Audi has built a one-off A8 saloon for a customer, extending its L model in length by a further metre.
The A8 L extended measures up at almost 6.4 metres long, with a wheelbase of 4.2 metres. It boasts six individual seats in three rows, Audi stating that occupants in each enjoy “exquisite comfort.”
According to its creators the major challenge was to maintain the rigidity and safety of the extra-long body. The almost entirely aluminium Audi Space Frame gained extended side sills and a centre tunnel in extruded aluminium sections.
A double rear bulkhead was added to separate the cabin from the boot, and extra profiled aluminium tubes and cross braces added to the roof along with a 2.4-metre long glass panel to promote an impression of space inside the car.
The outer skin of the A8 L extended is completely reworked from the windscreen pillar back to maintain the look of the car’s silhouette, while 19-inch 15-spoke wheels complete the look, concealing brakes sourced from the S8 performance version of the A8 line-up.
The head and rear lamps both include side marker lights, specified by law for vehicles of such length.
All six seats are upholstered in Valcona leather in a velvet beige colour and the third row includes a continuous centre console, a Rear Seat Entertainment display and a cool box.
Powering the car is a 3.0-litre petrol engine producing 305bhp and torque of 325lbft, put through an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive. The A8L extended can complete the 0-62mph sprint in 7.1 seconds and go on to an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph.
The A8 L extended took a year to create and Audi has not stated how much it cost its customer, though industry sources suggest a price of around 350,000 Euros. The brand has said that it is receiving requests for more examples of the car.
