Audi isn’t changing much.
Following spying on the Audi A8 earlier in the month, a new set of photos shows the more sporty S8 trim. Audi will be updating its large luxury sedan for the 2022 model-year. This includes a new front and rear styling, as well as other changes. The spy photos of the 2022 Audi S8 show the car’s front- and rear fascias covered in camouflage. This conceals the subtle changes.
The new grille is visible even though camouflage cannot cover all. The new design features an insert design and a new shape. It is flanked with new headlights, similar to the new. This is all above the newly designed lower front bumper. The rear is unchanged, but it’s easy to miss the cutouts in the lower bumper for the quad exhaust tips. These are what give away the car’s sportier engine.
Most likely, the powertrain of the refreshed S8 will not be changed. The current S8 has a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 with 563 horsepower (420 Kilowatts) & 590 pound-feet (890 Newton-meters). The mild hybrid setup which pairs the powerful V8 with a 48 volt system will likely be carried over, improving efficiency and performance. The interior changes will be minimal considering that it is a mid-cycle refresh. However, it could get updated infotainment technology.
Audi expects to launch the A8/S8 models in 2022, but there’s no exact date. It is likely that the availability of the A8 and S8 will remain the same. US customers will get the long-wheelbase version. The Horch moniker could be returned, which would help the model compete with the Maybach S-Class. As a final hurrah, it could be equipped with the twin-turbo W12 6.0-liter engine.