Audi has revealed its new S6, S7 Sportback and S8 sports saloons ahead of the public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in next month.
The 2012 S8 is powered by a new 4.0 TFSI twin-turbo V8 engine generating no less than 520hp and a constant 650Nm of torque between 1,700 and 5,500 rpm. This power is transferred to the wheels through an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox. A sprint from zero to 100km/h takes just 4.2 seconds, and top speed is electronically capped at 250km/h.
The new Audi S8 offers Audi’s modular efficiency platform, including the recuperation and start-stop systems. The cylinder deactivation system that can cut down one bank to become a 4-cylinder , as well direct-injection technology, plus energy recuperation and start-stop systems. The result is a 70HP increase in output over the previous 5.2-liter V10-powered S8 and a fuel consumption which has decreased by nearly 23 percent at 13.2 liters per 100 km (17.8mpg US).
In order to improve handling, the 2012 S8 comes with a specially tuned adaptive air suspension with variable damping can vary the ride height of the body between three levels.
Beside this, the new model, in standard form, is fitted with S-specific wheels measure 9Jx20 and are shod with 265/40-series tires. The German car maker also offers five additional wheels as options, four of which have a 21 inch diagonal. The four internally ventilated disc brakes measure 400 millimeters in diameter up front and 365 millimeters at the rear.
The styling touches on the S8 are subtle. Still, it gets a different grille treatment which is now platinum gray and its eight double bars are covered in chrome. An aluminum-look blade makes the bumper appear sharper, and there are high-gloss black slats and aluminum-look ribs in the side air intakes. It also gets a front apron with a lip spoiler, and a revised rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser and four tail pipes.
As for the interior, it comes with the usual sport seats which are optionally available with exclusive seat upholstery in quilted lunar silver. In addition, the manufacturer alco offers a sport steering wheel and sportier looking trim.
Pricing is not yet available at this time, but stay tuned for details.
Source: Audi
