Our photographers have...

Our photographers have spied a camouflaged update to Audi"s executive

saloon, the A8... but did it spot them before they spotted it? This

latest prototype is equipped with a "self-drive" system that utilises

two cameras mounted in the fog-light housings and one on the rear view

mirror designed to scan the road ahead for potential hazards.

Although

details are scarce 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

Powertrains

are expected to come in petrol, diesel and hybrid variants with the

latter of the three utilising Audi"s 3.0-litre V6 and a 38kW battery in

the spare tyre well. New more fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines

will take advantage of energy recuperation and start/stop technology to

boost economy figures.

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.