klier
Premium
A8/S8 [Spyshots] 2018 Audi A8 Spy Pics & Info
Technically Audi are everybit as good as BMW and Mercedes, but the exterior design from all models 2010 and up is really bland. The blandness I think started with the current A8 and then all the replacement models for A3, A4, A5 and Q7 have all been evolution upgrades of previous models, almost like facelifts. Most of the money was probably spent on the platforms and chassis, tech and interior design. The first gen A3, A4 and A8 all looked great and second gen models as well but after that it was all downhill.
1996 A3:
1994 A4:
1997 A6:
1994 A8:
1996 A3:
1994 A4:
1997 A6:
1994 A8:
domleo999
Premium
To me, Audis current design consist of strange character lines, unattractive character lines, weird head lights (A5-Q2), bland designs (Q7) and horrible FWD proportions.
Some designs, like the A4 are simple and strong. But there line up has slowly become weaker and weaker.
Visually, they can compete with Mercedes and BMW, but mechanically - no. In their basic form, FWD A4 upwards cars are disgraceful if the engine isn't transversely mounted. Engines are placed longitudly for a reason. I mean, a sport emphasised A5 coupe that comes in FWD variants? A A8 luxury limosine onky powered by the front wheels? There placed this way for Quattro reasons, these cars are preliminary designed for a driveshaft to connect the rear wheels.
I think they to mislead customers, like the below advert- which from my point of view tries to suggest they only manufacture 4WD vehicles. It's an expensive optional extra!
Some designs, like the A4 are simple and strong. But there line up has slowly become weaker and weaker.
Visually, they can compete with Mercedes and BMW, but mechanically - no. In their basic form, FWD A4 upwards cars are disgraceful if the engine isn't transversely mounted. Engines are placed longitudly for a reason. I mean, a sport emphasised A5 coupe that comes in FWD variants? A A8 luxury limosine onky powered by the front wheels? There placed this way for Quattro reasons, these cars are preliminary designed for a driveshaft to connect the rear wheels.
I think they to mislead customers, like the below advert- which from my point of view tries to suggest they only manufacture 4WD vehicles. It's an expensive optional extra!
D
Deleted member 1071
The VW Concept C Coupe GTE presented at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show highlighted, among other things, the so-called "prestige clearance" (increased distance between A-pillar bases and front axle). It gave the car a distinct "RWD", cab-back appearance. I had hoped that this would be an element applied to all MLBEvo-based automobiles.
The swirly-foiled A8 and A7 prototypes leave me sceptical.
The swirly-foiled A8 and A7 prototypes leave me sceptical.
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
New Audi A8 expected to debut company's virtual dashboard technology
Audi's new A8 is looking increasingly likely to be the firm's first model to bring its virtual dashboard technology to the market.
Previewed by the Audi E-tron Quattro Concept, Audi's virtual dashboard extends on the company's virtual cockpit by replacing most physical buttons and knobs with three digital displays responsible for all the vehicle's operations.
The largest display of the three from the concept is the 14.1-inch display which acts as the instrument panel. This curved display is then joined by two touchscreens on the center console, the top of which includes navigation and infotainment operations while the lower screen offers text input and controls for the air conditioning.
A key features of Audi's virtual dashboard is that its touchscreens utilize haptic feedback meaning an operator can feel when they have enabled a function, rather than aimlessly tapping and prodding at a screen that gives no sensory feedback.
When interviewed by Autocar about what model would debut the system, Audi electronics expert Andreas Lamprecht said “Obviously it is a technology that will start in our big cars and work down through the range,” giving credence to speculation about the new A8 arriving in 2017 being the first model to debut the system.
Source: Carscoops
Audi's new A8 is looking increasingly likely to be the firm's first model to bring its virtual dashboard technology to the market.
Previewed by the Audi E-tron Quattro Concept, Audi's virtual dashboard extends on the company's virtual cockpit by replacing most physical buttons and knobs with three digital displays responsible for all the vehicle's operations.
The largest display of the three from the concept is the 14.1-inch display which acts as the instrument panel. This curved display is then joined by two touchscreens on the center console, the top of which includes navigation and infotainment operations while the lower screen offers text input and controls for the air conditioning.
