Facelift 2022 Audi S8 & A8 with up to 571 PS & 800 NM!

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Recently updated on February 18, 2022 at 06:30 am

With a sharpened design, especially at the front and rear, as well as innovative technologies, Audi is making the A8 more present and sporty. The four rings thus work out the confident and progressive character of the active luxury sedan even more. The new high-end headlights and taillights inspire with innovative functions and form the top of the established technology portfolio in the A8. The brand's flagship thus creates a contemporary and user-oriented experience - whether for passengers or drivers.

2022 Audi S8 & A8

In Audi's model portfolio, the A8 has played the role of the brand's spearhead in the luxury sedan segment since 1994 as the successor to the Audi V8. The Audi A8 is a symbol and pioneer of the status and prestige of the brand. The fourth generation of the luxury sedan that Audi presented in 2017 raised it to a new level in terms of performance, looks and equipment. As the first production model, the A8 showed the future design language at its launch and thus significantly characterizes the progressive face of the brand to this day. The sharpened design paired with established technologies and outstanding comfort in the rear area define Audi's understanding of premium in this segment. The sedan represents the symbiosis of supreme driving comfort and sporty handling and thus covers the entire spectrum of the driving experience. Thanks to the precision in every detail and many intelligent functions, the new A8 stands as a high-quality technology platform for user-centric and sovereign mobility.

Even more prestige and sovereignty: the exterior design

The Audi A8 is a sedan that represents status and exudes sovereignty - thanks to the redesign, its exterior looks even more representative, sovereign and athletic. The base of the single-frame grill has become wider; chrome-plated angles that grow larger and larger from bottom to top adorn its grille. The side air inlets are arranged more upright and redrawn, as are the headlights, the lower end of which creates a distinctive contour in the outer area. All in all, the newly designed and precisely orchestrated design elements in the front area significantly increase the presence and sovereignty of the A8 and sharpen the profile of the brand's top model.

When viewed from the side, the progressive character of the luxury sedan is particularly noticeable. The roof dome is flat. Stretched lines in the body emphasize the length of the car, while wide wheel arches indicate the standard quattro drive. In all model variants, the sill area is shaped as a hollow, a blade closes it off from the street. At the rear, wide chrome bars dominate, a customizable signature of the tail light with digital OLEDs and a continuous, segmented light strip. The diffuser insert in the bumper is finely accentuated and redrawn with horizontal bars. The Audi S8² presents - typical of the Audi S model - four flow-through pipes that lie under a circumferential contour. They are one of its signature sporty design details.

In addition to the basic exterior, Audi offers its customers the chrome exterior package and, for the first time, the new S line exterior package for the A8. The latter gives the front a dynamic touch and differentiates it even more from the basic model: striking blades in the area of ​​the side air inlets complement the front view - very similar to the S8². The look appears even more defined with the additional black optics package. The paint fan for the A8 contains eleven colors, including the new metallic paints District Green, Firmament Blue, Manhattan Gray and Ultra Blue. Five matt paint finishes are also new in the Audi A8 - Daytona gray, floret silver, district green, terrain gray and glacier white. In the Audi exclusive program, the car is painted in the color of the customer's choice.

5,19 meter long body

The dimensions of the Audi flagship in the luxury sedan segment have changed only minimally as a result of the product upgrade. With a wheelbase of 8 meters, the A3,00 is 5,19 meters long, 1,95 meters wide and 1,47 meters high. The body of the A8 follows the principle of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) – it consists of 58 percent aluminum parts. The passenger cell consists of hot-formed steel components, supplemented by an ultra-high-strength, extremely torsion-resistant rear wall made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. Suspension strut strut bars made of magnesium complete the lightweight construction concept. The superior rigidity of the body lays the foundation for the precise handling, the excellent driving comfort and the acoustic silence on board.

Digital matrix LED headlights and OLED rear lights

Comparable to video beamers, the digital matrix LED headlights use DMD technology (Digital Micromirror Device). Each headlight has around 1,3 million micromirrors that break the light down into tiny pixels. This enables it to be controlled with the greatest possible precision. One of the new functions that this makes possible is the lane and orientation light for motorways. Here, the headlights emit a carpet of light that illuminates your own lane particularly brightly. The orientation light intuitively helps drivers to stay in lane, especially on construction sites. When unlocking and leaving the car, the digital matrix LED headlights can generate dynamic coming home / leaving home functions. They appear as projections on the floor or on a wall.

