The Design

From the very first glance, it is clear that the new Audi S8** boasts a sporty elegance and strong presence. Its athletic character is precisely expressed through specific design elements. The front end with the wide, upright Singleframe grille, the flowing and muscular body with the flat roof dome and the rear end tilted slightly forward with the continuous light strip visualize its progressive character. Sophisticated interior and exterior details exude prestige and craftsmanship.

Below the Singleframe is an aluminum strip that also extends along the flanks and across the rear. Powerful contours surround the air inlets, while honeycomb grilles and a vertical blade define their inner structure. The side sills with their bold design are wider towards the wheels than on the A8 and ensure a sporty presence. The sculptured rear bumper contains a rhomboid pattern insert and a clearly contrasting diffuser. Like the radiator protective grille and the air inlet grilles, it is finished in titanium black matt. The black styling package is available to order for customers who wish to add an even more customized look to their Audi S8**. With this, attachments such as the surrounding trim strip and the window slot trims have a high-gloss black finish. The brake calipers behind the 20-inch wheels are also black. The new S8** comes with 20-inch alloy wheels with 265/40 tires as standard. On request, Audi and Audi Sport GmbH supply alternative 20 and 21-inch wheels, with the latter equipped with 265/35 tires.

Besides the large wheels, the classic S design solutions catch the eye – the twin slats in the Singleframe, the exterior mirror housings in aluminum look and the four oval exhaust tailpipes. For an even sportier look, the brake calipers are also available in a red paint finish on request. The range of paint finishes for the S8** offers a choice of twelve colors as standard, including the popular Daytona gray, pearl effect. A customized paint finish according to the customer’s taste offers a special alternative as part of the Audi exclusive program.

138 LEDs and one laser spot: the lights

With their refined play between metallic slats and chrome lines, the headlights of the new Audi S8** also have the appearance of technical works of art. Topping the range are the HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light. Each headlight contains 138 light-emitting diodes, including 32 small, separately adjustable LEDs that share a single housing and radiate the high beam. The low beam is also variably controlled. The laser spot can be recognized by an X-shaped trim and a blue ambient light. The laser spot is activated from a speed of 70 km/h (43.5 mph) and doubles the range of the high beam. Together with the HD Matrix LED headlights, Audi supplies OLED rear lights that emit homogeneous light. When the driver unlocks the S8** using a remote control key, a dynamic lighting sequence runs at the front and rear.

Sporty, sophisticated and stripped back to the essentials: the interior

Compared to the previous model, the interior is now 32 millimeters (1.3 in) larger. It receives the driver and front passenger like a spacious, airy lounge. Its design is clean and reduced yet progressive, while the architecture has a strict horizontal layout. The standard contour/ambient lighting package lends the surfaces an atmospheric look with its indirect surface lighting. The front door sill trims bear a rhombus with the S logo and are illuminated. At the same time, light guides elegantly trace the striking lines of the interior design.

There are nine color and design worlds to choose from, with Audi design selection pastel silver topping the range. The seat upholstery, the Alcantara headlining, the lower instrument panel area, the armrests on the doors and the center console are all presented in this color. The contrasting stitching and piping on the seats, the upper section of the instrument panel, the center console and the carpet are granite gray. Customers can choose from a variety of trim strips made from fine wood that are open-pored and therefore have a natural feel to them. The (standard) Carbon Vector upper inlay that impresses with its special 3D depth effect has been created exclusively for the Audi S8**. Alternatively, there is the upper inlay with glossy piano finish, for example. Dark brushed matt aluminum lends the interior an elegant sportiness and is immediately adjacent to the upper inlay. The gear selector lever contains carbon applications. Extended aluminum sections and glass-look buttons also represent sportiness and prestige in the interior. The pedals and footrest are made from stainless steel, while the engine start-stop button is adorned with a red ring. The S-specific twin-spoke steering wheel with shift paddles bears a rhombus with the S logo as well as an elegant chrome trim.

The character of the new Audi S8** as a sporty, exclusive top model shines through in every detail. For example, comfort customized contour seats with visually integrated, electrically height-adjustable head restraints and pronounced backrest side bolsters are part of the standard equipment. Each seat features three-stage heating – with ventilation as an option – and multiple massage functions that can be set to any one of seven programs and three intensity levels. The seats’ functions allow you to adjust 16 air pockets in the backrests of the front seats and 18 in those in the rear.

The seat cushion and backrest feature a rhomboid pattern and are perforated with square holes, while there are S logos embossed under the head restraints. The hand-crafted character of the Audi S8** is evident here too. For the upholstery, customers can choose from the top leather grades Valcona and Unikat.

Passengers on the rear seats are also provided with outstanding comfort. This is thanks to features such as ventilation and massage, the heat comfort package, the Matrix LED reading lamp, four-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning with ionizer and fragrancing, Rear Seat Entertainment and the Rear Seat Remote control unit. Rear-seat passengers can use its touch control facility to operate numerous convenience and infotainment features as well as make discreet phone calls. The Rear Seat Remote with its OLED display is approximately as big as a smartphone and can be removed from where it is stored in the rear center armrest.

Tailored: the Audi S8 also as a long-wheelbase version for the first time

The top model’s dimensions contribute to its dynamic character: 5.18 meters (17.0 ft) long, wheelbase of 3.00 meters (9.8 ft), 1.95 meters (6.4 ft) wide – but only 1.47 meters (4.8 ft) high. In the important markets China, the USA, Canada and South Korea, the new S8** will be available for the first time and exclusively with a long wheelbase. With this measure, Audi is addressing the particular requirements of the customers in these markets. In the long-wheelbase version of the S8**, the overall length increases by 130 millimeters (5.1 in), while the height puts on 15 millimeters (0.6 in). That is a significant boon in terms of comfort for the occupants due to the increased head and leg room.

Intelligent mix of materials 

The front and rear axles of the new Audi S8** are mounted on subframes and have a five-link design, with many parts made from aluminum. Customers can opt for internally ventilated high-performance brake discs made from lightweight, abrasion-resistant carbon fiber ceramic with a diameter of 420 millimeters (16.5 in) on the front axle and 370 millimeters (14.6 in) on the rear axle. Together with the calipers, they are a total of 9.6 kilograms (21.2 lb) lighter than standard brakes made from steel. This weight saving has a positive effect on the unsprung masses, thereby ensuring more dynamic handling. Each of the calipers has ten pistons. As standard, the new S8** is fitted with brake discs measuring 400 millimeters (15.7 in) in diameter that are grasped by black six-piston fixed calipers made from aluminum.

The lightweight body also contributes to the dynamic nature of the new S8**. Designed as the Audi Space Frame, it comprises up to 58 percent aluminum parts. The cabin consists of hot-formed steel components, complemented by an ultra-high-strength, torsionally extremely rigid rear panel made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). This contributes 33 percent of the whole vehicle’s torsional rigidity. A magnesium strut-tower bar completes the lightweight construction concept. The rigidity of the body provides the foundation for the precise handling, the excellent ride comfort and the tranquility on board.

** The collective fuel consumption values of all models named and available on the German market can be found in the list provided at the end of this press information.

All terms marked in the text are explained in detail in the technology lexicon at www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/technology-lexicon.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.