The Audi A8 has been given a facelift and will be arriving in showrooms soon enough.
Audi has given their flagship sedan a mid-cycle refresh to keep it relevant to current customer demands. Highlights include new headlight and taillight designs with innovative functions. The Audi A8 appeered in 1994 as the successor to the Audi V8. In 2017, Audi presented the 4th generation A8, which has been on sale in Malaysia in long-wheelbase form (A8 L) since 2019 at RM879,900 as it is a fully-imported car with higher taxes and duties imposed.
This new A8 is a facelift of that 4th generation car, which is still built on the Audi Space Frame, using 58% aluminium parts, ultra high strength steel, carbon-fibre reinforced polymer, and magnesium.
As before, there will be an Audi A8 and a A8 L for those prefering a longer wheelbase. There’s also a China exclusive model called the Audi A8 L Horch.
Exterior Design Changes To The Refreshed A8
The 2022 Audi A8 features a redesigned Singleframe grille with a wider base and chrome angles that increase in size from bottom to top. The side air intakes now sit a little more upright and feature a new shape to match the new headlights. The top-spec Digital Matrix LED headlights use digital micromirror device technology, meaning each of these headlight units contain about 1.3 million micro mirrors that break down light into tiny pixels and allow for the maximum precision. This accuracy is used by the Audi A8 to create a ‘carpet of light’ that illuminates the driver’s own lane a little brighter than the rest of the area. These digital Matrix LED headlights can also create dynamic coming/leaving home projections too.
Viewed from the side, it doesn’t look like much has been changed at all. The air intakes on the front bumper are visible from the side and their vertical orientation is quite noticable. Around the rear, the small changes to the taillights and rear bumper are also visible from the side.
Around back, the new rear bumper features wide chrome clasps and a diffusor insert with a new design. Taillights come with a customisable taillight signature thanks to the use of digital OLEDs. The continuous, but segmented LED light strip returns on the facelift.
Also available for the first time on the A8 is the new S Line exterior package. This will give the standard A8 models sporty touches, including distinctive blades near the air intake area and a black appearance package amongst other changes.
The A8 will be available in 11 colours with new colours including:
- metallic district green
- firmament blue
- Manhattan gray
- ultra blue
- matte Daytona Grey
- matte Floret Silver
- Matte District Green
- Matte Terra Gray
- Matte Glacier White
Custom paint options are also available.
Minor Refresh To Interior
The interior sees very subtle changes coming. Audi has fitted the latest Virtual Cockpit system, given an optional new heads-up display and now allows for 10.1″ and 8.6″ touchscreens to be mounted on the centre console. The rear-seat entertainment features a pair of 10.1″ displays.
New cognac brown Valcona leather is available for the interior and so is Dinamica microfibre, which can be optioned for the door panels, pillar trim and roof lining.
Reading lights in the rear use Matrix LED technology and an ambient light package plus option is available. Other options include fold out tables, a relaxation seat package, an air quality package and a continous centre console.
A8 L Horch For Chinese Market
Exclusively for the Chinese market is the Audi A8 L Horch. This version measure 5.45m long, a whole 13cm longer than the A8 L. Inside, there’s diamond quilting, logos embossed in the cushions, deep pile floor mats, and more.
Outside, the Singleframe gets vertical braces, more chrome applications, and a unique light signature. The panoramic roof is also larger and this model gets exclusive badges with a new “H crown” rim design. Finally, this A8 L Horch gets a two colour finish. Colours available include:
- Mythos Black on Florett Silver
- Florett Silver on Mythos Black
- Firmamanet Blue on Ultra Blue
