Audi S8 – Last week I had the privilege of driving the luxurious Audi S8. We drove the Audi A8 a few weeks ago and the differences between both are subtle and distinct.
Large Premium Saloons are few and far between these days. The Audi S8 comes with a 4.0-litre TFSI V8 engine producing a power of 420kW and 800Nm of torque. Combine this with Quattro drive and an eight speed Tiptronic transmission. This will catapult the S8 from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds, before reaching a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
But the sports Audi saloon is more than numbers alone. It’s absolutely packed with everything Audi can put in there for performance, luxury, comfort, and safety.
It’s also deceptively quick. It’s so quiet, so powerful, so fast and so stable, that on the freeway you find yourself looking down and it feels like it’s driving 30 or 40 kmh less than you actually are.
There is also a bit of a split personality. The big V8 will happily potter around town without fuss. However, select Dynamic drive mode, switch the transmission to sport and feel the beast being released.
When you consider what you need to spend to get anything even close to the big Audi , its surprisingly good value at around $273,000 plus options and the usual costs.
This is a Motoring Minute
I’m Rob Fraser
Other Audi S8 articles
- Audi S8 luxury sports saloon arrives in Australia
- 2022 Audi S8 continues its sports saloon dominance with 2023 updates
- 2014 All-New Audi S8 Has Arrived in Australia
- 2011 Audi S8 at Frankfurt Motor Show 2011
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The big Audi S8 sits in rarefied air.
Big luxury Sports saloons, once the pinnacle of luxury, are now for the chosen few.
Buyers could look at the Lexus LS500, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes Benz S450, BMW 740I, or even the Genesis G80.
Audi S8 Final thoughts
The Audi S8 definitely has an edge to it.
The A8 felt like you were floating on a cushion of air. The S8 feels slightly firmer and focused.
Its big yet subtle and stylish. I actually like the design, even though its a touch conservative.
Sumptuous interior cocoons the occupants.
The S8 personifies the sports saloon. Deceptively fast, quiet yet with a delicious exhaust note.
This is a cross country tourer with excellent driver engagement.
With a split personality, it will cruise effortlessly and comfortably around town. Yet select dynamic on the drive mode, place the transmission in sports and sit back and let rip.
It heralds a past era where the big sports saloon was the pinnacle of motoring. I sometimes miss those days.
I love it and its dam near perfect.
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