Audi A8 L Extended
At the request of a European
customer, Audi has built a king-size format of its flagship sedan, the A8L.
Dubbed A8 L Extended, it measures 6.36 meters long and rides on a
4.22 meters wheelbase, which is 1.09 meters longer than the
production model. On both ends, the lighting units incorporate small side
marker lights, as is prescribed by law for vehicles of this length.
Made almost entirely from
aluminum, the German limo uses an Audi Space Frame design and, in order to
maintain a harmonious roofline, its entire body, from the A-pillar and back,
has been reworked,with extended side sills and center tunnel manufactured by
extruded aluminum sections.
The roof incorporates additional
aluminum profiled tubes and cross-braces and there is a double rear bulkhead
separating the passenger compartment from the boot. These upgrades also provide
the necessary torsional rigidity. As an extra touch, the Germans embedded a
2.40 meters glass panel in the roof skin.
Inside, the longer Audi A8 L
has seating for six, upholstered in extra-supple Valcona leather, finished in
velvet beige. The second and third rows have electrically adjustable individual
seats, and the final row features a continuous center console, a cool box and a
Rear Seat Entertainment display.
Tipping the scales at 2.418
kg, the Audi A8 L Extended is powered by a 3.0-liter TFSI petrol
engine, rated at 310 PS and 440 Nm of torque, sent to
the quattro permanent AWD system through an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox.
Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.1 seconds and top speed has
been electronically limited to 250 km/h. Deceleration is said to be
"outstanding", as the car's brakes are concealed by the 19-inch
wheels, with a 15-spoke pattern.
