First Drive: 2007 Audi S8 & S6

It was one of those perfect moments, on the backroads of Quebec. The driver tapped a paddle on the rear of the S6’s steering wheel, selecting a gear two lower than the one he was in. The engine management blipped the throttle open to rev-match the downshift, all ten cylinders making their presence known. He transitioned smoothly into the corner, the big Audi digging in as it traced the contour of the road in a perfect arc, the tactile impulses transmitted through the steering wheel letting him know exactly the surface of the pavement underneath. At the proper moment, his hands pointed the nose of the car through the exit of the curve as he stomped the accelerator down. The sound told the tale, the V10 booming and growling its way towards redline, as the S6 finished its follow-through path and squirted off into the distance.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t the one doing the driving.



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Willis - 11/6/2006 10:37:04 AM

+1 Boost

Beautiful car. With the S8 package, wheels and trim, the Audi A8 evolves into an even more beautiful car than it already is. For me, it is the most beautiful car in this class hands down.

Heyhuub - 11/6/2006 10:46:22 AM

+2 Boost

I second that :)

Anthony - 11/6/2006 10:50:58 AM

+3 Boost

I don't know. An S550 upgraded with an AMG package looks pretty stunning to me. Especially in menacing black, which makes it look aggressive, bold, and extremely sporty, but it still keeps its original elegance.

NARunner - 11/6/2006 12:45:53 PM

+2 Boost

I agree, in the luxury sedan segment, the Audi A/S8 is very nice, but its the S550/63 for me all the way.

theman - 11/7/2006 3:52:54 PM

0 Boost

I agree..the S class is superior, in every aspect..Honestly I have never paid attention to the Audi brand, until the recent news of the R8..These other Audi models are just crap(I dont need to explain why)..It is actually these other boring looking models that weigh the R8 down..

audiot - 11/6/2006 11:04:23 AM

+2 Boost

Yeah, I don't know how you pass up an AMG for this tweener. Not exactly sporty enough, but definitely priced like it's God's gift.

chewy - 11/6/2006 1:46:35 PM

+3 Boost

Very good looks with awesome performance.

Agent63 - 11/6/2006 1:51:09 PM

+1 Boost

The S55/65, S8, 760Li with their top packages and wheels look stunning. When it's at that level, all the cars in that market are beautiful. It's just when you have to base judgement on the 'base vehicle' that people start getting iffy about the looks & performance. IMO of course.

S4cabriofox - 11/6/2006 11:18:02 PM

+2 Boost

"When it's at that level, all the cars in that market are beautiful."

Exactly. This is what I love about shopping for a big sedan. They're all so nice, and there's no clear "best" one. Of course, Lexus fans argue for the LS, Audi fans argue for the A8, BMW fans argue for the 7, Mercedes fans argue for the S... you get it. But they're all amazing- everything they do, they do well. Some may do some things better than others, but there's no truly bad choice in this class.

quattro47 - 11/6/2006 4:47:25 PM

+1 Boost

i recently broke in my S6 and took it for a drive in the mountains. hammered on it pretty good..the paddle shifters and the transmission work well..i pretty much like everything about it.although i wish audi installed the ipod hook before november..as far as looks, the 15% carbon fiber tint i put on my car, which is phantom black, looks killer...

smshnick - 11/6/2006 6:17:41 PM

+2 Boost

Doesn't the S550 look like a stretched and tricked out Altima to you guys? I don't think it has any where near the classic lines as the previous two generations had. I think Mercedes design team has lost their way... hence things like the Bangled-trunk, and the un-easy on the eyes dashboard geometry. It's liked they pieced two different dashboards together. And don't even get me started on the color-keyed tailights (didn't that go out of style in the 80's)?

GermanNut - 11/6/2006 9:20:17 PM

+2 Boost

The S8 cost just as much as the S550 with sports package and those AMG rims.

For the same money I would take the S8 which can fly around the S550.

S4cabriofox - 11/6/2006 11:20:34 PM

+2 Boost

True. S-Class commands quite a premium.

But there's a car for every taste in this class.

For the discerning luxury buyer, the S-Class or LS are the only cars to choose.

For a pure-performance sedan, there's the Maserati Quattroporte.

For someone who's interested in high style and high charm, the Jaguar XJ is the one to get.

For someone who's interested in a mix of both sport and luxury in an understated package, it's the A8, any day.

And, finally, for someone who wants a car that's not QUITE as good as the rest, there's the BMW 7 Series... just kidding!

BMW530i - 11/7/2006 6:59:14 AM

+1 Boost

Hmmm...last time I checked, the S8 and S550 didn't even compete against each other.

S4cabriofox - 11/7/2006 5:57:00 PM

+1 Boost

And he didn't say they did.

He was just saying that the S8 makes the S550 look overpriced.

Mercedes and Porsche are the only brands that can justifiably overprice their cars...

MunichRob - 11/7/2006 12:38:19 AM

+1 Boost

If I was to ever buy a luxury saloon I guess the S8 would be the one to get, but then again I'd never buy a luxury saloon because there not my thing.

I notice Alot of people try and slam the 7-series when it's one of the highest copied vehicles in the industry, and in no doubt is the highest copied vehicle in this segment.

GermanNut - 11/7/2006 9:26:36 AM

+1 Boost

BMW 530i, they don't, but it goes to show you how Mercedes pricing is so ridiculous.

The Mercedes AMG S-class does not start below $115-120K. That is around $20K more than the S8.

iown1 - 11/7/2006 10:46:24 AM

+2 Boost

I spent yesterday afternoon test driving the S-Class. What a beautiful car! Whether your a fan of the styling or not, it is executed to perfection. Command system was a no brainer. The only thing that really put me off, and this was a pretty big letdown, was the instrument panel. All of that digital stuff looked so glaringly out of place in an otherwise club-like interior. I know it's shallow but a detail like this is a real turn off for me. Other than that, it's an amazing ride.

S4cabriofox - 11/7/2006 5:58:05 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, and there are too many perfect cars in this class.

It would be so hard to choose.

CarNut - 11/7/2006 11:20:08 AM

+2 Boost

I still think that S6 is my fav. car in the world for now... anyone has spare change perhaps (30,000 euros will do)

synx - 11/8/2006 1:45:14 AM

+1 Boost

zzzz, waiting for the RS6, even then, compared to M5, zzzzz.

just kidding, S4cabriofox...