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Audi S8
Its predecessor was already a sporty luxury saloon with an exceptionally
individual character. The new Audi S8, launched in Australia in December 2006,
is set to continue this legacy and develop it further, with the objective of
setting new standards in its class.
Sportiness is to be found in the genes of all Audi models. In the case of the
S models, however, it is a declared principle, combined with comfort,
aesthetics, elegance and uncompromising quality. The Audi S8, born from a
fascination for technology, combines all these characteristics to produce a high
degree of passion and superiority.
Drivetrain
For the first time in its history, Audi is putting a ten-cylinder engine on
to the road. The long-stroke V10 capitalises on the expertise behind the
Lamborghini Gallardo super sports car, yet is a completely new development in
certain key areas – one of its most important innovations being FSI petrol
direct injection.
The S8 engine has a displacement of 5,204 cc, from which it produces an
output of 331kW at 7,000 rpm and 540 Nm of torque. 90 percent of this power is
already available at 2,300 rpm. The Audi luxury saloon consequently achieves the
road performance of a high-calibre sports car. The Audi S8 sprints from a
standstill to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, and effortlessly reaches a top speed of
250 km/h (electronically limited).
Thanks among other things to its compact design, the ten-cylinder concept is
ideal for achieving a sporty performance. FSI technology, which uses the
principle of homogeneous combustion, enables a high compression ratio. Audi has
drawn here on the extensive experience it enjoys in the field of motorsport.
The R8 racing car, a pioneer of direct injection, took part in the Le Mans 24
Hours five times, winning on four of those occasions – proof indeed of the
efficiency and high performance of this technology. The advantages are clear to
see:
- very spontaneous response, short reaction time
- shorter shift points, quick gear changes
- sporty, throaty sound when accelerating
- beefy torque curve even at low engine speeds
- sporty behaviour thanks to engine speeds up to 7,000 rpm
- perfect synthesis of sporty driving pleasure and comfort on long
journeys
The S8 is equipped with a six-speed tiptronic transmission. The final ratio
of this automatic transmission is lower than on the A8, its management is
optimised to change gear more dynamically. In typical Audi style, the new S8
also transmits its power to the road by means of quattro permanent four-wheel
drive. In its new generation, with asymmetric/dynamic torque split, it makes the
dynamic character of the luxury saloon even more agile. A centre differential
distributes 40 percent of the power to the front and 60 percent to the rear
wheels. This slight emphasis on the rear end ensures particularly dynamic
handling.
Chassis
Like the A8, the S8 also relies on adaptive air suspension including adaptive
damper control and aluminium chassis components. However, the setup on this
model is exceptionally sporty in character and even slightly stiffer than on the
adaptive air suspension – sport version familiar from the A8, which lowers the
body by up to 20 millimetres depending on mode. The steering has a more direct
ratio which ensures better handling. The Audi S8 is fitted as standard with cast
aluminium wheels of S design. These are of size 9 J x 20 and shod with wide
tyres of size 265/35.
The four discs of the 18-inch brake system are ventilated and generously
dimensioned. The optional ceramic brakes, which are already offered for the A8
W12, are a special feature available for the S8.
Ceramic brakes have significant advantages over steel discs. They are less
susceptible to heat fading and last for up to 300,000 kilometres – about four
times as long as steel discs. The car’s handling also benefits from the ceramic
discs’ lower weight – they are around 5 kilograms or 50 percent lighter than
steel discs.
Body
The innovative aluminium body, built using the Audi Space Frame ASF
principle, provides the high-strength basis for the supreme dynamism of the Audi
S8. The closed space frame imbues the body with outstanding characteristics. The
static torsional rigidity, a critical measure of dynamic potential, is around 60
percent higher than on the previous model.
At the same time, the new S8 has the lightest bodyshell in the entire luxury
segment – its weight is around 50 percent lower than that of an equivalent steel
body. This advantage is doubly valuable, benefiting both dynamism and economy.
Design
A glance at the outside is enough to see that the S8 gives an unmistakeable
promise of performance. The car’s athletic exterior design translates its
dynamism into a clear and elegant formal idiom and emphasises the exceptional
position that the brand’s sporty top model enjoys in the luxury class.
The front end of the Audi S8 is adorned with the single-frame grille bearing
the S8 badge and comprising vertical struts with a chrome-look finish. Three
flat air inlets accentuate the front apron; the large inlets under the
headlights feature a honeycomb grille.
Down the sides, badges on the front wings, door handles with aluminium trim
strips and aluminium-look mirror housings are indications of the exceptional
status of the S8.
The S8 on the tail, a rear spoiler integrated into the luggage compartment
lid, a subtle light-refracting edge in the apron and an exhaust system with four
oval tailpipes complete the list of modifications.
The door sill trims are adorned with S8 emblems, the inlays are in brushed
aluminium and carbon. The leather multifunction sports steering wheel has
colour-contrasting stitching and the S emblem, the shift paddles have an
aluminium-look finish. Aluminium-look trim also embellishes the selector lever
knob, the electromechanical parking brake and air vent surrounds. The needles on
the instrument dials are in white, their scales in light grey and their digits
in italic script. The sports seats with Valcona leather upholstery are finished
in a two-colour look.
Equipment
The A8 already boasts a luxurious standard equipment specification. This
includes a leather multifunction steering wheel, deluxe automatic air
conditioning, a luggage compartment lid with power-assisted closing, cruise
control, electrically adjustable front seats and an electromechanical parking
brake.
In addition to these items, the S8 will boast a wealth of other comfort and
convenience features such as the keyless driver authorisation system advanced
key, double glazing for the windows, automatically dipping and electrically
folding exterior mirrors, heating for the rear seats, a DVD navigation system
and a Bose surround sound system with CD changer, Valcona leather and a
leather-covered centre console and door armrests.
The standard equipment of the S8 also includes the innovative lighting
technology adaptive light with LED daytime running lights. In this case, the
xenon plus headlights are combined with static turning lights and dynamic
cornering lights, as well as with special daytime running lights. Each
consisting of five white light-emitting diodes, these only consume a minimum
amount of energy.
One particular highlight that is standard for the S8 in Australia is the Bang
& Olufsen Advanced Sound System. The fully digital system from the Danish
high-end manufacturer integrates 14 speakers, each energised by its own output
stage. Two amplifiers provide more than 1,000 watts of power. The front tweeters
use what is known as Acoustic Lens Technology, and act as point sound sources.
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