rexwilson

I know it's only January of 2015, but I hear that the 2016 A8's is supposed to be a major relaunch, possibly the D5 platform.
Anybody know when the dealers will start to have pre-order information?

derfA8L

Don't know where you heard that. It looks like the D5 will be previewed sometime in 2016, and will be launched first in Europe in early 2017, followed by a North American launch in Fall 2017 as a MY 2018. That's what I've heard and what follows all other A8 generation schedules---and would fall in line with Audi's typical 7-year generation platform lifecycle.

rexwilson

try a google search for "audi a8 2016 d5" and you'll see a bunch of stuff. Maybe what you're describing as "previewed in 2016" came across to me as released for the 2016 model year, so I'm not sure. One in particular article that caught my eye is...
Audi A8 (2016): everything you need to know about ?D5? | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online

derfA8L

Yeah, I saw that, but I believe it's been discounted. I'd be shocked to see the D5 released in Europe before 2017, since we've just seen spy shots of D5 test mules on current D4 bodies, which means that they're only in the initial power train and suspension component testing phase. That puts them approximately another year out before we begin to see full camo'd D5 bodied cars undergoing road testing---then another year to preview/reveal. That most likely takes you into late 2016, with European sales following in early 2017. U.S. dealer demo cars should arrive late Summer 2017, with full U.S. production and formal launch in Fall 2017 (2018 MY).

motegi

I'd be shocked too considering the D4 facelift only just occurred.

I agree with derfA8Ls timeline.

rexwilson

Did anybody else get the bulk "audi experience" email of 1/25 teasing the 2016 a6, a7, and a8's... It included "Audi vehicle design is going to look very different in 2016 and beyond. That’s due to the creative vision of the new head of Audi Design, Marc Lichte." Anybody know what that means???

derfA8L

It means that the design cues from the recently showcased Audi Prologue Concept vehicle (pictured below) will find their way into the next design generation of these models. It has also been mentioned that different models will take different cues; that not every new model design will share all the same design elements from the Prologue design. For 2016, the first new Audi model to adopt some of these design cues is the all new Q7---which is the only newly designed Audi model launch scheduled. The 2016 A6 and A7 are the refreshed designs of those models, not a new design or new generation. The A8, as we all know, just underwent it's D4 generation refresh with the current 2015 MY.

I believe the key takeaway in the quotation is not "2016", it's "and beyond" that will affect upcoming A6, A7 and A8 design.