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 (20.9 ft) long and rides on a 4.22 meters (13.8 ft) wheelbase, which is 1.09 meters (3.6 ft) 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 (7.9 ft) 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 (5,331 lbs), the Audi A8 L Extended is powered by a 3.0-liter TFSI petrol engine, rated at 310 PS (306 HP) and 440 Nm (325 pound-feet) of torque, sent to the quattro permanent AWD system through an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 7.1 seconds and top speed has been electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Deceleration is said to be “outstanding”, as the car’s brakes are concealed by the 19-inch wheels, with a 15-spoke pattern.
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