THE flagship Audi S8 sedan has been given a boost with the addition of a Plus model to the line-up, adding extra urge where none was really required.

Sharing the twin-turbo driveline from the RS6 and RS7 models, the new S8 exec-express drops into the three-second bracket for a sprint to 100km/h – think recent Porsche 911 Turbo territory – from a vehicle that cracks two tonnes before its laden with occupants.

It’s no stripped-out performance special shedding weight for pace either – massaging seats, adaptive air suspension, serious sound systems and acres of leather, carbon-fibre and Alcantara mean the S8 is an opulent conveyance, even when its covering ground at an indecent rate.

Conservatively styled but muscular in stance, the S8 burbles softly but departs at an astonishing rate, cornering and braking far more athletically than anything of this size and heft should.

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