The upgraded A8 has digital OLED rear lights (OLED = organic light emitting diode) on board as standard. When ordering the car, there are two - for the S8² three - rear light signatures to choose from. When the Audi drive select mode "dynamic" is selected, the lights switch to another signature that is only available in this mode. In conjunction with the assistance systems, the digital OLED rear lights have proximity detection: if other road users approach the stationary A8 from the rear to less than two meters, all OLED segments are activated. Further functions are the dynamic flashing light as well as coming and leaving home presentations.

Reduction as a design element: the interior

The interior of the A8 resembles a spacious, spacious lounge - it offers space for freedom and wellbeing. Its architecture is strictly horizontal to emphasize the space. The design language always remains reserved. In the dark, the Ambiente lights package plus (standard with the Audi design selection and in the S8² ) the interior in an elegant way, for the rear there are reading lights in Matrix LED technology.

The range of seats and seating equipment in the upgraded A8 is versatile, extremely comfortable and exudes a high degree of sovereignty - many options are available especially for the rear. The top of the range is the relaxation seat in the A8 L.³, which offers numerous adjustment options and a footrest on the back of the front passenger seat. Here, passengers can have the soles of their feet warmed and massaged in several stages. The reclining seat package includes a back massage with 18 pneumatic cushions, electrically adjustable comfort headrests, a full-length center console on request - optionally with folding tables, 4-zone comfort automatic air conditioning and the new screens in the rear. A cool box including a bar in the Audi exclusive range underlines the comfortable ambience.

The high quality of workmanship emphasizes the handcrafted character of the A8 interior. This applies to the precise perforation of the seat covers as well as to the electrically opening and closing decorative panels above the air vents or to the velvety soft leather of the comfort headrests. The seats are upholstered in Valetta leather as standard. Alternatively, there is a choice of Valcona leather, in the new color cognac brown. New to the range is the sustainable microfibre material Dinamica for the door panels, optionally also for the pillar panels and the headliner. The wide range of interior configurations is also characteristic of the upgraded A8. They include the Audi design selection in pastel silver and the S line interior in black, merlot red or cognac. Several leather packages and Audi exclusive leather appointments round off the range. The optional air quality package includes an ionizer and aromatization.

Sensitive and intelligent: the operation

The MMI touch response operating concept in the Audi A8 relies on two displays (10,1 "and 8,6") ​​and natural voice control. The dialog is started with the call “Hey Audi!”. The fully digital Audi virtual cockpit with the optionally available head-up display completes the display and operating concept and emphasizes the driver-oriented orientation. Important information is displayed directly in the driver's line of sight.

New solutions: navigation and Audi connect

MMI navigation plus is standard in the revised Audi A8. Behind it is the third-generation modular infotainment kit (MIB 3). The online and Car-2-X services from Audi connect, which are also standard, complement the navigation. They are divided into two packages: Audi connect navigation & infotainment and Audi connect emergency call & service with Audi connect remote & control.

For modern demands: the new screens in the rear

There are also attractive options for infotainment hardware. The new screens in the rear are tailored to the expectations of today's rear passengers. These are two 10,1-inch displays with full HD resolution that are attached to the backrests of the front seats. They play back content from the passengers' end devices, and they can also receive numerous audio and video streams via casting, for example from well-known streaming platforms or from TV media libraries.

The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System is designed for discerning hi-fi lovers - it also brings the 3D sound with its height information to the rear seats. An amplifier controls 1.920 loudspeakers with an output of 23 watts, and the tweeter lenses extend electrically from the instrument panel. The rear seat remote, which is now firmly mounted in the center armrest, allows many comfort and infotainment functions to be controlled from the rear. The control unit with its OLED touch display is about the size of a smartphone.

