{"id":56956,"date":"2012-10-29T18:00:10","date_gmt":"2012-10-29T17:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gtspirit.com\/?p=56956"},"modified":"2015-08-22T02:21:53","modified_gmt":"2015-08-22T00:21:53","slug":"road-test-2012-audi-s8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/2012\/10\/29\/road-test-2012-audi-s8\/","title":{"rendered":"Road Test: 2012 Audi S8"},"content":{"rendered":"
You are looking at the newest edition of the Audi S8, a top-of-the line S-badged A8 powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0 liter V8 claiming the number one position in the market of \u00fcber-limos and ultra-comfortable power sedans. Audi offered us a weekend of S8 pleasure surrounded by the ultimate comfort, refinement and high-tech multimedia currently available in the German stable.<\/p>\n
For its first two generations, the S8 was an executive touring car. The new two-tonne model offers a similar feeling, but also a hell of lot more. The 2012 S8 has made a giant leap from its predecessor and is capable of delivering more power, speed, refinement and agility with less fuel consumption and noise levels.<\/p>\n
The new 2012 Audi S8 did not offer us the very first taste of Audi’s new V8 engine, which also powers the S6 and S7. We drove both S-models earlier this year and experienced the excellence of the smooth power plant featuring Audi’s “cylinder on demand” technology used under part load for a lower fuel consumption. It simply means that electronics shut down cylinders 2-3-5-8, while cruising and using light throttle responses. The system works unnoticed.<\/p>\n
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The power offered from the engine dishes out its 520hp at 6,000rpm and 650Nm between 1,700 and 5,500rpm to all four wheels. That’s enough power to slingshot you from 0-100km\/h in 4.2 seconds \u2013 quicker than the rivals from Jaguar and Mercedes. The top speed is electronically limited at 250km\/h. <\/p>\n
Excellent numbers, but those are only memorized after a full experience behind the steering wheel. The acceleration after pushing the throttle and the initial pause while the gearbox shifts down creates a responsiveness and acceleration no one has never seen before in any S8. It is exhilarating! The active engine mounts and noise cancellation with four microphones inside the cabin allow the S8 to do its catapulting task in relative silence.<\/p>\n
The engine steps off the line gracefully and spins smoothly to the redline without the slightest hint of turbo lag. A self-locking center differential, limited-slip rear differential with torque vectoring and an eight-speed automatic let the drive train stand out from direct competitors. The muffled growl from the quad end pipes under full throttle, smooth and deep, accompanies the grandeur of the twin-turbo V8.<\/p>\n
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