The new generation S8 just broke cover, bringing with it a new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces an amazing 520 HP. Shying away from the old 450 HP 5.2-liter V10 engine was a stellar decision by Audi, but what happens to the poor chaps that already have an S8 with the old engine? Enter Anderson Germany.
The German tuner is offering the perfect solution for an increase in power without the customer having to wait and purchase the 2012 model. Their new S8 Superior Grey Edition package is named after its slick matte gray exterior paint finish, but has been released solely for the power boost. With the help of the typical ECU and new, special exhaust system, the vehicle’s V10 can push out an extra 58 HP, bringing the total to 508 HP. Top speed has also been increased to 186 mph.
Exterior and interior additions were also provided, but with a bit more than a minimalistic approach. The exterior received an extreme body kit and a new set of 22" wheels, while the interior benefits from Alcantara and different carbon fiber elements to replace the vehicle’s typical wood accents.
Audi’s top-of-the-line luxury model, the A8, is getting a sports variant in the form of the newly-released 2012 S8. Together with the new S6 and the new S7 Sportback, the S8 encompasses Audi’s new S family, one that preaches sporty performance while also adding some subtle tweaks to the car’s overall look.
Changes to the design of the car aren’t all that extensive and you probably won’t even notice them if you don’t look hard enough. But where the car looks pretty similar to its A8 counterparts, the powertrain found under the hood of the new S8 is vastly different.
Gone is the 450-horsepower 5.2-liter V10 engine and in its place, Audi has fitted the S8 with their new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces an amazing 520 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque. What makes this all the more impressive is that despite the 70-horsepower increase on the new S8, the fuel consumption rating was improved to 17.8 mpg.
Find out more about the 2012 Audi S8 after the jump.
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The upcoming Audi S8 has been caught testing for the first time "completely naked" while cruising in the European Alps. These fresh prototypes reveal all the glory and beauty of the S8 set to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.
As you can see in these spy images, the S8 will feature sportier front bumpers, four chrome exhaust pipes in the back, and bigger brakes for added stopping power. That excess stopping power will be put to good use now that Bentley is working on their new twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8 engine. This new engine will be used for the Continental GT, but will also be finding its way to the S6, S7, and, of course, the S8. Once dropped in the S8, this new engine will crank up the luxury sedan’s output from the current 444 HP to about 500 HP, all while being 20% more fuel efficient than the V10 it is replacing.
Audi is preparing a strong offensive line in hopes of achieving greatness in the sports car market. In the upcoming months, the company plans to reveal four new sports sedans to complete their all-star team.
The first teammate will be the S8, which will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall. The S8 will feature a new 4.0 liter, twin-turbo V8 engine developed in cooperation with Bentley. This new engine will deliver a total of 493 HP - an increase of about 50 HP over the current S8 model - but will also have a fuel improvement of about 20%. The engine will be mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and Quattro all-wheel drive system.
About two months after the S8 has its time in the spotlight, Audi will present the S6 and the S7 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The two models will also get the new 4.0 liter V8 engine with an output of 434 HP in the S6 and 464 HP in the S7.
The true all-star on this team, however, will be the RS6. It will also get the 4.0 liter, twin-turbo V8 engine, but with tweaks to increase the power to an impressive 572 HP. The bad news, though, is that Audi will be saving the best for last and we won’t get to see the Audi RS6 until late 2012. The BMW M5 will be able to enjoy its lead in the rankings until then.
Apart from a recent crash while driving an Audi S8 – and an embarrassing loss to the New York Jets, too – life’s been pretty good for Tom Brady.
He’s married to Giselle Bundchen, he just signed a $72 million extension with the New England Patriots, and he’s got a new car – and one he got for free.
After crashing an Audi-owned S8 that made national headlines, Tom Brady was the beneficiary of a brand new Audi vehicle. We don’t know how somebody could crash a car that was owned by the automaker and get a free car for it, but apparently, that’s how Tom Brady rolls. Okay, so he’s partnered with the company for a number of charities throughout the years, but still, a free car for crashing another one?
We don’t know what Audi gave him, although rumors are spreading that it’s actually a 2011 S8 model, a newer – and more awesome – version of the car he crashed last week. Audi didn’t elaborate on the gift either with US boss Johan de Nysschen only saying that “we put him in a new car”.
Whatever model Audi gave Brady isn’t really important. What’s important is that being one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL certainly comes with a lot of perks.