Three packages: the driver assistance systems

Around 8 driver assistance systems are available in the revised Audi A40. Some of them - including the Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front safety systems - are part of the standard scope, the optional equipment is clustered in the "Parking", "City" and "Tour" packages. The assistance package plus combines the packages. Features such as the night vision assistant and the environmental cameras are available individually. The highlight in the “Parking” package is the Remote Parking Assistant plus: it can automatically drive the large limousine into and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spaces. Drivers don't even have to sit in the car.

The "City" assistance package includes the intersection assistant, the rear cross-traffic assistant, the lane change warning, the exit warning and the Audi pre sense 360° safety system, which in combination with the active suspension causes a side crash elevation. The "Tour" assistance package, which is standard in Germany, is particularly richly equipped. Its central system is the adaptive driving assistant, which regulates longitudinal and lateral guidance across the entire speed range. Behind the assistance systems in the Audi A8 is the central driver assistance control unit (zFAS), which constantly calculates a differentiated image of the environment.

Confident and efficient: the engine range

With five engines, the upgraded Audi A8 offers customers a wide range of drives. From the V6 TFSI and V6 TDI engine, each with a displacement of three liters, to the TFSI e plug-in hybrid drive, which combines the V6 TFSI engine and electric motor, to the 4.0 TFSI engine. The latter stands for the A8 and the S8⁴ available in different power levels. It distributes its displacement of four liters across eight cylinders in a V arrangement and is equipped with cylinder on demand technology. The 3.0 TFSI drives the Audi A8 55 TFSI quattro⁵ and the A8 L 55 TFSI quattro⁶ with 250 kW (340 PS). A variant with 210 kW (286 PS) is available for China. From 1.370 to 4.500 revolutions, it applies 500 Nm of torque to the crankshaft. From a standstill, 100 km / h is reached in 5,6 seconds (L model: 5,7 seconds).

In the version for the A8 models, the 4.0 TFSI develops 338 kW (460 hp) and 660 Nm of torque, which are available between 1.850 and 4.500 rpm. They result in very sporty driving performance: the A1 8 TFSI quattro⁷ and the A8 L 60 TFSI quattro¹ sprint from zero to 4,4 km/h in 100 seconds. A highlight of the V8 is the cylinder on demand (COD) system, which temporarily switches off four cylinders when driving in a moderate manner. In the Audi A8 50 TDI quattro⁸ and in the A8 L 50 TDI quattro⁹ the 3.0 TDI works. The unit has an output of 210 kW (286 hp) and 600 Nm of torque. The diesel engine accelerates the A8 and A8 L from zero to 5,9 km/h in 100 seconds and on to the electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, which is common to all
A8 models is uniform.

Two engines, one battery: the Audi A8 with plug-in hybrid drive

The Audi A8 60 TFSI e quattro¹⁰ and the A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro¹ are the plug-in hybrid models (PHEV) in the series. A compact electric motor supports the 3.0 TFSI. The lithium-ion battery in the rear can now store 14,4 kWh net (17,9 kWh gross) of energy. With a system output of 340 kW (462 hp) and a system torque of 700 Nm, the Audi A8 60 TFSI e quattro achieves this¹⁰ 4,9 km/h from a standing start in 8 seconds (A8 and A100 L).

The drivers of the plug-in hybrid model can choose between four driving modes. "EV" stands for purely electric driving, "Hybrid" for the efficient combination of both types of drive, "Hold" for the conservation of the existing electrical energy. In "Charge" mode, the combustion engine charges the battery. When charging via cable, the maximum charging power with alternating current is 7,4 kW. Customers can do this in their garage at home e-tron Use the charging system compactly, the mode 3 cable on the go.

The Audi S8² – inspiring performance in the luxury class

The Audi S8 TFSI quattro² is the sporty top model of the series. Here, the biturbo V8 delivers 420 kW (571 hp) of power and 800 Nm of torque from 2.050 to 4.500 rpm. The standard sprint is done in 3,8 seconds. The COD system also increases on the S8² the efficiency. Sound flaps in the exhaust system sharpen the sound if desired. The most powerful model in the A8 family also comes off the production line with a particularly wide range of standard equipment. Among other things, it includes a unique combination of innovative chassis components. Only with the S8² the predictive active suspension, the sport differential and the dynamic all-wheel steering are installed ex works.

