We heard last month that the redesigned 2010 Audi A8 would see only evolutionary design changes, and now we've spotted the car on the autobahn in Germany. Even under the Benz-style psychodelic camo that Audi is using for daylight runs, the subtlety of the facelift is apparent. This sedan has the same basic silhouette the A8 has had since 2004.
There will be some detail changes, though. The hood, for example, seems to have a more dramatic slope toward the nose than before. If you look at the profile photo after the jump, you'll see the character line has moved down as the beltline moves up. This contour now appears to be flush with the door handles, which look to be pull-style rather than flipper-style.
And in the rear 3/4 photo, you'll see evidence of a subtle Bangle Butt, as Audi designers are apparently trying to keep the 2010 A8 sedan from looking strange and ungainly with its higher beltline.
Don't expect to see this new Audi A8 next week in Frankfurt. We hear that Audi is saving it for the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. It should go on sale sometime next year with a new range of engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
psychonut says:
01:26 PM, 09/ 9/09
Wow. That is a really ugly paint job. Who would buy that? Reminds me of a tie dye T-shirt. /sarcasm
vatore says:
04:16 PM, 09/ 9/09
I am a huge fan of Evolution over revolution, bur really the lines look too close to the current model
roar02ram says:
05:31 PM, 09/ 9/09
Maybe my eyes have been prejudiced by the abundance of short-deck/sloping backlight designs out there, but the greenhouse here & the side profile look very unimaginative & almost unfashionable.
hondacura4 says:
07:36 PM, 09/ 9/09
Given the current A8's design is beautifully executed and timeless why change it substantially?
It may be the camo but this car looks smaller than the current A8.
danntheemann says:
08:56 PM, 09/ 9/09
i agree hondacura4. in comparison tests between the current A8 and its thoroughly updated competitors like the 7 series and merc s550, it always hangs tight contending for the top spot honors. This coming from a design and model that was introduced in '04. given audi's recent knockout designs across the model range, i have no doubt that this new A8 will be a masterpiece.
cah11705 says:
07:17 PM, 09/12/09
It looks a lot smaller than the current model, but that is probably just the camo on the rear window. It is really hard to tell from these photos, but i hope it looks like the current car.
canadia says:
08:31 AM, 09/16/09
My favorite design element of the current-gen A8 was the low beltline; it makes the car look very elegant by accentuating the wheel size and greenhouse. I truly despise those high, "rising" beltlines that make so many modern cars look like doorstops. I'm disappointed that they're going to raise the A8's.
Not that I'll be owning an A8 anytime soon.
lexusaddict says:
09:32 PM, 09/29/09
why bother with the camo? we all know it's just gonna be an oversized A4...same design for sure. like the "all new A5"...which is basically a bigger A4...there was a time when you could identify each individual Audi from a distance...now you have to stick your eye on the badge if it's any sedan...