A key features of Audi's virtual dashboard is that its touchscreens utilize haptic feedback meaning an operator can feel when they have enabled a function, rather than aimlessly tapping and prodding at a screen that gives no sensory feedback.
When interviewed by Autocar about what model would debut the system, Audi electronics expert Andreas Lamprecht said “Obviously it is a technology that will start in our big cars and work down through the range,” giving credence to speculation about the new A8 arriving in 2017 being the first model to debut the system.
Source: Carscoops
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
I have read an interview a while ago. I can't remember if it was with a member of R&D or with a board member. He talked also about the new interior/cockpit. And one of the statement was that even the light switch will replaced with new technics.
Busty
Highway Hunter
Yes, the D5 will probably not have a light switch as we are used to it. As I wrote a few weeks ago, there will be a touchsensitive area activating light functions and a drop-down menu (with different light settings) will be given in the instrument cluster. With 'bottomless' the Audi guys probably refer to touchscreensin the near future and a more innovative technology in the little more distant future.....
Normally, I don't quote myself ... but in this case, it fits pretty well
From May 2015.
Busty
Highway Hunter
They test(ed) it veeeeeery extensively.
It did not really work.
Top management wants it desperately.
Got board convinced (which might be easier if board is changed like underwear).
Enters production.
Same story, over and over again.
What is with their obsession to complicate such simple action as turning on the headlight? Most of the time it is left on auto anyway.
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Two words: German engineering
VAG are innovative but some of their solutions are the opposite of Japanese engineering which has simplicity, reliability and repairability at heart.
Cool gadgets and tech are great if you are financing a new car. If it's a 7 year car out of warranty complex tech is not so fun if 5 of your local mechanics don't have a clue how to fix your car let alone diagnose the problem - and main dealer charge a quarter of the car's value to fix it.
In the future I foresee many of today's cool cars being written off or junked because they are not economically feasible to repair. It will be very sad and wasteful.
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
2019 Audi S8 shows its sporty bits near the Nurburgring
Making its spy photo debut, the next-gen S8 was photographed while en route to a 'Ring test session.
An all-new Audi A8 is arguably long overdue, but it won’t be until next year before Ingolstadt’s flagship model will make the transition to the D5 generation. That means its spicy S8 counterpart seen here for the very first time in prototype guise will not be out until 2018 and will probably go on sale as a 2019MY.
The disguised front bumper is not doing a great job at hiding the larger air vents, while the beefy alloy wheels with low-profile tires backed by enlarged brakes are also signs of the hotter S8model. By far the most revealing clue is noticeable at the rear end where the prototype was rocking quad tips. Being a prototype early in the testing phase, it doesn’t come as a surprise the car had a provisional exhaust system set to be replaced in the months to come by the production-spec exhaust on more evolved prototypes.
As far as the design is concerned, we still can’t see most of it because of the swirly camouflage. However, we already know from spy shots of the regular 2018 A8 the styling will have very much in common with the gorgeous Prologue introduced almost two years ago. Audi through the voice of its chief designer Marc Lichte has already announced plans for a new styling direction and the first model to lead the way is going to be the crown jewel of the range, the all-new A8.
Riding on the MLB Evo platform, the next iteration of the A8 is going to lose some serious weight even though the car’s size will increase a bit to provide a roomier cabin. It’s too soon to say what will power the new S8, but some are saying it will stick to its biturbo 4.0-liter V8. Right now it has 605 bhp (451 kW) and 516 lb-ft (698 Nm) of torque in the S8 Plus, but Audi’s engineers might tweak the motor to unlock more power.
Another way to go would be to get the new biturbo 4.0-liter V8 developed by Porsche for the 2017 Panamera Turbo, the former quickest sedan on the Nürburgring. In the second-gen Panamera, the engine generates 542 hp (404 kW) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm), but a beefier Turbo S version is already being prepared and it will obviously have more muscle. To us at least, the upgraded engine seems like a good candidate to propel the next installment of the S8.
