Audi has released details of latest Audi A8 L, and it’s on display at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Darling Harbor. The car features an extended wheelbase which provides up to 13cm more rear legroom than the normal Audi A8, as well as a number of slight engine revisions.
The new model will be available in three trim levels, with three different engines. The first engine in the lineup will be the 3.0-litre TDI turbo diesel V6 which will offer 197kW of power and a smooth 550Nm of torque. It’s matched to an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox featuring Audi’s latest Stop-Start technology. Fuel consumption figures read like a small hatch back. Audi says in this guise the car achieves 6.6L/100km.
Providing the mid-range variant with power is a 4.2-litre FSI direct-injection petrol offering 273kW of power and 445Nm of torque. This engine is said to present fuel savings of up to 11 percent compared to the superseded model.
Lastly, Audi offers a 4.2-litre TDI turbo diesel V8 with 258kW and a whopping 800Nm of torque. That’s enough grunt to get it from 0-100km/h in just 5.6 seconds – not bad for a huge luxury barge. All engines also get the Stop-Start system which provides improvements in fuel economy across the range.
Interior features include 22-way electrically adjustable front seats and leg-stretching rear seats with integrated four-zone air condition controls mounted in the fold-down centre arm rest. There’s also a twin-sunroof that provides light and air to the rear, optional separate rear seats with adjustable foot rests, and an option analogue and digital compatible TV package.
Managing director of Audi Australia, Uwe Hagen, recently said,
“The A8 L models are not just flagships for the Audi range. They are showcases of the combined knowledge and skill applied by our thousands of engineers and designers to the craft of building cars; the world’s best cars.
“The fourth-generation A8 has already set a new standard in dynamic luxury cars and now the arrival of the long-wheelbase versions demonstrates just how serious Audi is about attaining leadership in all of the important segments of the premium and luxury car market.”
Audi A8 L pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet. Expect full details and pricing prior to the official launch during the beginning of 2011.
