Photo: Audi
After Land Rover and their Sentinel, Audi announced they will bring an armoured A8 L in Frankfurt. Is a new trend gaining momentum in the car industry?
Well, someone has to look after the planet's wealthiest people, and it seems like carmakers are trying to explore and exploit this armoured car niche, especially since independent firms were usually tasked with transforming a standard vehicle into a moving fortress.
As we were telling you, it was only yesterday when Land Rover introduced their first-ever armoured vehicle, called the Range Rover Sentinel. But Audi picked up the pace with the A8 Security L, which brings a flavour of the first Transporter movie.
The main difference between the previous Audi A8 Security L is that the refreshed version was also upgraded to VR9 ballistic protection standard, from the existing VR7.
Audi calls the A8 Security L "the most secure Audi ever" and to live up to that status, the car received a comprehensive list of upgrades. For starters, engineers wrapped the vehicle's safety cell with "extremely resistant materials" like aramide fabric aluminum alloys and a hot-formed steel plating.
An armoured communication box was placed in the luggage compartment while those inside can rely on an emergency fresh air system and selective door unlocking.
Whereas the Range Rover Sentinel came with a 3.0-liter V6 under its hood, Audi was more generous with the A8 Security L. Therefore, clients can choose between two engine options, namely a 4.0-liter TFSI bi-turbo V8 mill good for 435 horsepower and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque.
If that's not satisfying enough, there's the possibility of fitting the A8 Security L with Audi's naturally-aspirated W12 FSI powerplant, ready to deliver 500 horsepower and 625 Nm (461 lb-ft) of torque, while allowing the driver to go as fast as 210 km/h (130.5 mph).
Audi decided to electronically limit the car's top speed in order to preserve intact the properties of the run-flat tires.
There's no word on pricing, yet, but the first deliveries are expected to kick off in spring 2016.
As we were telling you, it was only yesterday when Land Rover introduced their first-ever armoured vehicle, called the Range Rover Sentinel. But Audi picked up the pace with the A8 Security L, which brings a flavour of the first Transporter movie.
The main difference between the previous Audi A8 Security L is that the refreshed version was also upgraded to VR9 ballistic protection standard, from the existing VR7.
Audi calls the A8 Security L "the most secure Audi ever" and to live up to that status, the car received a comprehensive list of upgrades. For starters, engineers wrapped the vehicle's safety cell with "extremely resistant materials" like aramide fabric aluminum alloys and a hot-formed steel plating.
An armoured communication box was placed in the luggage compartment while those inside can rely on an emergency fresh air system and selective door unlocking.
Whereas the Range Rover Sentinel came with a 3.0-liter V6 under its hood, Audi was more generous with the A8 Security L. Therefore, clients can choose between two engine options, namely a 4.0-liter TFSI bi-turbo V8 mill good for 435 horsepower and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque.
If that's not satisfying enough, there's the possibility of fitting the A8 Security L with Audi's naturally-aspirated W12 FSI powerplant, ready to deliver 500 horsepower and 625 Nm (461 lb-ft) of torque, while allowing the driver to go as fast as 210 km/h (130.5 mph).
Audi decided to electronically limit the car's top speed in order to preserve intact the properties of the run-flat tires.
There's no word on pricing, yet, but the first deliveries are expected to kick off in spring 2016.
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