Audi S8 test drive since 2006 sedan
Eight wheels
Four wheels on the radiator grille plus four wheels in their usual places - and everything is clear: Audi. What had to be added by designers from Ingolstadt to these eight wheels, in order to proudly put the 8 letter S in front of the number 8? The first buyers of the Audi S8 will be able to answer this question only in the middle of the year. The Audi S8 car was represented at the 59th Tokyo Motor Show and is probably already familiar with numerous publications from this salon. Therefore, it is unlikely that you can surprise the inconsistent readers with the technical characteristics of this car. By the way, they are very worthy for the lazy: a ten -cylinder engine, the prototype of which was the motor from Lamborghini Gallardo
by adding a direct injection system FSI, accelerates himself with a car and passengers in addition to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds! Ceramic brake discs (an option we know from the Audi A8 W12) can stop everything previously accelerated with equally impressive dynamics, and they will do this effectively for about 300,000 kilometers. A constant four -wheel drive with a dynamically changing distribution of torque between the front and rear axles allows not only the entire power of the engine, but also relieve unpleasant moments on a slippery or snowy surface. 
Well, enough about iron and microcircuits. Let's try to ride all these wisdom and understand what they mean in practice. Fortunately, Audi provided us with this opportunity six months earlier than customers. Before the trip, we meticulously inspect the car outside. It is quite obvious as the car belonging to the last line of eights (the owners of the VAZ-2108 can not be shuddered), and its sports exclusivity, tactfully emphasized by a whole bouquet of unobtrusive design decisions. This is also familiar to us according to the previous model of the S8 body of lateral aluminum mirrors, and the enormous aggressive grille of the radiator, and at first glance, nameplate on the front wings and trunk and many
other differences that will warm the soul and pride of future owners. The car is equipped with 20-inch wheels with 265/35 tires, which are needed not only to achieve stability with extreme steering, but also to give a place for impressive 18-inch brake discs. A small spoiler on the trunk and two pairs of oval exhaust pipes are hinting at the willingness of the car and stiffly compete with many sportsmen. We get in the car. The usual comfort and restrained luxury of the eight salon are again supplemented by a mass of parts reminiscent that you are inside not just a worthy car, but a sports car. Forget this fact will not let the S8 emblems on the steering wheel and thresholds and
numerous inserts made of polished aluminum used in the interior decoration. The machine that we got to the test is equipped with a sound system Bang & Olufsen (this is an option; in the basic configuration - BOSE). We start the car test by listening to the system. Immediately a strong impression is made by the front speakers - high -frequency acoustic lenses that leave the front panel when the system is turned on. In general, 14 speakers with individual amplifiers are installed in the cabin, the total power of which exceeds 1000 watts. With such forces, the battery can easily be planted in an hour, so if you are gathering to voice the dance floor (which is quite possible), turn on the engine. The sound of a system with such indicators cannot but be worthy, although it seems that jazz and rock compositions sound more natural than classical music. 
The multifunctional display will not only tell the road, entertain the film and give a bunch of useful (and not so) information, but also turn the movement in reverse a fascinating computer game. True, rather expensive. Finally, touch. It seems that the car is clearly different from other cars of the eighth Audi family: the ubiquitous observational Japanese tourists with cameras constantly hanging on the necks of the S8, while we are moving along the streets of Dusseldorf. We leave the city and go towards the airfield, where the dough organizers will give a little frolic. The first impressions of the trip: in general-in the usual mode of movement-quite familiar Audi A8, but with a number of differences. So, for example, at first it seems that the very sensitive accelerator pedal has only two provisions: released or pressed. And from
only one thing depends on how much it is pressed: the time for which you gain the maximum speed of 250 km/h (limited by the electronic bore in the brains of the car). After a few kilometers, we adapt, and the car goes more smoothly, but for each movement of the right leg it reacts with a reverent jerk. A six-speed automatic box behaves as it should be: you do not notice its work. Manual regime - only out of curiosity. It was not possible to verify his practical utility, although you can come up with a situation when he needs it. Gallery gear shifts are also provoked to play with manual mode. Completely adultly! 
On the impromptu training ground (airfield), cones are placed: a snake, a turn, a band of braking. Here, the difference from A8 is becoming more noticeable. Smaller rolls in corners, very effective braking, and, of course, a completely different acceleration dynamics. In general, the car inspires a sense of confidence with its stability and tenacious, thereby offering a more sharp (for someone-more sports) riding. Well, so it is done for this. You feel the potential power and dynamics of the engine, turning off the ESP dynamic stabilization system: the machine easily tears away all four wheels on an absolutely dry asphalt from any careless gas pressing. 
During the entertainment at the training ground, the organizers of the test drive proposed to go in reverse along the marked highway. What for? Check our skills before letting a free round around the country? We touch and immediately understand why: on the display there is a picture of the rear view, on which the predictable (depending on the rotation of the steering and speed) trajectory of movement is built with two yellow lines. Ringing turns into a computer game, where your task is reduced to combining yellow guides with the image of the road. Just in case, however, there is also parking sensors. 
Everything in the appearance of the car and the design of the salon is familiar - eight. But in almost every detail there are differences, speaking: eight, but not simple, but S8! And in the engine, these differences are already noticeable with the naked eye - the V10 on Audi is put for the first time. Having completed the pokatushki at the airfield, we go on a free trip. We are going on the already familiar car just for pleasure. The proposed routes are thrown out immediately. Such a car pushes to a free flight, and not to driving along the rails. The purpose of the trip is selected at the country's level: Belgium, Holland. Smaller guidelines are not interesting. For such an AUDI S8 Devourer, you can determine the goals and continents. Cope.
The text is Pavel Filenkov
Photo by Alexey Harnas
Audi S8 Gasoline engine V10 FSI
Working volume (cubic cub) 5402
Power (L.S. at rpm) 450 at 7000
Moment (Nm at rpm) 540 at 3000-4000
The permanent drive is complete
Gearbox 6-st. aut. (Tiptronic)
Length/width/height (mm) 5062/1897/1424
Wheel base (mm) 2944
Mass weight (kg) 1940
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 5.1
Fuel consumption (l/100 km) 13.4
Basic price in Germany () 97 600
Source: "Autopilot"
