Audi is set to formally unveil the 2011 Audi A8 Long WheelBase (LWB) at this years Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, following the debut of the standard wheel base saloon at Detroit earlier this year.
The standard and long wheel base saloons both share the new eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, as well as the 277 kW 4.2-litre FSI V8. Both can be optioned with torque vectoring and sports differential, and come standard with adaptive air suspension and 19-inch alloys (20- and 21-inch are also available).
A 6,3-litre W12 petrol engine will also be available and will push out 368 kW and an epic 625 Nm. Audi says all that power takes the LWB from 0 – 100km/h in under 4.9 seconds, yet it is still predicting fuel efficiency of around 11.8 litres/100km on the EU test cycle.
Despite being around 130 mm longer than the standard A8, visually very little distinguishes the two. Rear passengers will notice the stretched version’s longer rear doors and additional leg room – if they can ever draw their attention away from the rear-seat entertainment system, four-zone automatic air conditioning, refrigerator, folding table and massaging and reclining seats with electronic footrests.
The fun continues with a touch screen navigation system in the front, twin-glass panoramic roof overhead, 1400 watt Bang & Olufsen audio system with no less than 19 speakers and wood and leather everywhere else. Safety tech includes night view with pedestrian detection, side and lane assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and Audi’s pre-sense safety system.
European Audi A8 LWB deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of 2010 with pricing to remain competitive with similar offerings from its traditional German rivals.
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