Audi is planning to unveil a redesigned Audi A8->ke1089 early in 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. According to Edmund’s Inside Line, the next generation A8 will undergo more of an evolutionary restyling rather than a radical update in order to look more like rest of the current four ringed family. Just like its predecessor, the smoothed A8 will compete with other upscale models like the Mercedes Benz S-Class and the BMW 7-Series luxury limousine.

Under the hood, we are expecting to see a host of gas and diesel burning engines, including the torquey twelve cylinder engine that is currently used in the Q7 V12 TDI, as well as the 5.2 Liter engine that is going in the back of the upcoming V10 R8. The ten cylinder will deliver up to 520 HP, just like the super car, and the rather large TDI mill will have a maximum output somewhere in the same range as the gas engine except with a monstrous 738 lb-ft of torque and an available eight-speed automatic transmission.

This will be the fourth generation of the Audi A8, and from the rendering it is apparent that the automaker is focusing on evolution rather than revolution and continue to use the "Vorsprung durch Technik" inspired aluminum space frame and Quattro all-wheel drive system with sport differentials.

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