Audi Prologue concept previews a sleek new A8

You’ve got to bet at Los Angeles to come up with flagship models from luxury carmakers and it never disappoints. If Mercedes is going to bring back the Maybach brand, Audi can’t be left too far behind, can it? The four rings from Ingolstadt were firmly placed on the grille of the Prologue Concept, a car that will two years from now showcase its design cues in production form in the next generation A8. 

The Prologue Concept is Audi’s new design direction under their new design boss, Marc Lichte. Lichte has given the Audis of tomorrow a new sleeker knife-edged styling and it all begins in full with the next generation A8 if reports are to be believed. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, head of development at Audi has stated at the unveiling of the Prologue concept at the LA auto show according to a report that the Prologue design will be found on upcoming production versions of the A6, A7 and A8.

The exterior of the Prologue concept is sleek and sporty with a low slung stance, large wide single frame grille, wedge shaped headlights and strong haunches. On the insides, it is highly digitized and minimalist. The speed boad like gear lever is an interesting touch as is the new steering wheel design with split horizontal spokes.

With the new A8 expected in two years time, it should be the first car to receive this new face. While the A8 is the flagship Audi as of now, reports of an A9 are brewing and the Prologue Concept’s new design language could well be the signature on the consent form at Audi for a Maybach competitor. The grille on this new concept has already been seen on the new Audi TT, and it is safe to say that all cars in the Audi range will wear this signature element.

Under the hood of the Prologue concept is a 4.0-litre TFSI motor developing 650PS of power and 750Nm of torque with a sprint to the ton stated at 3.7 seconds. This is firmly in RS7 territory. Steering the concept is an all wheel drive steering to complement the Quattro system. The rear wheels have a five degree angle turn in for better cornering.