Audi A8 spied

Here's the proof that there's a new A8 on the way! Our spies have captured these shots of Audi's latest luxury saloon. Based on an extended version of the A4 platform, the new car will be made of more exotic materials like aluminium and magnesium to help keep weight down.

Despite the heavy BMW-style camouflage a couple of exterior tweaks to enlarge the front grille and replace the traditional rear lights with LED's can be seen. Under the skin, the new A8 will keep the aluminium monocoque construction that made previous iterations so nimble.

Meanwhile, cameras positioned in the fog light housings point towards a new 'self-drive' system. Our photographers believe that the cameras will feed images to an internal computer which will then work out the direction and proximity of objects on the road and then steer the car around them. Unlike a system showcased by Honda on its Legend and Accord, the Audi's system is thought to play a far greater role in the driving experience as opposed to just helping tired drivers stay in the right lane.

The engine line-up is expected to mirror those currently offered with a 2.8-litre V6 kicking off the range and a 4.2-litre V8 flagship model topping it. Although, the 6.0-litre W12 is likely to be dropped on the latest model because of its high costs and emissions. A new addition to the diesel line-up will come in the form of Audi's new 6.0-litre V12 TDI.

Base-models will be front-wheel drive but an improved 'quattro' system will be fitted on all four-wheel drive variants of the car.

The refreshed A8 will hit showroom floors sometime during 2010 but the 'self-drive' technology isn't likely to make it onto Audi models until 2012.