SPIED: Audi A8 ‘Horch’- LWB Mercedes-Maybach rival

SPIED: Audi A8 ‘Horch’- LWB Mercedes-Maybach rival

A little over two years ago, Audi had been rumoured to be reviving the Horch brand for a range-topping model to sit above its current A8 flagship model. This would be the Ingolstadt-based automaker’s contender to the Z223 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, itself a luxury brand positioned above the W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship.

The development vehicle sighted here by our spy photographer source appears to be a long-wheelbase version of the facelifted D5 Audi A8, and this has been suggested to be the even more luxurious ‘Horch’ version due to some camouflage foil applied near the base of the rear door window, which is where Horch branding could be located.

SPIED: Audi A8 ‘Horch’- LWB Mercedes-Maybach rival

The front end of the A8L development unit here wears a grid-like grille in place of the current version’s horizontal slats, though whether or not it is a design that will carry through to the eventual production car remains to be seen. Exterior updates for the facelifted D5 A8 as a whole are expected to apply to the grille surround and front bumper, front and rear quarter panels, sills and rear bumper, which have been concealed.

Being a top-of-the-line limousine, the ‘Horch’ A8L has been tipped to use the Volkswagen Group’s 6.0 litre W12 twin-turbo petrol engine, which is found in Bentleys such as the Flying Spur, Continental GT coupe and convertible as well as the Bentayga Speed.

Beyond the placeholder components for the development mule seen here, the even more luxurious A8 variant is expected to feature unique wheels and possibly a two-tone exterior paint finish as seen on Mercedes-Maybach models as well as personalised finishes offered by Bentley and Rolls-Royce. This top A8 version is expected to makes its debut in the second half of this year, according to our sources.

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

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • donno on Jan 19, 2021 at 1:52 pm

    why bother when you have Bentley and Bugatti as your luxury brand?

    or is the germans feeling inferiority complex having a british and french branded luxury car, even if they are fully owned by them?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Thomas on Jan 20, 2021 at 9:18 am

      German ministers and top government officials cannot be seen driven around in a Bentley, so they really need this and the maybach.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • JOACHIM on Jan 19, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    Still FWD?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Faiz Arshad on Jan 21, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    It’s time to bring back twin turbo W12 engine in Audi

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required