2018 Audi A8 L continues testing in China
The 2018 Audi A8 is currently undergoing pre-launch road tests globally. Recently, the 2018 Audi L (long-wheelbase) was spotted on the roads in China, courtesy auto.sohu.com.
The new generation Audi A8 is based on the latest version of the company's MLB-Evo platform. At 5,172 mm long, 1,945 mm wide and 1,473 mm tall, the all-new A8 is 37 mm longer, 4 mm narrower and 13 mm taller than its predecessor. The all-new A8 L is 5,302 mm long (+37 mm), 1,945 mm wide (-4 mm) and 1,488 mm tall (+17 mm). The wheelbase has extended by 6 mm to 2,998 mm in the SWB version and by 6 mm to 3,128 mm in the LWB version.
The 2018 Audi A8 has five engine options, three petrol and two diesel. The range starts with 3.0L TFSI (340 hp/500 Nm) petrol and 3.0L TDI (286 hp/600 Nm) diesel engines. Moving up, it adds 460 hp 4.0L TFSI petrol and 435 hp 4.0L TDI diesel engines at the middle. At the top of the range, there's a 585 hp 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine exclusive to the LWB version. At launch, Audi will offer only the V6 engines in Europe. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system is standard.
An A8 L e-tron quattro with a plug-in hybrid powertrain will follow later. Its powertrain's 3.0L TFSI petrol engine and electric motor together develop 449 hp and 700 Nm of torque. The e-tron quattro variant's pure electric driving range is approximately 50 km. The company will offer a Wireless Charging pad for it.
On the outside, the 2018 Audi A8 features wider and more expressive Singleframe grille, HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser lighting, 21-inch wheels and OLED tail lights. Two-section panoramic sunroof (in LWB version), new Audi virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch full-HD screen, 10.1-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system, 8.6-inch secondary touchscreen display for the AC and comfort controls, air vents with electric shutters, Matrix LED reading lights and Rear Seat Entertainment system with two 10.1-inch full HD screens are among the interior highlights.
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The 2018 Audi A8 and 2018 Audi A8 L's production at the Neckarsulm facility in Germany has started. Their domestic launch will take place in late fall 2017. The A8 and A8 L range will start at €90,600 (INR 68,25,376.46) and at €94,100 (INR 70,89,049.94) respectively. Chinese launch should take place only next year.
[Source: auto.sohu.com]