As BMW and Mercedes keep changing their lineups in the hopes of dragging in new customers from one another, Audi is remaining fairly quite. In the last few years, it has chosen to simply upgrade its lineup instead of completely changing things, and rightfully so, as the German luxury car builder has grown leaps and bounds in recent years.

Its latest tweak comes by way of the revised S8 that is set to hit showrooms in the 2015 model year.

The S8 is and always has been the precise definition of a sleeper car, as its relatively unimposing look, rounded body and large exterior give it the look of a cushy luxury sedan. However, that throaty, turbocharged V-8 under its hood has a completely different agenda than its luxurious exterior and interior.

The S8 is one of those rare breeds that allow you to talk million-dollar business deals one second and smoke a Porsche 911 to 60 mph the next. There's really nothing else like it this side of the $150k mark. Sure, you can make claims that the Jag XJ Supersport -- if you still want one after Dick Van Dykes went all "Fisker Karma" on him -- or the S63 AMG are worthy competitors, but we doubt either exudes the class of the S8 as it pins your head against the headrest.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 S8

2015 Audi S8

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Audi S8
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 520 @ 6000
  • Torque: 481 @ 5500
  • Transmission: Eight-Speed Shiftable Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Exterior

The exterior of the revised S8 underwent a very mild facelift for 2015. It is so minor that you wouldn't really know it was any different, unless the 2014 model was right next to it, so we did just that (above).

With the side-by-side images at your disposal, you can now see just what Audi has done to refine the S8 even further. The trademark Singleframe grille with its more angular top corners and the headlights finally losing the waveform design -- thank you!!!! -- are the two most obvious changes. Look closely, and you'll see even more up front, as the front apron features a more defined chin and the air intakes on each side of the apron are significantly larger. The final front-end change for 2015 is an extra set of creases in the hood that give the S8 the visual "snarl" that last year's soft hood lacked.

The revised headlights feature standard LED technology in the German market, which will likely carry into the U.S., but optional Matrix LED technology is also available as an option. This system uses 25 individual LEDs for the high beam and each diode can be dimmed individually. These headlights feature an intelligent cornering system that illuminates the road as it curves, as well as revised daytime running lights and dynamic turn signals. You can see a nice shot of these new lights in each sequence above.

Around back, the revisions continue, and the most obvious change is the new, wider trunk lid that allows for easier loading and gives the A8 broader-looking shoulders from the rear. The taillights are also a flatter design and look more aggressive than last year's model. Finally, a new chrome strip strikes through the center of the trunk lid and through the taillights, and the rear under-bumper insert.

The overall dimensions of the 2015 S8 carry over from the 2014 model year.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

202.2 In.

Width

76.7 In.

Height

57.5 In.

Wheelbase

117.8 In

Curb Weight

TBA


Interior

Audi didn't dive too deeply into the interior features on the 2015 S8, but from the looks of things, this will carry over from last year. We examined the differences between the 2014 S8 and this new model, but no differences really popped out at us.

Carrying over is not a bad thing for the S8, as the 2014 rendition featured a cabin that was unmatched in the market, plus standard equipment that Bimmer and Mercedes wouldn't even think about adding without charging a fee, like standard leather seating and a premium audio system.

One item that looks to be an addition for the 2015 S8 is the black/Vermont brown design selection with Carbon twill copper inlays. From the looks of the images, this is what the press car features. It is evident by the twill accents on the door panels and the overall upscale look of the cabin.

The A8 lineup features a slew of new upholstery, inlays and colors, plus new woods -- fine-grain poplar and fine-grain ash -- but Audi is unclear whether these will carry into the S8 line.

Audi has revealed some of the optional features for the A8, but the S8 is not outline just yet.

Drivetrain

Drivetrain features are still coming in, but Audi did reveal the basics for 2015, leaving only small details for speculation. The S8 carries the same 4.0-liter TFSI V-8 engine that the 2014 model had. This powerplant pumps out 520 horsepower -- same as 2014 -- and hooks up to the quattro AWD system through what we assume is the same eight-speed automated manual transmission from last year.

This is enough to rocket this sedan to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.2 seconds -- 60 mph likely comes in the same 3.9 seconds as the 2014 model -- and up to a top speed of 155 mph. The average (combined) fuel consumption is set at 23.29 mpg on the European cycle, while CO2 emissions come in at just 235 grams per 100 km. These phenomenal numbers come courtesy of Audi's Cylinder on Demand (COD) system, which knocks the V-8 system down to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder when you do not need the power. Additionally, the COD helps keep the cabin noise to a minimum, along with Audi's Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), at cruising speeds.

Drivetrain Specifications:

Engine

4.0-Liter TFSI Turbocharged V-8

Output

520 Horsepower @ 6,000 RPM

Torque

481 Pound-Feet @ 5,500 RPM

Emissions

235 g CO2 per 100 KM

Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined

TBA / TBA / 23

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

3.9 Sec, Est

Top Speed

155 MPH (Limited)


Prices

Pricing for the Audi S8 starts from $114,900.

Competition

2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo

The Panamera received a healthy revision in 2014 and this will carry over into 2015. At one point, the Panamera was kind of the black sheep of the Porsche family, but it has grown on us and it gives the 911-focused lineup a breath of fresh air. With 520 horsepower on tap from its turbocharged V-8 engine, the Panamera Turbo can hit 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds on its way up to a top speed of 188 mph. The downside of the Panamera Turbo is that it is super expensive: the 2014 model is $141,300.

Read more about the Porsche Panamera Turbo here.

Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4MATIC

Finally, the S63 AMG gets all four wheels powered by its 5.5-liter V-8 that puts down 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque and it took an all-new generation to do so. This is enough to get the big sedan to 60 mph in the same 3.99 seconds as the Porsche and the S8, but it trumps the S8 with a 186 mph top speed. Like the Panamera Turbo, the S63 AMG 4MATIC, as the 2013 model with two-wheel drive hit an outlandish $140k.

Find out more about the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG here.]

Conclusion

The entire A8 lineup was in bad need of an overhaul, along with the S8, and this is just what the doctor ordered. Eliminating the waveform headlights was plenty to make us celebrate, but the extra little tweaks here and there, like the hood, grille and trunk were just the icing on the cake. Audi found the perfect balance of sport and luxury for the A8, and we think this will lead to nothing but good things moving forward.