A few days after unveiling the A8 L Horch Founders Edition for China, Audi presented the complete facelifted A8 range to keep the German flagship relevant until its fully electric successor arrives in 2024. Given that the current fourth-generation A8 was launched back in 2017, it was time for a mid-life cycle update to compete with the more recent BMW 7-Series (2019) and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2020) which have been its traditional main rivals for ages. The 2022 Audi A8 brings a series of visual updates focused on the front end, new color options, the addition of the S Line package (available for the first time in an A8), plus more technology inside the luxurious cabin.

Starting with the updated styling, the A8 is instantly recognizable as the longest, most imposing, and most luxurious Audi. However, it gets more “bling” making it look less restrained than before. At the front, there is a new grille with a different finish on the A8, A8L, and S8 variants. The redesigned bumper features larger intakes surrounded by chrome, on par with other Audi models. A new pair of more angular headlights incorporate the Digital Matrix LED technology which means there are 1.3 million micromirrors in each headlight.

 

The profile looks identical besides the updated color palette including new metallic and matte finishes, as well as new wheel designs ranging from 18 to 21 inches. Changes are more subtle at the back where the digital OLED taillights come standard and gain a proximity indication feature which lights them up when another vehicle comes within 2 meters of a stationary A8 from behind. he chrome exterior package makes the A8 shinier all around, while the S line package that is available for the first time in this model brings a sportier look. The S8 performance variant can be distinguished by the quad exhaust pipes and the diffuser among other sporty touches.

In terms of lengths, the regular A8 is measuring 5.19 m, the S8 is 5.20 m because of the different bumpers, the A8 L sits at 5.32 m due to the longer wheelbase, while the China-only A8 L Horch is even longer at 5.45 m. All variants feature bodies with 58 percent aluminum parts, a passenger compartment from hot-formed steel and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer components, plus magnesium strut-tower bars.

 

Inside, the fully digital cockpit consists of a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster, an optional head-up display, and an 8.6-inch touchscreen incorporating Audi’s latest MIB3 infotainment system. The facelift brings a pair of 10.1 full HD displays for the entertainment of rear passengers who also benefit from Matrix LED reading lights and a Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with a 1,920 Watt amplifier and 23 speakers.

Audi is offering plenty of options for the rear seats including the relaxation seat in the A8 L with numerous adjustments, electrically adjustable comfort headrests, back massage with 18 pneumatic cushions, and a footrest on the back of the passenger seat that also comes with heating and massage functions. The standard seat upholstery is Valetta leather with Valcona leather offered as an option. Equipment can also include four-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning, ionizer and fragrancing, plus a bar compartment between the rear seats. Safety equipment is upgraded with up to 40 driver assistance systems. The Audi pre sense basic comes standard with three optional packages named Park, City, and Tour offering semi-autonomous functions.

 

The engine range of the facelifted A8 consists of the 3.0 TFSI V6, the 4.0 TFSI V8, the biturbo 4.0 TFSI V8, the 3.0 TDI turbodiesel, and an upcoming plug-in hybrid variant. All variants of the A8 are exclusively offered with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the gasoline engines get 48V mild-hybrid technology. The Audi A8 55 TFSI with the 3.0-liter gasoline engine produces 335 hp and 500 Nm in Europe, with a lesser variant available in China producing 282 hp. The more powerful A8 60 TSFI quattro with the 4.0-liter V8 produces 453 hp and 660 Nm allowing a 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.

The S8 performance flagship is fitted with a biturbo 4.0-liter V8 producing 563 hp and 800 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Besides the standard quattro system, the S8 comes with predictive active suspension, sport differential, and dynamic all-wheel steering. Sales of the 2022 Audi A8 in Europe will start in December. In Germany, pricing will start from € 99,500 (US$ 115,540) for the base A8 50 TDI while the Audi S8 will start from € 144,800 (US$ 168,135). In China, US, Canada, and South Korea, the Audi S8 will be exclusively offered with a long wheelbase.