Audi S8 Plus: review

With 597bhp, 189mph and a 3.8sec 0-62mph time, is this the ultimate limo?
It’s the hottest-ever S-badged Audi
Autocar|Sarah Bradley15 November 2015

The standard S8 features an impressive 513bhp, which it seems is plenty enough for everyone but Audi itself.

In the marque’s drive to build the ultimate executive express, the model’s latest incarnation – the S8 Plus – now boasts 597bhp from its 4.0-litre V8, thanks to the aid of two turbochargers. It’s the hottest-ever S-badged Audi. Our testers tried it out.

The newcomer takes Audi’s accustomed performance and luxury to another level

At just under £100,000, the newcomer takes Audi’s accustomed performance and luxury to another level. Whether it’s enjoyed from the driver’s seat or from the luxurious rear compartment, the experience is sublime.

Whether it’s enjoyed from the driver’s seat or the luxurious rear compartment, it's sublime

Quilted leather upholstery can be enhanced by an optional massage function, and hi-tech sound-cancellation protection from the noise and bustle of the outside world means passengers can relax in the ultimate tranquil environment, at whatever speed they’re travelling.

Quilted leather upholstery can be enhanced by an optional massage function

Selectable drive modes adapt the S8 Plus’s handling and performance to suit. Comfort provides the ultimate in, well, comfort, while Dynamic literally shifts the S8 into another gear. The 0-62mph sprint takes an astounding 3.8 seconds, and the relentless V8 just keeps on accelerating right up to an artificially restricted 189mph (up from the standard 155mph).

The 0-62mph sprint takes an astounding 3.8 seconds

The black-painted quad exhausts growl and bellow as the engine’s torque – up to 553lb ft via the overboost function – pulls and pulls. A Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, via a centre diff and an electronic limited-slip rear diff.

The S8 Plus is hugely muscular and powerful, yet beautifully refined

Dynamic mode stiffens the suspension, enabling remarkably flat cornering on the uprated air springs. Additional braking power can be obtained by speccing the carbon-ceramic brakes included in the optional Dynamic Pack.

The S8 Plus is hugely muscular and powerful, yet beautifully refined. As executive limos go, it’s one of the very best. Its Plus points are many and varied; the new name is fully justified.

Audi S8 Plus

On sale: Now

Price: £97,700

Engine: 8cyl, 3993cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol

Power: 597bhp @ 6100-6800rpm

Torque: 553lb ft @ 2500-5500rpm (on overboost)

Gearbox: 8spd automatic

Kerbweight: 2,065kg

0-62mph: 3.8 seconds

Top speed: 189mph (derestricted)

Economy: 28.2mpg (combined)

CO2/tax band: 231g/km, 37%

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT