Audi A8 for the German Olympic Confederation President

Having your cars driven by a high profile official can do wonders for the business and it appears nobody knows that better than German manufacturer Audi. The carmaker announced today it has handed over the keys to an A8 TDI model to Thomas Bach, president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation and current vice president of the International Olympic Committee.

The car has been given to the official as part of the car maker's involvement with the Confederation as a partner of the Olympics and Paralympics teams. Audi will be traveling to the 2012 London Olympics together with the athletes from the two teams and a comprehensive lineup of cars.

“Audi continually assumes social responsibility and has earned great merits as a promoter of sport. We are proud to have such a strong partner at our side,” Thomas Bach, a former 1976 Olympic winner in fencing, said when receiving the keys from Audi's head of Brand Partnerships and Sport Marketing, Florian Zitzlsperger.

The car received by Bach draws its power from a 4.2l V8 TDI, delivering 350 HP and 800 Nm (590 lb ft). The unit is paired to a eight speed tiptronic transmission, which is used to bring down the fuel consumption levels and reduce emissions.

The A8 comes equipped with a Bang & Olufsen Advanced sound system, Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, night vision assistant with pedestrian detection highlighting, Audi lane assist, Audi side assist, ESP stability control with electronic all-wheel-drive torque vectoring, Audi braking guard, automatic emergency braking and reversible belt tensioners.