After a series of sneak previews the facelifted 2014 AudiA8andS8range has been officially unveiled ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The range features a host of updated technologies and engine options.

Dynamic Handcrafted Designs

Exterior Design Features

The latest design of the A8 flagship has been revolutionised to combine weight-optimised, predominantly aluminium body with a raft of technological advances, including the slightly revised front bumper, front grille and a more sculpted hood.

The Audi A8 is offered with standard LED headlights for V8-powered models with optional Matrix LED headlights which use 25 individual LEDs that can be individually lit or dimmed depending on driver needs. There are also sequentially illuminated LED turn signals with illuminated LED turn signals with 18 LEDs in the headlights and 24 LEDs in the taillights.

The rear design features flatter LED taillights, along with a reworked bumper that incorporates two rhomboid tailpipes (except for the S8), new chrome strips and high-gloss black window surrounds and five new paint schemes, while the wheels will be available in sizes of up to 21-inches.

Interior Design Features

Inside the lavishly trimmed interior customers can choose from a new range of upholstery and inlays in exciting colour schemes. These include fine-grain brown-silver poplar and brown-gold ash veneers, as well as the natural looking, soft and breathable leather Unikat. There are ventilated front seats with massage function, along with individual electrically-adjustable rear seats optionally available for the A8 and A8 L, which can also be configured with a continuous, leather-wrapped centre console. Other optional features include four-zone automatic AC and relaxation seat with power footrest.

For entertainment Audi has included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a rear seat entertainment system featuring a DVD player, two screens and Bluetooth headphones.

Improvements have also been made to the optional assistance systems like active lane assist, park assist system with 360 degrees display head-up display and night vision assistant.

Engine Capability

The seven petrol and TDI engines have been revised to improve performance and efficiency, including the 3.0-litre TSFI engine delivering 228kW, a 4.0-litre V8 TSFI twin-turbo engine delivering 320kW, along with a 3.0-litre TDI producing 190kW, and a 4.2-litre TDI engine outputting 283kW.

The range-topping A8 L W12 Quattro comes with a 6.3-litre W12 petrol engine which runs on six cylinders and delivers 368kW at an average 11.7-litres/100km, while the S8 sports sedan boasts a 4.0-litre TSFI V8 engine delivering 380kW and sprints from 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds, on an average of 10.1-litres/100km.

The 2014 Audi A8 Hybrid makes use of a lithium-ion battery, 2.0-litre TSFI and an electric motor to provide a combined output of 180kW and 480Nm of torque, at an average of 6.3-litres/100km, and can run solely on electric power for about 3km at which it can hit a top speed of 100 km/h.

The revised Audi A8 and S8 models (except the Hybrid) can be expected in South Africa earlier next year.