Look: 2010 Audi A8 - Evolutionary Design Revealed

Don't look for the all-new 2010 Audi A8 at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show next month. The redesigned luxury flagship sedan isn't expected to make its official world debut until January at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Last month, guests of Audi's 100th anniversary celebration were treated to their first look at the 2010 Audi A5 Sportback, but the 2010 Audi A8 did not make an appearance.

Although future A8 test mules have been spotted on German roads for some time, they were cloaked in current A8 bodies, so it's been difficult to predict the level of style changes for the new aluminum sedan. IL has now learned that the big A8 will receive more evolutionary styling rather than a radical update. With the debut of the rakish Audi A7 concept already set for late 2009, the A8 will continue to play the part of a grown-up sedan, leaving the production A7 to challenge the Mercedes-Benz CLS while it remains a Mercedes S-Class competitor.

Audi enthusiasts should expect to see a new range of engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission when the A8 hits showrooms next year.
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WorldofLuxury - 8/7/2009 12:13:02 AM

+3 Boost

Not bad. Very imposing, which I like, but the rear is a little too tight.
Are the wheels really gonna be that big on the real car? It's not the diameter, actually, but moreover the fact that the wheels are pushing out of their snugly tires.

Overall, it's a good concept, but I don't know if the rest of the population would like it. What might help is to make the car look just a tad more lower and wider.

B7FAN - 8/7/2009 7:24:20 AM

+2 Boost

Finally they did something thats not clean cut and boxy looking. they did their thing with this model. The only thing I have a problem with are the Audi rings in the grille I think they need to be moved to the middle other than that this is the first A8 that really impressed me. WAY TO GO AUDI!!!

JMB1013 - 8/7/2009 1:18:19 AM

+4 Boost

It actually looks more menacing than most of the Audi lineup, not to mention the long sedan segment. Despite the likely onslaught of people saying Audi's all look the same, that's a great design.

DaHarder - 8/7/2009 3:29:59 AM

+10 Boost

Understanding that this is little more than an artist's rendering... This looks clean, modern, and nicely detailed, without resorting to unnecessary styling gimmicks like gaudy fender-flares, or superfluous (lack of) character lines. The overall shape is wonderfully well proportioned, and the stance is perfect. This is the automotive equivalent of a beautifully tailored suit... tasteful and timeless.

JUGNU - 8/7/2009 6:39:50 AM

-1 Boost

like it minus the 6 sided grille.

JUGNU

Yonder7 - 8/7/2009 7:05:14 AM

+4 Boost

This concept looks a lot better than the 7 series....

_43LE - 8/7/2009 8:48:20 AM

0 Boost

It's okay, I still prefer the S class over this.

_43LE - 8/7/2009 9:34:23 AM

+2 Boost

I know what you mean, even though the interior finish is impeccable the interior design never grew on me.

phantom330 - 8/7/2009 9:30:49 AM

+2 Boost

I think it's rather sexy......I'm a BMW fan but I'd take this over a 7 series (or an S class) anyday. S8.......now that would be yummy.

1dott8 - 8/7/2009 9:33:08 AM

+2 Boost

i like it. i do agree with WorldofLuxury, it definitely should be wider and lower and i also agree with B7fan, the rings should be centered in the grill. all in all though, i still think this is what Audi needed to continue the fight against Merc and BMW.

AlexTx - 8/7/2009 10:10:39 AM

-1 Boost

If this is the real deal, once thing will not be able to be said about the A8 anymore and that is that it is too conservative looking...
Damn that is sexy.
Finally an aggressive looking A8 from the get go... I can only imagine what the S8 would look like!!!!!
i like the 7 series and the S-Class, but this...... this..... trumps both of them!

GermanNut - 8/7/2009 10:46:26 AM

+1 Boost

We have all known for at least the past 6 months that Audi was going to make its 2010 A8 more aggressive and imposing. Rupert Stadler, Audi's CEO, stated that the A8 will be the, "sportiest car in its class" and its inteiror will, "set a new benchmark for interior quality and design."

So far we have already seen indications from both the cloaked Audi A8 with its LED "bar" headlights on and Michael Dick standing in front of it and this drawing that the design certainly is A LOT more imposing and aggressive looking than the current generation A8.

With Audi's Drive Select and Sport Differential systems likely standard on at least one A8 model, I wouldn't doubt Stadler's claim that this A8 will be sportiest in class. Finally, the interior on the current A8 has already set a benchmark for quality and design and knowing Audi's stellar reputation in the area of interiors, we all know that Audi surely won't dissapoint with its re-designed flagship.

This is exactly what Audi needs to become the world's most successful premium luxury brand by 2015.

GermanNut - 8/7/2009 10:47:55 AM

0 Boost

This design is aggressive, clean, modern, and imposing all in one.

Fantastic job Audi!

