I was at the DC Auto Show and picked up the 'official' Audi offering brochure for 06'. The S8 is listed in there as is the A8 w/ V8 and the A8 w/ W12. The thing that has me scratching my head is that the HP and Performance measurements for the S8 and A8 w/ W12 are IDENTICAL! I though that the S8 would surely be the performance leader? Why even bother offer an S8?? Especially when you're introducing a totally new engine into the lineup.. one that's not proven.
Bizarre?

 

I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm pretty sure that the S8 is a shorter wheelbase version of the A8. So size-wise it goes: S8 - A8 - A8L.

Correct/Flame me if i'm wrong.

 

FLAME ON!!![sm=badbadbad.gif] j/k

Here's what I think:

A8/S8 = same wheelbase

A8L/W12 = same wheelbase

Bluebird 82PAX bus/My Johnson = same wheelbase

 

No way the performance figures are the same the W12 is faster than the V8 version and the S8 with a FSI V10 is faster than the other two

 

I'm tellin' you.. I'm looking right at the OFFICIAL Product line card. It even had the performance numbers in it and they are IDENTICAL to 60mph! If you don't believe me, go to Audi's web site and order it!

 

Yup, the figures are the same, CAR magazine had a big article on the S8 this month, and they were incredulous too. There are some small diffs performance wise, but nothing that someone would be able to actually feel.

 

I posted this same enigma on the main Brand and Concept page and what I think is that they are using the S8 as a test bed for the R8 that will be coming out next year. In other words, the S8 is a guinea pig to debug the V10 engine. That would **** me off if I dropped $110k on the car to wait and see if something breaks. F' that, I'll buy the W12 which has been out for 3 years and I know is rock solid.

I don't understand why they didnt' drop a supercharged 4.2 8 or a turbocharged W12 into the S8 like Mercedes does with their AMG line??

Just lookin' for controversy..

 

The S8 is the shorter wheelbase versus the W12 long wheelbase, so handling characteristics should be favorable to the S8. I also believe the S8 will have firm sport setting in the air suspension. The V-10 in the S will rev and feel much better, the W-12 has lots of power but doesn't feel great. The W-12 is really an oddity from an engineering standpoint, and wouldn't be my choice. The V-10 will also show up in the S6, but will be detuned. This approach is similar to BMW and Merc, the 12's are never the top sport models, but mainly the large land yachts with lots of torque. I would like to see some comparison test on the track once the S8 hits the market, I bet is smokes the W-12.