Audi S8 for 2012
Home >
News >
Audi
Other stories:
Aston
Martin Rapide production
8th June, 2011
Mercedes-Benz
S-Class for 2011 released
23rd February, 2011
New Jaguar XJ released
11th August, 2010
4th September, 2011
The Audi S8, which will be launched on the European
market in mid-2012 (and somewhat later in Australia), is the new top of the Audi S model range – a
large, luxurious sedan of supreme power. The new 4.0 TFSI in the S8 generates no less than 382 kW
(520 hp) and delivers a constant 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 1,700 and
5,500 rpm. The result is outstanding performance: The sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) takes
just 4.2 seconds, and top speed is electronically capped at 250 km/h (155.34 mph).
This makes the fuel consumption of the sonorous and smooth twin-turbo V8 all the more amazing: It
averages just 10.2 litres per 100 km. The free-breathing, 5.2-litre V10 in the previous model
consumed an average of 13.2 litres per 100 km. Fuel consumption decreased by nearly 23 per cent
despite a 51 kW (70 hp) increase in output.
Behind the top value for the new Audi S8 are the combined technologies of the Audi modular
efficiency platform, including the recuperation and start-stop systems. The newly developed “cylinder
on demand” technology plays a particularly large role. Under part load, it deactivates four of the
eight cylinders for an efficiency gain that is particularly pronounced at moderate highway speeds. A
package of acoustic measures including the Active Noise Cancellation system suppresses possible
intrusive noise and vibrations.
|
|
|
Mercedes-Benz E 350
road test
..... more
BMW Z4
road test
..... more
Lexus IS 250C
road test
..... more
Mercedes-Benz SL 600
road test
..... more
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
road test
..... more
Jaguar XKR
road test
..... more
|
|
|
The eight-speed tiptronic in the S8 also unites sportiness and efficiency. It uses tall gears at
low revs whenever possible, but downshifts quickly and comfortably when requested by the driver. The
tiptronic delivers the power to a quattro drivetrain combining a self-locking center differential
with the sport differential at the rear axle. During dynamic driving, the lion’s share of the power
flows to the outside wheel to literally push the large sedan into the corner.
Chassis
The new Audi S8 also pulls out all the stops when it comes to the chassis. One of its features is
a specially tuned adaptive air suspension with variable damping, which can vary the ride height of
the body between three levels and thus ensures a wide-ranging driving experience. It harmonises
perfectly with the dynamic steering, also standard, that adapts its steering ratio and boost to the
vehicle’s speed. It uses slight, nearly imperceptible steering corrections to stabilise handling at
the cornering limit.
The Audi drive select dynamics system encompasses these two systems as well as engine management,
the eight-speed tiptronic and the sport differential. The driver can determine the function of these
components by choosing between the five modes comfort, auto, dynamic, individual and efficiency.
The standard, S-specific wheels measure 9 J x 20 and are shod with 265/40-series tyres. Audi
offers five additional wheels as options, four of which have a 21-inch diagonal. The four internally
ventilated disc brakes measure 400 millimetres (15.75 in) in diameter up front and 365 millimetres
(14.37 in) at the rear. The matt black callipers up front bear S8 logos. Each of the optional carbon
fibre-ceramic discs saves over five kilogrammes (11 lb) of weight. Their callipers are anthracite
grey. The ESP stabilisation programme includes a sport mode, in which engine output is determined
solely by the position of the pedals.
Body and design
A decisive advantage of the S8 is the comparatively low weight of 1,975 kilogrammes (4,354.13 lb).
The luxury sedan’s ASF (Audi Space Frame) body is made almost entirely of aluminium. Only the
B-pillars are made of ultra high-strength steel. The body weighs just 231 kilogrammes (509.27 lb); a
conventional steel construction would be around 100 kilogrammes (220.46 lb) heavier. The Audi
ultra-lightweight construction allows weight to be reduced in other areas as well, such as the
chassis.
Fine design details signal the special position that the 5.15 metre-long (16.90 ft) S8 occupies in
the Audi range. The single-frame grille is platinum grey and its eight double bars are covered in
chrome. An aluminium-look blade makes the bumper appear sharper, and there are high-gloss black slats
and aluminium-look ribs in the side air intakes.
On the sides, body color trim strips on the sills, door handles with strips of aluminium and
polished aluminium-look mirror housings catch the eye. The diffuser insert at the back of the car
includes a blade with a two-layer aluminium-look finish offset with parts in platinum grey. The
exhaust system ends in two oval dual tailpipes in a chrome-look finish.
S8 or V8 T badges can be found in the front, on the back and on the sides. The colour range
includes 13 shades, two of which – Daytona Grey and Prism Silver – are reserved for the S8.
Interior
The interior shines with craftsman-like fit and finish and small yet effective accents. The
multi-way, power-adjustable comfort sport seats have been designed exclusively for the S8. They are
optionally available with exclusive seat upholstery in quilted lunar silver. The stitching and
piping are in contrasting steel grey, while the upper inlays on the instrument panel and tiptronic
selector lever present the material Carbon Atlas.
The leather multifunction sport steering wheel has colour-contrasting stitching and an S8 emblem,
which can also be found on the instruments. Typical of the Audi S models, these have grey dials with
white needles – a design which is repeated in the classic analogue clock. The illuminated door sill
trims with the S8 logo are a further eye-catcher. The display of the driver information system and
the MMI monitor greet the driver with special S8 screens. The shift paddles and pedals are in an
aluminium-look finish; a red ring frames the start button.
The S8 offers a wide selection of interior colors, inlays and seat upholstery. These include
particularly soft Valcona leather and seats with ventilation and massage functions. The leather
package, a DVD changer, the convenience key with sensor-controlled lock for the trunk and the
ambient lighting package round out the list of standard interior equipment. The Audi S8 is also
equipped with the innovative LED headlights and double glazing.
Equipment
Beyond the generous standard equipment, Audi makes all of the high-end options from the A8 series
available in the new S8. The driver assistance systems, which are closely networked with one another
and the navigation system, are particularly innovative.
The core of these is the adaptive cruise control system with stop & go function; others
include Audi side assist, Audi lane assist, the speed limit display and the night vision assistant
with highlighting of detected pedestrians.
|
|
|
Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
|
|
|
Supplementing these technologies is the safety system Audi pre sense, which is available in a
number of versions. A new break recommendation function uses steering motions and additional
parameters to detect if the driver is getting tired and issues an appropriate warning.
New to the A8 family is the parking system with 360° camera. Four small cameras record images of
the sedan’s immediate surroundings and a computer splices them together. The driver can call up a
variety of views on the MMI monitor, including a virtual top-down view. The system enhances safety
while manoeuvring and in narrow driveways. Special views allow the driver to see cross-traffic.
The MMI navigation plus, which comes standard, represents the state-of-the-art in infotainment
systems. It includes the groundbreaking MMI touch input system, a large hard drive and a
high-resolution 8-inch display. The high-end system can be combined with the likewise standard
Bluetooth online car phone, which brings special Internet services to the car and provides WLAN
connectivity for mobile devices.
The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with its 1,400 watt amplifiers and 19 speakers
impresses with its amazing sound.
Stay tuned to Next Car for local release details (in due course).
| 
