New Audi S8 with 4.0-litre Twin-Turbo V8 with 520-Horses

[Andy_Bangle 3,142]

Audi's third and final "S" model heading to the Frankfurt Motor Show is the luxurious S8 that will be launched on the market along with the S6 and S7 Sportback in the spring of 2012.

As it holds the title of being the 'Big Daddy' of Audi's S range, it was only appropriate that the S8 receive a more powerful version of the newly revealed 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine than on the S6 and S7 models.

The German firm's engineers further honed the 4.0 TFSI pushing output to 520-horses and a constant 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 1,700 and 5,500 rpm.

Power is channelled to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission and Audi's permanent all-wheel drive system, with Audi making claims of a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of just 4.2 seconds, or 0.6 and 0.7 seconds faster than the 420HP S6 sedan and S7 Sportback, respectively.

The V8 engine features a cylinder deactivation system that can cut down one bank to become a 4-cylinder , as well direct-injection technology, plus energy recuperation and start-stop systems.

As a result and despite a 70HP increase in output over the previous 5.2-litre V10-powered S8, Audi says average fuel consumption has decreased by nearly 23 percent at 13.2 litres per 100 km.

To improve handling, the S8 gets a specially tuned adaptive air suspension with variable damping, which can vary the ride height of the body between three levels, and four internally ventilated disc brakes that measure 400mm (15.75 in) in diameter up front and 365mm (14.37 in) at the rear, with carbon ceramic disks offered as an option.

As with other members of Audi's S family, the styling touches on the S8 are subtle. On the outside, apart from the 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 265/40-series tires, the 5.15 meter-long (16.90 ft) S8 gets a different grille treatment, a front apron with a lip spoiler, and a revised rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser and four tail pipes.

Interior modifications include the usual, meaning sport seats, a sport steering wheel and –you guessed it- sportier looking trim.

[craigyb 0]

Boring, very boring. The normal A8 was bad enough, but this just doesn't have anything about it.

Edited August 31, 2011 by craigyb

[Marc R 10]

Very very dissapointing....the difference between the 4E model S and normal A8 was far more noticable...the FL S8 V10 is one of the best looking cars of the Audi range for me.

[roberto1954 10]

its ugly like the new A8

looks like an A4 like the new A8

not impressed audi get a grip!

D3 S8 V10 rules OK

[Mook 1,166]

Without the tiny S8 badge on the grill, that really could be a completely standard A8.

I know there's "subtle" in the eyes of Audi, but that "subtle" is just a bit too, well, subtle.

[SINGH 1]

I agree. Sounds like a decent engine though.

[PsYcHe 0]

Definitely Mook.. Neeeds something just slightly indiscreet about it.