With an entirely new exterior skin from the a-pillar backwards, the A8 L extended is a not-insubstantial 6.36 metres in length – while the 4.22 metre wheelbase has grown almost 1.1 metres over the standard A8 L.

That’s so long it requires special marker lights in the headlamps and tail lamps in order to comply with vehicle regulations. Though it’s still not quite as lengthy as the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman at 6.5 metres.

Both of these aspects remain a mystery. All Audi will say about the origins of the idea is that it was built to order at the special request of a European customer.

As for the cost, the project required almost a year to develop, build, test and finish to production model standards, so we can safely say it won’t have been cheap. It was intended as a one-off, but Audi has already received enquiries from other interested parties, which ought to help spread the cost.

Not only is much of the bodywork bespoke but the aluminium Audi Space Frame structure had to be extended and then reinforced, with extra aluminium tubing and cross-bracing, added in to the roof in particular.

There’s a massive 2.4 metre glass panel in the roof, in order to brighten-up the six-door, six-seat interior. Rows two and three get individually electrically adjustable chairs – thrones, with a coolbox and infotainment setup for those in the very rear. That’s ‘velvet beige’ Valcona leather, in case you’re curious.

Instead it’s powered by a 3.0-litre forced-induction petrol V6, good for 306bhp and 324lb ft and capable of dragging this XXL-mobile 0-62mph in 7.1sec, despite the 2418kg kerb weight. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph (imagine seeing that on the autobahn), while the 19-inch wheels cover a braking system borrowed from the Audi S8.