Every once in a while, it's nice to fantasize about being a baller. While there really isn't anyone on our staff that has much business piloting an über-luxury rig like this Audi, we were pretty eager to try one anyway.
The S8 is the most luxurious, most powerful and most expensive (duh) member of the current Audi lineup.
Boasting 450 horsepower and an advanced all-wheel-drive arrangement from one of the pioneers of the concept, the S8's spec sheet could almost pass this vehicle for a rally special--until you look at the weight. At more than 4000 pounds, there's a lot of Audi to move.
Thankfully, Audi's corporate stepsisters at Lamborghini were willing to build some extra V10's to help out. The V10 is similar, but not identical, to those found in the Gallardo supercar; you'll give up 70 horsepower to the Gallardo but gain almost 30 lb./ft. of torque. With its massive engine and foolproof, four-wheel-drive automatic transmission, there's no need for drama when the light goes green. Just press the gas you're off in a flash. It's almost too easy to be fun, but the real beauty is in the S8's ability to lie low and just be comfortable.
The S8 was as composed when driving gently as it was while being thrashed, something the M5 struggled with when we drove it a while back. We're always happy to give up a tenth of a second from our zero-to-60 time if it means we don't have to wear a neck brace on the drive to work.
The interior felt suitably expensive, the Bang & Olufsen stereo was very impressive and seating was exemplary. A carefully driven S8 should even reach comparable fuel economy to a new Subaru WRX, making the S8 strangely efficient in spite of itself. We weren't able to contain our enthusiasm long enough to substantiate that claim, and you probably wouldn't have been able to, either.
