SOME OF THE top-end luxury cars will give so-called sports cars a serious run for their money. One of the best is Audi’s S8.
Powered by a 4.0-litre TFSI bi-turbo V8 engine, its 420kW and 800Nm have plenty of muscle to make this luxury saloon really fly.
And the S8 has the underpinnings to handle it, too. Predictive suspension, dynamic all-wheel steering and all-wheel drive (“quattro” as Audi label it) with sport differential all combined to deliver the kind of performance rarely seen.
Impressive performance: the engine
As a V8 engine with mild hybrid technology, the high-performance powerplant in the Audi S8 offers not only maximum smoothness, but with an output of 420kW and 800Nm of torque and two turbochargers ample power is available for any situation. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. Iron-lined cylinder barrels in the aluminium crankcase reduce friction for smooth running and automatically actuated flaps in the exhaust system deliver a hair-raising soundtrack.
Sports car-level emotion and performance are paired with comfort and efficiency. The mild hybrid system (MHEV) works continuously to reduce fuel consumption – its 48-volt belt alternator starter and the additional lithium-ion battery enable coasting with the engine switched off, fast restart and an extended start-stop range. Fuel savings of up to 0.8 litres per 100 kilometres are possible in everyday driving. The cylinder on demand system, which deactivates individual cylinders in low-load operating situations, provides for additional efficiency. The vehicle’s sound system features active noise cancellation to eliminate intrusive cabin noise for the ultimate in comfort.
Vehicle dynamics: active suspension, dynamic all-wheel steering and quattro with sport differential
The unique combination of innovative suspension components enables Audi’s flagship to cover the entire range from the velvety cruising of a luxury sedan to the dynamically taut handing of a sports car. The new S8 comes standard with the predictive active suspension. The high-tech system, which works in combination with the adaptive air suspension, can lift or push down each wheel separately via electromechanical actuators, making it possible for the first time to actively control the trim of the body in any driving situation and thus greatly reduce pitch or roll during acceleration or braking. The front camera, which detects larger road surface irregularities, enables this to be done predictively. The new Audi S8 can be a highly comfortable luxury sedan or a truly dynamic sports car – it’s entirely up to the driver. The Audi drive select system offers five profiles from which to choose. “Comfort +” mode is a new profile which makes even cornering a comfortable experience. The body leans into curves by as much as three degrees to reduce the lateral acceleration acting on the occupants. In “dynamic” mode the S8 turns in tautly with a maximum roll angle during fast cornering of roughly 2.5 degrees compared with around five degrees with the standard suspension. The situational distribution of roll moments enables self-steering that is neutral or minimally oversteering. The active suspension enables another new function where the body is quickly raised by as much as 50mm when the door handle is actuated for a more comfortable entry and exit.
The Audi S8’s dynamic-all-wheel steering allows the independent adjustment of the steering angles at the front and rear axles. It combines direct, sporty steering response at low and medium speeds with supreme stability on the highway and a tight turning circle, resolving a long-standing conflict of objectives. The sport differential actively transfers torque between the rear wheels during fast cornering. When turning into or accelerating in a curve, most is directed to the outside wheel, which literally pushes the car into the curve and nips any hint of understeer in the bud. In the case of oversteer, the sport differential on the rear axle transfers the drive torque to the inside wheel to stabilise the S8. Dynamic all-wheel steering, the sport differential and the predictive active suspension are all standard equipment.
Customers can choose the optional high-performance carbon-fibre ceramic brake discs with a diameter of 420 millimetres at the front axle and 370 millimetres at the rear axle. The ceramic brakes are internally ventilated, low-wearing and including the calipers are 9.6 kilograms lighter than cast iron discs. Each of the front calipers has 10 pistons.
