Lucky Number: Audi S8

oh well, this week has been a whirlwind of work so this entry is probably a little late in coming...

after the drive of the A5/S5 in Verona, we took a short stopover in Munich for 3 other interesting cars:

view just outside the airport



This group of new Q7 turbodiesels was lined up outside the Audi Forum, but those weren't the cars we were going to be driving...



With a S4, S3 and S8 to pick from... and a bumpy flight from Verona we decided to sample the S8, a luxurious and comfortable continent crusher that would give the Bentley Continental GT / Flying Spur a run for its money

oh, and did we mention it has the Lamborghini Gallardo V10 engine under its bonnet? :)
Listen to that start-up... mechanical whir of the starter before it rumbles to life


Audi being Audi, the clues are few, far between and very discreet!
badges:




Carbon fibre on the inside! YUMMY!



Audi's version of BMW's Dynamic Drive lets you adjust the suspension to suit one's comfort and driving style:


In all suspension settings, the car's ride proves to be wonderfully sorted, firm and pliant, but offers excellent body control... Not that we were planning on punting the S8 hard down narrow country lanes of course! This is a huuuge car, but oddly enough, the lower belt-line meant it was surprisingly easy to manoeuvre, even in tight quarters (compared to the A5 even!)

With the cabin insulation, the V10 is disappointingly muted but we're told it sounds absolutely musical from the outside.

The ceramic brakes offer prodigious stopping force that is more than sufficient to rein in this behemoth from the warp speeds the S8 is capable of hitting.


Fast Facts: Audi S8 quattro
Engine: 5204cc, 40-valves, V10
Maximum power: 450bhp at 7000rpm
Maximum torque: 540Nm at 3500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-100km/h: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 248k/h (electronically governed)
LxBxH: 5062 x 1897 x 1424mm
Wheelbase: 2944mm
Kerb-weight: 1940kg
Agent: Premium Automobiles