Drive4U

Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

500 units will be produced...

2011 Nissan 370Z GT Edition

2011 Nissan 370Z GT Edition

Nissan 370Z GT Edition: A Celebration...

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

New design and enhanced technology for the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG...

2011 Renault Captur and R-Space Concept

2011 Renault Captur and R-Space Concept

Concept cars Renault Capture and R-Space at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show...

2011 Chevrolet Colorado Showcar

2011 Chevrolet Colorado Showcar

2011 Chevrolet Colorado Concept: Boldly styled show truck previews next-generation midsize pickup...

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric 2011

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric 2011

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents 102EX, a car that represents one of the most significant initiatives taken by the company in recent years...

Geneva 2011: MANSORY Siracusa based on Ferrari 458 Italia

Geneva 2011: MANSORY Siracusa based on Ferrari 458 Italia

more performance and a boosted appearance

Audi A8 L Security

Audi A8 L Security

High-security version of the Audi A8 soon to be launched

Geneva 2011: Jaguar B99 Concept by BERTONE

Geneva 2011: Jaguar B99 Concept by BERTONE

an explosive new concept

The new BMW 6 Series Coupe 2012

The new BMW 6 Series Coupe 2012

The hearts of sports car aficionados with an eye for beauty and a thirst for luxury and innovative technology will beat a little faster with the arrival of the new BMW 6 Series Coupe...

Registration | Forgot pasword?Remember
РУС | ENG Add to favourites
About usABOUT US
NewsNEWS
Compare autoCOMPARE CARS
Automotive manufacturersMANUFACTURERS
TechnologyTECHNOLOGY
TuningTUNING
VideoVIDEO
Classes
Compact class
Sportcar
Crossover (SUV)
Off-roader
Business class
Minivan (MPV)
Supercar
Luxury class
Mid-size class
Van



Main page / Automotive news / Audi A8 L Security
Automotive manufacturers
All manufacturers
Automotive news

19:13, 18.03.2011

Audi A8 L Security

High-security version of the Audi A8 soon to be launched

  • Audi A8 L Security meets strictest security guidelines
  • Roughly 450 hours of work go into the making of the armored luxury sedan
  • Fuel consumption reduced by three liters compared with predecessor

Audi is introducing a new, exclusive model – the A8 L Security. The long-wheelbase high-security version of the A8 meets the strictest guidelines in force for civilian vehicles, with a host of special security features available in addition to its heavy armoring. At sales launch Audi will offer the W12 engine, with another unit to follow in 2012. Both engines combine superior power with high efficiency.

Body

At 5.27 meters (17.29 ft) in length, the Audi A8 L Security is a large, representative luxury sedan, hardly distinguishable to the eye from the production version. The LED headlights, which use light-emitting diodes for all functions, lend a striking expression to its front. They are part of the standard package in the A8 L Security W12.

When developing the basic design for the A8 model line, Audi engineers already had the high-security version in mind from the very outset. The result is a totally integrated concept far superior to any retrofit solution currently available on the market. All of the major components were analyzed with regard to their deformation properties, giving the A8 L Security an excellent crash performance that is also mindful of the other party involved.

The armored sedan’s custom security modifications are performed by hand in a small, well-guarded workshop – on a production floor with specially secured doors, where the use of cellular phones is strictly prohibited. The basis for the high-security car is a previously modified aluminum production body constructed at the Neckarsulm plant as per the Audi Space Frame (ASF) principle. Specially trained technicians put in roughly 450 hours of work to incorporate the security features – in the uncompromisingly high quality Audi is known for. When this stage of the process is complete, the car returns to the factory for final assembly.

The A8 L Security has been officially certified by a German-government ballistics testing facility in Munich for compliance with the class VR 7 ballistic protection standard (tested as per BRV 2009 guidelines). The abbreviation BRV stands for Bullet Resistant Vehicles. The car’s resistance to explosions was tested as per ERV 2010 guidelines (ERV = Explosion Resistant Vehicles). Class VR 7 ballistic protection imposes the strictest standards on civilian high-security sedans. The sheet metal and glazing in the passenger cell must withstand firing with NATO hard-core ammunition. In certain areas, the armoring on the Audi A8 L Security even complies with the criteria for class VR 9 and VR 10.

Integrated as a unitized component of the body, the high-security sedan’s safety cell features a convergence of extremely tough, resistant materials – hot-formed armored steel, aramide fabric, ceramics, special alloyed aluminum and multilayer glass. Overlapping protective materials at the joints provide the utmost level of security throughout the occupant cell. The interior armoring weighs approximately 720 kilograms (1,587.33 lb).

The aluminum side sills have solid steel sections built in. These provide increased protection against explosive weapons – an area that has seen a marked stiffening of requirements in recent years. Made of an innovative aluminum alloy, the car’s armored floor serves the same purpose. The Audi A8 L Security is capable of withstanding an attack with a military hand grenade.

Even an explosive charge defined from the test program does not pose a lethal threat to passengers, as demonstrated by measurements taken during testing on dummies.

