The fourth generation Audi A8 is getting ready for its mid-life cycle refresh. Two prototypes of Audi‘s flagship sedan were spied testing in Germany, and even if they look pretty much the same, the spy photographers said that the one wearing the ‘HN VW 692’ license plates was actually the plug-in hybrid version.
In terms of styling, we can see that the
headlamps have different graphics, similar to the ones on the new A3, though
it’s worth noting that while the PHEV had the regular lighting units at the
front, the ICE-powered variant was equipped with the Matrix LED clusters. The
grille has a slightly different shape as well, the front bumper is also new and
sports larger creases on each side, and we could expect tweaked side skirts,
rear bumper and probably redesigned taillights, even if on the test cars they
look virtually identical to the current iteration .
The overall design of the cockpit should
remain largely the same, with the two screens, one for the infotainment system
and the other one for controlling the HVAC, sitting in the middle of the
dashboard, as well as a third one for the digital instrument gauges. However,
they might feature more modern software, which, alongside upholstery and trim
revisions, should round out the changes inside.
It’s still too early to speak about the
engine family, though, if anything, expect improved fuel consumption and lower
carbon dioxide emissions. The plug-in hybrid model might also get a new battery
that will help it get a longer all-electric range. The current A8 TFSI e offers 27 km of electric driving, can hit 96 km/h in 4.9 seconds
and uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and an electric motor integrated into the
torque converter of the eight-speed automatic gearbox, for a total output of
443 HP and 699 Nm of torque. The facelifted A8 is
expected to debut later this year as a 2022 model.
