2022 AUDI A8 flagship car debuts new design styling and technologies

designboom previewed the 2022 AUDI A8 in helsinki, finland ahead of the flagship’s world debut

the reveal of the AUDI A8 is always a big deal; it is the german automotive brand’s flagship for design and technology, the leader for the existing portfolio to soon follow, and an icon for customers to aspire for and dream to own. the 2022 edition unveils a sedan of new heights of luxury, but at the same time, the car is also reborn with a sporty yet prestigious character.

all images courtesy of AUDI AG

luxury in style, comfort and tech

the 2022 AUDI A8 might be dimensionally large (5.19m in length, 1.95m in width and 1.47m in height) but it has a sharpened exterior design that gives a more confident, athletic appearance, particularly in the front and rear. the singleframe grille is the standout. wider at the base, the feature’s individual chrome angles increase in size from bottom to top in a grid, as if a display of jewelry. a horizontal line at the bottom of the front stretches the appearance for a more dominant presence on the road, whereas continuous lines emphasize its length on the side profile.

also accentuating the front, the form of the new digital matrix LED headlights are distinctly split into sections for light and shadow. they use digital micromirror device (DMD) technology, comparable with video projectors, as approximately 1.3 million pixels break light down for incredible precision. up close, it appears as if each micromirror is a cut diamond. the new rear lights are also segmented like the front. a new OLED signature realizes the new taillight signature that sweeps across the entire back.

the interior cabin reflects a spacious, homely and entirely comfortable lounge. its architecture is strictly horizontal to emphasize width, but the furnishings appear light and sculptural in form to accentuate its luxury setting. there is a range of seat and seat equipment to offer comfort for any need. there is even a footrest on the back of the passenger seat that can warm up and enable massage functions. high-quality craft underscores the luxury technology in the cabin. custom options entail precise perforations in the seat covers, electrically opening and closing decorative trim, air vent doors, or the velvety leather in the comfort headrests.

two 10.9-inch screens with streaming capabilities sit cantilevered on the back of the front seat, thanks to curved wooden shoulders. the optional display in the middle of the rear seats is also sculptural as it raises up in a textured setting. bang & olufsen’s advanced sound system with 3D sound for the back seat completes the entertainment in the cabin. 1,920 watt amplifier drives 23 speakers and tweeter lenses for a brand-leading sound experience.

the new digital matrix LED headlights use digital micromirror device technology for precise lighting

fifth generation of A8 with space frame technology

the A8 famously unveiled the AUDI space frame construction in 1994. the latest evolution of this technology is used in the brand’s 2022 flagship to ensure a lightweight yet ultra-high-strength body is delivered. V6 engines – 3.0 TFSI and 4.0 TFSI – generate 240 kW with 500 Nm of torque and 338 kW and 660 Nm of torque respectively, and will be joined by a plug-in hybrid model soon. eight-step tiptronic, all-wheel drive quattro with self-locking center differential, and a mix of standard and predictive active suspensions help create a performance unexpected to the size and suite of features as the A8. the result is said to be more sportier and stable than ever before.

like the front, the new rear lights are also segmented into light and shadow