Autoblog

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Audi's delightful A8 flagship sedan sees a number of refinements made for the 2008 model year, with the lion's share of the attention being paid to things that aren't immediately visible from the outside. The biggest addition is the 2.8L FSI six-cylinder that will be offered (in Europe, at least), which will give the big sedan fuel economy of around 28 mpg and the lowest CO2 emissions in its class at 199g/km. Power is rated at 210bhp, and the engine is good enough to allow the big cruiser to make the 0-62 run in 8 seconds. More direct steering and a revised air suspension are intended to make the '08 A8 an even more engaging partner to the person behind the wheel. And it's not as if the '07 is a slouch in that department to begin with. Audi's also building in new safety features, with a side-assist system that will alert drivers when a vehicle is in the sedan's blind spots and a lane departure warning system that will keep an eye on lane markers and alert the driver with a vibration in the steering wheel should he or she begin to go astray. Finally, the car is said to quieter than the 2007 edition.

Visually, Audi has updated the single-frame grille, incorporated new lighting in back, added new wheel styles, put turn indicators on the outside mirrors, and will offer a number of new paint finishes. New interior colors and inlays are also on tap. In short, Audi's taking a good thing and making it better. You won't hear us complaining.

[Source: Audi AG]

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Now, don't get too excited. This isn't some VW-produced promo video depicting the twin-turbocharged GTI W12 650 show car pushing ludicrous speeds on the Nürburgring or anything. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Here, we see it doing a run-through for a show presentation at low speed. It definitely sounds mean, though, with an exhaust note that we'd gladly listen to all day. Those aggressive looks haven't gotten old to anyone here yet, either. Come on, VW -- put it on a track with a professional camera crew and give us some real eye candy already. Let's see how it looks and sounds at something better than parade speed (assuming it's capable).

Follow the jump for the video.

[Source: YouTube]

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Engine and interior shots were curiously absent last week when Volkswagen unveiled its holy-crap-I-want-one GTI W12 650 concept at the 2007 Wörthersee GTI Meeting in Austria. The interior photo shown after the jump appeared a day or two later, and this week, the automaker saw fit to release a pair of official pics of the engine in its glassed-off carbon fiber cocoon aft of the driver and passenger.

As Vader would say of this 650-horsepower Stormtrooper helmet, "Impressive. Most Impressive."

Follow the jump for the other engine shot and the interior view. In addition, we've added all the new pictures to the gallery.

[Source: VW]

To the average Joe, the base price of most German luxury sedans is enough to cause sticker shock. When adding options, prices could easily cause a coronary. A base Audi A8, for example, goes for about $69,000. If you opt for the A8L W12, the price leaps to $119,000. After you check the option box for 20-inch rims, the upgraded audio system, and adaptive cruise control, the price has officially left your league at $138,000.

There is one other option you can get for your A8, bullet-proofing. This $547,000 option can stop a 7.62 millimeter caliber bullet dead in its tracks. Fortified floor plating can nullify a hand grenade or IED. Also included is an emergency exit system. If the doors can no longer be opened normally, an Audi-patented pyrotechnic system simply blows apart the joins between the doors and the vehicle body and you walk out without even grabbing the door latch. The A8L W12 is certified to the highest European standard bullet-proofing classes B6+ and B7. Of course there's also a dual DVD screen and refrigerator with a bar for rear passengers so you can party in style even when you're being attacked.

This $685,000 A8 shown above is believed to have been ordered by German politician Edmund Stoiber. We don't know how well-received German politicians are, but it looks like they prepare for the worst. Find out more about the Audi A8L W12 Security after the jump.

Thanks for the tip Warren!

[Source: GermanCarScene]

A keen observer in the UK, sent the blokes over at PistonHeads the above pic of a BMW 7-Series with '770Li' badging and, even weirder, a 'W12' logo brandishing itself on the left corner of its pseudo-Bangled trunk lid.

If this is authentic, and we're pretty damn sure that it's not, would BMW really take a play from the VW engineers and produce a W12? An even better question would be, is there really a market for another 'quick' luxo-barge? The 760Li does 0-60 in just over five and half seconds, so would such a beast even fit in BMWs lineup? We think not.

As is probably the case, some overly geeky (not to mention wealthy) car guy found a machinist to mill some faux badges and then got creative with the double-sided tape. If that's the case, we're thinking of throwing some 'Sixteen' badges on the flanks of our Mom's Alero. Anyone gonna hook us up?