Audi S8 Review

2009 Audi S8 quattro Sedan

The Audi S8 is this German automaker's flagship performance sedan. Debuting at the start of the new millennium, it was the third vehicle for the North American market to bear an "S" badge. Used to showcase Audi's performance engineering, S- and RS-badged vehicles compete directly against other automakers' performance models from divisions like BMW's M and Mercedes-Benz's AMG. As a high-luxury, high-performance and high-tech platform, the S8 is the standard-bearer in Audi's arsenal.

There are two generations of the Audi S8 and each has been based on the A8 luxury sedan from the same time period. Building on the A8's lightweight aluminum-frame chassis, the S8 adds a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, more powerful brakes and a slightly more aggressive look. Despite being Audi's largest sedan, the combination of a relatively light curb weight, muscular power and the tenacious grip of the car's standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system make it surprisingly quick and agile. Audi's Quattro system is a key advantage over the S8's competitors as it provides more traction, especially in inclement weather conditions.

Audi made sure that luxury amenities were not sacrificed for the sake of outright speed. A premium leather-trimmed interior, real wood accents and exemplary fit and finish complement both S8 models, as do a full bevy of safety features. If there's a fault to the Audi S8, it's probably that it doesn't quite match the performance potential of some competing sedans. Our editors have described it as an impressive luxury sedan first and a performance sedan second. But for those needing AWD security or simply desiring a fast, stealthy and relatively rare luxury sedan, either S8 generation will do nicely.

Current Audi S8

Returning to the lineup for 2007 after a three-year hiatus, the latest Audi S8 is based on the second-gen A8. Its most talked-about feature is its engine. Audi's engineers took advantage of parent company Volkswagen's ownership of Lamborghini and snagged the Lamborghini Gallardo's 40-valve V10 engine. Audi increased displacement to 5.2 liters and added FSI gasoline-direct injection to optimize power delivery. The result is an operatic 450 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. All that sonorous power is pushed through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, so you can happily keep your fingers tapping on the steering wheel paddle shifters. The sound of the engine wailing through the quad exhaust pipes is so sweet, you may ask the premium audio system to take five.

The current Audi S8 delivers the performance goods while rewarding the driver with an opulent experience filled with techno-gadgetry. It has an easy-to-learn Multi Media Interface with Bluetooth-enabled navigation, a 350-watt, 12-speaker Bose audio system with a glovebox CD changer, power retractable side mirrors with tilt-in-reverse and all of it wrapped in sumptuous leather and wood trim. A stiffer version of the standard A8's fully independent adaptive air suspension works in unity with 20-inch wheels, performance tires and speed-dependent steering to deliver exceptional handling in both high- and low-speed maneuvers.

Overall, the combination of luxury, performance and technology add up to an impressive package. At the same time, Audi has kept the styling upgrades tasteful so the S8 doesn't immediately scream "performance model" like some competitors do. Only in terms of maximum performance potential is Audi's finest a bit of a letdown.

Past Audi S8 Models

When it debuted for the 2001 model year, the first Audi S8 came with a 4.2-liter V8 making 360 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The aluminum frame body and lowered, stiffer suspension performed well on its 18-inch wheels. The fit and finish bested anything else in its class. It even garnered a starring role in a memorable car chase in the film Ronin directed by John Frankenheimer. Yet the S8 never seemed to have the name cachet of its impressive rivals.

Audi continued to improve the car by small increments over the next two years. It offered new features like a tire-pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking assist and a navigation system. To increase the feeling of exclusivity, Audi released limited-edition color combinations like a silver exterior with a burgundy interior, a Ming Blue exterior with a platinum interior and a black exterior with a caramel interior. As a used model, the original S8 still provides serious performance dynamics that can be enjoyed from the most splendid of environments.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.