The Audi S8,
which will be launched on the market in spring 2012, is the new head of the
Audi S model family - a large, luxurious sedan of supreme power. Fuel consumption decreased by
nearly 23 percent despite a 51 kW (70 hp) increase in output. Behind the top
value for the new Audi S8 are the combined technologies of the Audi modular
efficiency platform, including the recuperation and start-stop systems. The
newly developed "cylinder on demand" technology plays a particularly
large role. Under part load, it deactivates four of the eight cylinders for an
efficiency gain that is particularly pronounced at moderate highway speeds. A
package of acoustic measures including the Active Noise Cancellation system
suppresses possible intrusive noise and vibrations. The eight-speed tiptronic
in the Audi S8 also unites sportiness and efficiency. It uses tall gears at low
revs whenever possible, but downshifts quickly and comfortably when requested
by the driver. The tiptronic delivers the power to a quattro drivetrain
combining a self-locking center differential with the sport differential at the
rear axle. During dynamic driving, the lion's share of the power flows to the
outside wheel to literally push the large sedan into the
corner.
The new 4.0 TFSI in the Audi S8 generates no less than 382 kW (520 hp) and
delivers a constant 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between
1,700 and 5,500 rpm. The result is outstanding performance: The sprint from
zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) takes just 4.2 seconds, and top speed is
electronically capped at 250 km/h (155.34 mph). This makes the fuel consumption
of the sonorous and smooth twin-turbo V8 all the more amazing: It averages just
10.2 liters per 100 km (23.06 US mpg), much less than its competitors. The
free-breathing, 5.2-liter V10 in the previous model consumed an average of 13.2 liters per 100 km (17.82 US
mpg).
Interior :
The interior shines with craftsman-like
fit and finish and small yet effective accents. The multi-way, power-adjustable
comfort sport seats have been designed exclusively for the Audi S8. They are
optionally available with exclusive seat upholstery in quilted lunar silver.
The stitching and piping are in contrasting steel gray, while the upper inlays
on the instrument panel and tiptronic selector lever present the material
Carbon Atlas.
The leather
multifunction sport steering wheel has color-contrasting stitching and an S8
emblem, which can also be found on the instruments. Typical of the Audi S
models, these have gray dials with white needles - a design which is repeated
in the classic analogue clock. The illuminated door sill trims with the S8 logo
are a further eye-catcher. The display of the driver information system and the
MMI monitor greet the driver with special S8 screens. The shift paddles and
pedals are in an aluminum-look finish; a red ring frames the start button. The
Audi S8 offers a wide selection of interior colors, inlays and seat upholstery.
These include particularly soft Valcona leather and seats with ventilation and
massage functions. The leather package, a DVD changer, the convenience key with
sensor-controlled lock for the trunk and the ambient lighting package round out
the list of standard interior equipment. The Audi S8 is also equipped with the
innovative LED headlights and double glazing.
Exterior :
The MMI navigation plus, which comes standard, represents the
state-of-the-art in infotainment systems. It includes the groundbreaking MMI
touch input system, a large hard drive and a high-resolution 8-inch display.
The high-end system can be combined with the likewise standard Bluetooth online
car phone, which brings special Internet services to the car and provides WLAN
connectivity for mobile devices. The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System
with its 1,400 watt amplifiers and 19 speakers impresses with its amazing
sound.
Beyond the generous standard equipment, Audi makes all of the high-end
options from the A8 series available in the new S8. The driver
assistance systems, which are closely networked with one another and the
navigation system, are particularly innovative. The core of these is the
adaptive cruise control system with stop & go function; others include Audi
side assist, Audi lane assist, the speed limit display and the night vision
assistant with highlighting of detected pedestrians. Supplementing these
technologies is the safety system Audi pre sense, which is available in a
number of versions. A new break recommendation function uses steering motions
and additional parameters to detect if the driver is getting tired and issues
an appropriate warning. New to the A8 family is the parking system with 360°
camera. Four small cameras record images of the sedan's immediate surroundings
and a computer splices them together.
The driver can call up a variety of views on the MMI monitor, including a
virtual top-down view. The system enhances safety while maneuvering and in
narrow driveways. Special views allow the driver to see cross-traffic.