Audi and Al Nabooda launch new Audi A8 to customers and Dubai 2003 committee

With its compelling handling, pioneering technology and exclusive design and equipment, this saloon redefines the notion of sports appeal in the luxury segment.

Pre-orders indicate that the car is already showing signs of making a big impact in the Middle East. In addition, the new Audi A8 is the official vehicle of Dubai 2003, annual meetings Board of Governors, International Monetary Fund. 250 new A8's will be used to transport the events VIP's around Dubai and they are sure to be travelling in supreme comfort.

"Dubai 2003 is set to become a ground-breaking event, raising global awareness of the UAE and driving business opportunities in the region," said Ali Bilaloglu, managing director, Audi Middle East and Egypt.

"As such the organisers needed a prestigious and reliable partner to chauffeur the world's financial leaders, during the convention. The Audi A8, symbolising understated but unlimited luxury, power and superior performance was the ideal choice for Dubai 2003."

The new Audi A8 combines technical characteristics that set it clearly apart from its class competitors. As the brand's flagship model, it uncompromisingly demonstrates the identity of the next generation of Audi models and embodies Audi's claim of "Vorsprung durch Technik": sporting character and clear design, innovative technology and superlative quality.

"We are delighted to be here today, to introduce the new, luxurious and sporty A8 to Dubai and in particular to the Dubai 2003 management," said K. Rajaram, chief executive officer, Al Nabooda Automobiles.

"Al Nabooda continues to grow out of a commitment to superior service, delivered by a skilled, professional workforce. This, combined with a world leading, luxury brand such as Audi is a winning formula for us," he added.

There were four priority areas in the development of the new Audi A8: design, lightweight construction, dynamism and electronics. Four areas that are linked by a single idea: the idea of ease. In other words, ease in the sense of design harmony, ease of acceleration, the ease with which it can be handled - the driver of an A8 does not have the impression of handling a large saloon car - and, finally, ease of operation.

Its design gives visual expression to the unique character of the new A8. Expansive, strikingly arched surfaces are framed by precisely plotted lines.

The silhouette of flat front and short body overhangs, plus the highly contoured rear end, provides a clear indication of its dynamic potential.

The new A8 is now available in Dubai with a powerful, spontaneous V8 4.2 litre engine with an output of 335 bhp. One new feature in the A8 is the 6-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic function, which constantly assures an optimum transition between the various speed stages. As an option, it is also possible to change gear via shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel; the ergonomic advantages of this concept have already been demonstrated on Audi's Le Mans champion model, the R8.

In conjunction with the low weight of the aluminium body built using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) principle, the engine and transmission turn in an excellent performance coupled with exemplary economy.

Quattro permanent four-wheel drive remains unequalled in the luxury segment.

It translates engine performance into superbly effective propulsion and lateral support.

The air suspension for the new A8's aluminium running gear is a unique standard feature, providing an optimum characteristic in every driving situation.

The driver can choose between three predefined settings, for a suspension characteristic ranging from overtly sporty to ultra-comfortable.

The A8 is the ultimate driver's car not simply by virtue of its outstanding driving characteristics. In the luxurious interior, the driver will find an entirely new, pioneering approach to interacting with the vehicle's technology and its communication systems, in the guise of the Multi Media Interface (MMI).

Ingenious ergonomics and an intrinsically logical and therefore self-evident operating concept make this car uniquely easy to operate, allowing the driver to concentrate on the traffic - and on the uncommon pleasure of being behind the wheel of the new A8.