FROM CANADA WITH LOVE

a8

Photos: Michael Tremblay | Words: Josh Rainwater

Since the 1930′s, Audi, which will include Audi AG, NSU, Wanderer and Auto Union, have been known for their luxury, durabilty, and world renowned craftsmanship. Their designs have not only influenced other German luxury manufacturers but undoubtly every auto maker around the world. With a heritage rich in history and rooted in motorsports on every level, there is no doubt of Audi’s position on the automotive scene today. From the triple stitched leather buckets, doors that latch themselves on those light-handed shuts, to their legendary Quattro All-Wheel Drive system, Audi’s attention to detail and love of the sport luxury make them a perfect candidate for a VIP car.

In case you’ve been asleep at the wheel of auto tuning subculture, VIP is a style, scratch that, a movement whose philosophy is taking large bodied vehicles and modifying them as to further improve on their luxury and styling. This often involves the addition of exotic materials like ostrich feathers, chinchilla fur, and even albino gator skin into the interior. The exterior is most often resculpted with some type of ground effect or just body work in general. The most crucial element of design had got to be installing the largest and widest wheels possible with the maximum amount of ‘low’ allowed by law.

These exact styling cues were were just what the doctor prescribed for owner Remi Laflamme. He is the propreitor of a sucessful tuning shop that hails from Quebec. The car in question has had a comparatively plush life contrasting most enthusiasts rides in which their car had to go through a few unbefitting owners before being saved by a qualified aficionado. This gorgeous 2001 A8L sat at the dealership for a year before being purchased by the first owner in 2002. The following year the owner passed away and the car sat relatively unused for for 4 years until Remi stumbled upon it in it’s showroom quality physique. Since owning it, he claims that it is by far the best daily driver he has had to date. The abundance of luxury coupled with space and power are all cornerstones in making this such a phenomenal automobile.

Originally slated to be Remi’s year-round daily that he could enjoy in both winter and summer, it has fulfilled those obligations and much more. He really touts the air ride and how nice it is to be able to drive over snow drifts on those unforgiving Canadian December mornings. This type of car is not typically what I would associate with a winter beater. Instead this would be the one I garage in fear of a fly defecating on this $65000 car.

The profile of the car against the backdrop of a fading afternoon cannot be overstated.  The front fascia, with it’s broad contour, sleek chrome grille frame and European spec projectors make it a perfect candidate for this type of transformation of executive saloon to aggressive VIP. I would even go as far to say that it would give many a Lexas GS or Infiniti a run for their money.

You really can’t go wrong with a color like Ming Blue Pearl supplemented with the right amount of chrome bling.

It’s hard to believe that a car, even of this size could kiss the ground while stanced on some 19″ shoes. Just goes to show you the means to which some people will go to achieve perfection. It’s really good to see guys out there that not only are willing to tackle an unversed platform but also exhibit an eye for detail and perfection. It is not easy to take a car that has very little in the way of aftermarket support or build advice and re-engineer it in a functional, yet tasteful manner.

Do want.

The Work Euroline DH wheels fit the car so well and are a mandatory option for anyone seeking this style for their own car. These specifically were custom set from Work. They feature a 5×112 BCD and 19×9.5 and 19×11 front and rear, respectively. All four wheels also sport a set of 12mm spacers as well.

All the planning, building, modding, and work performed on the car was done in house by the guys and Unix themselves. Everything from the custom Unix air ride to the headers. Remi laments that the header install for the 4.2 40v V8 was by far the most challenging aspect of the build and that it was a “Pain in the ass.” The guys  at his shop have been the most critical of the project as well. This isn’t always a bad thing because I would hate to have to be accountable to a co-worker after a few bad ideas and too many Labatt Blues’.

The vehicle is currently for sale but if it wasn’t on the market, Remi would like to slap on one of their Unix supercharger kits. Overall though he was very happy with the outcome of the car thus far and boasted that it was the best daily he has ever owned. Although we may never see this car in the hands of Mr. Laflamme or any of the guys at Unix, I’m sure that the next owner will give this special car a righteous home and a promising future for the rest of us to enjoy.

Specs:
2001 Audi A8L
v8 4.2 40v engine
fully loaded
unix custom headers and cat back in stainless dual 2.5” exhaust
unix custom air ride , dual compressor,  9 gallon tank , unix custom auto leveling , remote control , unix midget series strut
work euroline dh wheels custom made by work , 5×112 , 19×9.5 and 19×11  12mm spacers all around 235/35/19 front tire 275/30/19 rear tires
smoked  euro a8 headlight
euro side marker
debadged
xenon fogs light
cheesed air box
intake painted satin black
crossdrilled brake all around
coucaracha horn
flaming block