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Facelifted Audi A8 Unveiled Globally, gets a new ultra-luxury ‘Horch’ version
Audi has given a midlife facelift to its flagship saloon, the A8. Apart from a host of design revisions and additional features in and out, the new Audi A8 has also received a new range-topping version called ‘Horch’, which aims to take on the ultra-luxury saloons and is currently intended only for the Chinese market.
Exterior Changes
The new Audi A8 has received significant alterations to its exterior design, which makes it look bolder than before. A new sharper looking grille with a studded mesh pattern has replaced the erstwhile grille which used to have horizontal slats. Also new to the front profile of the Audi A8 are revised fog lamp inserts with new chrome garnish, new upright air intakes on the front bumper edges and sharper looking digital matrix LED headlamps. At the back, the new Audi A8 features a revised design for the digital OLED brake lights with proximity sensors. For the global markets, the Audi A8 will also come with an optional S Line package, which includes S8-inspired blades inside air intakes, chrome and black exterior styling packages and five new matte and four new metallic paint schemes.
Interior Changes and Features
Audi has retained the dashboard layout for the A8, which includes the latest MIB 3 software for the infotainment system. The extensive list of comfort and convenience features of the Audi A8 now sees the welcoming addition of two 10.1-inch infotainment screens behind the front seats. Both these screens can be controlled by a touch-controlled remote control integrated into the rear centre armrest. The list of optional extras also includes new additions like cooler with bar compartment, choices of perfume for the cabin and fold-out centre console.
For the new A8, Audi has introduced three different optional packages which can be availed at an extra premium each. First is the ‘Park’ package, which consists of a remote park assist that allows the car to move in and out of parallel parking spaces without any person controlling the car from inside. Then comes the ‘City’ package which has Audi’s pre-sense 360-degree safety system that lifts the suspension in case of a side impact. Finally, there is a ‘Tour’ package that includes an adaptive cruise assist.
Powertrain Options
Globally, the facelifted Audi A8 has been launched with three engine options – a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol engine which makes 340 bhp, a 3.0-litre TDI diesel engine which pumps out 286 bhp and a range-topping TFSIe plug-in hybrid option that produces 461 bhp. All the engine options get paired to an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox and ‘Quattro’ all-wheel-drive system.
What’s new and different?
The Audi A8 L Horch is to standard A8, what the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is to standard S-Class. The new ultra-luxury variant, however, will be available exclusively in the Chinese market. The new Audi A8 L Horch measures 5.45 metres long, which makes it 130mm longer than even the long-wheelbase model of the Audi A8.
Compared to the standard A8, the new Audi A8 L Horch gets a string of visual updates, including a different set of alloy wheels, richer chrome package on the outside, dual-tone paint schemes, diamond-quilted upholstery, deep-pile rear floor mats and foot-massaging relaxation seats.
India launch timeline
Audi made the current version of the A8 available in the Indian car market from early 2020, which is available in a single powertrain option of the 3.0-litre TSI petrol engine and the long-wheelbase version. The new facelifted Audi A8 is expected to make it to the Indian shores in the second half of 2022 and will continue to come with the same engine option as the current one. However, expect the changes to bump up the current price of the Audi A8 L, which is set at Rs 1.58 crore (ex-showroom, India).
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