It may have taken them a while, but Audi
has finally made the new generation A8 bullet-proof. The model is called the A8
L Security, builds on the extended wheelbase variant and boasts the S8’s
engine.
Presented for the Russian market, it costs
the equivalent of nearly US$ 750,000, around US$ 600,000 more than the S8, requires
more than 400 manufacturing hours compared to the standard model and features
VR9/VR10 ballistic protection.
Besides being capable of withstanding
rapid firing from machine guns, sniper rounds and even hand grenades, the new
A8 L Security has a fire-extinguishing system, with nozzles in the engine
compartment, fuel tank, underbody and wheel housings. An emergency fresh air
system provides passengers with breathable air for a limited amount of time,
and in the event of getting trapped inside, the manufacturer has equipped this
A8 L with a pyrotechnic system that separates the door hinges.
The 20-inch forged wheels are wrapped in
run-flat tires that allow the car to drive for up to 80 km at 80 km/h. The fuel tank is treated with a special material that seals itself
in the event of shooting and there is special armor onboard for the battery and
intercom electronics. You will definitely see it coming, should the driver
decide to turn on the emergency lights in the grille, side mirrors and at the
back – other than that, it looks pretty much like any other A8.
The A8 L Security has a curb weight of 3,950-4,215 kg, but it can still do 0-100 km/h in
a respectable 6.3 seconds, before topping out at 210 km/h, thanks to
its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Sourced from the S8, the engine retains the 563 HP and 800 Nm of torque which allow the standard
super limo to hit 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.
