Upcoming Audi A8 Spied Testing

German auto giant, Audi introduced its flagship limousine, the A8 in 2009. It also received a subtle facelift in 2009 and now the company’s CEO, Rupert Stadler has confirmed that the Audi A8 fourth generation will make its debut in 2017. Being an all new model, it is currently under development and the same has been spied recently with a production body for the first time.

From the spy shot, the next generation A8 seems to be based on Audi’s futuristic Prologue Concept series. The sharp-lined headlamps and the muscular single frame front grille are all examples of that. However, the large rear overhang and the overall silhouette of the car remains quite identical to the current generation of Audi A8.

Underpinning the next-gen Audi A8 will be the MLB-Evo platform and initially, it will most likely be powered by Audi’s tried and tested petrol and diesel mills. We can also expect the introduction of plug-in diesel and petrol hybrids with this car. Being Audi’s flagship sedan, it will also be loaded with high-tech features like OLED tail lights, adaptive air suspension, fully digital instrument cluster to name a few.

The fourth generation A8 will also become Audi’s first car to come with semi-autonomous driving which means that the car will be able to drive itself temporarily on freeways at speeds up to 60 kmph. In the 127th Annual general meeting held earlier this month, talking about fully automated cars, Mr. Stadler commented, “By 2025, we will see fully automated driving”.

The next generation Audi A8 will be launched internationally by 2017 and we can expect the same to be unveiled in India at the 2018 Auto Expo. It will take on the recently updated BMW 7 series, Mercedes S-Class and the Jaguar XJ L in the Indian market.

Image Source- Motor 1