2022 Audi A8 revealed: Facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series rival gets bold new look with high-tech lights

Audi has revealed the facelifted version of the fourth-generation A8 upper-large sedan, which will enter Australian showrooms in mid-2022.

The facelift immediately identifies itself with its redesigned front fascia, which is punctuated by a wider version of Audi’s signature ‘singleframe’ grille with a new insert.

The A8's bumper has also been refreshed alongside its headlights, which are now available with Digital Matrix LEDs that can illuminate the driver’s own lane particularly brightly at night.

Fresh sets of alloy wheels are found at the side, while the rear end’s tail-lights have new inserts with Digital OLEDs, which have two switchable signatures for the regular A8 and three for the flagship S8. The bumper has also been tweaked.

Inside, not a whole lot has changed, with Cognac Brown a new leather colour option, while Dinamica microfibre is now used for the door inserts and can be optioned for the pillar trim and headliner.

If the rear entertainment system is fitted, it now comes with a pair of 10.1-inch high-resolution displays that are attached to the front seat backrests. The OLED touchscreen remote for this set-up is now affixed to the centre armrest.

Audiophiles are also be able to enjoy the 1920W Bang & Olufsen Advanced sound system and its 23 speakers, of which the tweeter lenses rise out of the dashboard when in use.

Australia’s two engine options, a 210kW/600Nm 3.0-litre single-turbo diesel V6 (50 TDI) and a 420kW/800Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 (S8), remain available overseas but are yet to be confirmed for a local return.

Other international engine options include a 250kW/500Nm 3.0-litre single-turbo petrol V6 (55 TFSI) and a 338kW/660Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 (60 TFSI), while a 340kW/700Nm plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the former is also on offer, now with a 14.4kWh battery.

For reference, Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard alongside an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

Australia pricing and full specification details for the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series rival will be released closer to its local launch, so stay tuned. For references, the pre-facelift model ranges from $193,872 to $259,877 plus on-road costs.