Audi S8

The Audi S8 is the high-performance flagship sedan developed by Audi Sport GmbH based on the A8 limousine, representing the pinnacle of performance in Audi's saloon lineup. Originating in 1996, the first-generation model (D2) featured a 4.2L V8 engine, pioneering the fusion of an executive luxury sedan with high-performance firepower. Spanning nearly three decades across four generations—D3 (5.2L V10), D4 (4.0T V8), and D5 (4.0T V8 with 48V mild hybrid)—the current offering in China is the 2025/2026 S8L, officially distributed via Audi (Import).

Model Overview

Positioned as a full-size high-performance luxury sedan, the Audi S8 serves as the ultimate performance iteration of the A8 family. Its core appeal lies in seamlessly uniting the effortless thrust of a V8 powertrain, the tenacious grip of the quattro all-wheel drive system, and the peerless refinement of a flagship limousine. The official recommended retail price for the 2025/2026 Audi S8L is RM2,076,800. Built in a 4-door, 5-seater three-box sedan layout, it measures 5,320 mm in length, 1,945 mm in width, and 1,489 mm in height, with a generous 3,128 mm wheelbase. It registers a kerb weight of 2,335 kg, an 82-litre fuel tank, and a 505-litre boot capacity. The vehicle is backed by a 3-year or 100,000 km manufacturer warranty.

Design Language

Building upon the stately silhouette of the A8, the Audi S8's exterior infuses bespoke S-line sporting cues, earning it a reputation among enthusiasts as a 'brute in a bespoke suit'. Up front, it features Audi's signature hexagonal Singleframe grille finished with black mesh, proudly sporting a prominent red S8 badge on the upper right quadrant. Generously sized air intakes flank the front bumper to enhance its aggressive stance. Along the sides, its elongated, sleek profile is accented by standard aluminium-look silver wing mirror housings (with gloss black and carbon fibre finishes optional). The rear is crowned by a signature quad-exhaust system alongside smoked LED taillights. Rolling stock comes standard with 21-inch 7-spoke platinum grey alloy wheels (with four optional styles, including matte black and 10-spoke platinum grey), shod with 265/35 R21 tyres. Buyers can choose from 10 exterior paint options, covering 8 standard colours, Audi exclusive bespoke finishes, and matte paintworks.

Inside, the cabin injects motorsport pedigree into the A8's opulent baseline. The centre console is adorned with standard carbon fibre trim. The seats are wrapped in premium Valcona leather, available in four colourways—Black, Pastel Silver, Merlot Red, and Cognac Brown—with embossed S emblems on the seatbacks. The headliner is trimmed in soft Dinamica microfibre. The cockpit features Audi's multi-display digital layout, comprising a 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch central MMI touchscreen, and an 8.6-inch climate control touch display, complemented by a rear smart control unit for full multi-screen passenger interaction.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the bonnet, the Audi S8 is powered by the EA825 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine (engine code CWW), jointly developed by Audi and Porsche. Displacing 3,996 cc in a longitudinal layout, the powerplant develops a massive 420 kW (571 PS) at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 800 Nm from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. The engine is augmented by a 48V mild hybrid system (MHEV) to enhance efficiency and recover braking energy. Power is transferred through an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Against the stopwatch, the S8 accomplishes the 0-100 km/h century sprint in just 4.0 seconds, with top speed electronically capped at 250 km/h. On the WLTC cycle, combined fuel consumption is rated at 11.03 L/100 km.

Chassis and Handling

The Audi S8 is underpinned by the Volkswagen Group's MLB Evo platform. The running gear comprises front and rear multi-link independent suspension paired with an adaptive air suspension system featuring continuous damping control and ride height adjustment. Permanent all-weather traction is delivered via Audi's renowned quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, fitted with a mechanical self-locking centre differential. Agility and high-speed composure are further sharpened by dynamic all-wheel steering, which turns the rear wheels counter to the fronts at low speeds for manoeuvrability, and in phase at higher speeds for high-speed lane-change stability. Braking hardware consists of ventilated discs all round paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB).

Cabin and Features

In terms of infotainment tech, the S8 is equipped with MMI Navigation Plus and the MIB3 infotainment platform, operated via the dual 10.1-inch upper touchscreen and 8.6-inch lower HVAC panel. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, 4G/5G on-board data, and intelligent voice command. For the 2025 model year, the processing chip has been upgraded from a 14 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 to a high-speed 7 nm Snapdragon 8150 processor, noticeably elevating system smoothness. Acoustic performance is delivered via a standard Bang & Olufsen (B&O) premium audio system.

Passenger amenities are comprehensive: the front seats come standard with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The rear passenger compartment features electrically adjustable executive seats complete with ventilation, heating, and massage programmes. Further luxury appointments include four-zone automatic climate control, an electric rear windscreen sunblind, rear privacy glass, and an optional on-board refrigerator. A dual panoramic glass sunroof and a 360-degree surround-view camera are fitted as standard.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

The Audi S8 meets flagship-tier benchmarks in active and passive vehicle safety. Passive protection includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, rear side airbags, and full-length curtain airbags. Active safety systems come standard with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

For driver assistance, the S8 provides Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability. Its ADAS suite includes Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Autonomous Emergency Braking / Forward Collision Warning (FCW). Parking is made effortless via a 360-degree surround-view camera and front/rear parking sensors.

Market Performance and Reviews

The Audi S8 occupies a distinct niche in the global ultra-luxury high-performance limousine segment, rivalled primarily by the BMW 760i xDrive and the Mercedes-AMG S 63.

In the US market, the 2026 S8 scored an impressive 8.5/10 from Car and Driver , commended for its "effortless power and speed, gorgeous tech-luxe interior, shockingly athletic for its size". Reviewers noted that the driver's seat is truly "the best seat in the car", with sophisticated chassis tuning that imbues this large luxury saloon with dynamic agility far exceeding its physical footprint. The 2025/2026 S8 presents a comprehensive evolution across its powertrain (4.0T V8 + 48V MHEV), computing hardware (Qualcomm 8150 chip), and rear-cabin executive comfort (rear massage seats). The few trade-offs remain its relatively thirsty fuel consumption and an understated exterior appearance. As the performance flagship of the four rings, the Audi S8 continues to deliver a compelling proposition in the high-performance luxury limousine segment through its effortless V8 power, all-weather quattro capability, and uncompromised executive luxury.