High-security Audi A8 L available in Middle East

Driving an armored passenger car has become essential for many Middle Eastern citizens, especially after the significant lack of security in many Arab countries after the so-called ‘Arab Spring’.

Having a reliable and well-tested all-wheel-drive on your armored vehicles like it is the case with the Audi A8 Security improves your safety and security a lot, especially when trying to escape a critical situation or using your car on not-so-good road condition. This is surely one of the reasons why the former Egyptian Premier Minister Ahmed Nazif as well as the current one, Hesham Kandil, are using (among others) an armored Audi A8 Security with the B6 armoring level.

And I can confirm after participating personally at several safety driving trainings for armored vehicles, that an all-wheel drives helps a lot and improves a lot the stability and performance of those up-to-three tons heavy cars.

Now Audi is introducing the new armored A8 L Security to the Middle East. 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. The vehicle was on display at the recent International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Audi offers the A8 L Security with a 500 hp W12 engine and a 420 hp 4.0 TFSI. Prices start from USD 600,000 depending on equipment (GCC).

At 5.27 meters in length, the Audi A8 L Security is a large, representative luxury sedan, hardly distinguishable to the eye from the production version - a totally integrated concept far superior to any retrofit solution currently available on the market. Roughly 450 hours of work go into the making of the armored luxury sedan.

The A8 L Security has been officially certified by a German-government ballistics testing facility 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.

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.

For A8 L Security customers, a multitude of special options are available for enhanced security. Among these is the emergency exit system with pyrotechnical separating screws in the hinges that detach the door from the body, a technology patented by Audi. Another security feature is the fire extinguisher system, which is activated via heat sensors or by pushing a button and sprays the extinguishing agent into the wheel arches, onto the underfloor, tank, and into the engine compartment. The emergency fresh-air system operates with two oxygen cartridges. 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. 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. A special training course for drivers and owners is also available.

Audi is launching the new A8 L Security with two superb engines – the W12 and the 4.0 TFSI. From a displacement of 6.3 liters, the compact, lightweight W12 pumps out 500 hp of power and 625 Nm of torque, with the latter readily available at 4,750 rpm. The 4.0 TFSI outputs 420 hp and 600 Nm of torque between 1500–4500 rpm. The engines accelerate the A8 L Security from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 and 7.9 seconds respectively. In both versions, power is transmitted via an eight-speed tiptronic. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system conducts the power from the engine to all four wheels.


Long version

Audi is introducing a new, exclusive model to the Middle East – 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. Audi offers the A8 L Security with a 500 hp W12 engine and a 420 hp 4.0 TFSI. Prices start from USD 600,000 depending on equipment (GCC).

Body
At 5.27 meters 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.

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. A closing assist feature comes standard for the doors – which weigh an additional 360 kilograms 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. 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.

Drivetrain
Audi is launching the new A8 L Security with two superb engines – the W12 and the 4.0 TFSI. 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 500 hp of power and 625 Nm 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 in 7.3 seconds. In consideration of the tires, top speed is limited to 210 km/h. The high-security sedan consumes just 13.5 liters of fuel on average per 100 km – by far the lowest figure among its direct competitors. Compared with the predecessor model generating 450 hp, fuel consumption has dropped by 3.0 liters per 100 kilometers – that's an improvement of 18 percent.

The 4.0 TFSI combines outstanding pulling power with surprising efficiency. The V8 outputs 420 hp and 600 Nm of torque between 1500–4500 rpm and accelerates the A8 L Security from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. Its average consumption of
10.9 liters per 100 km earns 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 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.

Audi supports its customers with an extensive range of services and a special training course for drivers and owners, which I totally recommend as they teach you in detail how to escape critical situation and they also teach you how to learn and gain total control of your car. Something very important for the drivers and bodyguards of politicians facing the risk of all different kinds of threats.


More back-ground info about Audi AG:

The Audi Group delivered 1,455,100 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2012. From January through the end of September 2012 the Company posted revenue of € 37.7 billion and an operating profit of € 4.2 billion. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gy?r (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). The Audi Q7 is built in Bratislava (Slovakia). In November 2012, CKD production of the Audi Q7 was added to the existing Audi A4, A6 and Q5 manufacturing operations in Aurangabad (India). At the Brussels plant, production of the Audi A1 has been running since 2010, while production of the new A1 Sportback began in 2012. The Audi Q3 has been built in Martorell (Spain) since June 2011. The Company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include amongst others AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. (Gy?r/Hungary), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant’Agata Bolognese/Italy), AUDI BRUSSELS S.A./N.V. (Brussels/Belgium), quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm and the sports bike manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna/Italy). Audi currently employs more than 68,000 people worldwide, including around 50,000 in Germany. From 2012 until 2016 the brand with the four rings is planning to invest a total of €13 billion – mainly in new products and the extension of production capacities – in order to sustain the Company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” claim. Audi is currently expanding its site in Gy?r (Hungary) and will start production in Foshan (China) in late 2013 and in San José Chiapa (Mexico) from 2016.

Audi has long been fulfilling its social responsibility on many levels – with the aim of making the future worth living for generations to come. The basis for Audi’s lasting success is therefore formed by environmental protection, the conservation of resources, international competitiveness and a forward-looking human resources policy. One example of AUDI AG’s commitment to environmental issues is the Audi Environmental Foundation. Within the context of “Vorsprung durch Technik,” which extends far beyond its products, the company is directing its activities toward a major goal – comprehensive CO2-neutral mobility.

AUDI AG’s commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005. The current Middle East model range comprises the Audi A1, A4, the A5 Coupe, Sportback, Cabriolet and RS 5, the A6 & S6, A7 & S7, A8 L & S8, the Audi Q3, Q5 and Q7, the Audi TT Coupe/Roadster and TT RS Coupe, the Audi R8 Coupe and R8 Spyder as well as R8 V10 plus.


Mohamed Sheta
Ingolstadt / Dubai / Cairo
21.02.2013