2^nd November, 2000

A8 LWB - a length ahead, with top-level options

Audi in Australia today launched the limousine that it believes discerning luxury buyers have been longing for - the long-wheelbase version of the revolutionary aluminium-bodied A8.

It boasts every imaginable luxury feature, yet Audi says the $206,000 stretched version of the A8 will not stretch corporate budgets like some of its traditional competitors.

In Australia, the A8 LWB model will be offered with Audi’s smooth and powerful 4.2 litre five-valve V8.

Boasting 228kW of power, 410 Nm and quattro all-wheel drive, the A8 LWB will be the ultimate luxury sports limousine, propelled from a standing start to 100km/h in just 7 seconds with a top speed (electronically governed) of 250km/h.

On sale to customers as of yesterday, the A8L 4.2 quattro replaces the previous short-wheelbase model. Audi Australia expects sales of 30 to 35 vehicles per year in 2001.

To create the additional interior space offered by the new A8L, Audi’s engineers added 130mm to the wheelbase, the growth in body length being elegantly achieved by stretching it between the B and D pillars. The overall vehicle length now stands at an impressive 5,164cm.

The rear doors are also 130mm longer to improve rear seat access but at the same time blending harmoniously into the dynamic shape that has made the A8 one of the most beautiful luxury cars on the roads.

Rear passengers will benefit from an extra 70mm of legroom while headroom is also improved. The rear seat was moved forward by 60mm in relation to the rear axle to provide the added headroom, while elbow and shoulder room is also increased.

The A8 L is designed for those who expect first class automotive accommodation, according to Audi in Australia’s chief executive, CK Liew.

"The A8 has already set the standards in innovative engineering and impressive good-looks, and the arrival of the long-wheelbase version will see Audi in Australia offering a flagship of unrivalled sophistication," said Mr Liew.

"For those who want or need room to move while conducting business on the move or just the ability to relax in comfort and style, the A8 long-wheelbase provides the ultimate in convenience. But the A8L also offers so much more.

"It is a car that embodies everything that Audi stands for, the revolutionary engineering of its world-leading aluminium Audi Space Frame construction, its environmentally-conscious and beautiful design, luxury features and dynamic driving ability."

A lightweight contender
The aluminium lightweight construction concept allows owners of the Audi A8 long-wheelbase model to drive a premium-segment car whilst simultaneously demonstrating their concern for the environment.

The unique and extensive use of aluminium in the A8 offers many advantages, not the least of which is to help preserve Earth’s natural resources. The most obvious advantage however is aluminium’s outstanding recycling properties, which help make the A8 the most environmentally friendly luxury car in the world.

If recycled aluminium is used in the production process, the entire energy balance for an Audi A8 long-wheelbase car works out cheaper than that for a vehicle with a conventional steel body from the very first kilometre onwards.

In comparison with the equivalent conventional steel body, the aluminium structure is more than 100 kg lighter, which also means fuel consumption is reduced by one litre per 100 km.

The personal approach…
According to Audi’s marketing manager, Patrick Collins, the A8L will be primarily marketed on a one-on-one basis through the Audi Dealer Network.

"We will offer exclusive weekend-away packages to potential customers so they can test-drive the A8L in an appropriately premium manner and enjoy themselves while doing it," said Mr Collins.

"Our owners will also receive a bottle of Grange Hermitage signed by Robert Duvall when they take delivery of their vehicle.

"Word of mouth is also an important means of communicating the A8’s values such as aluminium technology and fuel-efficiency. And we have plans to market the vehicle to the diplomatic, hire car and hotel markets via very targeted and personal campaigns.

"We have been establishing a corporate sales team for this purpose who will also undertake to market the A8L to appropriate business leaders," Mr Collins added.

In addition, Audi will conduct national A8 ‘service clinics’ for owners in 2001, bringing together expert technical staff from head office and valued customers. It is a goodwill exercise that the company believes to be an important after-sales commitment for A8 owners.

As expected, the long-wheelbase A8 is fully-equipped with features such as Audi’s smooth and convenient Tiptronic transmission, an aluminium suspension system and Audi’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which, in conjunction with quattro, helps make it one of the safest cars on the road.

With its ASF technology already providing an incredibly rigid safety occupant cell, the A8L also offers a full array of safety equipment including seat belt pre-tensioners and belt force limiters for all passengers.

Front seat passengers have front and side airbags while rear occupants are protected by side airbags.

In addition, the A8L also boasts Audi’s SIDEGUARD head airbag system. Integrated into the roof lining, SIDEGUARD is an airbag system that protects occupants from contact with the side window area and the A-pillars in the event of an accident. When inflated, the SIDEGUARD airbag system remains inflated for approximately five seconds, much longer than a conventional airbag system, because it is designed to provide a protective capability even in the event of a rollover.

And then there are the optional packages to turn the A8L into a mobile office, either of which could be nominees as the costliest options on the market.

Office Package 1, priced at $25,700, features electric rear seats, a fold-down table, rear mobile phone and fax machine and a refrigerator box.