2017 Audi S8 4.0T Plus Road Test and Review

2017 Audi S8 Plus Front Side DRLs ・ Photo by Miles Branman

Apart from supercars, full-size luxury sedans are the clearest signal of success. Elegant, comfortable, and, of course, expensive, these vehicles dominate the road in the same way their owners dominate a boardroom. But there’s a level of automotive prestige even higher than a standard executive saloon.

Luxury vehicle manufacturers with performance pedigrees offer the power and poise of a sports car in a premium sedan’s refined packaging. This blend of extravagance and thrust creates a difficult decision for owners: to drive, or be driven.

Audi’s horse in this elite race is the 2017 Audi S8 4.0T Plus sedan. Beautiful, smooth, and stupendously quick, the S8 Plus leads the charge for Audi’s entire lineup. There’s no graduating from the S8 Plus without making some sacrifices regarding comfort and utility.

Though full-size performance sedans occupy a relatively small niche of the automotive market, the competition is intense. For Audi’s S8 Plus to come out on top, it needs the perfect balance of luxury and agility.

What’s New for 2017

Audi’s current generation A8 (upon which the higher output S8 Plus is based) has been on the sale since 2010 and received a facelift in 2014. In 2016, Audi phased out the standard S8 and gave the S8 Plus a bump of 93 horsepower. The 2017 model year introduces a slightly higher price tag (up $1,025) and a new upholstery combination as part of the Audi Design full leather package. Customers can now choose black leather with Arras Red stitching (how our tester comes equipped). The S8 Plus also takes a small hit to its fuel economy figures due to more stringent EPA testing. The new ratings are 15 city/24 highway/18 combined mpg (down 1 mpg in highway and combined estimates).

Photo by Miles Branman

Performance

Think of something sporty. What comes to mind? The Volkswagen Golf GTI, Subaru WRX, or Toyota 86 might be good places to start. Each of these vehicles is certainly a hoot to drive. They also happen to produce one-third of the Audi S8 Plus’ total power output. With 605 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque on tap from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the S8 Plus is phenomenally fast. Foot to the floor, you’ll hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.8 seconds and you will continue accelerating to a top speed of 190 mph. For reference, Jaguar’s F-type R sports car runs out of steam at 186 mph and is no quicker to 60 mph. Accelerating this rapidly in a car that weighs more than a Dodge Challenger should be disorienting, but power delivery is so smooth you won’t believe the speedometer. On several occasions, we find ourselves questioning why traffic is moving so slowly only to realize we’re simply moving way too quickly. Audi’s potent powertrain is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. With the computer in charge, gear changes are fluid and predictable. Should you desire greater control, simply pull on one of the steering wheel-mounted paddles to snap between gears in fractions of a second.

Photo by Miles Branman

Handling

Hustling a full-size sedan in a straight line is one thing, but transforming two tons of metal into a corner carver is a far greater challenge. Audi conquers physics with two critical pieces of engineering. The first is quattro all-wheel drive. In a breath, Audi’s class-leading drivetrain calculates which wheel or wheel has the most available grip and instantly applies power. Not only does this system make any driver look like a pro, it enables the S8 Plus to use its mammoth engine effectively. Complementing Audi’s quattro system is a sophisticated suspension. Throttle response, steering sensitivity, and damping can be altered via Audi Drive Select modes. Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual manipulate the ride characteristics to match your driving behavior. The moment you pick up the pace, active dampers stiffen to elevate performance and feedback. The final performance piece is Audi’s optional Carbon Ceramic brakes, which reel the S8 Plus back from ludicrous speed in no time. Even the most hardcore sports car would struggle to lose the S8 on a curvy road, much less keep up on a straight section of tarmac.

Photo by Miles Branman

Exterior Styling

On the German Autobahn where speed limits don’t exist, only the fastest vehicles command the left lane -- but looking the part is just as important. If you find yourself hurtling down a highway and spot the Audi S8 Plus’ massive grille and piercing headlights in your rearview mirror, I guarantee you’ll want to move over.   Despite its aesthetic age, the S8 Plus is difficult to distinguish from more contemporary models like the S6 and S4. Our tester’s black optic design package adds dark finish to the front grille, intake slats, window trim, quad exhaust ports, and 21-inch titanium wheels. The optional Dynamic Package adds a subtle carbon fiber trunk lip spoiler and massive ceramic brakes, and removes the top speed limiter (letting the S8 Plus stretch its legs at 190 mph). Long, wide, and sleek, the S8 Plus is an imposing sedan sitting still or rocketing towards your rear bumper.

