The S8 disappeared from Audi’s lineup for the 2010 model year, but the sports sedan looks primed for a 2012 model year revival. Our spy photographers recently spotted the high-performance 2012 S8 undergoing some shakedown testing.
At first glance, this may just look like a blacked-out, 2011 Audi A8. However, all it takes is a quick look at the details of this car to know we’ve just captured the first up-close photos of Audi S8 test vehicle!
This S8 test car is an early development vehicle, so it is not wearing any of the sportier “S” bodywork just yet. What it does have are large brake rotors and calipers along with a quad tip exhaust setup — both obvious signs this is no ordinary A8.
The S8 will get the usual upgraded suspension, brakes and powertrain that all “S” models get. Exactly which powertrain the S8 will receive seems to be a mystery so far. The strongest rumors suggest that a 4.0L, twin-turbo V8 will be under the hood of the ‘12 S8.
Watch for the official debut of the S8 sometime in late 2010 or early 2011.
03/16, 4:24 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
So they are waiting a year to show us one with Quad exhaust and different brake rotors? LAME
03/16, 4:29 PM
posted by:
iggibiggi
4.0TT with 450hp…I LIKE IT…A LOT! Car and driver had a good write-up on this.
03/16, 4:44 PM
posted by:
Troll Killer
Looks so much better in black…I have no idea why Audi and BMW like to show their cars in beige.
Still the back of the car still looks too much like an A4, which is a shame because I really like what they did with the creases on the top and back of the trunk.
03/16, 4:50 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Gee… a big, black German car. That ought to stand out in the executive parking lot.
03/16, 5:03 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
“Our spy photographers recently spotted the high-performance 2012 S8 undergoing some shakedown testing.”
Customers who walk onto Audi lots will also be shaken down.
03/16, 5:06 PM
posted by:
reedfast
put the 5 liter tt lambo engine in it like you have in the rs6 and call it a day. I want 200 mph.
03/16, 8:26 PM
posted by:
Griffilicious
I’m glad they did away with the previously shown “check-mark” headlights. They were my least favorite part about the car.
03/16, 9:07 PM
posted by:
Borat
I don’t believe it is move forward. Audi “adopted” Benzes rear quarter window and it was not all that beautiful IMO.
03/16, 11:59 PM
posted by:
A4
Thank god it’ll have turbo’s. I was starting to get worried.
03/17, 8:13 AM
posted by:
arena
I was hoping they would dump the bi-turbo V10 in this beast, but I think a supercharged V8 is more likely…
and @ how’s my driving: how do you figure? The A8 is on par with the 7 series and S class in every category, yet 15 to 20% cheaper..
03/17, 10:24 AM
posted by:
bryan78701
The A8 is now ugly. Never thought I would say that. The head lights look a lot better, than the regular one.
03/17, 1:13 PM
posted by:
Troll Killer
@ bryan78701
I wouldn’t quite say it’s ugly. It certainly isn’t pretty, but I think this falls under the badass category along with the 7 series. The only car in this class I personally would call ugly is the LS sport (normal one is ok).
03/18, 3:30 PM
posted by:
EuroCarBrian
The idiotic comments inspired me to register so I could say a few words. You guys obviously didn’t read the ****ing article. It says: “This S8 test car is an early development vehicle, so it is not wearing any of the sportier “S†bodywork just yet.” Which means that the actual 2012 S8 will look different than this car. I am sure it will be visually different as the previous S8 was to a regular A8. Subtle yet sporty and progressive. Don’t be so quick to judge, it’s only a test mule.
03/19, 4:31 PM
posted by:
Golden Guo
dream car at the moment