Updated, high-resolution photos added
Audi has just unveiled the redesigned 2011 Audi A8 in Miami Beach. This is the regular-wheelbase A8 sedan, and it goes on sale in late 2010. A long-wheelbase A8 will be along later with an official debut by the middle of next year. Sources close to Audi tell us the high-performance S8 (discontinued for 2010) will be back again as well, but no one's saying when. And during the unveiling, Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of management for Audi AG, said a hybrid A8 is in the works, too.
As is the rule with redesigns, this one sees the A8 grow in every direction: It's almost 3 inches longer (202.0 inches), 2 inches wider (76.7 inches), half an inch taller (57.5 inches), and it rides on a 2-inch longer wheelbase (117.8 inches). Audi isn't ready to talk curb weight, but assures us that thanks to its aluminum frame, the U.S.-spec executive sedan will "weigh about the same as the current A8."
Expect performance to be about the same as well, as the direct-injected, 4.2-liter V8 returns as the standard power plant, recording only modest gains in horsepower (now 372) and torque (now 328). Changes to the engine calibration, along with the introduction of an eight-speed automatic transmission, yield 15-percent better fuel economy, according to Audi. Look for 0-to-60-mph times to land at about 5.7 seconds. No word on the fate of the W12 engine, (also cancelled for 2010), but we're not holding our breath on that one.
More photos and details after the jump.
Audi says a 60/40 rear-biased split for the quattro all-wheel-drive will give the A8 a sportier character than the old A8 (which had a 50/50 split), and to that, we say, "maybe." Undoubtedly, ordering the optional torque-vectoring rear differential (used so effectively on the S4) will help in that endeavor. Ingolstadt has also revised the big sedan's adaptive suspension, and there's a Dynamic Steering option that varies the ratio to suit every driving situation.
Inside the A8, the most interesting bit of tech is the new and improved Multi-Media Interface. For 2011, MMI gains the ability to read your handwriting, as traced out by your finger on the screen, regardless of whether you write in English or Mandarin.
TheChameleon says:
06:01 PM, 11/30/09
Wasn't expecting all that much from the redesign. Interior looks pretty good though, save for the weird gear selector. Looks good, just like every other Audi which is both good and bad.
hondacura4 says:
06:08 PM, 11/30/09
I actually like the current exterior better but the interior is typical Audi, which is a good thing. Audi/VW sure do know how to finish an interior as they are always warm, inviting and rich without being blingy or over styled.
billt9 says:
08:56 PM, 11/30/09
Did the eyes really need to have that old man wrinkle droop?
Not too bad, just a little odd.
cruiserhead1 says:
09:09 PM, 11/30/09
Front looks like a Cylon
It's a nice redesign. The rear 3/4 is not as flattering but overall, nice.
bimmerjay says:
11:38 PM, 11/30/09
Interior is stunning... exterior I'm not so sure about. It's kind of like when I first saw the W221 S-Class, it took some time to get used to before I really liked it.
1487 says:
05:20 AM, 12/ 1/09
they barely changed it inside or out, this is more of a refresh than a redesign. The front actually looks worse.
rsholland says:
06:05 AM, 12/ 1/09
Very, very nice. Good job Audi. :)
1487 says:
08:48 AM, 12/ 1/09
it does look better than the 750.
activ8 says:
10:42 AM, 12/ 1/09
Step backward for the A8/S8? If this was the new A6, I'd say huge step forward from the current C6 A6, which looks old now, but not so the D4 A8.
Looks like a stretched B8 A4 rather than an all new standard bearer for the marque. And what's with the "weeping-craft" headlamps?? Interiors are spot on, but after a beauty like the A5/S5, we should have seen a better, much much better D4 A8.
albook says:
03:16 PM, 12/ 1/09
I'm dissapointed. But I guess it doesn't really matter... I would never have considered this over an S-Class. And this would be Audi's first let down after a long list of great cars.
cr_driver says:
09:06 PM, 12/ 1/09
Ugly front, +100 billt9
billt9 says:
08:56 PM, 11/30/09
Did the eyes really need to have that old man wrinkle droop?
TheChameleon says:
06:01 PM, 11/30/09
Wasn't expecting all that much from the redesign. Interior looks pretty good though, save for the weird gear selector. Looks good, just like every other Audi which is both good and bad.
Yeah, what an ugly and weirdo gear selector, that really sucks for me. But all mainstream audis have weird old fashioned (like from the 90`s) gear selectors. And that is a huge turn off for me.
Another Audi I wouldnt buy, thank you.