Of all the places to launch a traditionally conservative executive barge, the pomp and bling of Miami Beach doesn't seem that fitting. Maybe it's a sign that the A8 is getting exciting in its old age though? We hope so.
On November 30th Audi will display the all-new A8 saloon for the first time at the Audi Pavilion - a temporary museum set up to host an exhibition called 'The Art of Progress'. Here's what Audi Management Board Chairman Rupert Stadler has to say: "Our claim 'Vorsprung durch Technik' also embraces design, which is one of the outstanding elements of the Audi signature. And as top design has now emerged as an acknowledged art form, we see the bridge between art and architecture as a logical step in advancing our brand."
Quite. Audi has chosen not to unleash any actual design or technical details on the new car ahead of the launch, but you can be assured of a lightweight aluminium construction housing the pick of Audi's TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. However, among the exhibitions at the Pavilion accompanying the launch is one called 'Beg Borrow and Steal', which we're hoping doesn't indicate that the new A8 will just look like a bigger A4. You know as well as we do that's a possibility.
Mark Nichol - 19 Nov 2009