Although some two months ago, the new Audi A8 has made it’s first appearance at a private function held in Miami last November, the official debut of the luxury sedan has been made at this years North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Pretty lightweight but packed with goodies, the new Audi A8 is in direct competitor to the BMW 7 Series, with Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ considered as secondary rivals. The new technology advances installed in the car include the new-generation MMI system, the latest quattro AWD system and the regenerative brakes. As for what sends power to the wheels, a wide range of engine is available, out of the which a 184kW (250hp), 550Nm 3.0 TDI engine or the 4.2 petrol V8 that churns 274kW (373hp) and 445Nm of torque.

Looks damn cool, don’t you think?

Slated for an early debut next year at the Detroit Auto Show, the 2011 Audi A8 is one of the most thought-after luxury sedans. Caught testing on the Nurburgring circuit, rumors have it that the upcoming model comes with new engines. Apparently there’s the new 6.5L V12 which replaces the 6.1L variant for a monsterish output of over 500 horsies, or the supercharged V8 capable of churning 400 hp. Mileage is also on the priority list for Audi which means the new A8 lineage will also include a 2.0L diesel option mated with twin turbos that sport some 200hp. For those who can afford it, sales will begin late 2010. [via Autoblog]

I’m going to apologize for not bringing any Audi RS5 news, but believe me the confirmed sketches for the new A5 Cabrio & Sportback, A7 and next A8 are just as juicy. You already know how the first one looks, I’m talking about A5 Cabrio and A5 sportback but I bet the other two are a nice addition. Audi A7 is a large four-door, that looks a lot like the A5 sportback but with a normal trunk instead of a rear hatch, while the next-gen Audi A8 is much different than what we knew before, with angry eyes headlights and a sharp grille. What do you think? – via Motor Authority

A friend of mine who writes car reviews found himself in a game of oneupmanship with a friend of his. My friend was given a Jaguar Super V8, 2008  to review. His friend drove an Audi A8, W12 Quattro, 2008.

The Audi won if for no other reason than the base sticker price. The Jag goes for $95,000. The Audi has a sticker price  $140,000!!!  Of course, that price includes

$6,300 for the Bang & Olufsen sound system  

$3,200 for the 20-inch alloy wheels and summer performance tires

$2,500 for the Palace Blue exterior paint

$2,100 for the adaptive cruise control

$1,500 for the rear-seat refrigerator

$790 for solar sunroof

$200 for heated steering wheel

$1,700 for gas-guzzler tax

My friend, Bill, tells the story of when he was in China. He was being driven in a Red Flag Chinese car on a road with no speed limit. The speedometer was tick-tick-ticking to the far right at about 220kph. Thinking to himself that he was going to die if the driver lost control he looked out the window to keep himself distracted. Suddenly, an Audi went flying by. Perhaps it was a predecessor to this 6.0 liter, 12-valve, 450 horsepower 2008 Quattro.

Oh, to own an Audi.