With much anticipation, Audi has unveiled the all-new fourth generation A8 full-size luxury sedan in Miami this week – right at the time that we got the first spy-shots of the sportier S8 variant on the opposite side of the globe.
Even through a 1000-mm-lens the bigger alloy wheels, lower stance and two pairs of exhaust pipes are visible. Rest assured we’ll be around once the car hits the Nürburgring next summer.
V10
The new Audi S8 will be equipped with an updated version of today’s V10 engine that capitalises on the expertise of the super sports car Lamborghini Gallardo. The 10-cylinder power unit will then develop over 500 hp of power and 570 Nm of torque from a swept volume of 5.2 litres. This luxury saloon will then sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, and is electronically governed at 250 km/h.
quattro
The driveline and chassis of the S8 will be modified over the standard A8 to reflect the engine's power. A quattro drivetrain of the latest generation with asymmetric/dynamic torque distribution will divert the engine's power to all four wheels. The firmer settings of the adaptive air suspension sport and modifications to the steering will ensure that the power and dynamism of the drivetrain are translated with precision into locomotion.
