Pronounce the name of Audi’s flagship sport sedan as one word, “sate,” and the resulting utterance is a verb meaning to “satisfy a desire or appetite to the full.” With ten cylinders of Italian-sourced power – yep, the V-10 in this car is essentially the same engine found in the
but tuned differently – combined with handling upgrades, a sumptuous cabin and plenty of gadgets, it stands to reason that the Audi S8 would more than sate just about anyone lusting for performance, luxury and technology. We didn’t quite get our fill, but only because we had to give the keys back.
What We DroveAudi loaned us a $110,170 version of the S8, and that sum included a $1,700 gas guzzler charge and a $720 destination fee. Painted Daytona Gray Pearl Effect, our car added to the $92,000 base price a wonderful Bang & Olufsen audio system ($6,300); a leather appointment upgrade that coated the dash with stitched hides ($4,900); and a Premium Package with features like keyless ignition and locking, heated rear seats, an advanced parking system, a power rear sunshade, and power assists for the trunk and doors ($3,500). We also had Sirius satellite radio ($550) and carbon fiber trim ($500). We spent a week driving the Audi S8 on the highways and byways of the Los Angeles area.
PerformanceGreat expectations frequently lead to dissatisfying realities, and so it is with the Audi S8’s 5.2-liter, 450-horsepower V-10 engine. We knew it was a gas guzzler, and it proved so with an average of 13.9 mpg during a week of spirited driving, but in return we expected the S8 to accelerate in a decidedly quicker fashion than the A8 4.2 we drove a few weeks prior. By the seats of our pants, it did not. The 6-speed Tiptronic transmission usually behaved itself, but sometimes during city driving delivered a bigger dose of off-the-line power than requested. During hard driving on back roads, manual shifting produced fast gear changes using the selector or paddles mounted to the steering wheel.
HandlingWhen it comes to outright handling capability, Audi has cured what ailed the A8 upon which the S8 is based, and this large luxo-sedan is now an official thrill to drive once it has broken free of urban gridlock. The brakes are flawless, grip is extraordinary, and the Servotronic steering provides added feel and feedback. The adjustable suspension offers varying levels of stiffness, with “comfort” best for normal driving and “dynamic” suited more for twisty two-lane roads. If there’s a flaw here, it lay with the occasional shudder coming up through the steering column when slamming around a tight turn. Based on our evaluations, the Audi S8 is the enthusiast’s car of choice in the super luxury class.
VisibilitySince the Audi S8’s rear headrests don’t collapse or nest into the rear seatbacks, and because the side mirrors are on the small side for such a large car, outward visibility is not as good as it should be. Our test car had Audi’s advanced parking system, a rear-mounted camera that shows what’s behind the S8 as well as trajectory lines displaying the path the car will take, and this helped immensely when parking and reversing. Bi-xenon adaptive headlights also improve visibility by illuminating corners when negotiating turns after dark.
Fun to DriveIn the city, the Audi S8 can behave in a brusque fashion, lurching from lights with enough speed to snap your neck and coming to unexpectedly abrupt stops. The car is a bit difficult to drive smoothly, and in urban elements we prefer its more docile fraternal twin, the A8 4.2. At speed in the countryside, however, the S8 is right at home, a thrill to drive hard and fast, unflappable and composed at all times, a serious speed machine that loves to have a good time. Yeah, the S8 is definitely fun to drive in the right surroundings.
Front ComfortComfort is king in the Audi S8’s excellent front seats. They offer 16-way power adjustment to ensure custom tailoring to a wide variety of body sizes and types, as well as multi-stage heating and optional cooling. However, heating and cooling is hard to operate without referencing the owner’s manual at least once. Other comfort features include a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with available heating, an optional seat massage feature, and height adjustable center armrests. Larger seat bolsters can hamper entry and exit, so reconsider if your S8 purchase is more about impressing others and less about daily comfort.
Rear ComfortAudi bases the S8 on the regular wheelbase version of the A8, and while foot room is plentiful, leg space is almost snug for a car this size. Hard seatbacks with bulging storage pockets don’t help matters, especially when entering or exiting. Plus, the bottom cushion is too low and flat while the backrest is too reclined. The S8 does, however, contain better bolstering than the A8 to keep passengers properly placed during enthusiastic driving. Nevertheless, despite rear seat heaters, rear and side window shades, and a large center armrest, the S8’s rear seat is not particularly hospitable.
Interior NoiseAt speed on the highway, there’s a hint of wind noise and the occasional
thwack of pavement from under the tires. While neither is intrusive, the Audi S8 is not as utterly silent as one might expect. Open the sunroof and interior noise obviously increases, but the S8 arcs through the atmosphere cleanly enough that the opening in the roof creates little turbulence in the cabin. In any case, it’s easy to fully immerse oneself in the rich sound emanating from the outstanding Bang & Olufsen audio components.
Loading CargoThe Audi S8 is equipped with a commodious 14.6 cu.-ft. cargo area, usefully shaped and complete with a power opening and closing lid. The trunk floor has an odd recess with a lip that makes it hard to stow roll-away bags, but a low liftover height and large opening help make loading easier. Audi includes an almost full-size spare (255/45R18) under the nicely finished compartment, and there’s a pass-through to the cabin for longer items. Closing the lid is easy thanks to a button that powers the lid down and latches it shut.
