Audi Prologue concept previews new A6, A7 and A8

The Prologue gets a heavily reworked single-frame grille that is significantly wider than that used on existing Audi models. Also included are slimline matrix laser beam headlights housing five individual lenses that provide adaptive functions, including automatic high-beam dipping when oncoming traffic is detected.

With an aluminium and high-strength steel body, the concept is 40mm shorter and 70mm lower than the current A8, with official figures of 5100mm and 1390mm respectively, and is the same width at 1950mm. It also sits on a wheelbase that is 50mm shorter than the A8's, at 2940mm, and gets 22-inch wheels.

Power comes from Audi’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine – as used in the existing A6, A7 and A8 as well as various Bentley models.

The 90-degree unit has been tuned to deliver 597bhp and 516lb ft of torque – or 553lb ft in overboost mode during short bursts of full-throttle action.

With drive channelled through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Torsen four-wheel drive system, this provides the Prologue with a theoretical 0-62mph time of just 3.7sec, according to Audi’s own computer simulations.

As well as using a cylinder-on-demand arrangement that shuts off four of the eight cylinders on light throttle loads for added fuel efficiency, the engine also uses a 48-volt electrical system that should be adopted on the next A8 as part of a new raft of fuel-saving initiatives. The Prologue is claimed to return 32.8mpg, giving it a CO2 emissions figure of 199g/km. 

The new Audi concept also provides clues to the advanced chassis ready to be adopted by the new A8 and its more sporting A9 sibling; it uses a new five-link suspension with adaptive air springs capable of varying the ride height.

Inside, the dash incorporates a full-width instrument panel featuring an OLED display that enables digital interaction between the driver and front seat passenger.

Hackenberg added that it would be “no trouble” to create a big coupé for production along similar lines to the concept.

Q&A, Marc Lichte, Audi design chief

How close to production is this concept car?

Usually when you design a concept car, everyone is happy with it, but less so when they actually see it in production and it looks very different. This is a different approach. We design the new A8, A7 and A6 models first, then put the essence of all three of them into the Prologue. Every element can be traced into the production cars; some things might be a bit louder in the A7, and a bit quieter in the A8, but it’s all in there.

Have recent Audis been too similar in design?

It has been the right thing to do to evolve the design in small steps. When Walter de Silva introduced the single frame grille on the 2004 A6, people thought it was too radical. But it was the right thing to do, as it gave Audi a face. It was something new so had to be given time. Now after 10 years, people know the face of Audi and it’s time to do something new, but keeping the single frame grille as it would be a mistake to change our face.

Will there be greater differentiation between future Audis?

We need to differentiate more and I promise they will be different. We designed the A8, A7 and A6 together so made sure they were all different. The design of all three was signed off within only eight months of me arriving here. We’ll differentiate a lot and you’ll be able to tell which model is which. They’ll all be linked though through the single frame grille, but we can do something really radical still We’re doing this with the next generation A1 for instance. And the Q8, it will have the single frame grille but clearly something radical and very different.

How will the interiors of future Audis evolve?

Audi has always led in interiors, but rivals are catching up. So we need to do something radical, and the Prologue shows that. Tesla did a good job of integrating technology inside, but it is not aesthetic. That’s what we’ve done, by integrating the technology into the architecture. Materials also are all natural and authentic – not perfect, but natural is premium.