A8/S8 [Official] The new Audi A8

[Ozy]

Well for complainers and all time Mercedes haters the A8 is a very good car and whether you consider it good or bad looking doesn’t really matter, in objective comparison between the D5 and the w223 it looks dated, because the w223 has shorter overhangs, retractable door handles and more coupeish C pillar, which brings it close to the CLS. These are all features which were becoming more and more obvious, and progressed over time. On the other side we have the A8 which has a muscular build, a modern front, but not really eye appealing proportions with the overhangs, and obviously with the traditional and very minimal shoulder lines and profile features, and more traditional 3 box profile view its more similar to an A8 from 2-3 generations before than any other luxury limousine compared to previous gen models. It doesn’t make the car look bad, some might even prefer it over a more modern approach, but given the designs the S class uses now it is clearly dated, and that’s all that matters in this question.

 

[Ozy]

Why you compare C class to an A8?

Or is that new S class?!

If you can’t distinguish two cars just by looking at them I wonder why are you commenting on a car forum....

oh, you tried to be funny?! Ah, I see, well, good luck next time. Don’t give up!

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Anyways, current A8 looks all right, but only in pictures. It looks hideous in real life, because of the proportions. Overhangs are ridiculously long, rear end is looks like it's jacked-up. I'm a fan of Audi's aim to use design to communicate it is 'brand of four wheels' (quattro) - but the previous generation has done it in much more elegant way. IMO, of course

A matter of personal perception, of course. Personally, I find the D5 more appealing "in the metal" than I do in photographs or video footage. Oddly-and perhaps quite contrary to other regions in Germany-D5 A/S8s' appear more commonplace than W/V222s' or G11/12s'. A northwest German thing perhaps ? And I share your opinion of the D4 A/S8. I find the facelifted D4 (as of model year 2013) stellar. An acqaintance who owned a 2015 S8 graciously allowed me some behind-the-wheel time in his car-and I was left seriously impressed.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Audi working on a D5-based Horch after all ?

Good Heavens...WHY ??

 

[Ozy]

Audi working on a D5-based Horch after all ?

Good Heavens...WHY ??

It’s uglier than I could ever expect it, that’s one messed up design.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

It’s uglier than I could ever expect it, that’s one messed up design.

That...as well as...I repeat myself...WHY ?

The D5 is approaching the eve of its' production run and will quite possibly be retired without direct replacement. And frankly, I cannot envision even the extended-wheelbase obsessed Chinese market embracing this automotive embodiment of a dachshund.

 

[emet]

I wouldn't be so sure that this is the last A8 generation.. why would it be? It sells worse.. yes.. and unfortunately HUUUUGE front overhang makes it looks a lot worse than it could... but I'm pretty sure there will be the D6 A8, but probably also with a fully electric version.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

... but I'm pretty sure there will be the D6 A8, but probably also with a fully electric version.

aka eTron 8 ? Cannot be categorically dismissed at this point in time.

 

[emet]

aka eTron 8 ? Cannot be categorically dismissed at this point in time.

I would give my vote on both - ICE A8 and something like the 'e-tron 8'

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Audi working on a D5-based Horch after all ?

Good Heavens...WHY ??

Perhaps it's not "Horch" but a longer wheelbase for use by dignitaries? Isn't Audi now the sole or major transport of choice by officials in Germany?

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Perhaps it's not "Horch" but a longer wheelbase for use by dignitaries? Isn't Audi now the sole or major transport of choice by officials in Germany?

The German federal government motorpool management does appear to be Audi Affine. Chancellor Merkels' car of choice is a D5 A8L. Having travelled to Berlin quite frequently pre-COVID 19, I've always noticed the high number of Audi A8s' and A6s' parked on Bundestag property. Of course, BMW and M-B are also present, but apparently not in numbers as high as those of Audi. Regional state governments may have other preferences. Bavarian state parliamentarians prefer BMWs, for example.
In Baden-Württemberg, M-B rules.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Audi has conquered the German political elite since Schröder became a cansler. He was in the board of VAG before that from the quota of the local federal goverment (I think it was Lower Saxony?).

 

[emet]

Since I have already made my render of the facelift A8 / S8... I decided to also make my vision of the RS8 .... which unfortunately will probably never meet light of the day... at least not in a production model :/
Anyway.. here it is.

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[Rolf]

Audi working on a D5-based Horch after all ?

Good Heavens...WHY ??

They want to spoil the S-class Maybach party, Audi must be feeling a tad jealous and watching closely how the S-class Maybach success in China has probably even eaten into its sales of the A8 in its biggest market. They want to bridge the gap with the Flying Spur and bring in an A8 to give the Maybach some needed competition.

 

[Merc1]

They can hang it up with trying to compare with a extra long FWD, German Buick. A "Horch" would look just like a Lincoln Continental coach door a elongated mess. I would be the A8 as an ICE is toast.

M

 

[Deleted member 1071]

They can hang it up with trying to compare with a extra long FWD, German Buick. A "Horch" would look just like a Lincoln Continental coach door a elongated mess. I would be the A8 as an ICE is toast.

M

VAG has become far more cryptic as of late with regard to their future premium/luxury product strategy-save the declaration that it will be all about BEVs'. Innuendo of consolidating all previously heralded technologies (MEB, PPE, "Artemis", "Trinity", "Landjet...etc...) into a single, almost limitlessly configurable, universal SSP (Scalable System Platform) has been published in the German automotive press very recently. Full implementation of the rumoured SSP initiative is scheduled for 2030 at the latest.

 

[J.E]

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[hannaz]

Is this true? Audi planning Horch edition to compete with Maybach S-Class

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[Deleted member 1071]

Audis' "Landjet" aka "A9 eTron" can't come soon enough methinks.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

It's a pity it looks the way it looks.
It drives very nice and comfortwise it's on par with W222 imo.