2007 Audi S8 Test Drive

The V10 exhibits spontaneous throttle response and very refined running, while under load it also produces a loud, low growl that is music to the ears.

Equipped with a six-speed Tiptronic transmission with paddle-shifters on the steering wheel, the all-new S8 imparts a luxury sedan exterior and interior, with the road performance of a high-caliber sports car.

For Audi, lightweight design is a philosophy that has implications for every area of the car. The sport-tuned suspension uses aluminum pieces for added strength and less weight. Up front is a four-link structure with two upper and two lower wishbones, and there is a self tracking trapezoidal-link suspension in the rear. Also standard on the S8, and optional in the A8, is the sport-tuned adaptive air suspension utilizing air-spring bellows with gas-charged shock absorbers. The elastokinematics of the rubber mounts in the axles have likewise been modified in keeping with the sporty nature of the S8.

The rack & pinion power steering with its variable ratio is roughly 10% more direct in the straight-ahead position, for even more spontaneous handling. Drawing information from seven special sensors and a number of other parameters, the damping responds adaptively to the prevailing requirements in a fraction of a second. Its control system features four driving modes-automatic, comfort, dynamic and lift-which you can set or change by using the MMI terminal located on the center console. I am not a great fan of the MMI terminal first used in the BMW since you have to take your eyes off the road to use it.

I’d still rather used dashboard or console mounted buttons or switches to change all settings. Ground clearance varies from 4.9in. to 3.7in., which optimized airflow at high speeds. In the dynamic mode the car is lowest to the road surface giving you an enhanced feel of speed and it really quickens the heartbeat when up to speed. You feel as if you are ‘one’ with the car. All of your inputs are realized instantly as you put the new S8 through its paces.

Quickly stopping the S8 are very large, vented disc brakes. Up front are 15.2in. rotors and 13.2in. rotors in the rear. The front dual-piston calipers are painted black with a titanium gray S8 badge at the front. Braking power and control are further enhanced with ABS, Brake Assist and Brake Force Distribution.

The all-new S8 is factory fitted with newly developed S-design cast aluminum wheels, 20X9in. at each axle, then wrapped with 265/35ZR20in. high-performance tires.

The new S8 makes use of the entire expertise that Audi has acquired in the body manufacturing sector. That means aluminum intensive to keep total weight down and strength up. It all starts with the Audi Space Frame (ASF). This is a high-strength aluminum frame structure into which the large aluminum panels are integrated, thus assuming a supporting function. The space frame consists of a combination of aluminum extruded sections and castings that are positively connected to each other. Its central elements are the roof frame, side sills, seat cross members, roof posts and floor panels.

Two great strengths are realized from the aluminum frame. First is the outstanding rigidity that helps the ASF meet and exceed all current passive safety standards, and second, the weight savings. The weight of the frame and body is only 474lbs. about half as much as that of a conventional sheet-steel body and frame. The weight savings has two advantages: it quickens acceleration, handling characteristics, and reduces fuel consumption.

The S8 matches it’s world-class power and performance with a look that is unique-elegant, long, sleek and sexy, cutting through the air with a very low 0.29 co-efficient of drag.

The S8′s great looks begin up front with the signature single-frame grille bearing the red S8 badge in platinum grey, and its vertical struts have a chrome-look finish. Beneath the grille are three low air-inlets that are cut into the front apron. The two large air inlets beneath are filled with honeycomb grilles. The unique light clusters feature LED daytime running lights, and adaptive Bi-Xenon headlamps behind clear lens.

From the side you see the stout front end, gently sloping hood and swept-back windshield A-pillars. The flat roof gives way to a gently sloping rear window unto a high-mounted rear deck-lid cover with an integrated lip spoiler. The big 20in. tires nicely stuff the flared fenders. The chrome pull-out door handles are easy to use plus each door features the optional automatic self-closing mechanism. The finishing touches to the silhouette are the aluminum-look exterior mirrors, and V10 badges above the front fenders. At the rear, an S8 badge, a subtle light-refracting edge in the apron and an exhaust with four oval chrome tipped exhaust pipes. The new S8 looks like it was carved out of a solid piece of billet aluminum!

The new S8′s interior mirrors the exterior and high-performance capabilities with a dynamic elegance and high quality. The roomy interior makes use of the S8′s 115.9in. wheelbase with more front and rear legroom than before.

The S8 adds various specific accents into the luxurious interior. The sport bucket seats are very comfortable and supportive with 16-way power adjustments. They are covered in Valcona leather. The headliner and pillars are covered with Alcantara leather to enhance the luxury feeling even further. The highly polished door sill trims are adorned with S8 logos, and the inlays around the cabin are in brushed aluminum, carbon fiber or Birch Gray wood. The beefy, power tilting/telescoping and leather covered steering wheel has redundant buttons and the S-logo. Leather and aluminum-look trim are used for the gear selector knob, the parking brake, and air vent surrounds. The needles on the instrument panel dials are in while, their scales in light gray and their digits in the characteristic S italic script.

Standard equipment includes 12-speaker Bose audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, memory settings, power glass sunroof, electronic cruise-control, DVD based navigation system, dual pane glass for increased security, safety and noise reduction, heated front seats, power windows/door locks, heated/dimming, power-remote side mirrors, dual map lamps with theater dimming, thick-pile carpeting with floor mats, grab handles above each door and intermittent, rain-sensing wipers with heated washers plus washers for the front headlamps. Options include a Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system with 14 speakers, each energized by its own output stage. The output stages are grouped together in two amplifiers, which make about 1,000 watts. Also optional is carbon fiber trim, adaptive cruise-control, rear-park TV, electric rear and manual side sunshades, push-button start/stop, power trunk open/close, heated rear seats and power door close assist.

The all-new Audi S8 is one of the safest sedans to be driving or as a passenger with standard features such as front and rear crush zones, steel beams in each door, two, dual-stage front airbags, four side airbags integrated into the seat backs and Sideguard head airbags. All five 3-point seat belts have pretensioners. Active head restraints for the front seats reduce the risk of whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.

A great four-door sedan doesn’t come cheap, and the new S8 carries a base price of $92,000.00. With all the options, Gas Guzzler Tax of $1,700.00, and $720.00 destination, the loaded S8 I tested was priced at $110,920.00, but well worth it.

ALL NEW 2007 AUDI S8 V10
“A PERFECT BLEND OF PERFORMANCE AND LUXURY”

COPYRIGHT:2007:HARVEY SCHWARTZ – EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS

Type: Large Sedan
Where Built: Germany
EPA Class: Large Cars

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 199.3 in.	Width: 74.7 in.
Height: 56.1 in.	Wheel Base: 115.9 in.
Ground Clearance: 4.7 in.	Curb Weight: 4277 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5600 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 37.3 in.	Front Shoulder Room: 59.1 in.
Rear Head Room: 38 in.	Rear Shoulder Room: 57.5 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.4 in.	Rear Leg Room: 37.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 15 cu. ft.	Maximum Cargo Capacity: 15 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 10	Base Engine Size: 5.2 liters
Base Engine Type: V10	Horsepower: 450 hp
Max Horsepower: 7000 rpm	Torque: 398 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 3500 rpm	Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 39.7 ft.

Fuel Data