Audi S8 2007 Review

Road Test

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 4.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

No longer happy to play bridesmaid to BMW in the performance sedan stakes, Audi has recently shifted up a gear with the introduction of new sports versions of its mainstream A4, A6 and A8 models. The RS4 is arguably the sportiest four-door car Audi has ever produced, meanwhile at the b-i-g end of the spectrum, the S6 and S8 have made headlines thanks to their 10-cylinder powerplants.

It's not the first time an S8 has made it Down Under. Last sold here in 2002, the model featured a 265kW/420Nm 4.2-litre V8. As horsepower levels drift inextricably into the heavens, buyers of the latest S8 get somewhat more oomph with which to play -- the limo's direct-injection 5.2-litre V10 now boasts 331kW and an impressive 540Nm.

The engine is a modified version of the core powerplant that graces sister firm Lamborghini's Gallardo mid-engined sportscar. In the big Audi, it's mounted conventionally at the pointy end and drives all four wheels through a six-speed tiptronic style automatic.

Being based on the A8, the S8 carries with it all the same luxury and comfort features that endow its lesser-engined kin, which together with its expansive interior provide it with all the hallmarks of a very rapid German uber-sedan.

Everything is power adjustable, leather trimmed and, in most cases, automatic. Keyless entry is a given at this level and so are all the rest of the goodies. In terms of audio, the S8 has perhaps the best sound system of any production car -- an awesome 1000w 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. If the driving doesn't temp you, you can almost gain as much pleasure simply sitting in the driveway with your favourite CD turned up to 11!

But obviously, the S prefix on the model designation signifies this '8' is about driving. And as you press the button that kicks the engine into life there is a glorious rumble from the quad exhaust pipes that reinforces the fact this V10-engined limo is ready into action.

The engine is very responsive off idle but given the car's size and 1940kg weight, it doesn't produce the kind of force-you-back-into-the-seat acceleration you might expect from 300kW-plus. That said, once on the move with the engine spinning above about 3500rpm, there is no stopping the accelerative thrust right through to about 7000rpm. In-gear grunt is extremely forceful.

Overall the engine/transmission combo is quite smooth and refined, however, throttle response is such that modulating the accelerator pedal takes some getting used to. Once mastered, smooth take-offs are possible, but you never quite shake the very firm shifts through first and second. In this respect the car isn't as cultured as, say, Benz's big AMGs.

Driving hard also ups the fuel consumption considerably and while our country running returned a respectable 14.9lt/100km consumption, after a week of city/country mixed driving without any real thought for economy, the overall fuel consumption rose to a bowser-busting average of 18.8lt/100km. We've said before the price of petrol doesn't often come into the equation of cars like the S8, but distance between fills does -- at least from a convenience viewpoint.

The S8, like the A8, sits on an adaptive air suspension using the A8's 'Sport' mode as the default for its 'Comfort' setting. It is therefore very firm but still retains enough compliance for reasonable comfort around town and on average country roads. And although the surface conditions tend not to be felt, you do occasionally hear road irregularities with a little more suspension noise than you might expect in a luxury limo.

Despite the Comfort tag, the suspension settings still enable the car to sit very flat and firm on the road and when pushing on hard it delivers a poise and agility that belie its size and weight. There is an abundance of grip from the big low-profile tyres and Quattro drive system, and the steering is well weighted, responsive and offers a good degree of feedback.

Switch into Dynamic mode and the suspension firms up noticeably, enabling you to simply point and shoot with confidence -- always knowing that the car will maintain your desired line with ease (although it does get a little jittery over mid-corner ruts). Around town, however, this mode is simply too hard and the suspension transmits every nuance in the road back to the driver. Not what we'd expect from a $260K luxo…

As a big rapid cruiser for smooth surfaces, the S8 is in its element. In such conditions it delivers a superb drive experience but on anything less, there is a trade-off in ride quality.

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