The side windows, windshield and rear window are all made of special glass with a polycarbonate coating in the inside to prevent spalling. Optional electromechanical window openers operate the side windows, allowing them to be lowered nearly all the way. The excess weight of the windows amounts to just over 300 kilograms (661.39 lb). A closing assist feature comes standard for the doors – which weigh an additional 360 kilograms (793.66 lb) altogether. A door-stop function holds each door open in any desired position.

A key area in the A8 L Security is the “communication box” in the luggage compartment. In addition to the control units for the vehicle and communications electronics, it holds the optional components that further enhance the passengers’ safety, along with the additional battery. The heavily armored communication box is novel in another way: It has comparatively light ceramic doors, and its frames are made of aluminum. Customers can also request special protection for the battery and the fuel tank.

A standard two-way communication system allows passengers in the A8 L Security to communicate with the outside world when the windows are closed. The system makes use of a speaker in the single-frame grille as well as microphones for the cabin and exterior.

Despite the high level of security it offers, the A8 L Security is a relatively light armored car. As is always the case in an Audi, the lightweight design plays a central role here. Outfitted with the W12 engine, the A8 L Security is the lightest vehicle among its peers.

High-security features

For A8 L Security customers, a multitude of special options are available for enhanced security. Among these is the emergency exit system, a technology patented by Audi. When the driver or rear passenger presses a tamperproof switch and pulls one of the inside door handles, pyrotechnical separating screws in the hinges detach the door from the body. The door can then be knocked out with a slight push.

Another security feature is the fire extinguisher system, which is activated via heat sensors or by pushing a button. The extinguishing agent flows from two canisters installed in the luggage compartment through two tubes running along the underfloor. Nozzles spray the agent into the wheel arches, onto the underfloor, onto the tank, and into the engine compartment.

The emergency fresh-air system operates with two oxygen cartridges housed in the protected area. At the push of a button, the system supplies fresh breathing air to the interior via vents in the roof lining. The supply lasts long enough for the car to pass through a danger zone or get out of a danger zone it is currently in. The system works by generating positive pressure in the vehicle interior to prevent toxic gases from penetrating the cabin. Yet another option is what Audi calls security start – a feature that allows the driver to start the engine remotely via a radio signal.

Numerous additional solutions round out the offering: a smoke extractor for the passenger compartment, an LED signaling system for convoy travel, flashing lights, a siren, a preparation for professional mobile radio systems, a flag holder, a permanently installed telephone, an accident data recorder, an additional rearview camera and a heated windshield plus partially heated side windows. Going beyond all of this, Audi will also ensure customers’ special requests are taken care of an individual basis.

Interior

The interior of the A8 L Security is captivating, with its spacious design and workmanship on a craftsman’s level. The comfort on board is first class – the standard package includes a four-zone climate control system with an ionizer to freshen the air, electric rear blinds, the sonorous Bose surround sound system and a TV tuner. In the rear are two individual, seats with power adjustment. Also featuring a versatile adjustment range, the front comfort seats offer heating as well as optional massage and ventilation functions. In addition, the A8 L W12 Security comes with a standard full-leather package.

On request Audi will install the “relaxation seat” – a widely adjustable right-hand rear seat with a power-adjustable footrest, heating and massage. Also available is a full-length center console with large storage compartments, complemented by the rear seat entertainment system with two 10.2-inch displays. Optional features such as a folding table, a refrigerator and a parking heater make the time spent in the car even more pleasant.

Assistance and multimedia systems

For the high-security version of the A8 L, Audi offers virtually the entire gamut of advanced technologies available for the production version. The standard MMI Navigation plus system works with a large hard disk, a high-resolution eight-inch monitor and a fast 3D graphics processor. Its groundbreaking feature, however, is the touchpad – the MMI touch. It gives the driver intuitive control of many functions. The navigation destination, for example, can be entered by tracing the letters on the pad with a finger.

MMI navigation plus is tightly integrated with the assistance and safety systems in the Audi A8 L Security. It reads the road ahead and provides the data to the control units for the automatic transmission, the headlights and the optional adaptive cruise control with stop & go function. With their increased intelligence, these systems can recognize complex scenarios and predictively support the driver.

The Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences in many cases. The A8 L Security comes equipped with the pre sense basic version of the system, combined with the pre sense rear feature, which is coupled with the Audi side assist lane-changing system. Other optional systems enhance safety and comfort even further. These include Audi pre sense front as a component of ACC stop & go, night vision assistant with highlighting of detected pedestrians and Audi lane assist, which detects boundary lines on the roadway.

A standard high-end feature is park assistance plus with Audi Top View – a system consisting of four cameras mounted on the car to monitor its surroundings. A computer compiles images from the cameras and presents them in various views on the onboard monitor. The Cornerview function gives the driver a glimpse of traffic crossing in front of the sedan – a practical aid when maneuvering through narrow exits, for example.

Audi also offers many attractive multimedia modules. The Audi A8 L Security is outfitted with the Bluetooth car phone online as standard.

