German Car Zone

The Bavarian Prime Minister Drives an Audi A8 for the First Time

- Armored Audi A8L 6.0 Security fulfills highest safety requirements as �driving office�

Appearing at the Bavarian state chancellery, Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Audi AG, handed over an Audi A8L 6.0 quattro Security this afternoon, to be used as a service car for the Bavarian Prime Minister Dr. Edmund Stoiber.

The new Audi A8 is specially armored and equipped with an abundance of safety features. The vehicle has everything that the Prime Minister might need to use as his mobile office: telephones with intercom system, fax, extending tables or briefcases for documents. The new service car has been finished in Akoya Silver.

This is the first time that a Bavarian Prime Minister has used an Audi for official business, though the emblem of the four rings is not new the Bavarian state government. Several Bavarian ministers drive the Audi A8.

The new service car fulfills the highest security requirements for the Prime Minister. This A8 Security model is certified in the highest safety class by the Federal Criminal Investigation Office (Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigations) in Wiesbaden.

To be certified, many extreme cases are simulated of which a car must withstand. Audi ensures the highest security and quality with their Security model range. The manufacturing of th earmored A8 has a genuine production character. Such a vehicle has a production turnaround time of approximately six months. In comparison, a conventional A8 is available, depending on equipment, after eight to twelve days.

Source: Fourtitude

Well congrats to the guy. That's quite a machine he's got!

Come to think of it, what does Merkel drive????

Recently she has been seen frequently in a 7er.

I guess she is giving a chance to all German carmaker and their flagships (7er, S-class, A8, Phaeton).

Btw. Stoiber was using 7er till now.

Are you sure, Eni? I only saw her in A8 so far, no S, no 7er...

Frau Merkel entering the 7er (note the shark fin anntenae & a center conslole, & door panel):



German govermental fleet consists of several armoured S-class, 7er & A8 cars. While Schroeder was using armoured Phaeton.

You're right... Thanks!

Correct me if I am wrong but shouldn't the top dog in Bavaria be driving a Beemer? I know both Audi and BMW are in Bavaria but BMW is in Munich, shouldn't they have some priority?

I wish they stop advertising that it's the highest security. Unless the Bavarian PM got a custom-built car, it's not the highest armouring level because the A8 Security cars are only B6/B7. The glass is weaker than the steel and, therefore, the car is not the higest level of armouring.

Why don't the Germans commission their own cars? These cars the German government uses are likely just bought from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. In other words, a civilian can buy the same cars. The US President has always used one-off limousines that no one else can buy. The security technology is perpetually kept secret.

What cars did these German politicians use in the 1980s and '90s?

I've heard today it had been already agreed German Bundeskanzlerin Merkel & Bavarian Prime Minister Stoiber would get armoured BMW Hydrogen 7 as soon as the cars are ready. It will be in the news, of course.

So, I guess Audi is trying to get some atention in this transitional period till Hydrogen 7 is available.

BMW?

Audi A8 would make a better car.