This Audi S8, which was launched on the market in the middle of 2012, was at the time the new head of the Audi S model family. It was a large, luxurious sedan of supreme power. The 4.0 TFSI in the S8 generated no less than 520 hp and delivered a constant 650 Nm of torque to the crankshaft between 1,700 and 5,500 rpm. The resulted in an outstanding performance: The sprint from zero to 100 km/h took just 4.2 seconds, and top speed was electronically capped at 250 km/h.
Behind the top value for this 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 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.
Chassis
This Audi S8 also pulls out all the stops when it comes to the chassis. One of its features is a specially tuned adaptive air suspension with variable damping, which can vary the ride height of the body between three levels and thus ensures a wide-ranging driving experience. It harmonizes perfectly with the dynamic steering, also standard, that adapts its steering ratio and boost to the vehicle’s speed. It uses slight, nearly imperceptible steering corrections to stabilize handling at the cornering limit.
The Audi drive select dynamics system encompasses these two systems as well as engine management, the eight-speed tiptronic and the sport differential. The driver can determine the function of these components by choosing between the five modes comfort, auto, dynamic, individual and efficiency.
Body and design
A decisive advantage of the S8 is the comparatively low weight of 1,975 kilograms. The luxury sedan’s ASF (Audi Space Frame) body is made almost entirely of aluminum. Only the B-pillars are made of ultra high-strength steel. The body weighs just 231 kilograms a conventional steel construction would be around 100 kilograms heavier. The Audi ultra-lightweight construction allows weight to be reduced in other areas as well, such as the chassis.
Fine design details signal the special position that the 5.15 meter-long S8 occupies in the Audi range. The single-frame grille is platinum gray and its eight double bars are covered in chrome. An aluminum-look blade makes the bumper appear sharper, and there are high-gloss black slats and aluminum-look ribs in the side air intakes.
On the sides, body color trim strips on the sills, door handles with strips of aluminum and polished aluminum-look mirror housings catch the eye. The diffuser insert at the back of the car includes a blade with a two-layer aluminum-look finish offset with parts in platinum gray. The exhaust system ends in two oval dual tailpipes in a chrome-look finish.
S8 or V8 T badges can be found in the front, on the back and on the sides. The color range includes 13 shades, two of which – Daytona Gray and Prism Silver – are reserved for the S8. When brand new, this Audi S8 was beyond the reach of many for its asking price was well above RM780,000. Now in the reconditioned (quality used car) market, this Audi S8 carries a price tag that is almost half of its new selling price.
Just visit Naza World (along Federal Highway in PJ) to have a detailed look at their range of Audi cars and check their extensive range of Audi ‘S’ vehicle’s on offer or call 012-332 8116 or 012 332 8141 for an appointment.
