Audi debuts A8 Exclusive Concept special edition

Perhaps feeling the pressure from other luxury automakers and the debut of a number of special edition executive sedans, Audi has announced a limited run of 50 examples of its 6.3-liter 500-hp W12-engined A8L flagship. Dubbed the A8 Audi exclusive concept, the long-wheelbase executive yacht will feature a leather interior from Italian designer furniture maker Poltrona Frau.

The A8 Audi exclusive concept will feature aniline leather in the color of Agatha Cognac, which is said to be very soft, and the center sections of the seats will have diamond quilting. The seats will feature granite gray piping, with the granite gray leather also appearing on the steering wheel, the door top shoulders, and the upper section of the instrument panel. The instrument panel itself will be covered with fine Nappa leather, while the headlining will be finished in snow white Alcantara leather. The rear shelf in the A8 Audi Exclusive Concept will be finished in cognac brown Alcantara, while the carpets in the car will be jet gray. Special logos on the door sill trims will identify this special edition sedan, though unfortunately this special edition will not feature any exterior design accents.

Audi
The Exclusive Concept interior will be coupled with the A8L W12 version of the sedan.

With the continuing growth of luxury car sales around the world, especially in Asia, a number of automakers are scrambling to offer even more exclusive versions of their flagship sedans. Audi has seen impressive gains a number of world markets over the years, first and foremost in China where Audi even offers long-wheelbase versions of the Audi A4 and the Audi A6. So it should come as no surprise that there is demand for bespoke versions of its range-topping sedan.

The impending debut of an extra-long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-class, based on the 2014 W222 model, is widely expected to kick off a great number of interior coachbuilding efforts by a number of manufacturers, and other automakers that field cars in this segment are trying to keep up.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car's launch, but it's safe to expect it to be a bit north of the price of the standard A8L W12.

By Jay Ramey