Maybach-rivalling Audi A8 L Horch Founder's Edition revealed

A longer and more luxurious version of the Audi A8 L dubbed the Horch Founder's Edition has been revealed ahead of its official debut at China's Guangzhou auto show.

Created as an alternative to the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class or the Bentley Flying Spur, the 2022 Audi A8 L Horch Founder's Edition stretches 130mm longer from nose to tail than the long-wheelbase Audi A8.

The special-edition incorporates even more chrome into the standard LWB limo's grille and lower air intakes, and also features different 20-inch alloy wheels, Horch badging on the front fenders and rear boot lid, plus extra 'H' motifs on the rear door windows.

Completing the exterior alterations are front matrix LED headlights, new OLED tail-lights and unique paint options that include a two-tone palette.

The biggest changes, meanwhile, are found within the luxurious cabin of the super-size A8.

Thanks to the extra space, there's a pair of individual diamond-quilted leather seats and door cards.

Those seats provide plenty of extra cushioning and include massaging functions for occupants' back and feet.

New tech for the rear passengers includes Audi's latest infotainment system that's operated via two screens. Those in the posh seats also get a high-end sound system.

Despite the extra size and weight of the A8 L Horch Founder's Edition, the big limo is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 that produces just 250kW, rather than the more muscular twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 (441kW) that powers the Audi RS 6.

For now, the German car-maker is limiting sales of the flagship Audi A8 L Horch Founder's Edition to China, but has not ruled out introducing it to other markets in the future.