A test with the Audi A8 L W12. Watch our other video’s on www.AutoWeek.TV

Filed under: China, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Earnings/Financials

There’s a three-to-four month wait for a new 5 Series and BMW has raised its 2010 global forecast to 1.4 million units. Mercedes-Benz Q2 production exceeded 300,000 units and Daimler’s operating profit for the period was €2.1 billion ($2.7B U.S.) Audi’s percentage increase in sales in 2010 compared to last year has outdone both BMW and Benz. The reasons for all that, says Bloomberg, is new product, growing U.S. demand and Chinese-market growth “that’s way beyond expectations.”

While there’s an undeniable story in the recovery of U.S. sales, this is even more so about China. The demand for luxury by that country’s million or so millionaires and their underlings is a leather-lined sinkhole, and the three German manufacturers are doing everything they can to fill it. Their best is barely enough. Benz and Bimmer have added workers and shifts this summer to try and fill orders.

From the sounds of it, they might not be able to manage that this year - China’s appetite is such that the demand “won’t be easily derailed even if economic growth slows,” according to one analyst. If nothing else, and assuming the analyst is correct, it should lay a decent foundation for 2011 and perhaps allay some concern about that double-dip recession talk.

[Source: Bloomberg via BusinessWeek | Image: Doug Kanter/AFP/Getty]

Report: German mfgs cleaning up as appetite for luxury cars is ‘bottomless’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2025 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Audi, Luxury

There’s a difference between being rich and being downright wealthy. And while the 2011 Audi A8L W12 can only be afforded by anyone who falls into the very top tax bracket, the style, refinement and technology built into Audi’s newest flagship will make anyone feel like they’re worth a (couple) million bucks.

You thought your S Class made you a high roller? Think again.

Put on your best Italian suit and hand-made cuff links, and follow the jump to watch what the latest twelve-cylinder luxury barge has to offer.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Audi A8L W12 reminds us that we aren’t rich enough

Video: 2011 Audi A8L W12 reminds us that we aren’t rich enough originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2025 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Audi, Luxury

One day, we’ll be able to have wireless internet access from nearly every point on the globe. And while many cities and towns are making efforts to offer free wireless service across a broad range, automakers are now looking to bring WiFi connectivity to cars. Audi is on board, and it has just announced that the 2011 A8 will be available with factory-installed in-car wireless hotspot.

The WLAN hotspot is located within the rooftop antenna, and passengers can connect to the internet via any laptop, netbook or new-age tablet, like the Apple iPad. Audi says that the network is capable of speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/sec and that WAP2 encryption is on hand in order to securely transfer data. Audi claims that this is the first such factory-installed system, although other automakers offer WiFi connectivity with dealer installed accessories.

The new A8 is already packed to the brim with the latest and greatest in automotive technological achievements. Things like the automaker’s second-generation MMI control interface, the integration of Google Earth and an impressive LED lighting system up front set it apart from other vehicles in the class, and the addition of wireless internet will only strengthen the appeal to prospective buyers. The full details are available in Audi’s press release, after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A8 available with factory-installed wireless internet hotspot

2011 Audi A8 available with factory-installed wireless internet hotspot originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2026 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Technology, Audi

When Audi says it is going to have apps available for download to its cars by the end of the decade, it doesn’t mean an app like Bejeweled 2 - it means an app like heated seats. Taking the term “app” back to its more expansive origin in “software application,” Audi plans to make cars upgradable after the purchase by allowing owners to download software that would activate hardware already installed in the car.

An evolution of the touchscreen introduced on the latest A8 would provide the user interface. Navigation, chassis, and audio software upgrades are mentioned as other possible uses of instant reconfigurability, but with all that’s run on code nowadays we imagine almost every aspect of the car could be touched by the development. Along with making its products more adaptive “learning machines,” having equipment pre-installed, even if not activated, would also streamline the build and could save the company money over the long term. It could also open open up an interesting opportunity for aftermarket hacking, but we digress…

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Apps coming to future Audi models - but not the way you think originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 May 2026 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Audi

With an all-new Audi A8 arriving in the coming months, a higher performance S8 can’t be far behind. This particular image originated from a reader on the World Car Fans forum, but it certainly looks plausible. The wheels are straight off the R8 V10 and the front fascia is an evolution of the look we’ve seen on S and RS models from Audi for the past several years.

Power will no doubt be plentiful, although we don’t yet know which engine will power the new model. The previous generation used a 450-horsepower 5.2-liter V10, but the new A8 has already been spec’ed out with a 500 hp 6.3-liter W12.

The S8 will surely have at least that much power, although Audi has been on an engine downsizing kick lately. The latest S4 and S5 cabrio went from a V8 to a supercharged V6. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the engineers at quattro GmbH cook up a new boosted V8 with over 500 hp for this and other future high performance Audis.

We expect to see the real S8 arrive by the time of the Paris Motor Show in September, but this reader rendering will have to do for now.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Audi S8 leaked? Nope, it’s a ‘chop originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 May 2026 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Audi, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury

Audi is pulling out its biggest gun yet for the Beijing Motor Show, and while the big news for the A8 L might be the 6.3-liter W12 and the sedan’s longer wheelbase, it’s the rear seat accommodations that have us frothing at the mouth.

Seriously, just look at it.

With an overall length of nearly 17 and a half feet, the A8 L is almost a half-foot longer than its standard sibling, with a wheelbase of 10.24 feet. Those extra inches are put to good effect, with an interior that’s enough to make a Maybach look downright spartan.

Open the lengthened rear doors and occupants are greeted by acres of leather, a full-length center console and two power-adjustable, heated and ventilated seats that not only move fore and aft, but include adjustments for cushion depth, lumbar support and seat back angle. Ten remote-controlled air-bladders massage your cares away, and if the front passenger seat - with its power-adjustable folding ottoman - cramps your style, you can move it forward with the flick of a switch.

The standard four-zone automatic climate control is manipulated by no less than 25 adjustable motors, and the massive center tunnel contains everything from a folding table to a refrigerator. It’s all first-class, from the ambient lighting to the Valonea leather, and when the time comes to put the laptop away, crank up the 1,400-watt, 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and enjoy a movie on one of the two 10.2-inch LCD displays.

If you’re ready to give your chauffeur a rest, take solace in the fact that the W12 puts out 500 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque through Audi’s new eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The result is a remarkably quick 4.9-second run to 60 and a electrically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

The W12 will be the standard engine at launch, with a few diesel and petrol-powered engines available further down the line. We’d expect pricing for the A8 L to be revealed shortly after its official debut later this month, but in the meantime, make the jump for the full details.

Continue reading 2011 Audi A8 L arrives with 500-hp W12, seating for a king-maker

2011 Audi A8 L arrives with 500-hp W12, seating for a king-maker originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2026 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Audi A8 in an exceptional ambience.

The renowned art fair Design Miami presents the new Audi A8 as part of a design installation.

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Crossover, Audi, Electric

Thanks to the Volkswagen Group’s strategy to be the leading player in the alternative-powertrain market within the next decade, Audi has announced a rapid expansion of hybrid and electric vehicles over the next few years. The German automaker wants to improve efficiency of its internal combustion engines (both gasoline and diesel) by 30 percent - and it wants five percent of the brand’s model line to be electric. “In the future, our customers will be able to choose from an increasingly broad range of driveline technologies,” said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler.

Report: More hybrids, EVs coming from Audi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2026 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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