2022 Audi A8 and S8 gets a makeover

While Audi’s different crossover offerings seem to be taking the headlines recently, their flagship model is still the A8, which enters its mid-cylcle refresh. The Four Rings brings out the 2022 Audi A8 and S8 with some minor changes to the design and the latest technologies.

Audi’s large sedan is in its fourth generation, and exterior-wise it seems to have fallen behind the new S-Class, the BMW 7-Series and also faces electric competition from the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S.

Though this facelift may not completely turn the tables in A8’s favour, it can certainly help it stay fresh. The headlamps get a kink, like in the A6. Audi’s headlamps have always been ahead of the game, and it is no different here. These digital matrix units have no less than 1.3 million micromirrors that enable a bunch of cool functions.

You will notice a lot more chrome now on the front fascia, which also has a slightly more upright air intake design on the bumper. Speaking of sedan-crazy markets in the world, the 2022 Audi A8 range has something specific for them. The 2022 range not only has the A8 and the stretched A8L but an even longer, more luxurious, China-specific 2022 Audi A8 L Horch. This 5.45 m long colossus will go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Classes.

If extreme opulence is not your cup of tea, the new 2022 Audi S8 can dial it down for you. Just like the new A8, the S8 formula is not fettled with much. Design-wise, there are fewer chrome bits and new honeycomb-like elements on the grill. There are quad-exhaust tips at the rear to give it a sporty vibe. For the first time in its life, the regular A8 will get an S Line package. So, your normal A8 can now look like the S8, without all the performance.

The interior of the 2022 Audi A8 is quite familiar, as they have not changed it much. Audi Virtual Cockpit is of course in its most advanced guise, with an optional heads-up display. Screens are in no shortage here, with a 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch unit on the center console and two 10.1-inch screens at the rear. The A8 L Horch of course will come with a lot more room in the rear. And a lot more goodies.

Peel off the metal, the A8 can show off either a 3.0 TFSI or 4.0 TFSI engine, in different states of tune. It also offers the choice of a diesel or a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. All these get carried over from the pre-facelift model. The Audi S8 gets the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as earlier. This mill is good for 563 hp and 800 Nm of torque. Plenty to power this massive sedan from 0 to 100 kph in 3.8 seconds.