Though the fashionable efficiency SUV can hint its roots to the Mercedes-AMG ML55 of the late 90s, it’s truly been honed over the past decade. It took tire and energetic suspension know-how advances to really button these heavy machines down, permitting them to be extra than simply utilitarian however genuinely sporty. And whereas carmakers will fortunately construct them to fulfill the market’s sturdy urge for food, this pattern has shifted the highlight away from their sedan counterparts.
Lest we neglect, the efficiency full-size sedan additionally benefitted from this progress. Whereas SUVs advanced from being greater than efficiency automobiles on stilts, quick sedans quietly made a leap in versatility and athleticism. Consumers now not have to decide on between a quick govt four-door and one with a world-class experience. The Audi S8 is an instance of this new breed and an underrated one. Combining a predictive air suspension system, a 563-horsepower twin-turbo V8, and an elegantly trimmed cabin, the S8 balances luxurious and efficiency by leaning closely on the previous and solely hinting on the latter.
It’s uncommon for a automobile’s driving expertise to hinge on buying a single optionally available additional, nevertheless it does within the S8’s case. 2024 begins at $121,696, together with a $1,095 vacation spot payment. Nevertheless, this tester completed in a delightfully brilliant shade of District Inexperienced Metallic stickers for $141,845. Essentially the most essential line merchandise inside its listing of chosen choices is its $6,000 Predictive Air Suspension. A system comprised of cameras, electrical motors, and air shocks that do many of the heavy lifting (fairly actually) to make this technically “sporty” sedan really feel like a real luxurious limousine.
It really works by incorporating a forward-facing digicam that scans the highway forward. The information gathered is then fed to 4 energetic suspension controllers, successfully small electrical motors positioned by every wheel, that may make particular person on-the-fly changes. These alter parameters just like the automobile’s experience peak whereas shocks agency up or soften to greatest take up oncoming highway imperfections. And regardless of its complexity, the system works seamlessly within the background, eliminating undesirable physique motions whereas decreasing the vibrations and roughness felt within the cabin.
At increased speeds, the S8 makes use of its digicam to scan for potential bends, permitting it to lean barely into turns, bettering its stability. Click on as much as its sportier drive modes, and Audi’s flagship reduces brake dive whereas eliminating rear-end squat throughout heavy acceleration. Extra importantly, it does so with out spoiling its experience, which is plush however by no means floaty. Regardless of what the “S” that adorns its trunk and grille would possibly indicate, the Audi S8 showcases solely hints of sportiness, and it’s all the higher for it.
Open any of its doorways, and this predictive system will elevate the Audi S8 by as much as two inches, facilitating ingress and egress, ought to your knees not bend like they used to. Though it comes throughout as gimmicky initially, seeing this 5,126-pound four-door perk up immediately successfully bridges the accessibility hole between sedans and SUVs. Nevertheless, it settles into its pure experience peak when you shut its door in seconds.
Press its begin button, and its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 gained’t roar into life with fervor, producing a low, burbly observe that sounds distant from the driving force’s seat. It’s the results of a hushed exhaust paired with a well-isolated cabin. You wouldn’t count on it from what’s positioned because the sportiest model of the carmaker’s flagship sedan, however this restraint contributes to its luxurious limousine persona.
It’s a lot the identical when you get going. Though it generates a powerful 563 hp and 590 pound-feet of torque, the S8’s V8 fades into the background in most driving eventualities. It delivers energy quietly whereas an eight-speed automated strikes via gears seamlessly. Given its excessive torque output at low revs, downshifts not often want to choose up velocity whereas cruising.
Nevertheless, ask extra from its proper pedal, and the Audi S8 will reply. That is nonetheless, in spite of everything, fast for its measurement and weight. Due to its commonplace all-wheel-drive system, it’ll dash to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and max out at an electronically set 155 mph restrict. It does so in a matter that’ll really feel acquainted to anybody who has pushed different Audi Sport merchandise. It kicks off with a powerful wave of low-end torque, aided by a quick-shifting transmission, which makes the S8 speedy and successfully interprets the sensation of velocity to its driver.
As with its optionally available predictive suspension system, the S8’s sporty intentions finish when its burst of acceleration is over. Its steering is ultra-light, feeling virtually disconnected from the automobile under. A con of a correct sports activities sedan however a plus in a full-size luxurious automobile. Though sturdy sufficient to confidently sluggish this over 5,000-lb machine, its brakes are straightforward to modulate due to prolonged pedal journey. Even its exhaust system stays practically silent whatever the scenario, with the first observe you hear coming from its audio system, not its quad pipes.
This laid-back method carries over to its cabin, which is characterised by giant, soft seats adorned with a diamond-stiched sample. This tester’s Cognac Brown inside enhances its inexperienced exterior, creating a sublime coloration combo with out being muted. Delicate carbon-fiber and gloss black accents distinction properly towards the tan leather-based, whereas suede inserts in its door panels introduce further textures. The result’s an area that each seems to be and feels costly, successfully subtly incorporating historically sporty supplies like carbon fiber.
Like the remainder of the model’s flagship lineup, the Audi S8 features a configurable digital instrument cluster paired with two central screens. The higher show serves as its infotainment system whereas the one under it controls important options, together with its air-con, seat cooling, and heating options. Though bodily buttons would make these simpler to regulate on the transfer, they create a smooth aesthetic throughout the cabin.
Whether or not you take into account its inside, its engine calibration, or its intelligent predictive suspension system, the Audi S8 is a automobile constructed with full-size luxurious in thoughts and sportiness on the again burner. It delivers glorious straight-line acceleration with out asking you to place up with a punishing experience. Its cabin is quiet and plush; even its engine observe settles right into a subdued position.
Whereas gross sales of efficiency SUVs will seemingly proceed to develop as they grow to be extra succesful and versatile, this tech has allowed the posh sedan to make a major leap. Thanks to those advances, the Audi S8 generally is a luxurious limousine via and thru. It simply so occurs to cover a 563-hp engine beneath its nostril, and also you wouldn’t need it some other approach.
