2014 Audi S8

There’s a distinct thematic change when moving up Audi’s performance ranks from A to S to RS models. This four-door super-limo sticks to the script by offering the controlled but comfortable ride of the A8 paired with extreme power and sprint performance.

How quick is the S8? What do you have to drag race it against? It’s beaten everything from the R8 to the BMW Alpina B7. Only a select few cars on earth can beat this beast for sheer effortless pace. Just floor it and hang on tight.

The S8 is then a luxury barge with the performance potential to pass an R8 without really trying. It is one of those cars you can imagine Audi executives designing for themselves first and offering for sale second.

The S8 comes in atop the other A8 variants, including a TDI for 2014, but below the range-topping A8 L W12. After the BMW’s ,shaming at the drag strip, only the upcoming Bentley Flying Spur and the brand-new 2014 S63 AMG 4Matic can keep up with this level of AWD pace. Oh, and don’t forget the crushing prowess of the Porsche Panamera Turbo.

The A8/S8 pair is unique within the Volkswagen Group because the costly aluminum space frame and panels are not sharable assets for Bentley or Porsche at the moment. The addition of a world-beating 520 horsepower twin-turbo V-8 engine and eight-speed automatic mean the S8 is one of the most desirable super sedans available at any price.

The major downsides for the A8 – old man styling, slowness – virtually disappear when the car is packing the S8 engine and body kit. Is it enough to earn sales from the extremely capable competition?

Click past the jump for the full review of the 2014 Audi S8 with highlights on cool performance features and equipment.

The S8 leads from the front when it comes to styling. It looks aggressive, incredibly expensive and dripping with class. The platinum grey matte grille really works with the aluminum-alloy mirrors, plus the front splitter and rear blade fin. Quad pipes are prominent in back and leave no question that this thing is king of the road.

The A8 and the S8 have lost a significant amount of grace in this latest body style, due to the slab-like surfaces and some unattractive details. The awkward corner detailing front and rear comes to mind.

Most visible from the rear three-quarter perspective, there is almost a right angle where the swage line turns downward just before the taillights. It is actually a shut line between the body and bumper.

This technique also appears up front and loses a lot of the S7’s sportiness in favor of a more formal design. These details look dismal and bring down the appeal of the whole shape.

There is a lot going for the S8’s style besides those minor issues. This Audi is almost a cab-backward design from some angles and the S8-exclusive body kit mirrors the original upward creases in the doors and rockers. The S8 only comes in the normal wheelbase and helps keep the body looking tighter than the LWB available in the other models.

The design may not look terrific but beats other A8’s by one point for just a 0.26 cD, thanks to its standard-fit air suspension’s ability to lower the car with increased speed. All S8 Audi’s roll on 21-inch wheels in a choice of three designs.

2014 Audi S8 black photo

2014 Audi S8 image