STRETCH your legs out in style could be the catchphrase for Audi’s new luxury flagship saloon.
The German company is claiming to push the bounds of comfort even further with the arrival of a new long wheelbase version of the A8.
The new car, which is due to open for orders in late July, adds 130mm of wheelbase and body length - concentrated at the rear to provide exceptional passenger space.
Making its world public debut at next week’s Beijing Motor Show, the Audi A8 L will also be further refined by an extensively reworked version of the twelve cylinder W12 petrol engine offering improved power and efficiency.
Lightweight aluminium for everything bar the steel B pillars ensures that the extended Audi Space Frame body, like its standard wheelbase counterpart, weighs around 40 per cent less than an all-steel equivalent.
Power will come courtesy of four engines – a 3.0-litre TDI (250PS) diesel, 4.2-litre TDI (350PS), a 4.2-litre FSI (372PS) petrol and, exclusively for the long wheelbase model, the W12, which has been bored out from 6.0-litres to 6.3-litres, and incorporates FSI direct petrol injection. Maximum power has increased by 50PS over the previous version to 500PS.
As a result, the A8 L W12 can cruise to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds, and on to a governed top speed of 155mph. And with the help of FSI technology, an average 23.5mpg fuel figure is possible – a 12 per cent improvement over the outgoing model, with CO2 output of 278g/km.
Efficiency is boosted by the new eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and prices are expected to start at around £58,000.
The extra space apart, rear passenger comfort is also improved by standard seat heating, an upgraded climate control system which enables precise temperature modulation in the two rear zones and electrically operated rear window and side window blinds.
In the W12, the standard back seat arrangement is replaced by two individual sculpted rear seats which can be heated and ventilated and feature fore/aft adjustable bases and angle adjustable backrests.
There’s also double glazing, more extensive use of Nappa leather, a CD changer playable through a BOSE audio system and a sophisticated Bluetooth mobile phone connection system that enables occupants to access selected content from the internet.
All-LED headlights, 19-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels and a powered sunroof are also features that set the top flight model apart from other A8 L versions.