Road Test: Audi S8 Quattro

As with every A8 I've driven, it is superbly well constructed. Even a few years into its life-span the interior still looks contemporary, especially when the woodwork that usually adorns the cabin is replaced by some carbon fibre-effect trim. The seats adjust every which way; there's a four-zone climate control; and the leather is dead comfy. Our S8 was even fitted with a TV, an £850 option (my six-year-old co-driver found it too low to see properly, but you can't win 'em all).

There's a colour camera that shows you where you're reversing; the boot has an electric motor so it opens and closes itself; and - what else? Ah yes, the heated seats have six warmth settings to choose from, and there are two illuminated interior mirrors, one at normal magnification and one that's electron-microscope strong for getting a real close-up of those spots. Handy.

Still, you can get all that on an A8 with any of the usual VW/Audi group engines, including their muscular V8 and W12 petrol units. Why, then, go for 10 cylinders when eight or 12 already do such a magnificent job of moving this Audi around? How can they justify yet another engine option?



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GermanNut - 11/16/2006 5:13:42 PM

-2 Boost

I would take the Audi over the BMW 750Li in a second.

The Audi will out-accelerate the BMW. The BMW may out-handle the Audi, but the Audi has the higher price-tag and the carbon-fiber trimmed interior.

theman - 11/16/2006 5:48:34 PM

+3 Boost

Yes, but I would take an S class over them two together..

chewy - 11/16/2006 8:10:35 PM

-2 Boost

The S8 will outhandle and out accelerate any 7 series.

BMW4me4ever - 11/16/2006 8:42:13 PM

+2 Boost

psst ... BMW has the Alpina B7 and you are saying the S8 will out handle and out accelerate that car too. I beg to differ. Should be some performance figures coming out soon for that car.

IamEvilHomer - 11/16/2006 9:22:41 PM

+3 Boost

bmw

go away

chewy - 11/16/2006 11:55:19 PM

-2 Boost

Those aren't facotry and barely even sold any. And the S8 could most likely take it anyway.

audirevolution - 11/17/2006 1:22:22 AM

0 Boost

The A8's styling ALMOST comes close to the new S class. Which is pretty amazing considering that the A8 is pretty old in terms of design.

Now about the S8. I'll take one over a S550 and BMW 7 anyday. S65 AMG, different story.

chewy - 11/17/2006 3:18:07 AM

-1 Boost

I would take a Bentley at that price point. Continental GT/ Flying Spur. But the S65 is awesome, but the S8 Really doesn't compete with it.

Occarnut - 11/17/2006 6:29:49 PM

0 Boost

The good thing about S8s and, and A8s for that matter, is the exclusivity factor...that is worth something.

chewy - 11/17/2006 11:17:03 PM

0 Boost

Haven't seen the S8 yet, but saw the S6 today. The LED Daytime Running Lights are amazing. SUPER bright. It was cloudy and you could see the S6 from FAR away, much better visibility than normal headlight Daytime Running Lights. Actually you could see the S6's LED Daytime Running Ligths better than some headlights on full power of some older cars. The S6 is very noticable from the LEDS on the front. Great safety feature and doesn't use any power.

JUGNU - 11/18/2006 2:40:00 PM

+2 Boost

"How can they justify yet another engine option? "

THis is what i am saying from the day one of S8.

They already have W12 producing 450BHP,then why another 450BHP engine.
Is it only to match BMW and MB.Like they have 4-5(gasoline) variants of a class/series.Audi followed them by giving a new variant in the A8 class.
But i will say it's no way near as sensible as BMW's or MB's.

JUGNU

chewy - 11/18/2006 11:13:53 PM

0 Boost

Lighter more performance oriented engine=V10 5.2 FSI Lamo derived engine

More luxury oriented W12 6.0.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/19/2006 12:49:03 PM

0 Boost

That's like comparing the S63 to the S600. I don't know which one is more money (probably the S600), but it doesn't make any sense to have both of them. If there was an RS8, it would be a direct competitor to the S65 and would have the LP640's engine (in my dreams), and it would make sense.

But I see your point. Personally, I'd take the S8. It's like a W12 for $20,000 less- and you're not really missing much luxury. The base A8 is sumptuous in its own right. The W12 has also been described as not being much fun. The V8 and V10 versions are, however.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/19/2006 12:50:02 PM

0 Boost

It's actually $27,000 less. I'd get a used Boxster or something for the difference.

S8 $92,000

A8L W12 $119,000

Occarnut - 11/22/2006 7:52:49 AM

+1 Boost

Actually it makes pretty good sense..the S8 is a performance version short wheel base, the W12 is a luxury/performance version of the long wheel base and the personalities of the two are very different. BMW offers shortie and long 7-series but your choices are V8 or V12 for both. Both S8 and W12 are selling well...limited availability, but they are not sitting on dealer lots.