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Hey, it's a crazy world out there so no wonder car makers are falling over themselves to provide heavily armoured protective vehicles to their high-rolling customers. Following hot on the heels of the Range Rover Sentinel comes this, the Audi A8L Security, the latest luxury limo to be rated VR9 for protection.
What does that mean? Basically, it means it will resist fire from military-grade rifles as well as ordinary handguns, and can protect its occupants from shrapnel from a grenade or other explosions. The protection is provided by a mixture of Armaride fabric, special alloys (Audi is being coy on which ones, unsurprisingly) and hot-formed steel armour. The car comes equipped with an armoured communications box in the boot and a tannoy system allowing you to talk to those on the outside. There are also the options of fire suppressing systems, protected air ventilation in case of a chemical or biological attack and what Audi calls its Emergency Exit System. That means the doors are equipped with explosive bolts to blow them off the car for a quick getaway. Don't try that to impress the lads in the pub car park...
The A8L Security is built in a special, secure location in Audi's own Neckaralsum factory and while it won't reveal the weight of the car, it does say that it can handle a maximum payload of 600kg, something Audi says is the best in its class.
You can have your A8L Security with the 435hp, 600NM V8 BiTurbo petrol engine or the mighty 6.0-litre W12 with 500hp and 650Nm of torque. Mind you, maximum speed is limited in both cases to 210km/h, because of the limits of the special anti-puncture tyres.
Want one? Better get that Garda clearance certificate so...