Audi A8L Horch: Mercedes-Maybach rival debuts in China with V6 engine

The long-awaited luxury version of the Audi A8L was made with a bit of blood, adding a 130mm insert in the center of the body, and in general, the exclusive details of the Horch version, compared to the regular Audi A8, are far inferior to Mercedes. – Maybach compared to the normal S class.

The current fourth-generation Audi A8, which debuted in 2017, turned out to be a complete disappointment: the flagship sedan from Ingolstadt, despite its high level of engineering, could not match sales of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 in any of the competitions key markets and its innovative autopilot never worked – buyers paid for expensive equipment in vain.

There were rumors in the media in 2018 that a deluxe version of the Horch would be prepared for the planned A8 makeover, and now it's finally revealed. Unfortunately, as it turned out at the stage of spy filming of pre-production prototypes (on their basis, by the way, our artist Nikita Chuiko quite accurately predicted the appearance of the novelty), to create a body unique for the Horch version, following the example of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which, in comparison with the original “esque” the rear end was completely redesigned, Audi did not dare (perhaps they simply did not receive permission from the management of the Volkswagen concern), and the feed from the front looks quite standard.

In addition to a 130mm increase in wheelbase and length, the Horch version of the regular Audi A8L features an upgraded Horch logo on the rear doors and unique rims, as well as Horch lettering on the front fenders and trunk lid. The cabin, of course, also has some Horch lettering, but overall it's a regular Audi A8L, except for a bit more refined trim and, of course, more legroom in the second row, where there are two separate seats separated by a partition high central tunnel, with built-in bar counter and touch screen for air conditioning. Of course, the “TVs” are bolted to the backs of the front seats so as not to get bored on the road.

In terms of overall length (5450 mm), the Audi A8L Horch is inferior to the new Mercedes-Maybach S-class (5469 mm), but this is nonsense, but the absence of a W12 engine or at least a V8 under the hood is a serious loss of image, even more significant than a sharp reluctance change the shape of the body. The fact is that the Horch version, it turns out, was developed for the Chinese market, where there is practically no need for large and powerful engines, and the Mercedes-Maybach S-class also has an “economical” version with the 460 index, equipped with a 3.0- liter gasoline engine “turbo-six” with a capacity of 367 hp. This is how the Audi A8L Horch debuted in China with a 3.0 TFSI V6 engine producing 340 hp in combination with an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. You should not rely on the dynamics of hurricanes, but the level of comfort should be high.

It remains to be seen if the Audi A8L Horch will have other engines or if the luxury sedan will be available outside of China. Probably not, because such a Horch was not expected in Europe. Chinese motorists hardly know who August Horch is, but for European motorists this name Horch is not an empty phrase, but a brilliant designer of the early twentieth century who was ahead of his time and founded Horch and, in fact, Audi. In 1932, Audi and Horch, together with Wanderer and DKW, became part of the Auto Union AG company, whose symbol is the four rings that have survived to this day. A Horchs classic cannot compete with a modern marketing product on a modest development budget.

There's no doubt that Audi could have created a really strong competitor to the Mercedes-Maybach, both with a new body and a powerful drivetrain (even petrol, even hybrid, even electric), but such a Horch would have already entered the territory. Bentley, and in the Volkswagen concern, do not like internal competition between brands and strictly adhere to the hierarchy. Therefore, Bentley will always be more expensive and more luxurious than Audi, even in the Horch version, and Porsche will always be faster than Audi. This is the price of association and corporate order.

An updated version of the global Audi A8 will debut a little later, stay tuned to our website.