Audi A8 L arrives as a 5.3m luxury saloon

Audi’s new A8 is available in 5.3-metre L form, with most of the demand expected to come from China.

The extended model is on show in Beijing, where the public can view the additional rear legroom on offer from a car that’s been stretched by 130mm.

The A8 L comes with the same long list of advanced driver assist features as the regular car, which currently stands as Audi’s most high-tech model yet.

Among the technology list is an autonomous driving mode that enables the car to drive itself at up to 31mph in motorway traffic jams. There is also highly advanced road-scanning active suspension to improve ride quality.

Power for the long-wheelbase car comes from a choice of two engines. The first is a six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing 282bhp, while the second is a new mild-hybrid based on a petrol six-pot unit with 48V architecture that offers 335bhp.

The 4.2-litre V8 diesel offered in the regular A8 is not available with the A8 L.

Although Audi’s long-wheelbase models, which also include the A6L and Q5L, are focused on the Chinese market, the A8 L is on sale in Britain.

It costs from £73,095 (Rs 68 lakh) in the UK – that's £8220 (Rs 767,628) more than the entry-level version of the standard car.

Also Read: Audi Q5L launches with 110mm more rear legroom