First Look: 2011 Audi A8 L

When it was first revealed, some were disappointed that the new A8's styling was a bit conservative, but in a time when inconspicuous wealth is the new vogue, it fits the bill quite nicely. A8 L owners will be slightly less inconspicuous, though, with extra chrome on the grille slats, lower fascia air intakes and mirrors, standard LED headlights, W-12 badges front and rear and special trapezoidal exhaust tips integrated into the rear fascia. Standard 15-spoke, 19-inch wheels house 15.75-inch front and 14-inch rear brakes and both 20- and 21-inch variations are available. Following its debut at Beijing, the Audi A8 L will launch in October alongside the standard model, but at that time only with the 4.2-liter V-8 onboard. If you lust for W-12 glory, you'll have to wait until next spring. The next S8 is expected about a year after the launch of the W-12 and we hear the S8's mighty V-10 may be replaced by a smaller engine -- possibly the supercharged 4.0-liter V-8 we've been hearing whispers about. A hybrid model is also reportedly in the pipeline, but its timing is unclear so far. For now, we understand the A8 L W-12 will likely command a price similar to its predecessor, somewhere in the $130,000 range. Better start deciding which stock portfolio to raid.