Audi launches the A8 L 4.2 TDI : Official launch report

[parrys]

Today, Audi has launched the A8 L 4.2 TDI q variant.





Priced at INR 1,00,75,000 (Ex-showroom Maharashtra)

Engine:

• Powered by a V8 4.2L TDI engine, this variant of the A8 L generates power of 350 BHP at 4000 RPM and a staggering 800 Nm of torque at 1750-2750 RPM
• The engine is a 90-degree V8 with 4 valves per cylinder.
• Along with a tiptronic gearbox; it also has Audi's Quattro (permanent all-wheel drive) with self-locking center differential.

High Points on the A8 L 4.2 TDI q:

• Audi sold approximately 350 A8s last year and expects to sell around 400-450 of this flagship model in 2012.
• The "L" in the model name points out that it is the long wheelbase version of the A8. "q" is for Quattro.
• Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is clocked at 5.6 seconds.
• The 4.2 TDI joins the A8 L family comprising of a V6 3.0 TDI q, V8 4.2 FSI q and a W12 6.3 L q.
• The wheelbase measures 5.7 meters, which is 13 centimeters over the standard version's wheelbase and length.
• Available with an optional rear relaxation seat with power footrest. Even the massage function is available as an option.
• It has an aluminium body with ASF design. (Audi Space Frame)
• Power adjustable individual rear seats.
• LED headlights & Panoramic sunroof comprising of two glass elements are available as options too.

More from the event:

• Audi India plans to expand its network to 25 dealerships by the end of 2012 from its existing 20 centres.
• Also, today Audi has opened up a new showroom in Navi Mumbai. Spread over 5100 sq.ft, it has a capacity of 6 cars on display. Navi Mumbai will also get an exclusive service facility with a total of 10 bays in its 28,000 sq.ft. of area and a capacity to service 15 cars per day.
• Audi India has sold 680 cars in the month of July 2012, which is a growth of 98% as compared to the 343 cars sold in July 2011.
• The Q3 had received 500 bookings within 5 days of its launch in June out of which 200 cars were delivered in June itself. Audi now has opened the bookings for an additional 500 Q3s.
• Mr. Michael Pershke - Head of Audi India says they are aiming for the #1 luxury position in India by 2015.
• Globally, Audi received a 11.5% operating return on sales.
• The A3 might be launched in Europe later this year, and we can expect it here after some delay.
• The S6 will be launched in India by the end of this year.
• Audi will also begin with the localisation of the Q7 by end of this year to help with volumes.

PS: The car shown in all the pictures below is exclusively customized for Abhishek Bachchan, so the actual version might vary a little. Also, this car has been bought by him and is not a token of appreciation for endorsing the brand.

[parrys]

Exteriors:
Lots of chrome at the front. No cutting edge design, plain and simple.


No fog lamps on the lower bumper. Chrome inserts instead.


The side profile has minimum muscle, the wheel arches are subtle and maintain the classy design. Also notice the optional LED headlights.


Its definitely a task to drive such a big car in the city. Forget driving, I had to walk a couple of steps backwards to fit the car in the camera frame.


The only significant crease line is seen on the bonnet.


Panoramic sunroof.


Homogenous LED tail lights.


Notice the exhaust pipe on both LHS and RHS. Bumper has chrome accent too.


The 4.2 TDI quattro badging.


Cast aluminium alloy wheels with 235/55 R18 rubber.


Boot space : Notice the refrigerator protruding out from the back side of the seats.

[parrys]

Interiors:
The A8 L on display had a very unique interior trim. This interior colour combination is customized for the Bachchans. A little too red? The steering definitely would have looked better if it was in black instead.


Steering wheel with audio controls. Also notice the paddle shifts for the gearbox.


Pop out MMI screen.


MMI controls for the driver sit just below the AC controls.


Sunroof controls surrounded by white ambient lighting.


Electric seats - memory buttons on the driver door.


Glove-box has the 6 DVD changer.


Notice the rear entertainment package: Screens for both the rear passengers aesthetically mounted behind the front seats. You can see the under thigh support.


MMI controls for the rear passengers. Also, the controls to adjust the rear seats. The A8 L also offers a massage-seat functionality as an option.


