Currently reading: Audi plans Maybach-rivalling W12 A8 flagship
The W12 engine will get another outing in the VW Group portfolio, with a Horch-badged A8 flagship on the way

Audi is planning the return of the super-luxury Horch name, which will be used on a flagship A8 that could also mark the return of the VW Group’s W12 engine to the Audi line-up.

Automotive News reports that the Audi A8 Horch will likely bring the W12 powertrain - currently only used in the Bentley range and not yet relaunched in the Audi A8 - back to the brand, but that an Audi insider claims a V8-engined version would also work. 

The return of the Horch name - the surname of one of Audi’s original founders - would be Audi’s equivalent of Mercedes’ revival of Maybach. The name was last used in 1940, although the brand became part of Auto Union in 1932. 

This means no Horch-badged stand-alone models like the Maybach 57 and 62 would be planned. Audi doesn’t plan to stretch the badge beyond the A8, although Mercedes has a Maybach SUV in the pipeline aimed at China, as well as having demonstrated coupé and cabriolet Maybach concepts

The A8 Horch will get 585bhp 6.0-litre iteration of the engine - 300cc less than that of the earlier A8 W12 but 85bhp more powerful. In the previous-generation A8 W12, combined fuel economy of 22.8mpg was claimed, with CO2 emissions of 290g/km. 

It’s reported that although the W12 A8 is ready for launch, it’s currently being postponed. 

An Audi spokesman couldn't offer further comment.

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Babak 26 September 2018

Horch Revival

Horch revive is a great idea but its better to create by Porsche not Audi as a standalone brand with entire new platform either electric or conventional and with a totally revolutionary body style ,not crossover or SUV but a modern interpretation of 1930's limousines with conventional limousine's ground clearance and high roof(about 160cm) and compact trunk.
If everything will be new and special for that brand the failure story of Maybach will not happen again.
There will be demand to a truly luxurious limousines like Horch.
Chelmersteve 25 September 2018

Horch

The last civilian Horch was produced in 1940, not 1932 as the article states. After that only military vehicles were made although a single postwar car was produced for the boss of Auto Union. That car is now in the Audi Collection.

1932 was when Horch became part of the Auto Union.

giantpanda 25 September 2018

Horch

Is this supposed to be the Phaeton Ersatz?