| Audi S8 | |
| Manufacturer: | Audi Sport GmbH |
| Production: | 1996–present |
| Model Years: | 1996–present |
| Assembly: | Germany: Neckarsulm |
| Class: | Full-size luxury car (F) |
| Body Style: | 4-door sedan |
| Layout: | Longitudinal F4 layout (quattro) |
| Platform: | Volkswagen Group D platform MLB |
| Related: | Audi A8 Bentley Flying Spur V8 |
| Engine: | (D2) V8 4.2 L. (Volkswagen Group) (D3) V10 5.2 L. (Lamborghini) (D4/D5) V8 4.0 L. (CTGA) |
| Predecessor: | Audi V8 |
| Sp: | us |
The Audi S8 is a full-size luxury car of the Audi S models produced by the German automaker Audi AG, manufactured by Audi Sport GmbH at the Neckarsulm plant. The S8 is the mechanically-upgraded, high-performance version of the Audi A8, fitted standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system, and was only offered with a short-wheelbase for the first three generations, being joined by a long-wheelbase variant option for the fourth generation.
Audi S8 (D2) was produced from 1996 to 2003. The car featured a 4.2 liter V8 with 3400NaN0. The D2 S8 could accelerate from 0–600NaN0 in 6.2 seconds. It has a curb weight of 17300NaN0. In 1999, the car was updated with a power increase to 3690NaN0, which brought the 0–60mph acceleration down to 5.6 seconds. Top speed was electronically limited to 1550NaN0. It has a curb weight of 18450NaN0.[1] An Audi S8 (D2) was chosen as the car of the protagonists of the film Ronin.[2]
Audi S8 (D3) was released from 2006 to 2010. The car was equipped with a modified V10 engine shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo of the same years. It produces 4500NaN0, detuned by 500NaN0 from the Gallardo's power output of 5000NaN0 with the purpose of increasing its fuel efficiency.[3] The top speed is electronically limited to 1550NaN0. Acceleration from 0–600NaN0 takes 5.1 seconds. It has a curb weight of 19400NaN0.[4]
Audi S8 (D4) (2012–2015, facelift 2015–2018) 3,993 V8 TFSI. It produces 5200NaN0. It accelerates from 0-600NaN0 in 3.6 seconds, bests the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds at 118mph and reaches a top speed of 1550NaN0.[5] Curb weight is NaN0NaN0.
In 2016, the S8 plus version was launched with an increased engine power of 6050NaN0. Acceleration from 0–600NaN0 takes 3.3 seconds and with the Dynamic Package it can reach a top speed of 1900NaN0.[6] [7] Unlike the regular S8 which was built by Audi on the regular assembly line alongside other A8 variants, the S8 Plus was built by Audi Sport (formerly Quattro GmbH) and has a VIN that starts with WUA to identify it.[8]
The release of the fourth generation S8 was planned to begin in 2019–2020.[9] For the first time, it was to be offered in both short and long-wheelbase versions, with the long-wheelbase S8 (i.e., an S8L) being the sole variant offered in North America.[10] The S8 is now the flagship of the Audi A8 range, since the nominally higher-end A8 L W12 was no longer offered after the 2018 model year.[11]
The Audi S8 (D5) features 563hp and 590lbft of torque as a result of its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8.[12] A 48-volt mild hybrid system will allow for stop-start use and coasting.[13] Compared to the S8 plus (D4), the S8 (D5) has 34hp less but 37lbft more torque.[14]