Lots of features at the rear. Notice the 3.5mm jack in the MMI controls and the AC controls as well.


A glimpse of the individual rear seats. The car is meant for 4 only.


Refrigerator housed between the rear passenger seats.


Rear door has an ash tray. Also notice the buttons for reclining the seats and opening the sunroof.


AC vent on the B pillar for the rear passengers. Just below that is a tweeter.


Ambient lighting.


Even the rear passengers get a vanity mirror with illumination.

[Rehaan]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line (The "Assembly Line" Forum section) to the Indian Car Scene section. Thanks for sharing!

[avira_tk]

Awesome interiors, a terrific engine, the only problem is the red leather, possibly the worst colour to have in a car of this class. This car is officially the best diesel money can buy, although, 350 a year in global sales seems a bit too low.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

the only problem is the red leather, possibly the worst colour to have in a car of this class.

As mentioned in the report, the red leather of this car was customised for the Bachchans. It's not stock.

[srishiva]

So this is the Car he has bought for his daughter !

The interior colour is out of whack for the car. What are the default colours that Audi offers to sane people?

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by srishiva

So this is the Car he has bought for his daughter !

The interior colour is out of whack for the car. What are the default colours that Audi offers to sane people?

In Audi's traditional choices you should be able to pick black, brown, beige and gray.. The usual color palette. The red is of course a custom job, I wonder if it would even be possible for a normal non celebrity person to buy one like that!

[thumpingheart]

The Bachchan's do have a thing for Audi don't they?? But they've overdone it this time! That red interior looks garish. On a GT or a sports car it looks good, but in an A8? Naah.

Anyways, this car otherwise is quite a luxury barge ain't it! I remember the Top Gear feature on the older model when Jeremy drove it from London to Edinburgh in 1 Tank of diesel! Impressive!

I somehow like this more than the S class. Not that I have any experience with any of them. I never have even been in one , but the Audi seems to have more character than the S.

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by GTO

As mentioned in the report, the red leather of this car was customised for the Bachchans. It's not stock.

I forgot to explicitly state that, customization or not, this shade of red is hopeless. Audi could have displayed a car with saner leather/wood, especially that yacht deck style veneer.

This is the only large car where I like the interior better than the exterior. That rear seat, with the optional package, is to die for - even if you are a petrol head.

[nitrous]

A good option to the 3.0 V6 diesel version.
But, the 3.0 would still count for the volumes.

[dipen]

A decently loaded spec like the one shown will touch 1.5 Cr OTR.

And come on Audi - LED headlights on your flagship sedan is optional (extra). Not done.

How much is the 4.2 FSI in comparison ex-showroom. If it works out 15 lakhs cheaper OTR than the diesel, I feel it would be a better choice than the diesel.

[Harbir]

oooh, this should appeal to the kanjoos who wants his neighbors to see that he has a 1 crore car but doesn't want to give up on a lac or so worth of government subsidy benefits created for agriculture and freight.

[PPS]

The only sore point in that particular car are the alloys which look pretty sad! They could have given 19inch wheels as standard but then again the stiff ride may have been an issue for the back seat customers. I remember seeing an A8L with awesome looking wheels, that must have been the W12.
For me, the best looker in this segment is the Jaguar XJL hands down!

Originally Posted by parrys

PS: The car shown in all the pictures below is exclusively customized for Abhishek Bachchan, so the actual version might vary a little. Also, this car has been bought by him and is not a token of appreciation for endorsing the brand.

So Abhishek Bachchan allowed all the media/press contingent to sit inside his car ? Doesn't he already own the 4.2 fsi A8L in white? There are pics of it in the Bollywood Stars & their Cars thread.
Btw, any news on Audi launching the A8(swb) anytime soon as they were testing it in Mumbai?

[akshay1234]

Originally Posted by GTO

As mentioned in the report, the red leather of this car was customised for the Bachchans. It's not stock.

In that case the car has been customised pretty badly. I mean the red leather would look good, IF the carpets and roof were black/dark grey and the wood was piano black.

I can't get over how no one picks up better rims for the A8. I mean the stock rims look so bad.

But good to see the A8 4.2tdi launched here officially.