W12 Audi will see the end of the ultra-luxe sedan.
Big sedans are slowly losing their appeal due to the constant rise in SUVs. There will always be a market segment that loves the old saloon. Mercedes just launched the S-Class, BMW will follow suit with the 7 series in 2022, and Audi is currently working to update the A8. This shows that the Big German Three are determined to preserve the full-size luxury sedan segment.
This is not just an A8 facelift. It’s the stretched version. As indicated by the long rear doors. A small disguise at the base of C-pillar might indicate that the prototype in question is even more unique than the original. Audi may be hiding the Horch badge, which is reserved for a more expensive version of its flagship model, but there’s no evidence to support this suspicion.
Although the Four Rings has not confirmed that the “Horch name will be returned, officials from Ingolstadt revealed plans to create a “very luxurious and prestigious derivative.” Horch, a precursor to the Audi brand we now know, was one of four brands that merged to form Auto Union AG in 1932. Auto Union GmbH, the next automaker, was founded in 1949. In 1969, NSU merged with Auto Union GmbH to create Audi NSU Auto Union AG. The company was renamed Audi AG in 1985.
A potential Horch-badged A8 could allow Audi to compete with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, without having to step on the Bentley Flying Spur’s heels. It is a well-known fact that the current-generation A8 will have the last production Audi with a W12 engine. Therefore, it would make sense to retire the A8 with an ultra-luxe model.
Our spy cameras captured the prototype and gave us a good idea of what we can expect from the A8 facelift. The front grille has been modified and the headlights and taillights now have a new look. The Horch model will ride on a special set of wheels, possibly with a custom grille. However, Audi is not likely to make significant changes to the A8. This is true even for the Maybach S-Class, which has a very limited design change compared to the Benz model. The Maybach S-Class has an extended wheelbase, but the Audi A8 Horch may have the same length. However, most of the changes to the regular sedan will occur inside the cabin. There will be more equipment than the A8 L already offers.
The wraps will come off in the second half of this year. It will be interesting to find out if the Horch derivative, if it is actually coming, will be a limited-run exclusive edition or a permanent addition to the Maybach S-Class.