The design
The exterior design of the model gets some new accents with the new Audi S8. Wheels up to 21 inches in diameter are available for the 5.17-metre-long sports sedan. Details on the front bumper, side sills and the exterior mirror housings as well as the two S-typical twin exhaust tailpipes emphasise the car’s sporty aspirations. The black styling package is also available as an option. Customers can choose from nine colour and design worlds, including the Audi design selection pastel silver, for the spacious interior, which conveys the relaxed atmosphere of a luxurious lounge. Here the upper inlay – new and available exclusively in the Audi S8 – is made of Carbon Vector with a special 3D depth effect. Directly below that is an inlay of dark, brushed matt aluminium. Lighting options range up to HD matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light and OLED rear lights.
State-of-the-art equipment
Every detail of the new Audi S8 reflects its character as a sporty luxury model. One particular highlight is the standard comfort customised contour seats in sport look. They feature wide ranging power adjustment, pneumatically adjustable side bolsters and separate three-stage heating for each seat.
Added to this ventilation and massage functions are available. Customers can choose between the top leather grades Valcona and Unikat, while the rear seats also offer numerous features for outstanding comfort.
The 38 driver assistance systems in the new S8 are divided into the City and Tour packages. Adaptive cruise assist stands out among the comprehensive range of assist systems, combining the functions of adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and lane tracking. In combination with predictive efficiency assist, it brakes and accelerates the Audi S8 in anticipation of the conditions ahead. In the City assist package, Audi pre sense side joins the systems pre sense front and pre sense rear to create Audi pre sense 360°. If the system detects an impending side impact, it can operate together with the predictive active suspension to instantly raise the body by as much as 80 millimetres. This brings the sill into a better position to absorb the impact energy, mitigating the potential consequences of the accident for the occupants.
The brain behind the driver assistance systems in the new S8 is a high-performance processing unit, the central driver assistance controller (zFAS). It continuously computes a differentiated model of the vehicle’s surroundings based on the data provided by the sensors. Fully equipped, there are five radar sensors, six cameras, 12 ultrasound sensors and a laser scanner on board.
Digital and intelligent controls and connectivity
The new Audi S8 offers a progressive technology experience with new digital services and state-of-the-art connectivity. The MMI touch response operating concept of the new Audi S8 is fully digital, allowing the driver to control nearly all functions via two large displays. The driver can also use natural speech control, which offers virtually unlimited freedom when formulating questions and commands. The answers are provided either from information stored on board or from the cloud, while Alexa, Amazon’s cloud-based voice assistant, is also available as an option. All driving-relevant displays appear in the Audi virtual cockpit, which can be switched between two views. While the tachometer and speedometer are displayed as large dial-type gauges in driving mode, the map is the centre of attention in infotainment mode. Both views have S-specific red graphical details. A special S-performance layout for the Audi virtual cockpit where the central focus is the tachometer, displayed as a square graph, and the output and torque are shown as percentages can also be selected in the MMI. The optional head-up display can display important information on the windscreen.
MMI navigation plus serves as the infotainment and media centre in the new S8. Besides the integration of the Amazon Alexa voice service, the extensive Audi connect range includes numerous car-to-X services that draw on the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet. Traffic light information is a new feature that Audi is adding successively in selected European cities (Australia lags behind Europe in this technology, so the feature isn’t offered locally). Interconnection with the city’s infrastructure allows the vehicle to receive information from the central traffic light computer via a server, enabling the driver to select a speed to match the next green-light phase. The Audi virtual cockpit displays an individual speed recommendation as well as the remaining time until the next green-light phase if the driver is already waiting at a red light. The system thereby contributes to a predictive and efficient driving style and facilitates a steady flow of traffic. Online traffic sign information, hazard alerts and on-street parking round out the range of car-to-X services. The myAudi app connects the car to the customer’s smartphone so that they can easily send destinations to the car from their couch. The Audi smartphone interface wirelessly brings Android Auto and Apple Car Play on board. High-end components such as the Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System and the Audi phone box round out the infotainment line-up in the new S8.
Australian information
The all-new Audi S8 is expected to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2020. Further details on specific models, pricing and specification will be announced closer to launch.
The current Audi S8 starts from $334,711 (plus on road costs).design