Details about performance are not available right now, but you can imagine the expected bump in output corroborated with a weight loss over the current Audi S8 will shave off a few ticks of a second. The regular S8 on sale today runs to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.1 seconds, so its replacement could drop below the four-second mark on its way to what will likely be an electronically-capped 155 mph (250 kph). It might even be a match for the more powerful S8 Plus that needs 3.8 seconds for the sprint en route to 190 mph (305 kph).
As far as an RS8 is concerned, the moniker was trademarked back in 2012, but a year later Quattro’s chief engineer Stephan Reil said that an RS8 wouldn’t make sense. Let’s just hope he was referring strictly to the D4 generation and the all-new A8 will be blessed with a full-blown RS version.
Photos: CarPix / motor1
Making its spy photo debut, the next-gen S8 was photographed while en route to a 'Ring test session.
An all-new Audi A8 is arguably long overdue, but it won’t be until next year before Ingolstadt’s flagship model will make the transition to the D5 generation. That means its spicy S8 counterpart seen here for the very first time in prototype guise will not be out until 2018 and will probably go on sale as a 2019MY.
The disguised front bumper is not doing a great job at hiding the larger air vents, while the beefy alloy wheels with low-profile tires backed by enlarged brakes are also signs of the hotter S8model. By far the most revealing clue is noticeable at the rear end where the prototype was rocking quad tips. Being a prototype early in the testing phase, it doesn’t come as a surprise the car had a provisional exhaust system set to be replaced in the months to come by the production-spec exhaust on more evolved prototypes.
As far as the design is concerned, we still can’t see most of it because of the swirly camouflage. However, we already know from spy shots of the regular 2018 A8 the styling will have very much in common with the gorgeous Prologue introduced almost two years ago. Audi through the voice of its chief designer Marc Lichte has already announced plans for a new styling direction and the first model to lead the way is going to be the crown jewel of the range, the all-new A8.
Riding on the MLB Evo platform, the next iteration of the A8 is going to lose some serious weight even though the car’s size will increase a bit to provide a roomier cabin. It’s too soon to say what will power the new S8, but some are saying it will stick to its biturbo 4.0-liter V8. Right now it has 605 bhp (451 kW) and 516 lb-ft (698 Nm) of torque in the S8 Plus, but Audi’s engineers might tweak the motor to unlock more power.
Another way to go would be to get the new biturbo 4.0-liter V8 developed by Porsche for the 2017 Panamera Turbo, the former quickest sedan on the Nürburgring. In the second-gen Panamera, the engine generates 542 hp (404 kW) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm), but a beefier Turbo S version is already being prepared and it will obviously have more muscle. To us at least, the upgraded engine seems like a good candidate to propel the next installment of the S8.
Details about performance are not available right now, but you can imagine the expected bump in output corroborated with a weight loss over the current Audi S8 will shave off a few ticks of a second. The regular S8 on sale today runs to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.1 seconds, so its replacement could drop below the four-second mark on its way to what will likely be an electronically-capped 155 mph (250 kph). It might even be a match for the more powerful S8 Plus that needs 3.8 seconds for the sprint en route to 190 mph (305 kph).
As far as an RS8 is concerned, the moniker was trademarked back in 2012, but a year later Quattro’s chief engineer Stephan Reil said that an RS8 wouldn’t make sense. Let’s just hope he was referring strictly to the D4 generation and the all-new A8 will be blessed with a full-blown RS version.
Photos: CarPix / motor1
domleo999
Premium
I'm thinking A7. If that design won't work well on a conservative A8
DjordjeC63
Vorsprung Visionary
Posted or not?
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Audi
Audi AG is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles
headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. A subsidiary of the
Volkswagen Group, the company’s origins date back to the early 20th
century and the initial enterprises (Horch and the Audiwerke) founded
by engineer August Horch (1868–1951). Two other manufacturers (DKW
and Wanderer) also contributed to the foundation of Auto Union in 1932.
The modern Audi era began in the 1960s, when Volkswagen acquired Auto
Union from Daimler-Benz, and merged it with NSU Motorenwerke in 1969.
Official website: Audi (Global), Audi (USA)
Official website: Audi (Global), Audi (USA)
