Audi has given its A8 luxury limo a mid-life facelift, featuring sharper looks and more advanced tech; estimated Singapore arrival 2022

INGOLSTADT, GERMANY

Audi has facelifted its A8 luxury limo in a mid-life update, with a minor redesign to give it sharper looks, and more advanced tech. There is also a new top-end ultra long wheelbase model to rival the Maybach-Mercedes S-Class that will be offered exclusively for China. 

Audi has not confirmed when the updated A8 will be available in Singapore, but our best guesstimate is some time in the second half of 2022. Pricing is expected to be similar to the current versions, as there are no substantial changes to the model line up or engine drivetrain options.

The main cosmetic difference on the facelifted A8 is the wider grille up front, while the front bumper air intakes have also been redesigned slightly. Audi will also introduce a new S Line trim package, which adds sporty details derived from the flagship S8 performance model. There is also a total of nine new body colours to choose from.

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Standard on all A8 models are Audi’s Digital Matrix LED headlights, which use around 1.3 million micromirrors to split the light into individual pixels, similar to how a digital projector works. It allows the car to spread a ‘carpet of light’ that can be focused solely on the lane the car is on. At the rear, there are new OLED digital brake lights that incorporate proximity sensors, and can light up if it detects another car that comes within two metres of a stationary A8.

Inside, the rear passengers get two 10.1-inch infotainment screens that can be controlled via a touchscreen remote housed in the centre armrest. Optional extras include a cooler with a bar compartment, a fold-out centre console table and a perfume function.

The A8 also boasts a whole host of driver assistance features, split across a variety of packages. The Park package, for instance, includes Audi’s remote park assist, which allows the car to be controlled and manoeuvred in and out of parking lots without the driver needing to be in the car, a function also found in the BMW 7 Series.

The current Audi A8 comes with some very nifty suspension tricks

As mentioned earlier, engines and drivetrains remain unchanged, and the ones most relevant to Singapore would be the 3.0 TFSI six-cylinder petrol engine with 340hp and 550Nm of torque, while there is also a 4.0 TFSI V8 with 460hp and 660Nm of torque. The flagship remains the S8 performance variant, which uses the same 4.0-litre V8 engine but tuned to produce 571hp and 800Nm of torque.

Less relevant to Singapore but still noteworthy is the introduction of a new A8 L Horch trim level, which is catered exclusively for the Chinese market. The Horch model is even longer than the current A8 L, adding some 13cm to its length. The interior features diamond quilting, deep-pile carpets, and foot massaging seats, while there are also new wheel designs and extra chrome detailing on the outside. Two-tone paint is an option, while the engine is shared with the A8 3.0 TFSI.

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