What: Audi A8L Horch 60TFSI Founder Edition
Era: Audi modern era
Model Family: A8
Market / Zone(s): China
Model Years: 2024
Production Span:
Number Produced: unknown (China)
Model / Generation Code(s): type 4N
Chassis / Matrix: D5 / ASF, MLB Evo
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Body Style(s): Long-wheelbase Sedan
Drivetrain Configuration: longitudinal front engine, all-wheel drive
Engine(s): 4.0-liter, 3,998 cc EA825 V8 biturbo
Power: 460 PS, 453.5 bhp
Torque: 660 Nm, 487 ft-lb
Transmission(s): 8-speed (ZF 8HP95) Tiptronic, hydraulic torque converter with lock-up clutch
All-Wheel Drive Type: quattro permanent all-wheel drive with self-locking center differential, standard rear axle differential
Steering: Electromechanical progressive steering with speed-dependent power assistance
Steering Ratio: 15.8
Front Brake Diameter:
Rear Brake Diameter:
Wheelbase: 3,258 mm (128.3 in)
Length: 5,450 mm (214.56 in)
Width: 1,945 mm (76.6 in) body, 2,130 mm (83.8 in) with mirrors
Height: 1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Curb Weight:
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.8 seconds
Top Speed: 155 mph (governed)
OTHER DETAILS
Predecessor: Audi A8L Horch “Founder’s Edition” (2022)
Successor: N/A
Platform Mates: Audi A8, Audi S8
Concept Cars: N/A
Assembly Location(s): Audi AG Neckarsulm
Designer(s): Sascha Heyde, Amar Vaya
Motorsport Homologations: N/A
WHEEL / TIRE DETAILS
Wheel Size(s): 9J x 21
Tire Size(s): 265 35 21
Bolt Pattern: 5×112
Offset: ET37
SUMMARY
The Audi A8L Horch Founder Edition 60 TFSI, launched on March 22, 2024, represents the pinnacle of Audi’s luxury sedan lineup for the Chinese market. Serving as the flagship model of the A8L Horch range, it combines Audi’s century-long craftsmanship with modern technology, bespoke design, and an exclusive focus on rear-seat luxury. Priced from 2,076,800 RMB, the model was introduced alongside a Dragon Year Special Edition package, strengthening Audi’s position in the D+ luxury car segment.
BACKGROUND & DEVELOPMENT
The A8L Horch series was created to extend Audi’s presence in the upper echelon of the executive limousine market, competing with rivals such as the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The Founder Edition 60 TFSI builds upon the earlier 2022 A8L Horch, enhancing both performance and personalization. Its introduction marks an expansion of the Horch product line and a symbolic continuation of August Horch’s founding spirit—pursuing perfection and technical mastery.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
At its heart, the 2024 A8L Horch Founder Edition 60 TFSI features a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine (engine code EA825), developed jointly by Audi and Porsche. This engine architecture is shared with high-performance models across the Volkswagen Group, including Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Audi RS vehicles.
The V8 engine produces 338 kW (460 hp) and 660 Nm of torque between 1,850 and 4,500 rpm. It is paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system with a self-locking center differential. The result is refined yet formidable performance, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in just 4.8 seconds.
Advanced technologies include twin-turbocharging, Cylinder on Demand (COD) variable cylinder management, mid-top fuel injection, and Active Noise Control (ANC) for optimized efficiency and cabin quietness. This blend of performance and sophistication pays homage to the mechanical heritage of classic Horch V8 models such as the Horch 830 (1933), which first established the marque’s reputation for excellence in German luxury engineering.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The A8L Horch Founder Edition inherits design elements from its historic predecessors, including the Horch 830, 850, and 930, all once favored by European royalty. Its elongated proportions, commanding stance, and distinctive Horch design language convey a sense of modern aristocracy.
A new Carbonic Brown exterior color joins the palette, inspired by volcanic rock formed during the Carboniferous period over 350 million years ago. The hue symbolizes endurance and natural beauty, complementing the limousine’s refined character.
The signature H-crown emblem on the C-pillar serves as a tribute to August Horch, representing an enduring commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. Customers can further personalize their vehicles through four two-tone exterior combinations and exclusive customization options on elements such as the D-pillar triangle window, illuminated welcome sills, floor lighting, and embroidered headrests.
INTERIOR & CRAFTSMANSHIP
Inside, the A8L Horch Founder Edition 60 TFSI provides a hall-level luxury cabin, meticulously designed for supreme comfort and exclusivity. The interior features a two-tone scheme of Havana Brown and Han White Jade, complemented by diamond-quilted upholstery, bespoke “Horch” logos on the seats and trim, and an elegant blend of handcrafted detailing.
Seats are upholstered in Wagner leather, sourced from southern Germany and tanned to preserve natural texture and aroma. This fine leather extends across the dashboard, door panels, and armrests, creating a seamless atmosphere of refinement. Heated door handles, central armrests, and individual seating surfaces ensure year-round comfort.
Rear passengers enjoy individual executive seating with dual-layer cushioning, eight massage modes, and footrests with heating and massage functions. The cabin integrates Bang & Olufsen’s 3D Advanced Sound System, featuring 23 speakers and retractable acoustic lenses for a fully immersive audio experience. Double-glazed acoustic glass and active noise compensation further enhance serenity.
A bespoke Audi fragrance system offers seasonal scents developed by master perfumers, supported by air purification and ionization technologies capable of generating up to 40,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter, creating an atmosphere comparable to natural rainforest air.
Additional amenities include matrix LED reading lights, folding rear tables, a refrigerated compartment, deep-pile carpets, and a Dinamica microsuede headliner, transforming the rear cabin into a tranquil personal suite.
LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY
The Founder Edition features digital matrix LED headlights capable of dynamic interaction with pedestrians and other road users. At the rear, continuous OLED taillamps provide real-time communication with Audi’s advanced driver-assistance systems, improving visibility and safety. Together, these lighting technologies merge Audi’s tradition of innovation with aesthetic precision.
MODEL RANGE & PRICING
At launch, the Audi A8L Horch lineup comprised two variants:
- A8L Horch Founder Edition 60 TFSI – 2,076,800 RMB
- A8L Horch Founder Edition 55 TFSI – 1,300,000 RMB
LEGACY & SIGNIFICANCE
The 2024 Audi A8L Horch Founder Edition 60 TFSI embodies the synthesis of heritage and modernity. Drawing on over a century of German automotive engineering—from the Horch 303 (1926) to today’s advanced V8 models—it represents Audi’s ongoing pursuit of luxury, performance, and personalization.
With the Horch sub-brand, Audi continues to expand its vision of personalized high-end mobility, emphasizing craftsmanship, technological leadership, and the enduring spirit of its founder, August Horch. The A8L Horch Founder Edition thus serves not only as a flagship vehicle for Audi in China but also as a statement of timeless mechanical artistry and contemporary luxury.
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