It's 2016 that marks the entry of the A8 L extended. It's a 6.36-metre long A8 L with an extra set of doors. Audi plans to sell it as a small-scale built-to-order super limo for the duration of the current generation (D4) of A8.
Almost a year of development has resulted in an elongated Audi that has the torsional and flexural rigidity of an A8 L (or not too far off anyway). This has been made possible thanks to further structural modifications such as additional cross-bracing.
The wheelbase and overall length of the A8 L extended are more than a metre longer than those of the regular A8 L, and in the roof you can find a 2.4-metre long panel of glass to give it an airy, spacious ambiance.
Each row of seats are finished in premium 'velvet beige' Valcona leather and feature sunblinds as standard. The electrically adjustable seats make for a comfortable ride, while the continuous centre console means that the Audi is a strict 6-seater. Nevertheless, there is a coolbox to the rear of the 3rd row of seating.
So the all-important question. Power. Would it be the A8's 3.0- or 4.2-litre TDI diesel engine? Or maybe the prestige W12 petrol? Or could it be the S8's 4.0-litre TFSI? In fact, it's none of them. The A8 L extended will come with a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol unit that produces 306 bhp and 440 Nm. This gives it a 0-62 mph sprint time of 7.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
Power is delivered to the road through an 8-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive. Behind the 19-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels is the same break system from the S8 which helps stop the A8 L extended's 2,418 kg. That's an increase of 343-538 kg over the other A8 models.
Expect pricing to be in the region of €350,000 (£278,000 / $395,000).
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