Test Drive Audi S8 D4 since 2012 Sedan
Eight wheels
Four wheels on the radiator grille plus four wheels on their usual places - and everything is clear: audi. What had to add ingolstadt constructors to these eight wheels, what would be proud to put in front of the figure 8 letter s? The first buyers of the Audi S8 will be able to answer this question only in the middle of the year. The Audi S8 machine was presented at the 59th Tokyo Auto Show and certainly familiar to numerous publications from this salon. Therefore, it is unlikely that the technical characteristics of this car can hardly be surprised. They, by the way, for the lazy, are very worthy: a decade-cylinder engine, the prototype of which served as a motor from Lamborghini Gallardo with
by adding an FSI direct injection system, accelerates himself with a car and passengers in addition to 100 km / h in 5.1 seconds! Ceramic brake discs (option familiar to us by Audi A8 W12) are able to stop everything previously overclocked with just as impressive dynamics, and they will do it effectively for about 300,000 kilometers. A constant four-wheel drive with a dynamically changing torque distribution between the front and rear axles allows not only to use the entire power of the engine, but also will save from a number of unpleasant moments on a slippery or snow-covered surface. 
Well, quite about the glands and microcircuit. Let's try better to ride on all these wisdoms and understand what they mean in practice. Faweser that Audi provided us with such an opportunity for half a year earlier than buyers. Before the trip, we care the car outside. Completely obvious as a car belonging to the last eight line (owners of the VAZ-2108 can not be shocked) and its sports exclusivity, tactfully underlined by a whole bouquet of unobtrusive design solutions. These are familiar to us by the previous model S8 of the side of the side mirrors from polished aluminum, and a huge aggressive grille of the radiator, and poorly splashes at the first eye of the nameplates on the front wings and trunk and many
other differences that will warm the soul and the pride of future owners. The car is equipped with 20-inch wheels with tires 265/35, which are needed not only to achieve stability in extreme taxi, but also to give a place for impressive 18-inch brake discs. On the availability of the machine to break from the place and a small spoiler on the trunk and two pairs of oval exhaust pipes are hinting with many sports cars. Sit down in the car. The usual comfort and restrained luxury of the eight salons are again complemented by a mass of details resembling that you are inside not just a decent car, but a sports car. Forget this fact will not give the emblems S8 on the steering wheel and thresholds and
numerous polished aluminum inserts used in the interior trim. The machine that took us on the test is equipped with the Bang & Olufsen sound system (this is the option; in the basic configuration - BOSE). Test car start with listening to the system. Immediately a strong impression produce foresters - high-frequency acoustic lenses, traveling up from the front panel when the system is turned on. In general, in the cabin installed 14 speakers with individual amplifiers, the total power of which exceeds 1000 watts. With such forces, the battery can easily be planted in an hour, so if you are going to voice the dance floor (which is quite possible), turn on the engine. The sound of the system with such indicators cannot but be worthy, although it seems that jazz and rock compositions sound naturally than classical music. 
The multifunctional display will not only prompt the road, entertaining the film and give a bunch of useful (and not very) information, but also turns the movement by rear in an exciting computer game. True, quite expensive. Finally, we touch. It seems that the car is clearly different from other cars of the eighth family of Audi: omnipresent observation Japanese tourists with constantly hanging on the neck cameras managed to take pictures of S8 while we are moving through the streets of Düsseldorf. We leave the city and go to the side of the airfield, where the dough organizers will give a little to cut down. The first impressions of the trip: in general - in the usual mode of movement - quite familiar Audi A8, but with a number of differences. For example, first time it seems that a very sensitive accelerator pedal has only two positions: released or pressed. And Ot
how it is pressed, only one thing is depeted: the time for which you gain the limit speed of 250 km / h (limited by the electronic boring in the brain of the car). After a few kilometers adapt, and the car is already more smoothly, but for each movement of the right leg reacts with a trembling jerk. The six-speed box automatic behaves as it should be: they do not notice her works. Manual mode - only of curiosity. In his practical utility failed, it was not possible, although the situation when he would need, you can come up with. Play with manual mode provoke and stealless gear switches. Quite an adult! 
On the improvised landfill (airfield) cones are placed: snake, turn, braking band. Here, the difference from A8 becomes more noticeable. Smaller rolls in turns, very effective braking, and, of course, completely different overclocking dynamics. In general, the car with its stability and chaininess instills a sense of confidence, suggesting the more sharp (for someone - more sports) ride. Well, so it is made for this. The potential power and dynamics of the engine are particularly acute, turning off the ESP dynamic stabilization system: the machine easily disrupts all four wheels on a completely dry asphalt from any careless pressing of the gas. 
During the entertainment at the polygon, the test drive organizers were offered to drive a reverse along the track marked. What for? Check our skills before letting a free tour in the country? We touch and immediately understand why: the display occurs the image of the rear view, on which the predicted yellow lines are built (depending on the rotation of the steering wheel and speed) the trajectory of movement. Riding a reverse turn turns into a computer game where your task comes down to combining the yellow guides with the image of the road. Just in case, however, there is also a parking sensor. 
All in the appearance of the machine and the design of the cabin is familiar - eight. But in almost every detail there are differences, speaking: eight, yes not simple, and S8! And in the engine, these differences are already noticeable to the naked eye - the V10 on the Audi is placed for the first time. After completing the cruising at the airfield, go to your free trip. We are going on the habitual car just for fun. The proposed routes are thrown out immediately. Such a car pushes to a coastal flight, and not to riding on rails. The purpose of the trip is chosen at the country level: Belgium, Holland. Smaller guidelines are not interesting. For such a devour of autobahn, like Audi S8, you can define targets and continents. Correct.
Text Pavel Filenkov
Photo by Alexey Harnas
Audi S8. Engine gasoline V10 FSI
Working volume (cube cm) 5402
Power (hp at rpm) 450 at 7000
Moment (nm at rpm) 540 at 3000-4000
The drive is permanent full
Gearbox 6-st. auth. (Tiptronic)
Length / Width / Height (mm) 5062/1897/1424
Wheel base (mm) 2944
Curb weight (kg) 1940
Acceleration to 100 km / h (c) 5.1
Fuel consumption (l / 100 km) 13.4
Basic price in Germany () 97 600
A source: "Autopilot"
