A8 Audi Exclusive Concept shows off brand's interior chops

Sat, 16 Nov 2013

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.

The A8 Audi exclusive concept
Small-series production of A8 L W12 with exclusive interior

Leather from Italian designer furniture maker Poltrona Frau

Audi is introducing an exclusive special edition of its flagship. The A8 Audi exclusive concept with W12 engine (500 hp/368 kW) will be built at the quattro GmbH facility in Neckarsulm. The small-series production model, which is scheduled to begin rolling off the assembly line in March 2014, is strictly limited to 50 units.

Even the standard version of Audi's flagship model, the A8, impresses with its uncompromisingly high standard of workmanship. In the cabin, its craftsmanship character can be experienced with all five senses. The brand is now taking this a step further with the A8 Audi exclusive concept, which features the W12 engine and is thus only available in the long body version.

The A8 Audi exclusive concept boasts a particularly elegant interior. Audi uses aniline leather in the color Agatha cognac. Sourced from the tradition-laden Italian designer furniture maker Poltrona Frau, this leather is particularly soft and natural looking. The center sections of the seats feature diamond quilting. The inlays are made of fine grain olive ash natural silver brown. Its gray-brown shade harmonizes with the granite gray piping, stitching and central pleat of the seats. The shade granite gray is also found on the steering wheel, the door top shoulders and the upper section of the instrument panel, which is covered with fine Nappa leather. The headlining is in snow white Alcantara, the rear shelf is covered with cognac brown Alcantara and the carpeting is jet gray.

The A8 Audi exclusive concept will be built in a limited production run of just 50 units. Each vehicle will have a special logo on the door sill trims.

By Brandon Turkus