Facelifted 2021 Audi A8 L unveiled, extended China-only Horch added

The fourth D5 generation of the Audi A8 L has now been given a midlife facelift. While the changes to the standard luxury sedan are incremental, Audi has launched a new China-specific A8 L Horch. With this update, the Audi A8 L gets lightly refreshed looks, new lighting and added tech features on the inside.

2021 Audi A8 L exterior, digital lighting

The 2021 Audi A8 L now carries a wider Singleframe grille in an octagonal shape, with new chrome dealing added within the element. The headlamps have been revised to bring in the current segmented LED look and now offer the Digital Matrix LED tech while the bumpers too have been reworked with more upright intakes. Also the side, there is now a more prominent concave side. The rear now features OLED customizable lighting(two as standard, three on S8) which lets users choose different signatures and can warn other vehicles of the A8 to avoid rear-end collisions from 2m away. The rear bumper has also been marginally redesigned.

A chrome styling package can be specified while a new S Line styling package has been added to the Audi A8 L for the first time. This version get sportier accents on the outside themed after the S8, including a different grille design while the S8 continues with ist four exposed exhaust tips at the rear. New colour options on the revised Audi A8 L are metallic district green, firmament blue, Manhattan grey, and ultra blue. Also new are five matte finish paints: Daytona Gray, Floret Silver, District Green, Terra Gray, and Glacier White.

2021 Audi A8 L interior, features

The interior of the Audi A8 L remain largely unchanged, carrying on with the layered, horizontally theme layout. The MIB3 system with its twin 10.1 and 8.3-inch screens continue while the upholstery is now leather as standard, a softer choice is available optionally. The MIB3 infotainment now features inbuilt navigation as well as the Audi Connect suite of connected car functions. Newly added are two 10.1-inch screens for rear-seat passengers. Other than this, the usual crop of features remain like the Bang and Olufsen audio as well as the relaxation seat package which comes with a back massage with 18 pneumatic cushions, electrically adjustable comfort headrests and 4-zone climate control. Options like a continuous centre console, fold-out tables and a cooler can be further added.

2021 Audi A8 L engines, Audi S8 performance

Engine options remain unchanged with this refresh to the Audi A8 L. The A8 L 55 TFSI quattro uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbo making 340PS and 500 Nm. The 4.0-litre model in the A8 L 60 TFSI quattro makes 460PS and 660 Nm, getting the sedan from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.4s. An PHEV will follow while certain markets will get a diesel option as well. The Audi S8 uses the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 to put out 571PS and 800 Nm, allowing for a 0 to 100 kmph sprint in 3.8s. This version comes with a longer list of features, active exhaust, predictive active suspension, sport differential, and dynamic all-wheel steering as standard. Certain markets also get the S8 in LWB L form.

2021 Audi A8 L Horch

The most notable development with this update is the introduction of the 2021 Audi A8 L Horch for China. This extended version is 13 cm longer still than the A8 L and comes with more luxurious interior trimmings including the relaxation seat as standard, more diamond quilting, logo-embossed cushions, deep-pile floor mats and a larger panoramic sunroof. There is more chrome on the outside with unique styling to the grille, different rear lighting signature, Horch emblems and badges. Finally, the A8 L Horch can be optioned in three hand-painted dual-tone colour options: Mythos Black and Florett Silver, Florett Silver and Mythos Black, and Firmament Blue and Ultra Blue.

2021 Audi A8 L launch date, price

The Audi A8 L facelift has gone on sale globally and should make it to India next year. Prices should see a Rs 4 to 5 lakh increase over the current versions starting at Rs 1.58 crore for the 55 TFSI. The Horch is only available in LHD form and is unlikely to make it to India in the near future.

Also read,

Audi A8 L launched in India for Rs 1.56 crore

The 5 things about the new Audi A8 that make it a game changer