Audi Extends The A8

The Audi A8 is a large car by most people's standards, but the A8 L, which makes its world debut at the Beijing Show, is larger still.

Compared with the standard A8, it's more than five inches longer, and all that extra room is devoted to the rear passengers, who also get heated seats, individual climate control air-conditioning and rear and side window blinds.

The A8 L comes with a choice of four engines. The three most familiar are 247bhp 3.0 and 345bhp 4.2 TDI turbo diesels and a 367bhp 4.2 FSI petrol. Above them all is a new version of the Volkswagen Group's W12 (basically two V6s joined together, and introduced several years ago in the Volkswagen Phaeton). This has now been extended from six to 6.3 litres and produces a maximum of 493bhp, giving the A8 L a remarkable 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds, with top speed limited to 155mph. Combined fuel economy has also improved, to 23.5mpg, and the CO2 rating is 278g/km.

The W12 is not available in the standard A8, and A8 L customers who choose it also get two individual rear seats which can be heated, ventilated, slid forwards and backwards and reclined to suit the occupants.