For The Man Who Has Everything: Audi A8 L W12 With A Leather Frau
I once had a Phaeton with a W12 engine – that was fun! Thank God I didn’t have to pay for it. Think of a W12 engine like two VR6 engines engaged in a hot mating ritual. In a Kamasutra-busting position, the two imaginary VR6 engines are mated together at an angle that looks like a W. V – W, get it?
If you have lots of money, you will be able to buy an Audi A8 L W12. Under the slightly confusing “Audi exclusive concept” label, this car is not a concept, but for real. If you hurry. The A8 L W12 will be built in a strictly limited and individually numbered run of 50.
At the inside, the car is fitted with Poltrona Frau leather. Never heard of it, which probably turns me into a peasant.
Frau Poltrona is said to have “an exceptionally soft, even, natural finish. There are highlights of granite gray piping on the center sections of the seat and seat backs. Leather elements on numerous parts of the interior – such as the dashboard, the center console, the tunnel, the door trims and seat consoles – round out the equipment; even the car key is trimmed in leather.”
So if you are into W12 engines and have a Poltrona Frau leather fetish, and if you don’t have to ask for the price, this car’s for you!
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
More by Bertel Schmitt
Comments
Join the conversation
I love this car. But, from a driving perspective, I would rather have the S8. The A8 W12 will do 0-60 in 4.4, the 2012 S8 will do it in 4.2. Plus, in order to get the W12 it has to be the long edition...as a driver I don't care for the long version of the A8. Getting the "L" version is a gift to your passengers and I'm sure any passenger in the back will more than appreciate the room and comfort of the smaller (but still large) S8. And I am not going to be admiring the Frau Poltrona leather when I have 450+ hp to play with...I would be otherwise pre-occupied.
I like that color. Makes the A8's bulldozer grille less pronounced.