The January 24 issue of AutoWeek has a short write-up and a picture of the A8 L introduced at the NAIAS. The pictured A8 L appears to be wearing the optional 18" wheels. I must agree with Bart Lane that the wheel design is not appealing at all. A large solid center section with bout a dozen small openings around the perimeter. I think it is targeted at buyers who desire a more conservative look (but then why would you opt for 18's?). The design reminds me of the horrendous wheels BMW offered on the 750iL around 1988-1990 which looked like solid hubcaps. These A8 wheels are not as bad, but still a poor effort.

The forged 18-inch wheels look a lot better in person than in pictures (But that's a lot like the story of the healthiest man in the intensive car ward at hospital)