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Audi's luxury S8 is as fast as a 911

IT'S hard to imagine Audi's biggest, most comfortable saloon moving as quickly as a Porsche 911, but the flagship version of the company's A8 does just that.

The awesome S8 blasts to 60mph in 4.9 seconds and, if its top speed wasn't restricted, would be capable of 186mph.

The top-end Audi weighs nigh-on two tonnes, to the 1.3 tonnes of a base 911, and is capable of carrying five adults and their holiday luggage in cosseted luxury, against the 911's optimistic two plus two.

But then factor in 450 horsepower produced by the same 5.2-litre V10 that's installed in the Lamborghini Gallardo (though with more torque), add quattro all-wheel-drive and specially tuned suspension and it all starts to make sense.

That engine is mated to Audi's renowned six-speed auto gearbox which is quick and smooth and has tiptronic wheel-mounted manual shifting, which is even quicker. This version has been tweaked to allow later, higher-revving and lightning-fast shifts.

The A8 is a handsome car in its own right, but with its low-slung solidity, relatively short overhangs and huge, newly-styled 20-inch split-spoke alloys, the beautifully-proportioned S becomes undeniably stunning.

Audi has a reputation for well-built interiors and the S8 is a fine example. The very comfortable but supportive sports seats are available in dual-tone leather with power adjustment and there's matching leather everywhere. A boot the size of an aircraft hangar is aided in the stowage stakes by a plethora of practical nooks and crannies in the cabin, and all the rear windows have electric sun blinds.

The adaptive air suspension combined with double-glazed windows and the whisper quiet engine ensure a quiet, smooth ride despite the enormously wide and very low-profile tyres.

Talking of the suspension system, as the Audi 8's designated S' model, they're firmer than the A' but there are settings which allow you to leave it to the on-board computers to analyse your driving style - shifting at the most economical points when driving at moderate speeds and shifting up later and down earlier when indulging in more spirited driving. The system is also sensitive to up and down gradients.

There's also a "Sport' setting which firms things up even more (when you're late for work!).

Parking is pretty easy for such a big and wide car, with a good parking camera system and big, aluminium door mirrors.

On the open road the car belies its size. Floor the throttle and from the powerful shove in your back you would expect a brutish howl from the engine, rather than the potent, but subdued, roar which nonetheless reminds you what lurks under the bonnet.

You are launched forwards in elegance and refinement (which many consider more of a thrill than the more usual song and dance of screeching tyres and noise), the steering is direct, with plenty of feedback (if a little light for my taste) and the suspension confidently keeps the big car level during lively cornering.

The brakes are correspondingly big, progressive and very powerful with carbon-ceramics a £6,000 option which is not really necessary.

With such high performance, only out-and-out racing seats would stop you from moving at all, but the deep seats do a pretty good job of keeping you snugly in place.

For 2008, the S8 has received some minor upgrades, including those restyled wheels and new fog lights and it is certainly a serious contender against its principal targets, like Jaguar's XJR and Mercedes' AMG S63.

The basic cost is around £72,000, which is more than the Jag and less than the Merc.

3:15pm Monday 23rd June 2008

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