While the 2015 Audi A8 is busy with its American debut at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show, the German car maker announced a bulletproof version of the car for the more dangerous parts of the world. The Audi A8 L Security is based on the long wheelbase model and can be had with the 4.0 TFSI (435 hp) and the W12 (500 hp) engines.
Measuring 5.27 meters in length, the Audi A8 L Security looks 100 percent stock with the standard LED lights and everyting, as being inconspicuous is a necessity for all security vehicles. Where it’s not standard is under the skin, where it features extremely tough, highly resistant materials – heat-formed armor steel, aramide fabric, ceramic, a special aluminum alloy, and multi-laminated glass.
The A8 L Security has aluminum side sills incorporating massive ballistic-proof profiles and armor-plated vehicle floor made from a special aluminum alloy, giving it the ability to withstand attacks by explosive weapons such as military hand grenades. For the door windows, windshield and rear window, Audi uses special glass with a splinter-inhibiting polycarbonate layer on the inside. As an option, there are electromechanical side windows that almost fully open the panes.
The car also gets a number of optional extras, including intercom system to communicate with the outside world, a James Bond-style emergency exit system that blows the door open, fire extinguisher system, fresh-air system, smoke extractor, an LED signal system for convoy driving, pennant holder, flashing lights, siren and…
And for you military types out there, here’s the A8’s official grades: Audi A8 L Security has been officially certified by the German Ballistics Testing Center in Munich; it complies with the requirements of the class VR 7 ballistic protection standard in accordance with the BRV 2009 guideline. BRV stands for “Bullet Resistant Vehicles”. Class VR 7 imposes the strictest criteria on civilian high-security sedans: The body panels and glazing of the passenger cell must withstand firing with NATO sub-caliber ammunition. In certain areas, the armor plating on the A8 L Security even complies with the criteria for the classes VR 9 and VR 10. Resistance to explosives is tested in accordance with the ERV 2010 guideline (Explosion Resistant Vehicles).
