in all acrs you need to be able to go through the gears, even if 90% of the time or more you just slide it in D, i can't see the lever details but as it stands i don't see any way to go through the gears, i mentioned flaps becuase they are the only extra-lever way to pass through the gears

why is everyone talking like this is the real deal?

Cause it is, samething with the F01 pictures that some people refused to believe were real. Autobild have leaked images like these many times and not one single time have they been fake.

i am 100% sure those are pre prodcution prototype pics of the interior, just like the leaked F01, they lack actual LCD screens, and steering wheel buttons only, and interior fit and finish

I believe it's too early to criticize the looks of the upcoming A8. Let's wait for the final product. I'm sure it will look astonishing.

..........only if they change the design language completely. If it ends up looking like that it will be a complete bore just like the new A4.

Τhe new A4 is boring for you. For me it's by far the best car in it's class.

Now that i saw the new Α8 pics they look real.

That means that either someone who works for Audi sold the pics to the press (highly unlikely) or that Audi is following BMW's path and deliberately leaking shots to the press (very likely).

I disagree. No manufacturer would be stupid enough to leak fully uncovered images of an up an coming product 8-12 months ahead of launch. There's no gain in that, especially when the new production is highly evolutionary. That's just spoils the surprise. Given the large secrecy around Audi's new models which are hardly ever caught driving on public roads, Audi would never do something like this.

If manufacturer's leak images they do it a couple of days before the press embargo is over, just to steer things up. This is without a question not the work of Audi's marketing department. Like with the Panamera, E-class and 7er someone has been invited to see a preview fully scale model of the, snapped pictures and sold them to Autobild.

Exterior is very A4-ish. Typical Audi evolutionary. But Audi designers are adding the BMW-ish elements ... very carefully yet consistently. Eg. more dynamic lines, Bangle-butt-ish boot lid, sportier aggressive appearance, very high & expressive shoulder line etc.

I'm sure the car will look very sharp & aggressive IRL. Yet IMO a bit too evolutionary. With some "controversial" details - ala boot lid.

****

The interior looks very smart. Very smart. An evolution of the current one, yet enhanced.

I like the combination of leather, wood, chrome & ceramics ??? (black trim on dash and center console, & white MMI pointer buttons).

The new e-shifter is very interesting. Sci-fi design like the one in Jag and BMW. Yet With a bit traditional sense though.
The analog clock in the center dash also add some traditional atmosphere.

Very Audi.


What I do not like is the position of MMI control center. It looks positioned to close to the dash. Far,far away from driver. Very Japanese.


****

IMO the car will look fine. Yet ... this time BMW made a home rune with the F01. The new 7er definitely looks much more refined, sporty & elegant than current S-class, and the new A8. It just has that THE factor. Inside S-class is definitely more comfort-luxury oriented, 7er is the sportiest / driver's choice, while Audi will try to offer both worlds ... and try to push benchmark higher with using ceramic trim.




IMO this time A8 will have harder times to fight 7er in the traditional markets (eg. Europe).

Fanboy

3er LCI will win 4 out of 5 tests, wanna bet?

I don't like the new A8 much....just as I thought, the old A8 was the pinnacle of Audi design and they haven't been able to hold on to that. I like the 7er MUCH more, inside out

1. The back looks like the A5
2. the LCD screen is just terrible sticking out like this
3. interior as a whole is a mess. Way too many buttons and weird lines... and that silly analog clock....yuckkkk ! Eni, I really don't understand what you see it it, but I assume you are just being nice...
4. It looks sort of chubby. 7er proportions are much better with the greenhouse so much to the back and long hood.
5. side profile looks a bit dull and A6ish
6. headlights are again the same as every other Audi
7. BANGLE BUTT..OMG...lmao...can you believe it......hahahahaha

So my conclusion is that the old A8 was much better for it's time and that I love these early scoops. The whole new A8 completely reveiled.....must be extremely painful for Audi. This is a huge scoop....