Audi is working on the successor to the current A8, and the first prototypes have already been scooped.

Set to take on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the BMW 7-Series, the next-gen A8’s design will borrow cues by the Prologue concept, something apparent even in this test car.

Ingolstadt’s luxury cruiser will grow in size compared to its predecessor, but despite the more generous proportions, which will translate into even more room inside, it will actually be a bit lighter, thanks to the adoption of the MLB Evo platform, which is used throughout Audi’s modern vehicle lineup, from the A4 to the Q7.

Reports indicate towards the adoption of a fully autonomous driving technology, which will be an updated version of the current Traffic Jam Assist, assisting the driver at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph) during heavy traffic conditions.

Codenamed D5, the all-new Audi A8 is expected to get two petrol engines, a 4.0-liter V8 and a 6.3-liter W12, along with three diesels – 3.0-liter V6, 4.0-liter V8 and 5.0-liter V10. Joining the lineup later on will be a hybrid version, said to use a 3.0-liter V6 instead of the previous setup that sees a four-pot turbo.

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