The Audi S8 is a full-size luxury car produced by the German automaker Audi AG, manufactured by Audi Sport GmbH at the Neckarsulm plant, and part of Audi's S model range. The S8 is the high-performance version of the Audi A8, fitted standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system, and was only offered with a short-wheelbase for the first three generations, being joined by a long-wheelbase variant option for the fourth generation.

(D2) First generation

The Audi S8 (D2) was produced from 1996 to 2003. It is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 with , allowing it to accelerate from 0– in 6.2 seconds. It has a curb weight of . In 1999, the car was updated with a power increase to , which brought the 0– acceleration down to 5.6 seconds. Top speed was electronically limited to . It has a curb weight of . An Audi S8 (D2) was chosen as the car of the protagonists of the film Ronin.

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File:Audi S8 D2 (Typ 4D) (3962439095).jpg|Audi S8 (D2)

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File:AudiS8logo2.JPG|S8 logotype on the back of the first generation S8

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(D3) Second generation

Audi S8 (D3) was produced from 2006 to 2010. The car was powered by a modified version of the V10 engine found in the Lamborghini Gallardo of the same years. It produces , detuned by from the Gallardo's power output of with the purpose of increasing its fuel efficiency. The top speed is electronically limited to and acceleration from 0– takes 5.1 seconds. It has a curb weight of .

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File:2007-Audi-S8.jpg|Audi S8 (D3)

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(D4) Third generation

Audi S8 (D4) was produced from 2012 to 2018, with a mid-facelift in 2015. It is powered by a 3,993 V8 TFSI that produces . It can accelerate from 0- in 3.6 seconds, complete the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds at and reach a top speed of . Curb weight is .

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File:Audi - S8 - Mondial de l'Automobile de Paris 2012 - 203.jpg|Audi S8 (D4)

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In 2016, the S8 plus version was launched with engine power increased to . Acceleration from 0– takes 3.3 seconds, and with the Dynamic Package, it can reach a top speed of . Unlike the regular S8, which was built by Audi on the regular assembly line alongside other A8 variants, the S8 Plus was built by Audi Sport (formerly Quattro GmbH) and has a VIN that starts with WUA to identify it.

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File:Audi S8 plus.jpg|Audi S8 Plus

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(D5) Fourth generation

The release of the fourth generation S8 was planned to begin in 2019–2020. For the first time, it was to be offered in both short and long-wheelbase versions, with the long-wheelbase S8 (i.e., an S8L) being the sole variant offered in North America. The S8 is now the flagship of the Audi A8 range, since the nominally higher-end A8 L W12 was no longer offered after the 2018 model year.

The Audi S8 (D5) produces and of torque from its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. A 48-volt mild hybrid system will allow for stop-start use and coasting. Compared to the S8 plus (D4), the S8 (D5) has less but more torque.

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File:Audi S8 D5 IMG 3491.jpg|Audi S8 (D5)

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See also

  • Audi Sport GmbH
  • Audi S and RS models
  • Audi A8
  • Audi S4
  • Audi RS4
  • Audi RS6

References

  • Autobild.de Audi S8