Audi S8

Audi join the V10 boys

By PH Staff / Friday, 27 January 2006 / Loading comments

Audi has announced that its new ubersaloon, the S8 quattro will be available to order in the UK from April. Pitched at an whopping £70,780, the first owners will received their cars in June.

The car uses a similar engine to that used in the Lamborghini Gallardo. The Gallardo's V10 motor has been stretched from 5.0 to 5.2 litres to deliver almost 450bhp at 7,000rpm. The engine also benefits from balance shafts to provide a smoother experience.

450bhp V10 for Safer Overtaking

Peak torque of 540Nm is delivered at 3,500rpm, with up to 90 per cent of this total available from just 2,300rpm, enabling a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed limited electronically to 155mph.

The S8 comes with 20-inch S-design alloy wheels shod with 265/35 ZR 20 tyres and rides on adaptive air suspension and the latest generation quattro four-wheel-drive system. Large 15-inch front and 13-inch rear disc brakes haul the car to a halt.

The car is set apart from its lesser siblings by V10 emblems on the front wings, aluminium-look door mirrors, a subtle integrated boot spoiler and four distinctive ellipsoidal tail pipes surrounded by a redesigned rear apron.

Inside the car is treated to full leather upholstery with seat centre panels, side sections and head rests in contrasting colours, a three-spoke S quattro steering wheel with aluminium look gear shift paddles and facia inlays in either brushed aluminium or carbon fibre.