Beijing debut for Audi A8 L W12

Audi will whip the covers off its gargantuan A8 L W12 -- a stretched, 12-cylinder flagship for its recently launched A8 range -- at the upcoming Beijing motor show.

The key highlights of the newcomer are a substantial wheelbase stretch and an enlarged 6.3-litre FSI version of its existing W12 engine.

Pitched against the BMW 760 Li and Mercedes S600L, the A8 L W12 spans 5267mm from bumper to bumper and its 3122mm wheelbase is 130mm longer than that of the regular A8. In a classic case of "mine is bigger than yours", Audi claims its new flagship is both longer and wider than its main long-wheelbase competitors.

As per the standard model, the A8 L has a body built from aluminium using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) principle and it weighs about 40 percent less than a comparable steel body.

Visual clues (apart from its stretched dimensions) that separate the A8 L W12 from its lesser siblings include a gloss-black single-frame radiator grille with an "integral grid structure". There are also new chromed inserts in the air inlets and chrome highlights on the exterior mirrors.

W12 badges are emblazoned on the single-frame grille and at the rear of the car. Spent gases from the W12 exit via two trapezoidal tailpipes integrated into the rear bumper.

The new 6.3-litre powerplant (now with FSI direct injection) cranks out a hefty 368kW and 625Nm, enabling the big limo to sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 4.9sec. Drive is relayed to all four wheels via Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed Tiptronic auto.

Despite the added oomph, Audi quotes a relatively frugal overall consumption figure of 12.0L/100km -- a figure that it says is "well below that of competitors' cars with V12 engines". The previous 6.0-litre W12 (which had a power output of 331kW) burned through 13.6L/100km.

Of course, rear-seat occupants are whom the A8 L is really targeted at, and with this in mind, the back doors are longer for easier ingress, and the space available inside can only be described as opulent.

The rear compartment houses a pair of separate power-adjustable seats (optional), and these can be heated, ventilated and adjusted in a variety of ways: forward and back, seat cushion depth and seat-back angle with top section adjustable separately.

A full-length console can be ordered as an optional extra; it extends back from the centre tunnel to the rear shelf, and can be specified with mod-cons such as a folding table or a refrigerator. Separate controls for the rear air-con are also standard. The luxury four-zone automatic air conditioning is controlled by no fewer than 25 adjusting motors.

Another high-end feature of the long-wheelbase Audi A8 is the reclining seat behind the front passenger seat. The occupant can be massaged by 10 air-filled compartments, and there's a footrest on a power-adjustable support at the base of the front passenger seat back.

The A8 L W12 quattro runs on unique 19-inch alloy wheels with a 15-spoke design, but 20- or 21-inchers are available to order. It also scores bigger brakes -- 400mm discs at the front and 356mm at the rear.

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