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 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 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.
Join the debate
Peter Cavellini
If ever....
If ever a Car needed to be an EV it’s a Car like this, mpg isn’t a concern but it’s not going to go far, a diplomat Taxi, Hotel Shuttle even, so a full EV version could’ve worked too?
Peter Cavellini.
NoPasaran
IMHO
This slappin' of long forgoten names on standard MB and Audi is silly. Maybach did not work out, Horch will not either (unless the price is right).
No manual - no fun
FMS
NoPasaran wrote:
You could add VW Phaeton to the list of luxury class cars with mass market makers badge attached...what a waste of a cutting edge brand new purpose built factory...what does it produce nowadays?.
Bob Cat Brian
Doesn’t Mercedes use Maybach
Doesn’t Mercedes use Maybach because they don’t have a Bentley or Rolls Royce? Surely the customer base that wants more than a top spec Audi, but doesn’t want a Bentley must be minuscule? Still if there’s a business case for it, why not.
WallMeerkat
VW group own Bentley, don't
VW group own Bentley, don't see the point in this.
It's like BMW deciding to build a Rolls Royce rivalling 7 series.
Merc resurrected Maybach as they had neither Bentley nor Rolls and were eyeing up their rivals enviously, so dragged up a luxury brand from the annals of corporate history.
FRI2
Dead on arrival
Dead on arrival
Add your comment