Audi S8

Audi S8 is a true dreamcar like other supercars.

First introduced in 1998, the notion behind the production of the Audi S8 was simple - high power distributed appropriately through the trademark Quattro drive twinned with supreme luxury. And since then the S8 has delivered just that. Pure, unfiltered luxury is offered in this model of Audi.

The Audi S8 was initially introduced as the high performance version of their flagship model, the Audi A8. The car shares the all aluminum chassis similar to the A8.

From 1998 to 2003, the standard Audi S8 came with a 335 bhp re-tuned V8 petrol engine. A re-calibrated sports version with a 5-speed tiptronic auto transmission and 6-speed manual were also available. In 2001, the S8's engine received an additional 24 bhp boosting the engine to a 359 bhp. The 2001 version was the first to be introduced in the USA.

Speed sensitive Servotronic steering was standard in the model. The sports version included a stiffer spring rate suspension and more compression in the shock absorbers. Bosch ABS 5.3 brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution came as a standard. From 2002, Electronic Stability Programme by Bosch became a standard. The car came with standard cast aluminum alloy wheels.

In the last quarter of 2005, Audi introduced the 5.2 FSI Quattro S8 on its D3 platform. With an engine derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 Litre V10, Audi claimed the S8 could do 0-100 kmph in 5.1 seconds thus placing it in competition with BMW 760Li and the Mercedes-Benz S600 and the S63 AMG. Top speed was electronically limited to 250 kmph.

The all aluminum alloy Fuel Stratified Injection V10 engine, with a wider bore and a longer stroke increases torque at low rpm. Retuned to produce 444 bhp at 7000 rpm, the engine uses DOHC and variable valve timing. A six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission with a paddle-shift gearbox was on offer. Employing multi-link suspension with pressurized air springs, the S8 provided a firmer ride. Servotronic steering assist was also the normal option. ABS, ESP and EBD formed the braking department. Quattro was also default.

The Audi S8 sports a trapezoidal front grille with the distinct Audi logo on it. The vertical strut details were accented with a chrome finish. The car bears the "S8" badge in both the front and the rear. High-density discharge headlamps including static turning lights and dynamic cornering lights form the exterior. The interior has two-tone leather seats; illuminated needles for the instrument cluster and a wide screen color display for the Multi Media Interface are standard. A BOSE Surround Sound System comes as a standard. This can be replaced with a 1000-Watt digital Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. Other options include "Advanced Parking " system that consists of a rear view camera whose video is projected on the MMI display with trajectory lines that show the position of the vehicle relative to the displacement of the steering wheel.

With the 2009 model slated for release soon all eyes are on Audi to see if this model lives up to the customer's expectations.