Photo by Miles Branman

Technology and Safety Features

Until the S8 Plus gets an overhaul sometime next year, the performance sedan must make do with Audi’s last generation of convenience features. Most notably, the automaker’s brilliant Virtual Cockpit driver display – a 12.3-inch configurable digital monitor – can’t be optioned. Also missing is the latest MMI infotainment system and a sharper center screen. After experiencing newer systems in Audi models costing a fraction of the S8 Plus’ starting figure, it’s a bit disappointing to toy with a slower, grainier module. On the bright side, Audi’s lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and pre sense safety systems are available to reduce driver fatigue.

Photo by Miles Branman

Interior Refinement

Technology aside, the S8 Plus is premium bliss for every passenger. Thanks to dual pane, acoustic glass windows, the cabin is silent — independent of outside noise or vehicle velocity. Every seat is covered in Valcona leather, diamond stitched for a supple and supportive mix. The Alcantara-lined roof is a sensory treat for tactile snobs. Front occupants can heat, cool, or massage their backsides, while each rear passenger enjoys his or her own climate setting. Audiophiles will appreciate the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system, which fills the cockpit with crystal clear tones to help you experience music like never before. You simply won’t experience this level of ride quality and comfort in another vehicle for less than quarter of a million bucks.

Photo by Miles Branman

Pricing and Packages

Which isn’t to say the 2017 Audi S8 Plus comes cheap. A no-option model starts the bidding at $115,900, but you can quickly load the performance sedan to nearly $150,000. Standard highlights include a variable-ratio steering system, 21-inch wheels, power sunroof, auto dimming, power-folding, heated door mirrors, navigation, a backup camera, LED headlights with adaptive high beams, Sirius XM, a head-up display, four-zone climate control, leather seats, Bluetooth phone and audio integration, and a power trunk. The $11,000 Dynamic Package adds carbon fiber accents, ceramic brakes, and a sports exhaust system. Black exterior treatments will cost you $5,500, as will Audi’s design selection (Arras red contrast stitching, carbon twill trim panels, full leather interior, and a piano black shifter). Safety technologies check in at $2,100. Finally, the cold weather package (rear seat pass-through, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel) is a relative steal at $750.

Photo by Miles Branman

Highs and Lows

Highs: -    Tranquil ride quality -    Prodigious grunt -    Sharp, imposing design -    sports car levels of grip Lows: -    Some outdated convenience features

Photo by Miles Branman

The Competition

Glaring at Audi’s S8 Plus from other parts of Germany is BMW’s new M760i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG’s S63. Like the S8, these two bruisers make tremendous power, pride themselves on a supple ride, and wear elegant bodywork. Unlike the S8 Plus, however, neither starts anywhere close to $100K. BMW’s range-topping 7 Series sedan retails for $156,495, boasts 601 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque via a twin-turbo V12, and employs carbon fiber structural components for lightened, agile handling. Mercedes-AMG’s $144,700 S-Class sedan utilizes a twin-turbo V8 to produce 577 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Both BMW’s M760 and Mercedes-AMG’s S63 make less power and more torque than the S8 Plus. With heavier bodies than the S8 Plus (+150 lbs for the Benz and +500 lbs for the BMW), neither car can best the Audi to 60 mph or match its unrestricted top speed. Deciding between these high-speed four-doors will come down to styling preference and value for money, but we’d call Audi’s S8 Plus the super sedan to beat.

Photo by Miles Branman

Our Take

Above all, a full-size luxury sedan should feel effortless in the way in accelerates, handles, and facilitates passenger comfort. The 2017 Audi S8 4.0T Plus doesn’t merely meet its segment standards; it defines them with unbeatable performance, provocative design, and cabin refinement. With a new generation on the way, Audi’s rivals may be playing catch-up for years to come.

Photo by Audi