NEW 2012 PERFORMANCE AUDI S8 DETAILED

Audi will showcase its next performance A8 at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The new Audi S8 features a relatively small 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine and it delivers a sweet, healthy 382kW of power, and 650Nm of torque.

The engine is all-new for Audi and makes its maximum torque between 1700rpm and 5500rpm. The 0 – 100km/h time is said to be 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 250km/h. Drive is through all four wheels, via the usual quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. An 8-speed Tiptronic transmission is used to access that power and torque. Audi claims an average fuel consumption figure of 10.2 litres per 100km, in part thanks to the cylinder deactivation technology which only uses all 8 engine cylinders when needed. It also weighs less than one would expect, at 1975kg or just under two tonnes.

On the exterior front we have a single-frame grille in platinum grey with chrome cover, an aluminium look-inspired front bumper, side air intakes, colour-coded trim strips on the side sills, the door handles are stripped with aluminium, and a rear diffuser slots in below the rear bumper. The exhaust system is completed by four oval tailpipes with a chrome look.

S8, being the range-topper of all the A8 models, gets the pick of the crop in terms of equipment and comfort creatures. That includes things like exclusive comfort sport seats and upholstery, a special steering wheel, S8 logos in certain places, an ambient lighting package for extra exclusivity and lots of equipment like LED lighting, a 20.3cm screen and a stunning Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 1 400 watt amplifiers and 19 speakers (optional).