Amazing facts about the Rs 9.12 crore-worth Audi A8L Security

Wondering why the new Audi A8L Security costs an unbelievable Rs 9.12 crore, whereas the usual Audi A8L (which by the way is pretty darn luxurious) is priced modestly at Rs 1.17 crore in comparison? How about 500PS-plus power and bullet proofing to take passenger safety to the next level? Enough teasing; let’s take a closer look at some of the really amazing features that make the new Audi A8L Security such a special car… and so bloody expensive!

Top-Secret Car, not for the masses

Don’t expect to walk in to an Audi showroom in India and spot this premium safety vehicle parked inconspicuously in a quiet corner. This bulletproof car houses many secrets under its skin (read: thick skin) and offers pretty much all possible safeguard that its high-profile occupants could desire. Imagine something in between what Danny from Transporter would drive to work and a car James Bond would take his date on. 

So, when the new Audi A8L Security was “launched" at the 2016 Auto Expo, much to the astonishment of most lens men, the car was nowhere to be seen on the lavish Audi India pavilion. That’s because, the Audi A8L Security was parked in a special preview room and was shown to a handful of prospective clients upon request. Yes, ZigWheels got an exclusive preview of this high security sedan full of secrets, which we’ve talked about below. 

Looks can be deceptive

Although the new Audi A8L Security looks like any other A8 running on the road, what makes it unique is the safety cell which is made up of extremely resistant materials like aramide fabric, special aluminium alloys, and a hot-formed steel armour. With predominant use of aluminium, the A8L Security is much lighter than most of its competition. For the safety of its high-profile clients, the Audi A8L is manufactured at a top-secret location where highly trained Audi engineers take close to 450 hours to produce a single car. Apart from the beefed up body, the window glass is close to six times the thickness of regular Audi A8 sedans, and can shield occupants from gunfire and smaller explosives. This extra strengthening has helped the Audi achieve class VR 7 ballistic protection standards (Certified by the German Ballistics Testing Centre). In fact, most parts of the Audi A8L Security comply with VR 9 and VR 10 requirements. In other words, the Security version is virtually indestructible and can withstand a bullet shot by AK-47, gas attacks, military hand grenades, and is even fire-proof!

Powered by a mighty W12 petrol engine

With “heavy weight” personas being driven around, their security is of utmost importance. In case of an ambush, the Audi A8L Security depends on the very powerful W12 petrol engine, which has the muscle of two V6 engines! On demand is 500PS of brute force, to catapult the armoured sedan and its occupants out of the trickiest of situations. 

To further reinstate passenger safety, the Security is also equipped with the quattro all-time all-wheel drive system to ensure lighting fast escape on even wet and slippery roads.

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Quick connect, and quicker getaways

In case of a getaway situation, a lot depends on quick communication with the necessary departments or offices. And that’s taken care of by a specially armoured communication box that is located in the luggage compartment. This includes an intercom for communication with the outside world and even a loud speaker which can be used to attract attention of passers-by and call out for help. To top it, there are these bright and loud inbuilt beacon lights which further help in quick getaways.

Blowing the door open!

With really, really thick and multi-layered window glass plus beefed up panels, each door of the Audi A8L Security probably weighs more than the person sitting in the armoured car. Even during daily usage, opening and shutting the doors would require quite an effort. Thankfully, people who can afford the Rs 9.12 crore Audi would usually have someone doing this chore for them. But incise of an attack and/or when the door is damaged, the car also has an optional feature which has controlled explosives on the door hinges and can be detonated at the press of a button. This causes the hefty doors blow open, helping the occupants escape to safety.

Reinventing the wheel

On closer inspection, the 19-inch wheels on the Audi A8L Security have an unusual profile and size. These are special forged Michelin tyres, which, according to Audi, can withstand artificial blowouts and even fire, so that the Security can continue to drive away to safety. Audi engineers have reinforced the forged wheel rims with additional polymer rings, so that the car can maintain a fast enough pace of close to 80kmph. And once in a safer environment, there is a full size spare wheel in the truck as back-up.

Firefighting situation

Tucked away in the luggage area are a couple of cans of fire extinguisher as a part of the additional safety feature. When the system senses fire (or is activated by the passenger), the Audi A8L Security can automatically put out fire threats from under the car and drench the engine bay with foam to suppress fire. 

And in case of a gas attack, the Security also has an optional fresh air system which supplies fresh air in to the cabin, so that the occupants can breathe their way to safety!