Facelifted Audi A8 to reach Oz mid-2022

A revamped Audi A8 for the new model year has been previewed in an online media event and the changes for the German limousine include sportier looks for a new S-Line variant and upgraded exterior lighting.

The 2022 Audi A8 S-Line will feature embossed seats, dark interior trim colours, a three-spoke steering wheel and a sportier grille and rear valance to distinguish it from the luxury-oriented aesthetic of the standard car, which has migrated to a new design of grille intended to emphasise the prestige look.

Employing DMD (digital micromirror device) technology, the updated A8’s digital matrix LED headlights each feature 1.3 million micromirrors, for highly precise adjustment of light emitted, on par with video projector resolution, according to Audi.

“The new digital matrix LED headlights enable intelligent and adaptive lighting control that optimally supports the driver as well as allowing the light presentation to be customised using dynamic projections,” explained Christian Dietl from Audi Product Marketing.

According to Dietl, the sophisticated headlight system offers “optimal road illumination with no glare”, faster “recognition of hazardous situations” and “driver assistance in complex and confusing situations”. In the last case, Dietl refers to ‘lane orientation lighting’ for multi-lane roads.

Inside, the refreshed A8 features a range of new seat materials and colours, plus a ‘Relaxation seat’ to put Lexus and its ‘Ottoman seat’ on notice. A massage function is available, courtesy of the 18 pneumatic cushions, and a backrest folds down from the rear of the front passenger’s seat.

Multiple options lift the level of luxury for rear-seat passengers, including a continuous centre console, fold-out table, new entertainment screens and four-zone climate control.

Chief among the cosmetic changes is a wider base for the single-frame grille and chrome angles within the grid insert.

“We’ve pulled out these lower corners [of the grille], and this really gives a more vertical or prestigious feeling,” said Audi design spokesman Ashley Gleave during the presentation.

Larger air intakes flank the grille in the lower section of the bumper cover. Gleave also touched on the new headlight design for the A8, with a new DRL (daytime running light) signature.

The look of the revised A8 is capped by chrome highlights around the rear of the car, a new design of 21-inch alloy wheel and the OLED (organic light emitting diode) tail-lights, which have embraced technology introduced with the facelifted Q5.

“This offers now our customers the ability to individualise and personalise their car through different signatures. And also, in dynamic mode, there is a dynamic signature available,” Gleave mentioned.

Audi will offer the revised A8 in 11 paint colours, four of which are new. These are metallic District Green, Firmament Blue, Manhattan Grey and Ultra Blue. Five matte colours are also available: Daytona Grey, Florette Silver, District Green, Terra Grey and Glacier White.

Mechanically, the A8 released here in 2018 continues with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 for standard and long-wheelbase models, plus a 4.0-litre petrol V8 for the S8. In overseas markets, the A8 is also available with a 3.0-litre petrol V6 and a plug-in hybrid version.

Finally, Audi will launch a China-only variant in the A8 range, the A8L Horch, named after the firm’s founder, August Horch. This model is slightly longer than the standard A8L and features upgraded interior trim materials, different tail-light signatures, added chrome and badges, plus a larger panoramic sunroof.

Audi has confirmed that this car definitely won’t be sold anywhere else in the world. China is the A8’s largest single market, accounting for 60 per cent of the 86,000 units of this generation A8 sold around the world.

However, Audi Australia has announced that the other variants in the A8/S8 range will be coming to Australia, and are due here around the middle of 2022. Prices and full specifications will be released closer to the launch.