[Aroy]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

The new A8 looks SUPERB!
A lot fresher and aggressive than the 7, while retaining its understated presence. In fact, it makes the S Class look like it was designed in China!
If I had one wish about this car, it would be that Audi launches an A8 in regular wheel base, with a 3.0TDi under the hood. If they could actually do that at a price of 75L OTR, it would give them the upper hand in the segment.
At present, many owners of E Classes/A6s/5 Series would find these cars expensive to upgrade to, as (at around Rs. 1cr) they cost twice the price of a E Classes/A6s/5 Series! However, by launching a regular wheel base, it would become more affordable, and would make the perfect upgrade.

The normal wheel base is not very popular in Asia, including India, hence the long wheel base versions. In fact they are launching a long wheel base E in China.

Limo owners like to have space, space and space. Very few are bothered about out right performance. In most cases limo owners are chauffeur driven to office and back, mostly in heavy traffic. So comfort is the operative word. Performance is welcome but not primary criteria. This contrast to the users in west, most of whom drive these cars themselves, hence preference for short/normal wheel base vehicles.

[Speeding@160mph]

Invite for A8L launch received in the mail yesterday. Audi Gurgaon 7:30pm Feb 5th 2010. Is anybody going?

[dipen]

lifted from another thread

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

Off Topic : The A8 is being launched on the 5th of Feb.'11. Just got an invitation for the event !!

Hope to carry my camera.


Cheers

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Aroy

In fact they are launching a long wheel base E in China.

Longer wheelbase E I thought they had a name for that...wait a minute, it's called the S-Class.

Seriously, if I was Mercedes, I'd be worried about overlap between a longer wheelbase E Class and the S Class. Anyways, the newer E has the quality of the S Class on the inside. Except for more room, and a bunch of gizmos, the two are incredibly similar in nature.

[S350L-E240]

GTO,

China has long wheel base versions of a lot of german cars, some which I know of are , A4, A6, BMW 5, Mercedes E, and a lot more only modified for the chinese market where most owners don't mind a small engine but need rear leg space.

Coming back to the A8, while the car is wonderful, I still think in terms of numbers it will not really surpass the 7 or S esp. considering July 2012 is when the new S comes out which gives Audi only that much time to make ground, make no mistake I am not saying A8 is bad at all, but the next S will be a whole new world. No matter which way things go it is only making things better for us and I am glad we finally have more potent cars to compete with the S and the 7, and I think it's high time they get into the SKD route like Mercedes.

[avishar]

Yes there are lots of long wheelbase specials for china.Such a strategy wont work for India because although we love our backseats,long wheelbase versions will be too expensive.Indian consumers will always pay more for the next higher model rather than an expensive long wheelbase version.

Some long wheelbase china versions for the 5 series and E class.

[sidindica]

The official price list with options:

page 1


page 2


page 3


page 4

[avishar]

Not really very attuned to the nitty gritty of buying luxury cars but that option list gave me a shock.

1.85 lakhs for audi exclusive seat belts!Is it diamond studded?

Also thought massage functions would be standard for such a car.

And pray what is a "comfort key"=1.18L!?

[lamborghini]

Wow, the price list of accessories just shocked me with the prices.
However, I also wish they had done a better job putting it together. What are LED headlamps? Doesn't the car already come with the LED strip standard?

@avishar: Given the 50L difference between the E Class segment and the S Class segment, I think a LWB E/5/A6 at 20L extra + some features would really open up another market segment. As would the RWB S Class/A8/7 Series at around 80L OTR. However that is OT.
IIRC, the comfort key allows you to start the car and get the A.C. working before you step inside. It is useful in colder countries, where one needs to warm up the car before.

[sidindica]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

Wow, the price list of accessories just shocked me with the prices.
However, I also wish they had done a better job putting it together. What are LED headlamps? Doesn't the car already come with the LED strip standard?

LED headlights are full LED like the R8 V10 5.2. Standard headlights are bi-xenons with LED strips.

Normal Bi-xenon headlights with LED DRLs





Full LED lights:

[akj53]

The new A8 has stunning interiors and leave S Class and 7 series far behind. Audi will definitely get much better sales than the previous model.

In European reviews, the car has been praised for it's brilliant diesel engines and elegant interiors but in terms of driving pleasure it lags behind XJ or S Class. however in India, most of the owners will be chauffeur driven most of the time, so this factor will be discounted. Audi has a winner on it's hand till the time new S class comes.

[Sahil]

Everything is way way overpriced besides the Panaromic roof and sport steering.

The 'exclusive' package is the biggest rip off ! 2.3 lakhs for floormats !?!

[sidindica]

Just received the A8 3D brochure enclosed in a box along with 3D glasses to view it.

[S350L-E240]

I still do not understand why do Audi not assemble the car in India? Look at the S-Class, most of these options are standard infact if you see the price of the S-Class and then look at the German market option list, there is pretty much everything standard in the Indian car and it's still at a very good price.

Sid,

Thats a nice brochure, is that the regular brochure off the shelf for the A8 or is it only some kind of press only kit?

Regards,

[sidindica]

I think that the dealers must be having it...I recd it via post today at my house, no, it does not have any tech specs or colours, just 3D photographs. The regular brochure is also there, of 80 pages which too I collected day before from the dealer.