Agent63 - 8/7/2009 12:03:42 PM

+1 Boost

I think I can learn to like this design. At first look it somehow reminded me of a Jaguar XF but in detail it's still an Audi at heart. I like the aggressive styling on the new A8. It's a fresh look for sure and has come out of its shell of being a conservative luxury sedan. It's edging closer to something with more flash so it fits in perfectly with the S-Class.

It should be interesting to see the new XJ and this new A8 on the road.

VISO - 8/7/2009 12:39:35 PM

0 Boost

The grill on the final version is unlikely to look like this. If you look at the cloaked version of the new A8 with the cover on it, you will notice the grill is not 6-sided, but more like the current A8 grill. So this will be definitely be a change from the photoshops above. As for the rest, I am gathering the rear might be more traditional. But we will have to wait and see. As long as Audi keeps the overall design the same, this should be a winner. As usual very refined and elegant in execution.

AlleVier - 8/7/2009 2:09:31 PM

0 Boost

I couldn't tell from behind the cloak, but how do you figure it's not going to look the trapezoidal grill of the A7 unless you believe the A7 is not going to have it in final production either?

I think that grill suits the more sloping hood and tapered headlights. It looks real good to me. As for the positioning of the rings? It's not what we're used to, but I guess I'm going to have to see it with a license plate (hopefully mine) on it to make a full assessment.

BondMI6 - 8/7/2009 12:44:48 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, I think the 6 sided grill will be nixed.........along with the steroid induced wheels.....

VISO - 8/7/2009 1:36:26 PM

-1 Boost

Hmm...I do not think the LS has ever beaten the A8 in a comparo. So good luck with that. Hopefully, you don't talk like this among educated automotive enthusiasts. You sound like a fool.

david999 - 8/7/2009 1:05:41 PM

-1 Boost

What Audi should remember is that making the A8 too sporty will hurt sales. People that look for vehicles in this class usually are after luxury first. Quality of materials and attention to detail are the other factors.

SanJoseDriver - 8/7/2009 1:08:45 PM

+1 Boost

Looks incredible, would easily be the best looking car in it's class.

Denali - 8/7/2009 1:10:25 PM

0 Boost

wow, impressive, first the 7, then the XJ, now this, S n LS have to do there homework...lol

Lexxxus - 8/7/2009 1:49:15 PM

-1 Boost

"Hmm...I do not think the LS has ever beaten the A8 in a comparo. So good luck with that. Hopefully, you don't talk like this among educated automotive enthusiasts. You sound like a fool."

It has. 2004 C & D sedan comparo featuring MB S430, Volkswagen Phaeton, Audi A8, BMW 745i, Jaguar XJ8, Lexus LS430...in that order from 6th place to first place.

bintintin - 8/7/2009 3:34:14 PM

+1 Boost

So then, what changed to make it go from first to worst in subsequent comparo's?

Caraficionado - 8/7/2009 2:08:41 PM

+1 Boost

Still #3

VISO - 8/7/2009 3:35:18 PM

0 Boost

No that was the 7-Series at #3. Sorry to burst your bias bubble.

rxh8me9000 - 8/7/2009 2:33:20 PM

+1 Boost

Nice but ill stick to the Jag XJ

GermanNut - 8/7/2009 4:13:52 PM

-1 Boost

If this is indeed the final version of the 2010 Audi A8, which it more than likely IS NOT, Audi has a smash hit on their hands. This will be the A8 that finally puts Audi on the top rung right alongside the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series. NO MORE TOO CONSERVATIVE DESIGN FOR THE GUYS FROM INGOLSTADT.

This car is clean, modern, aggressive, and sporty all in one. Most importantly it sticks to Audi's classic design elements such as a large front grill, LED daytime running headlights, clean lines, and incredible interior quality and design.

We will see the goofy sized wheels obviously reduced and the single frame grill will NOT have 6-sides to it. The headlights have solid LED lighting as we saw from the cloaked A8 teaser with Micchael Dick standing in front of it NOT the little dots. The Audi rings WILL be centered. Audi is not retarded in terms of its alignment. Just as all Audi's before it, the rings will be centered on the grille if they are indeed on the grille.

delan - 8/7/2009 11:56:49 PM

+1 Boost

I dunno guys, this looks badass!!!

Lexxxus - 8/9/2009 5:38:12 PM

+1 Boost

So then, what changed to make it go from first to worst in subsequent comparo's?

Good question. When the LS460 debuted, I test drove it and lost some love for the LS series. I can't put my finger on it, but altogether I am much more impressed with the competitors this time around. I never drove an A8 so I couldn't personally compare the two.

C & D's reviews seeme to blow in the direction of the wind though so I wouldn't put much stock in it anyway. I was just pointing out that I know for a fact that the LS beat the A8 in a comparo at least once. I actually read the comparo recently from a copy of C & D's "2004 Ultimate Comparisons" magazine that I had laying around somewhere. From memory, they praised the LS430 for value, comfort and technology and praised the Jaguar for its light weight and simplicity along with the BMW for it's driving dynamics. They criticised the A8 and Phaeton for a pronounced "shudder" after hitting bumps along with the MB S430 for being too little for too much.