If there weren't any additional blue LED lights, I would be tempted to say that this is just another Audi A8 L. However, we are actually seeing the new version of Security going out to Russia without a press release. It combines a bulletproof protected passenger cell conforming to VR9 with glazed surfaces meeting the requirements of resistance class 10.
It weighs a heavy 8,542 pounds (3,875 kilograms) not only because of the extra armor, but also because of the additional hardware installed by Audi. A relevant example should be the fire extinguisher system with nozzles at the bottom, wheel arches, a fuel tank and under the hood. An armored box built into the trunk contains electronics for the intercom, as well as an additional battery.
The conversion of a normal A8 L to safety specifications requires 400 additional working hours and is carried out in a dedicated installation. Security officials test all of the company's armored vehicles to assess resistance to snipers, hand grenades and rapid fire. In a real-life scenario, you could escape even with a defective tire thanks to a flat system that allows the car to travel at speeds of up to 50 mph over a distance of up to 50 miles.
If the car stalls and the doors cannot be opened normally, an on-board pyrotechnic system can be activated, generating an explosion that destroys the hinges between the door and the body. There is even a fresh air system which automatically closes the air fins when a high level of contaminants is detected. After that, the breathable air is pumped through the vents for a limited time.
While the safety version is identified as A8, the power actually comes from the twin-turbo V8 offered in the S8 with the same 563 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm). It finishes the race from 0 to 100 km / h (0-62 mph) in 6.3 seconds, which makes it two and a half seconds slower than the normal S8 due to the extra weight. Top speed has increased from 155 mph (250 km / h) electronically controlled to 130 mph (210 km / h).
The A8 L Security will compete with the next generation Mercedes S-Class Guard that we saw just before a possible launch in 2021. Audi is asking for the equivalent of nearly $ 750,000 before options in Russia, and says it transports between 3 and 6 months deliver the car.