Next-gen Audi A8 spied on test

The current-gen Audi A8 has been around for years now and is starting to feel its age, especially when the competition (Read: Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series) has upped the ante seriously. Audi, however, is looking to make a grand comeback with an all-new generation of the A8. The latter is currently under development and has been just been spotted at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany.

The next-gen A8 is based on Audi’s new MLB Evo platform, an evolution of the MLB platform found in the current A8 and other Volkswagen Group models. We first saw this new platform back in 2013 in the Sport quattro concept and more recently in the new Q7.

The new A8 will benefit from a considerable amount of weight saving, thanks to the new platform. The engine line-up, meanwhile, is likely to be similar to the current A8’s offerings, meaning V6 and V8 units. A W12 engine, plug-in hybrid and even a four-cylinder motor will be on the cards.

The next-gen A8 will be revealed in late 2016 or early 2017. Expectedly, the sportier S8 and long-wheelbase A8 L will also be on offer. While it is highly unlikely for Audi India to bring the S8 to our shores, the new A8 will definitely be sold in the long wheelbase A8 L form.