Model named after the founder
Audi’s the best sedan
Looking at the A8 L Horch model
Vehicle enthusiasts would undoubtedly recognize and appreciate the significance of the name Horch. August Horch, the founder of Audi, derived the company name “Audi,” which means “listen” in Latin, from his own surname. “Horch,” in German, means “to hear.” This thoughtful linguistic connection was made when he established the brand in 1910.
Audi, born with sensible naming, is the second company named after Horch. He founded a company called Horch in 1899 but was kicked out of his company for focusing too much on motorsports. Due to trademark issues, the name of the second company became Audi, and it grew into a company that focused on developing luxury sedans.
Extreme Luxury
Even Audi Can Do It
The name of Audi’s ultra-luxurious sedan, Horch, may have been a plan that had been made a long time ago. The A8 L Horch is a top model based on the A8 L in pursuit of extreme luxury and uses more luxurious materials than before. The word Horch was placed on the front fender, second-row door, and bottom of the trunk. In addition, 20-inch wheels with Horch-specific emblems and designs created something special.
Luxury sedans are the pride of German vehicles. The A8 L Horch is Audi’s ambitious project to compete with the Mercedes-Maybach S Class. The two vehicles’ body specifications are similar, and they are Chauffeur-driven vehicles that focus on the second rather than the first row.
Longer than the A8L?
A Counterpart to Maybach
A8 L Horch is longer than A8 L. It has become longer by a whopping 130 mm (5.1 inches), and this was used to extend the wheelbase, making second-row accommodation more comfortable. In addition, exclusive specifications for the second row have been added. A four-seater model is standard, and a massive console with Horch engraved is located in the center of the second row. Buttons and a touch screen that can control various systems, including the seat, are also located. All seats have a massage function, and foot massage is supported only for the second-row seats.
The A8 L Horch has a 3-liter 6-cylinder gasoline engine, and a 48V mild hybrid system provides additional output. Quattro, Audi’s renowned four-wheel drive system, is also standard. However, the engine is disappointing for a sedan targeting the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. There is a reason why a 6-cylinder hybrid is installed in the brand’s flagship sedan.
A Disappointing Powertrain?
The reason is…
This is because the A8 L Horch will be unveiled first in China. In China, a 9-12% tax is imposed on vehicles between 2,000 ccs and less than 3,000 ccs, a 25% tax on cars between 3,000 ccs and less than 4,000 ccs, and a 40% tax on vehicles over 4,000 ccs. The A8 L Horch’s engine displacement is 2,995 cc, and the tax rate for those under 3,000 cc is applied, so taxes are relatively low.
Considering that the Mercedes-Maybach S480 model with a 3-liter engine exists in China, it is presumed to be equipped with a 3.0 6-cylinder engine. Engine performance is similar to that of the S480. Both models have 8-cylinder and 12-cylinder engines, so attention will be paid to which engine will be installed when launched in countries other than China.
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