Audi reveals the A8 L Horch, its Maybach rival

Audi has long wanted to create competition for the opulent Mercedes-Maybach, and the dream has come partially true with the advent of a new flagship called the A8 L Horch. Why partially? Because it is meant exclusively for China.

The company admits that China accounts to over 60% A8 sales worldwide, so producing the flagship for any other country would not make a great deal of economic sense. On the outside, the car sports special 20-inch wheels, an original radiator grille, plenty of chrome accents, and stylized ‘H’ letters all around. If you take a comparable Maybach car and have a good look, you will see the same basic elements.

At 5,450 mm (17.88 feet) long, the A8 Horch is around 20 mm (0.8”) shorter than the Maybach S-Class, but still 130 mm (5.1 inches) longer than the A8 L available in other countries. The S-Class also has redesigned rear doors, whereas the L Horch uses a nearly stock A8 design.  New exterior finishes add to the exclusivity value.

Inside, the two second-row seats are especially deluxe with power adjustments, heating, ventilation and massage. A tablet between the seats provides access to all the features and settings. Panoramic glass roof and laser LED headlights are included in the base spec.

A 3.0-liter turbo-six petrol engine under the hood produces 340 PS (335 hp / 250 kW), driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The production will take place in Germany.

Audi does not say so explicitly, but the photos suggest that the L Horch is a facelifted A8 with new headlights and bumpers. It looks like the other A8 models may soon get the same exterior updates.