Audiphile
December 3rd, 2009, 01:27
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</TD><TD class=titlebox width="83%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left>http://images.zeroforum.com/default/zero2/msg.gif Drawing Released with Audi A8 Launch May Be Harbinger of S8 Design</TD><TD vAlign=center align=right></TD><TD vAlign=center width="1%" noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=r1 height=200 width="83%" align=TOP>
http://www.fourtitude.com/gallery/generated//Audi/A8-S8-V8%20(D1,%20D2%20and%20D3)/A8%20-%20D4/Exterior%20(EU)/fourtitude-2010-audi-a8-004__scaled_600.jpg
We like to think of ourselves as fairly dialed in to Audi and their methodology, so when we saw the image above in A8 PR materials we were most interested. Why? We think it might be a harbinger of design for the D4-based S8. Here's our theory. See if you agree.
One thing this image is not is consistent with the Audi S8 revealed this week in Miami. Sure, the shape is basically there, but this front shot's got a much more aggressive lower fascia with an interesting cross hatch grille with vertical struts laid overtop.
The grille is actually what sells us on the idea. Audi brand design chief Stefan Sielaff once told us that establishing design cues unique to the company's sub brands like S-cars, RS-cars, etc. is very important in brand consistency. That consistency is one reason we were able to provide a spot-on CGI of the Audi S4 long before the S4 was actually shown. Likely our RS 5 and RS 4 models are similarly ahead of the curve.
So the most interesting points here are the grilles. There's a lot of detail here upon further examination. Cross-hatching has not really been used beyond RS cars and it's never been paired like this with the struts. Struts are primarily an S-car thing even though you also see them on glossy black grilles for Audi's most high-performance non S or RS cars such as the R8 V10 or the Q7 V12 TDI. It's a bit early to say with any clear credibility, but we strongly suspect this image may be an early tease of the D4-generation S8. If we're right, then you may see the grey eggcrate design go away and find similar grillework as above on all S-cars by their next scheduled introductions. Oh, and for the record we believe the S8 will utilize an upcoming twin turbo 4.0T V8. We've already unofficially confirmed the mill for the next S6 and Audi's shared engines between these two cars since the inception of the S8.
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</TD><TD class=titlebox width="83%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left>http://images.zeroforum.com/default/zero2/msg.gif Re: Drawing Released with Audi A8 Launch May Be Harbinger of S8 Design (George@Fourtitude) [URL="http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4671232&postid=62321458#62321458"]» (http://forums.fourtitude.com/zeromodify?cmd=editthread&id=4671232)</TD><TD vAlign=center align=right>« (http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4671232&uid=405074&dir=1&postid=62323292#62323292) » (http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4671232&uid=405074&postid=62323292#62323292) 2:21 PM 12/2/2009 </TD><TD vAlign=center width="1%" noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=r1 height=200 width="83%" align=TOP>
http://www.fourtitude.com/gallery/albums//Audi/A8-S8-V8%20(D1,%20D2%20and%20D3)/A8%20-%20D4/Exterior%20(EU)/fourtitude-2010-audi-a8-003.jpg
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</TD><TD class=titlebox width="83%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left>http://images.zeroforum.com/default/zero2/msg.gif Re: Drawing Released with Audi A8 Launch May Be Harbinger of S8 Design </TD><TD vAlign=center align=right></TD><TD vAlign=center width="1%" noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=r1 height=200 width="83%" align=TOP>
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</TD><TD class=titlebox width="83%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left>http://images.zeroforum.com/default/zero2/msg.gif Re: Drawing Released with Audi A8 Launch May Be Harbinger of S8 Design (tanel) » (http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4671232&postid=62328676#62328676)</TD><TD vAlign=center align=right>« (http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4671232&uid=140009&dir=1&postid=62328912#62328912) » (http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4671232&uid=140009&postid=62328912#62328912) 5:57 PM 12/2/2009 </TD><TD vAlign=center width="1%" noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=r1 height=200 width="83%" align=TOP>
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