A complete, fast connection to the Internet is established via an integrated UMTS module, and a partnership with Google endows the car with innovative, intelligent functions. Passengers can connect their mobile terminal devices to a WLAN hotspot. For discreet telephoning, separate telephone handsets are available as an option.

Drivetrain

Audi is launching the new A8 L Security with a superb engine – the W12. The direct-injected gasoline engine owes its name to the W-shaped layout of its cylinders – four rows of three cylinders each, merged into two banks. From a displacement of 6.3 liters, the compact, lightweight W12 pumps out 368 kW (500 hp) of power and 625 Nm (460.98 lb-ft) of torque, with the latter readily available at 4,750 rpm.

The W12 is captivating, with its smooth running performance, its subtle, musical sound and its power. It accelerates the A8 L Security from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.3 seconds. In consideration of the tires, top speed is limited to 210 km/h (130.49 mph). The high-security sedan consumes just 13.5 liters of fuel on average per 100 km (17.42 US mpg) – by far the lowest figure among its direct competitors (performance and consumption figures are preliminary). Compared with the predecessor model generating 331 kW (450 hp), fuel consumption has dropped by 3.0 liters per 100 kilometers – that's an improvement of 18 percent. In the coming year, Audi will offer a second engine version, which will combine outstanding pulling power with surprising efficiency. Its average consumption of 10 to 11 liters per 100 km (23.52 to 21.38 US mpg) will earn it a best-in-class ranking in terms of fuel efficiency.

In both engine variants, power is transmitted via an eight-speed tiptronic featuring a large overall gear spread. Its control system is electronic, operated with an elegant selector lever or rocker switches at the steering wheel. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system conducts the power from the engine to all four wheels. In the standard configuration, the sporty drive is emphasized at the rear; if the situation calls for it, the drive system redirects a majority of the torque input to the axle with the better traction.

Chassis

The A8 L Security provides luxurious ride comfort. Audi developed its chassis, brake system and electronic control systems specifically for the increased weight; in the wheel control arms, for example, the tensile strengths, materials and wall thickness have all been recalibrated. The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is integrated in the Audi drive select system, which enables fine-tuning of a number of parameters. The optional dynamic steering rounds out the range on offer.

The high-security sedan is fitted with standard 19-inch forged wheels featuring a semipolished, two-tone finish. The specially sized 255/720 tires have a high load index of 117. Synthetic rings on the rims allow the vehicle to continue traveling at speeds up to 80 km/h (49.71 mph) even after a malfunction has occurred.

A tire pressure monitoring system that continuously checks the settings is also part of the standard equipment. Audi offers a full-size spare tire as an option.

The Audi A8 L Security W12 will be ready for delivery in late summer. An additional engine will follow in 2012. Audi supports its customers with an extensive range of services and a special training course for drivers and owners.

Comment
Comment
Any comment at this time

Add comment
Add comment
 

Add comment

  • Please, fill up all required fields.
  • Please, be polite with your inerlocutors
  • Fields with mark * are necessary
    User *  
     
     
    Comment *
     


    News
    General Audi Audi A8

    22:41, 23.03.2011

    Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

    500 units will be produced...

    13:13, 23.03.2011

    2011 Nissan 370Z GT Edition

    Nissan 370Z GT Edition: A Celebration...

    17:44, 22.03.2011

    2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

    New design and enhanced technology for the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG...

    12:33, 22.03.2011

    2011 Renault Captur and R-Space Concept

    Concept cars Renault Capture and R-Space at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show...

    10:10, 22.03.2011

    2011 Chevrolet Colorado Showcar

    2011 Chevrolet Colorado Concept: Boldly styled show truck previews next-generation midsize pickup...

    All news



    Comment

    News

    13:13, 05.03.2011

    Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2011

    You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material

    News

    03:00, 03.03.2011

    Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2011

    Awesome Blog. I add this Post to my bookmarks.

    News

    05:01, 28.02.2011

    Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2011

    I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

    News

    12:55, 20.02.2011

    Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2011

    Thank You For This Blog, was added to my bookmarks.

    News

    09:29, 18.02.2011

    Porsche 911 GT3 R 2010

    hi, new to the site, thanks.

    Video

    00:30, 09.02.2011

    Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG commercial 'Tunnel'

    Hello I'm thinking of purchasing a new automobile and I require help picking between an Audi or a Mercedes? I'm trying to choose between and Audi A4 and C class I currently own an A4 and i am really happy with it however I would you...

    News

    17:31, 08.02.2011

    2010 BMW 5 Series Touring

    Hi Does anybody else love BMW's just like me? This past May, I purchased a pre-owned BMW Z3 roadster, and totally love it. BMW is truthfully the most impressive manufacturer automobiles you can get. I will always buy BMW's from now on, however...

    Latest
    Developed: Webstep D4U, Drive4U, Feel your drive - regestered trademarks
    Copyright © 2007
    Web-magazine d4u.com.ua
    E-mail:
    Using our materials allowed with placing of hyperlink to web-site Drive4u (d4u.com.ua) bigmir)net TOP 100