Build QualityThough we discovered no egregious problems with our Audi S8’s build quality, neither was the car as flawlessly assembled as one might expect in exchange for $110K and change. Inside, the MMI screen cover and glove box door displayed minor gap inconsistencies and the rear headliner exhibited sloppy fit at the edges. Outside we discovered disparities in door fit through variable gaps and minor issues with regard to lower front fascia, headlamp, and beltline trim fit.
Materials QualityAppropriately, our Audi S8 was decked out in somber but serious gray-over-black décor with carbon fiber trim, plush Alcantara door inserts and headliner, and real aluminum accents. Rich stitched leather covered the dash and doors, and every piece of switchgear featured the heft and damping appropriate to an expensive automobile. Even the few hard plastic surfaces feature pleasing tactile and visual qualities.
StylingA masterpiece of understatement and elegance, the S8 is free of the extraneous detail upon which BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz rely to hide errors of proportion or add visual excitement and character. As such, the Audi dazzles with its minimalist aesthetic. The only flash on the outside of this car is the rolling stock: gorgeous 20-inch multi-spoke wheels. Though not quite as simple inside, what with all the glitzy carbon fiber trim and our test car’s gratuitous two-tone leather seats, the S8’s cabin nevertheless exudes sophistication and class.
StorageAudi provides adequate storage space inside the S8’s cabin, but no more. Looking for a card clip or ticket holder? Not in this car. Need a spot to stow your ostrich and alligator-framed Moss Lipows? How ‘bout the case they came in? The glove box is generous, but so are the manuals and documents that come with the car. Plus, the CD changer is stowed in there. Flip-out door pockets accommodate front and rear passengers, and the center armrests have small storage bins. Four cupholders are included, two in front that sit precariously close to the omniscient MMI buttons and two flimsy plastic ones that deploy from the rear center armrest.
Infotainment ControlsAll we ask for is a simple set of basic stereo controls that are separate from the MMI: a volume/power knob, a tuning/audio knob, and a row of six presets flanked by band and mode buttons. We don’t care if everything is displayed on the screen, we just want something easier to use every day. That said, this is the third Audi we’ve driven in the past month, and the MMI is more intuitive than ever. But don’t confuse that with easy. And, just in case we haven’t made the point strongly enough in the past, the slammin’ $6,300 Bang & Olufsen audio system is well worth every penny.
Climate ControlsThough the Audi S8’s climate system is mounted a bit low on the dash, it’s infinitely simpler and safer to operate than the confounding MMI’s center console buttons and control knob. However, operating the seat heaters might require a pass through the owner’s manual the first time or two. The MMI screen is used to select settings, but not the MMI controller. Rather, individual temperature control knobs on the climate control panel correspond with the display on the screen.
Secondary ControlsIf only the MMI was as easy understand and use as the majority of the Audi S8’s secondary controls. Because the S8 is equipped with Audi’s three-spoke sport steering wheel, the only stalk obscured from view is the cruise control. Also, the wiper stalk blocks the parking assist activation button. Otherwise, the S8 makes life easy, especially when it comes time to power open the sunroof. The twist knob that lets the sun shine in is the most brilliantly conceived sunroof control on the market.
CompetitionOf the Audi S8’s competition, the
Maserati Quattroporte is the most compelling alternative. Face it: certain wealthy enclaves are already awash in BMW 760iLs, Jaguar XJRs, and Mercedes-Benz S600s. Cadillac’s STS-V isn’t even on the radar scope except perhaps for Chicago’s Gold Coast. But even in Newport Beach, Mercer Island, Westchester County, and West Palm Beach, a Maserati Quattroporte is a rare sight. More compelling is the $112,200 price tag for the new Sport GT version, which slots the Maser in right above our as-tested S8. Just be sure to pony up for the extended warranty coverage.
2nd Opinion – BuglewiczAudi S8 – Buglewicz's Opinion: If my investment in California’s education budget (i.e., the lottery) ever pays off, the Audi S8 is definitely on my short list. It’s an outstanding machine, with a superb combination of power, style, and substance. The power is prodigious, the transmission shifts smoothly and quickly (although not as quickly as some we’ve driven), and the interior is functional and expensive feeling. There are nits to pick: the exceptional Bang & Olufsen stereo should also play DVD-Audio; the outside mirrors are too small; the engine note is uninspiring; I’d rather have wood instead of carbon fiber trim to warm up the stark interior. But overall, this S8 is as good as a $110,000 car should be.
Keith Buglewicz
2nd Opinion – Chee
Audi S8 – Chee's Opinion:
Come on. People who can afford a $110,000 luxury sedan don’t really intend to drive it like it should be driven – hard and fast. Oh, they like the power, the 450-horsepower V-10 engine stuck inside a light, all-aluminum body. Yes, indeed, they like that, and the 20-inch wheels. But I’m betting that they really want the sex appeal of a German dream car, the heated and gazillion-way adjustable seats as well as the bragging rights that come with one of the most bad-ass – yet respectable – cars on the road. As for me and whether or not I liked the car, well, like is too small a word. The Audi S8 is, really, the Bang & Olufsen audio system of the luxury car set.
Brian Chee
Photography courtesy Ron Perry
