We've been reporting for some time that Audi is getting ready to swipe the covers off its next-generation A8 luxury sedan, and now an alert Carscoop reader has sent us these photos of this psychedelically camouflaged Audi prototype. Robert H, who captured the sedan with his iPhone in Southern California, told us that the test car was similar in size to the current A8 limo, thus reducing the possibility that it may be a prototype for the new A6 sedan - let's face it, you can never be 100 per cent sure.

As stated by German firm's Chairman of the Board, Rupert Stadler during his speech at Audi AG's annual shareholders meeting in Germany this past May, we'll have the first official photos of the new A8 in late November.

We still don't know if Audi will perform the motorshow debut of the 2011 A8 in Los Angeles this December or if the Germans will opt for the Detroit show in January next year or even later at the Geneva Salon in March of 2010.

The German firm's Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series rival, which will continue to use a lightweight aluminum chassis, is expected to be offered with cleaner and more fuel efficient engines including Audi's new 3.0-liter supercharged V6.

Hat tip to Robert H. for the photo scoop!