Audi S8

 

What’s new? We such as the Audi S8. We actually adore it. There might be more accomplished limousines in the marketplace, but none the strategies can match the A8’s style-led gravitas or its deeply imbued sense of quality. If you’re susceptible to its charms, It‘ll glide your motoring wish list with ease. Which brings us towards the much more imposing hulk of Teutonic menace sat before us today, the Audi S8. Even the on-paper concept includes a delicious ring inwith it. Take the aforementioned glamour-limousine, spice it diligently with all of the quality trappings of the go-faster Audi after which drop inside a, um, Lamborghini Gallardo engine.

Yes, that’s the killer blow. Our favourite limo is available by having an entire stable of Italian supercar ponies jostling under its precisely fitting bonnet. What’s it like? Press the go pedal inside the S8 and you’ll hear a surprisingly loud growl - no opera, only a deep, monotone rumble that develops into your determined howl. Where has got the music gone? Well, the S8 has a similar basic V10 like the Gallardo, but it’s been considerably reworked for that application. In comes Audi’s direct fuel injection and also a bore-out to 5. 2 litres and down goes the ability searching for greater flexibility. Rather than the Lamborghini’s 520bhp, you will get 444bhp, which Isn‘t much greater than the RS4’s V8. There‘s 398lb ft of torque, however - more useful compared to the Lambo’s 376lb ft at a better 4250rpm. That can be lots of power, however it doesn’t sound like such a lot now that we’ve all been spoilt from the staggering performance of AMG’s super-saloons.

And thus it feels on an open road. The Audi S8 is fast, but almost as fast as you may expect. Hold the throttle upon the stop, however, and it also accelerates with conviction instead of abject fury. The quoted 0-62mph time of 5. 1sec is hardly tardy, so it’s probably more an issue of expectation versus reality instead of any actual underperforming. Just don’t expect real fireworks. To line the S8 to its new role, Audi has brought the Sport suspension option coming from the standard Audi S8 range and tweaked it further, with extra-firm damping and also a 20mm drop in ride height. Gorgeous 20in alloy wheels now fill the arches with lean 35-profile tyres wrapped at large. As you may expect, the ride quality suffers when compared to some sensibly shod A8, but it’s not a significant problem and just the wider ridges in an open road shake a good way through towards the cabin, causing it to tremble inside an un-limo-like way.

That’s the point when you begin to question the thinking behind the S8, though. Despite some tweaks towards the steering, the Audi remains a remote device to pilot and you’re always mindful of its size and weight when pressing on. It resists roll well and also the fine traction will cause it to be a formidable machine altogether weathers, but it’s no driver’s car. Should I buy one? It’s simple to conclude that this can be a car that falls involving the twin pillars of limo luxury and sports saloon an expensive toy shown up by the actual stars from the range : the 3. 0-litre and 4. 2-litre turbodiesels. But viewed on a far more subjective level, it’s hard to not such as the S8. It’s fast enough, handles securely and tidily enough, and also has all of the visual appeal (and much more ) from the regular A8. You’ll enjoy time you spend travelling inside the S8, and it’s good to understand that you¹re ensconced within the few really cool luxury cars you that’s just a little unconventional. At £70, 825, it¹s also a good bit cheaper compared to the exceptionally powerful Mercedes opposition. The S8 Isn‘t a simple purchase to justify, but a minimum of it’s an understandable one. Adam Towler EXTRACT#EANF# Audi S8