Detroit 2010: flagship A8 at the Audi stand

Detroit 2010: flagship A8 at the Audi stand

The new batch of Audi cars all look good – you name it and it’s sure to be an eye catcher – the A4, the A5 both coupe and sportback, the R8 and even the cute A1. They’re all pretty good looking. So when their unbelievably boring flagship Audi A8 came out, I was thinking maybe it looked better in the metal. I was wrong. It was just as boring. Just a big fat and sparse inflated version of the Audi A4. The interior is gorgeous though, perfect to take a little nap in after looking at the sleep-inducing exterior. Check out the live photo gallery after the jump, or read more about the new Audi A8.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=759]

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • paul, you sound like jeremy clarkson.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • buttercity on Jan 13, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    Still, it's the preferred model for The Transporter.. Hehe..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • wht a great front grill…..

    audi has become d trend setter nowadays….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • dejavu on Jan 13, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Agree Paul,

    S'how other than d bold grill n size, d recent A8s seem to lack flair n presence as to BMWs 7, Merc S n VW Pheaton

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • pulge on Jan 13, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    I used to adore Audi when I was a kid, and now I'm thinking of adoring them again! ^^

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ferruccio on Jan 13, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    I have to agree with Paul. The A8 is superb piece of engineering but styling-wise I too had the same thoughts. More dull compared to the outgoing A8 though the older one(Transporter) was somewhat 'handsome' despite the plainness. This one is nudging towards another direction altogether.. dare I say it.. towards 'ugly'

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • lovesaga on Jan 13, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    look a the grille and lights..man…its awesome…u can drive on yer own and ppl know u mean business! no driver needed

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • chew ban (Member) on Jan 13, 2010 at 6:47 pm

    mixture of q7 and a4.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • artyca on Jan 13, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    I almost fell asleep looking at your pics, Paul. You're right… dead boring.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • azrai on Jan 13, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    Dear paul,

    I just came cross something spicy just now. Proton next Persona replacemnet Model known as P3-21A Project. Maybe you can check this man link and asked him about it. http://my.linkedin.com/pub/chun-hu/10/b85/8a9 Chun Hu

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Alanore Chong on Jan 13, 2010 at 8:05 pm

    The interior is fantastic.

    The exterior is so so, not super bad, just as any A8 before; but the front grille is over-done.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • so now when all the flagships from BMW, Merc, Lexus n Audi have been introduced, the conclusion is therefore made- The Audi looks the worst!..

    p/s: sorry audi fans out there, i'm just being frank..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kingv6 on Jan 13, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    These styling suits really well when it featured with the A4..

    But now it rather looked dull and has come of age.

    The fact that Audi adopts it for all its range… boring!

    Just not my cup of tea…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Autik on Jan 13, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    The front is fugly, the entire car looks boring. Take Merc S anyday over this.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • NoNoP2 on Jan 13, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    The front grill is totally out! I'd prefer the current A4 or A8 design

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • yaloh, this article really sound like JC inspired haha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kuku stim on Jan 13, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    Even the new Jaguar XJ looks like the most modern car on the planet right now. Who ever thought we could say that about a Jaguar. :-D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • balloon on Jan 13, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    nice front , so so rear , ugly mid section !

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • just me on Jan 13, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    the shiny front grill is made out of steel? if it is…

    i think i can use the front grill to 'grill' some steak…

    then i can open a restaurant name 'audi steak house'

    hehe…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • zaff1984 on Jan 13, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    Agree with Paul, especially from rear view… very sharp near the light…

    Agree with Wen, Paul sound like JC.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • PUG LION-PUG LION-PU on Jan 13, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    Still its the A4 being the Trademark of Audi modern design~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • epal10 on Jan 13, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    new audi A8….sharp eye with a big mask in the middle..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • perkasa on Jan 13, 2010 at 10:50 pm

    nice big grille

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • wochomi on Jan 13, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    Where's the bumper?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • drMpower on Jan 13, 2010 at 11:18 pm

    errr..thats the radiator GRILL..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • albagmane on Jan 14, 2010 at 12:09 am

    have no idea why the design of daytime LED placement have to be like tat though… would prefer it to look like those in R8s and A4s…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nighttrain on Jan 14, 2010 at 12:20 am

    Where are the hot A3 hatches? And S3 versions as well.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • amirad on Jan 14, 2010 at 12:48 am

    Awesome grill. Paint the car jet black and reorientate the horizontal grill to vertical. Plus the red daytime LEDs. There u have it. The car fit for Lord Vader.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mazda 3 MPS on Jan 14, 2010 at 12:53 am

    i think it looks fantastic.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • klaka seram on Jan 14, 2010 at 2:11 am

    the front looks like china made car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Jan 14, 2010 at 2:24 am

