After pulling its flagship sedan from the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi will finally unveil the 2011 A8 at Design Miami on November 30. A few days after its official reveal, the 2011 Audi A8 will make its first public appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2010 A8 will utilize Audi’s new, super-flexible “MLP” platform. This is the same chassis used for the A4, A5 and the upcoming A7. The A8 should see extended use of aluminum and magnesium in an effort to keep the large sedan’s weight down. While our photos show a “regular” wheelbase A8, you can expect Audi to continue making a longer “A8L” model as well.
The 4.2L FSI V8 motor will continue on under the hood of the A8 with a few revisions and modest power bump. Whether Audi might use the supercharged V6 currently found in the A6 and S5 remains to be seen.
The A8 will also feature the newest version of Quattro which features torque vectoring. This distributes drive individually between each axle and between the rear wheels for improved traction and stability.
Production is slated to start in the 3rd quarter of 2010 at the Neckarsulm factory in Germany. Check back for Leftlane’s live coverage of the Design Miami event on November 30th.
11/20, 9:40 AM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
Audi needs to step up its game before Geely dethrones it
11/20, 10:01 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
finally!!! only 10 days away!
11/20, 11:07 AM
posted by:
eff1Fifty
Idrinorbarsaku, MY THOTS EXACTLY
11/20, 12:13 PM
posted by:
Borat
The C-pilar reached industry level and now will require back up camera and side view camera. I think current one is much better looking (in 2 dimensions anyway).
11/20, 1:52 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
At first blush, it appears commendable that Audi is using “aluminum and magnesium in an effort to keep the large sedan’s weight down.” But it becomes less commendable when one realizes that Audi needs to do this because of the excess weight of Quattro.
11/20, 2:32 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Great. Another big, black German car. Don’t see enough of those everyday.
11/20, 2:35 PM
posted by:
Borat
What would like to see another big, black German woman?
11/20, 2:46 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Borat, now those I definitely don’t see enough of.
11/20, 6:00 PM
posted by:
reedfast
Borat, i think that c-pillar in the latest round of photos is taped, it should be skinnier at production.
11/20, 11:09 PM
posted by:
gritsandeggs
Well, there are only so many shapes for *another* big, black German (car). I hope Audi doesn’t make the rear lights look so cheap this time. When the A8 was first released, the Quattro, solar moonroof & aluminum body made it stand out. What’s Audi gonna pull this time?
At least the new XJ and Panamera push the envelope.