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A8 Audi Exclusive Concept shows off brand's interior chops

It's an envious position to be in, not wanting a normal Audi A8 but not wanting to make the statement that comes with a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce. What's an oligarch to do? Well, if you have the funds, consider the A8 Audi Exclusive Concept (yes, that's the actual name), a modified A8L W12 that's limited to just 50 units and features a significantly upgraded interior. Think of it as a followup to the A8 Exclusive Concept, shown at Frankfurt in 2011.
Aniline leather from Italian furniture manufacturer Poltrona Frau is fitted over the seats, while diamond stiching accentuates the Agatha Cognac color. Granite Gray piping and stitching on the seats provides some contrast - not just with the leather but the natural, olive ash inlays on the dash. Granite Gray Nappa leather lines the instrument panel and steering wheel while a white Alcantara headliner sets off the whole package. Not that it's a shock, but this looks like a really nice place to spend some time.
It's unclear how much the exclusive concept treatment adds on to the already lofty $135,900 starting price of a US-spec A8L W12, or if the special interior treatment will even be available in the North America. Production is set to kick off next March. Scroll down for the full statement from Audi.

Which would you rather have, Audi's RS5 or Mercedes' C63 AMG 507?

If you're in the market for a German sports coupe with a naturally aspirated V8, run, don't walk, to your nearest dealer because they are going to be gone very soon. European fuel economy and emissions rules have conspired to force automakers into seeking forced-induction mills. Motor Trend personality Jonny Lieberman is hosting the retirement party in the latest Head 2 Head video, where he takes on the 2014 Audi RS5 and 2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507 to decide which is the ultimate Teutonic V8.
To make the decision harder, Lieberman challenges the duo on the first soaking wet roads that Southern California has seen in ages. It forces the coupes to confront some of the actual weather that the rest of the country encounters regularly and serves to even the playing field somewhat between the charismatic rear-drive Mercedes-Benz and the all-wheel drive Audi.
It really is the end of an era for these coupes. The next Audi RS4 is rumored to switch to a twin-turbo V6, and while Mercedes won't officially admit it, the next C-Class AMG will likely switch to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. And we already know the next BMW M3/M4 will rely on a 425-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six. Let's enjoy these eight-cylinder German giants while we can, and scroll down to watch the video.

Next-gen Audi Q7 to debut in Detroit

Audi's public relations team must really be getting fed up with research and design boss Ulrich Hackenberg. Aside from basically confirming that the next Audi R8 will share its bones with the Lamborghini Huracán and noting that it may take advantage of the Asterion Concept's hybrid powertrain technology, he's now let slip that the second-generation Q7 will arrive in January at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.
"If you make a trip to Detroit, you'll see it," Hackenberg reportedly told Indian Autos Blog during Paris Motor Show festivities.
That's a bombshell, particularly as we've heard plenty about its potential powertrain technologies, including spy shots of diesel-powered models, plug-in-hybrids, sporty SQ7s and electric turbochargers, but there's been absolutely nothing concrete about when and where the car would debut.