[Scorcher]

2013 avatar of Audi S-Lineup flagship, the S8 loses its Lamborghini V10 heart for a Twin-Turbo V8. Duh, one more legend goes tree-hugging!

Specs are promising though.

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-liter 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 channeled 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-liter V10-powered S8, Audi says average fuel consumption has decreased by nearly 23 percent at 13.2 liters per 100 km (17.8mpg US).

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.

Source

[Sahil]

Turbo's are the future, the AMGs and///Ms have adopted them too so Audi was bound to follow the trend. The torque is impressive for a petrol engine!

Those alloys are suppppper!! Audi does get the alloys right most often.

[puneet_b]

I've never been able to follow Audi as such I'm not educated on their line-up, This would be the competitor to the M3/M5 and Mercedes AMG models yes ?

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by puneet_b

I've never been able to follow Audi as such I'm not educated on their line-up, This would be the competitor to the M3/M5 and Mercedes AMG models yes ?

This is a competitor to the 760li and the S63/65 AMG.


But WOOOOOOW, this S8 is beautiful. The rims complete it. The A8 is one car whose looks are spoiled with small rims. Its a pity it lost that screaming V10 but this V8 sure looks impressive.

[el lobo 6061]

Nice share Scorcher. The car looks great. The rims are fantastic. Most of all like the engine cover, hope VW too comes with such engine cover on their cars.
The future is having smaller engine but more powerful and efficient than the previous. Its the next great engineering rather than having oil guzzling V12 and V10. Just my 2p.

[shamik.bose]

Gorgeous super-limo this one will be! The subtle bodykit looks fantastic! The interiors of the A8 are to die for, and coupled with this power, it will be a lovely super limousine!

[Mike89]

HOLY CRAP!! 4.2sec 0-60... for the size of that car.... Never been an audi fan but i have to say i am impressed. I mean the next M5 is 560hp and its 4.4s to 60. hard to believe that audi has managed to do it with 520 hp, twin turbo seems impressive. I believe its because of the awd in audi and i m sure M5 would do better after 60. But nonetheless... Kudos to Audi, all they need now is a good handling and design and they ll be good to go.

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Just the car i was looking forward to. I hoped they would come up with a further powerful version of the previous gen RS-6's Lamborghini derived 5.2 v10 bi-turbo to lets say something like 590-600bhp. Was initially disappointed when i read only 520ps (how greedy are we ! ) as that was just about in the s63 range where i wished it to be a genuine rival to the s65 AMG. Turns out my wish has been granted !
Whats so very impressive is, with 520ps and only 650nm compared to the s65's 612ps and astronomical 1000nm, the S8 actually manages to be faster to the ton by around 0.3 seconds ! ( gathered this info from the web correct me if wrong ). Just goes down to show what wonders the aluminum space-frame has worked. The Audi being longer,wider than the S and much less powerful on paper is actually quicker than the flagship AMG S. Was already in love with the new A8 and this has just increased it ten-fold. Ofcourse the S is also a much older car which needs to be considered. Expect Merc to come up with a much lighter/fitter version of the S65 AMG. BUT..by then i would not be surprised if the other 3 have their own lunatic versions in form of the 760 M, RS 8 & XJ- R supercharged ..all on the wrong side of 600hp. WOW !
God bless competition.

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Turbo's are the future, the AMGs and///Ms have adopted them too so Audi was bound to follow the trend.

They already have quite sometime back. The last generation RS-6 had a Lamborghini derived bi-turbo v10 developing close to 580bhp

[i<3turbo]

These engines are much better. Forced induction is the way to go! One remap or flash on these ecu's and the car can gain anywhere from 40-75 hp and 80-130 nm tq

[avishar]

130 BHP/Litre,Forced Induction is the way to go!its incredible how Audi's manage to make their performance versions of the cars aggressive and subtle at the same time!

[i<3turbo]

Thats why i love audi si much they just know how to build qualtiy cars with proper balance of luxury sportiness and efficiency.

[suhaas307]

Can we expect Jason Statham to drive this one in Transporter 4?

That apart, it's a great car. As Sahil said, V8s are the way forward, if a company is looking to make a fast sedan or even a sports car. All in the name of better efficiency, of course. AMG is ditching its V12s, and the new M5 is said to be powered by a new twin-turbo V8, instead of the V10 that powered the previous M5.

I hope they don't stop the V10 completely though. The R8 V10 is a gem of a supercar. I wouldn't want to see a twin-turbo V8 replacing its V10 anytime soon!