Flagship mild-hybrid S8 priced for Oz

AUDI has revealed Australian pricing and details of its flagship mild-hybrid S8 sedan, offering a sharper design, new tech, and the same stonking performance we’ve come to expect.

The luxe limousine sits at the top of the A8 range and will cost Aussie buyers $273,400 plus on-road costs, making it the most expensive Audi on-sale Down Under and a fair chunk of change more than the outgoing model.

The $13,523 price hike over the outgoing model is somewhat justified, as the upcoming S8 scores new digital matrix LED headlights borrowed from the e-tron S, the A8’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system as standard, and a twin-turbo V8 with cylinder deactivation.

“The new Audi S8 is in rarefied air at the pinnacle of our model range,” said Audi Australia director Jeff Mannering.

“The Audi S8 is one of those truly special vehicles that is revered by many, but only owned by a few.”

The new S8 represents Audi’s no-holds-barred attempt at blending luxury with performance, as the car-maker’s top dog sedan since 1994.

“It stands apart for its unique combination of performance, luxury and innovation that is scarcely found anywhere in the market,” said Mr Mannering.

“The refreshed S8 continues this legacy, with new features that will ensure it retains its eminence at the peak of the Audi range, and of the luxury sedan market.”

On the performance front, power comes courtesy of a 4.0-litre TFSI twin-turbo V8 with ‘cylinder on demand’ (CoD), helped along by the S8s mild-hybrid system, producing 420kW of power and 800Nm of torque.

These hefty power figures equate to a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds and electronically limited top speed of 250km/h – plenty of performance for a luxury sedan.

Drive is sent through a tiptronic eight-speed transmission, with quattro all-wheel drive system allowing up to 85 per cent of torque to be sent to the rear treads. Under normal operation. torque is distributed 40:60 front to back but remains variable.

Audi attributes the V8s soundtrack to its 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order, funnelled through a dual exhaust system that is controlled via the Audi drive select system.

The 48-volt mild-hybrid system can recover up to 8kW of power while coasting or under light throttle openings, as well as providing power for the idle-stop system, equating to a fuel saving of up to 0.8 litres per 100km.

Audi’s CoD cylinder deactivation technology takes fuel savings one step further, allowing the S8 to run on four of its eight cylinders, contributing to the claimed 10.5L/100km combined fuel consumption. 

Comfort is a key factor in the S8 and the upcoming model features ‘predictive active suspension’ technology, acting off various sensors and a video camera to constantly adjust the ride.

The S8 is even capable of loading or unloading individual wheels via an electric motor, balancing the chassis to achieve what Audi claims are “physics-defying dynamics”.

A modernised exterior design remains Audi-esque, muscular enough to hint at the S8s performance potential while retaining luxury limousine lines. 

Digital matrix LED headlights have been borrowed from the e-tron S as standard, with 1.3 million micromirrors splitting the light into tiny pixels. OLED taillights are standard, which increase visibility based on proximity to trailing vehicles.

Occupants are treated to the same level of luxury they will be used to in the outgoing S8, but a new digital TV complements the well-appointed infotainment offering.

Audi’s latest safety tech is fitted to the S8, with park assist, 360-degree cameras, and all the usual driver safety aids.

Particularly handy, is Audi’s pre-sense technology that will raise one side of the vehicle to mitigate impact in the event of a side collision. Another new addition is night vision assist, which uses the digital matrix LED headlights.