    It looks like an elongated banana… and i dont like the LED lights arrangements cuz it doesnt follow the headlight's casing…which looks like shoddy build quality…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Jan 14, 2010 at 2:25 am

    on 2nd hand…. the whole front look combined with those LED headlamps must've been inspired by Optimus Prime…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nope… the earlier model nicer…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • what a pure ugly front! especially the grill. When the chinese had the big grill, most says its ugly, even our own proton has one. But when audi adopted the big grill, applauds are given by the many. Jeez double standards…=.=

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kurikuri on Jan 14, 2010 at 3:38 am

    big car but no big impact

    nothing special!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • grill like GMC truck

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • oh no! on Jan 14, 2010 at 5:19 am

    oh my god~ this A8 is way too ugly and boring!..anything new and suprising in this 'new' car?..

    Lexus LS460L – 8 speed gearbox( very wowing in fact)+ Mark Levinson 19

    speakers+rear Ottoman massaging seat etc.

    BMW 760Li – ALSO 8 speed gearbox+ big meaty turbo engine+superb

    handling etc.

    Merc S63 AMG- Most powerful V8 NA car in the world+whooping price etc.

    What does this A8 have?..STILL the aluminium car frame?..come' on~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • One question, where do the buyers put their number plates?..the grille doesnt reserve a single place for that!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • toycar on Jan 14, 2010 at 5:40 am

    audi cars are my dream car, but this one i really have no comments!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • what a large grill.. but that's audi's style right.. the tail lamp looks like bmw's new 5 series.. maybe because the line inside the lamp.. but i always fond audi better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • a 8 ugly, 7 series as well,

    actually not quite true its ugly but due to the size while it inspire by the midsize in its range, so as a result. we got a strange feeling

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ferruccio on Jan 14, 2010 at 6:44 am

    Mr oh no!

    FYI the A8 will also feature 8 speed autobox. It will also feature something usual to A8 but never seen in Lexus LS or BMW 7 besides the Aluminum Space Frame and that is Quattro 4WD.

    Don't underestimate the tech in Audi's flagship model. It is traditionally a little more cutting edge than the Merc S or BMW 7 because it is always launched AFTER the 2 rivals.

    As for the Lexus LS, just sit in its cabin, then sit in either the S, 7 or A8 and you'll know why the Japs just can't match conti luxury feel.

    The gripe with this A8 is with its styling, nothing with its technology.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mazda 3 MPS on Jan 14, 2010 at 7:51 am

    oh no! said,

    January 13, 2010 @ 9:19 pm

    oh my god~ this A8 is way too ugly and boring!..anything new and suprising in this ‘new’ car?..

    Lexus LS460L – 8 speed gearbox( very wowing in fact)+ Mark Levinson 19

    speakers+rear Ottoman massaging seat etc.

    BMW 760Li – ALSO 8 speed gearbox+ big meaty turbo engine+superb

    handling etc.

    Merc S63 AMG- Most powerful V8 NA car in the world+whooping price etc.

    What does this A8 have?..STILL the aluminium car frame?..come’ on~

    —————————————-

    yes. and plus its in transporter 4. very cool lol. it will look better in black paul.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • GOOD REVIEW…I LIKE. Sounds like Jezza. To Audi A8…SAME & SHAME

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • venven81 on Jan 14, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    i will wait till i see the actual car before commenting on the design. when the 1st nuvolari design was shown, most ppl found it unacceptable until the actual car was out. hopefully the real car will look better than photos! hmm….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • I thought Audi will take a sportier approach to A8 just like BMW & Merc did to their lineups…. But honestly the rims are too shinny, VIP style, yucks!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Aiman I. Abdullah on Feb 27, 2010 at 1:55 am

    I don't understand why everyone seems to be against the design of the A8.

    The thing about the A8 is that it isn't an austentatios (mind the spelling) luxury motor. It's more subdued, for the CEO that prefers not to turn heads. It's always been like that, from the very first A8 until today.

    But in comparison to previous models, I think this one WILL turn a few heads. The grille is the ultimate shout-out of the flagships class, the headlight design (when put together with the lower grilles on either side of the 'moustache') look fantastic, and I love the subtle chome garnish on the rear bumper.

    All in all, this is a great car. Subtle, yet amazing, yet can still seem (fairly) nondescrete when you park it at your local wetmarket.

    Mr. Tan, alert me when booking begins here. I'm selling my liver to pay the downpayment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required