Audi A8 L (2010 / 2011) revealed

The Audi A8 L 2011 will debut at the Beijing Motor Show

Audi has revealed the LWB A8 with their latest version of the W12 engine ahead of its debut at the Beijing Motor Show.

There were times when we didn’t expect Audi to deliver a W12 engine in the new Audi A8. After all, with the rise and rise of the environmental lobby anything that doesn’t run on bio-fuel and emit fairy dust can expect to be castigated by the green-halo wearers as a planet-killer. So it’s a joy to see Audi give the finger to the naysayers and introduce the new W12 in the new Long Wheelbase 2010 / 2011 Audi A8 revealed this morning.

But the new W12 in the A8L is not the only thing the big Audi has to shout about, although with 6.3 litres, 493bhp, 460lb/ft of torque and a 0-62mph of 4.9 seconds in the W12 it is worth the shout. But there is more to the LWB A8 than just a creamy engine.

The standard A8 gets lengthened by 130mm, all of which is within the wheelbase so the cabin gets the full benefit of that extra 5 inches plus. Which has given Audi the chance to deliver an interior that comes close to rivalling the Maybach 57 in terms of room and specification.

The interior of the A8L gets acres of Valonea leather and quality veneers. You can opt for a huge, full-length centre console with anything from a folding table to a fridge. There are massaging, climate controlled, multi-adjustable armchairs in the back from where you can enjoy the 1,400 watt, 19 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system or enjoy a film on the 10.2″ LCD screens.

The interior is a tour de force from Audi – who are renowned for their great interiors anyway – and moves the benchmark on a notch or three in this sector. We don’t have prices yet although the A8L will be available to order from July with first customer cars at the end of 2010. And the rest of the A8 engine range will be offered in the LWB A8 next year.

Just a shame it still looks like an oversized A4.