The sporty character is specifically highlighted with striking design elements in the interior and exterior. The Audi S8² only offered with a long wheelbase. The increase in vehicle length and height means a significant plus in comfort for the occupants thanks to increased head and legroom. All of the engines mentioned so far have mild hybrid technology (MHEV) on board as standard, which uses the 48-volt main electrical system of the A8.

tiptronic, quattro and sport differential: the whole range of the driving experience

All of the units in the Audi A8 are linked to a fast and gentle eight-speed tiptronic. Thanks to an electric oil pump, the automatic transmission can change gears even when the combustion engine is not running. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive with the self-locking center differential is standard; the sport differential can be added on request (standard on the S8² ). It actively distributes the drive torque between the rear wheels when cornering quickly, making handling even sportier and more stable.

Progressive technologies: the chassis

Even the standard chassis of the revised Audi A8 impresses with its balanced character. It combines sporty driving fun with superior comfort, also because of the different driving profiles provided by the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is standard. Another series feature is the progressive steering. Dynamic all-wheel steering is also available on request. With the Audi S8² it is part of the standard equipment.

The predictive active suspension

The highlight in the revised A8 is the predictive active suspension. It can load or relieve each wheel individually with additional forces via an electric motor and thus actively regulate the position of the body in every driving situation. The predictive active suspension gives the driving experience in the Audi A8 a fascinating range. When the dynamic mode is set in the Audi drive select system, the large sedan shows its sporty side. It steers tightly into the bends, the roll angles are low, and the body barely plunges when braking. In the comfort + mode, on the other hand, it hovers velvety over bumps. Here the control works together with the front camera, so it can detect unevenness within the system limits and regulate the actuators predictively.

In comfort + mode, the predictive active chassis has a special feature - the integrated curve tilting function reduces the lateral acceleration acting on the occupants. At the entrance to the curve, it lifts the body on the outside of the curve and lowers it on the other side, leaning up to three degrees into the curve. In the speed window between 80 and 130 km / h and in the range of up to 0,4 g of lateral acceleration, cornering is barely noticeable. When driving straight ahead in the comfort + profile, the predictive active chassis compensates for pitching movements in the body. It lifts the body up to 50 millimeters for easy entry and exit. The range of wheels for the revised Audi A8, which ranges from 18 to 21 inches, includes six new designs from Audi and Audi Sport. In the top versions like the Audi S8⁴ On request, Audi can install carbon fiber ceramic brake discs.

A8 L Horch: especially for the Chinese market

The Audi A8 L Horch, the top version for the Chinese market, has a vehicle length of 5,45 meters and is 8 centimeters longer than the A13 L. In the interior, the extended diamond quilting, an embossed logo on the cushions and the high-pile floor mats in the rear underline the exclusivity of this derivative. On the outside, the specifically designed Singleframe with vertical struts reveals the luxury model.

There are also chrome applications, for example on the mirror housing, a specific light signature at the rear, a larger panorama roof, badges, a Horch badge on the C-pillar, the "H-crown" rim design and more extensive standard equipment, including a reclining seat. For the first time in the D segment, the top model offers a two-tone finish for customers in China who want to give their vehicle a particularly elegant look. Three color combinations, which are applied by hand, are possible: myth black and foil silver, foil silver and myth black as well as firmament blue and ultra blue. Audi uses the first color below the light edge, the so-called tornado line. In this way, the Audi A8 L Horch, with its prestige and status-oriented features, stages the Audi understanding of a progressive luxury sedan with maximum customer orientation.

A8 L Security: high level of protection with efficient mild hybrid technology

Customers of the special protection vehicle from Audi also benefit from the product upgrade of the A8. Designed for the particularly high requirements in the area of ​​protective measures, the A8 L Security is powered by a biturbo V8 with 420 kW (571 hp).¹¹ driven. The mild hybrid technology (MHEV), which uses the 48-volt main electrical system, ensures that the armored sedan is particularly efficient.

The basic prices: from 97.800 euros

The revised A8 has been available to order in European dealerships since December 2021. In Germany, the basic price for the A8 is now 97.800 euros. The Audi A8 60 TFSI e quattro¹⁰ costs from 108.950 euros and the S8⁴ can be ordered from 144.800 euros.

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Photo credit: Audi

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