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Audi S8 - What the Auto Press Says

The following is a performance-capsule review of the 2009 Audi S8. It is based on our analysis of 32 published reviews and test drives.

The 2009 Audi S8 is large, luxurious and thrilling to drive. Combining elegance with high-performance engineering, the S8 garners praise from critics and enthusiasts alike.

Model Overview

The S8 is a performance-tuned variant of Audi's top-of-the-line luxury sedan, the A8. Equipped with a 450-horsepower ten-cylinder engine and outfitted in typical-Audi fashion, the S8 is as much of a performer as it is a luxury sedan. "Just as sports cars are getting more comfortable, luxury cars are becoming more athletic," writes Kelley Blue Book. "A key enabler on the luxury side is the latest generation of dynamic suspension systems that can change from firm to soft in a matter of milliseconds and eliminate the need for engineers to seek one particular compromised spot between ride and handling."

Available in one trim only, the Audi S8 enters the 2009 model year unchanged.

• "Get a bunch of car enthusiasts to talk about German performance sedans and they'll typically start spewing four-letter...well, just four letters: AMG and M.  ... Yet there's one more letter that is often overlooked: S. Audi's high-performance 'S' line has been around for more than a few years, and the S8 -- the souped-up version of the standard-wheelbase A8 -- is particularly alluring, owing to its Lamborghini-derived V10 engine and roomy, handsome cabin." -- Edmunds
• "The A8 is Audi's flagship sedan, the top of the pile, the king of the mountain, but the company does itself one better with the 2009 Audi S8, an amped-up version of its big luxury car designed to throw a little thrill toward those well-heeled enough to afford such a car. The S8 gets the same engine as the new R8 V-10, Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and an air suspension designed for aggressive driving." -- CNET
• "Overall, the 2009 Audi S8 runs like a whipped ape and sets new standards for performance-based elegance. It is a complex recipe to create, but Audi has served it up in excellent style." -- Carseek

The Bottom Line

If you're in the market for a large, luxurious car that's got the road prowess to handle practically anything you or Mother Nature can dish out, the S8 is for you. It is, however, expensive -- starting at $96,200. For roughly the same price, you can opt for the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG instead, which carries more panache because of its brand name. 

Performance Dynamics

Despite a hefty curb weight of 4,586 pounds, test drivers find that the Audi S8 is a thrilling performer. It's got the power, speed and handling chops to leave even the pickiest of auto critics impressed.

The Audi S8 features a 5.2-liter ten cylinder engine that produces 450-horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 398 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. A six-speed Tiptronic transmission is standard. According to Audi, the S8 has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The EPA reports that the S8 nets a city/highway fuel economy of 13/19 mpg.

Standard performance components include a rack-and-pinion steering with Servotronic speed-dependent power assist, a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension system, an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Brake pressure Distribution (EBD). The S8 also comes equipped with an Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), which assists drivers in maintaining absolute control by employing Traction Control alongside its braking systems in adverse driving conditions. What's more, Audi's Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is standard.

• "Talk about a wolf in sheep's clothing. Everything about the Audi's S8's performance says ‘sports car.' It all starts with the powerful 450-bhp V-10 that gives the car lightning-fast acceleration, and an air-suspension system that constantly makes adjustments based on road conditions and driver preferences. On the twisty stuff, the suspension firms up with a simple touch of a button, while it remains compliant on level driving surfaces." -- Road and Track
• "Crack the whip and the V10 engine pulls hard from idle to redline without letting up. The power delivery is so linear that the performance is deceiving. The automatic provides smooth and quick changes, although it can hesitate a bit when prodded for a downshift. Take matters into your own hands via the steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles and the transmission responds quickly to your commands." -- Edmunds
• "The driveline and aluminum chassis of the S8 have been modified to suit the engine's power. Like Audi's other 'S' models, the S8 features more aggressive suspension, wheels, tires, exhaust systems, and styling. The firmer settings of the adaptive air suspension and a more direct steering ratio provide a more engaging driving experience than the plush A8." -- Left Lane News
• "It features all-wheel drive performance and also an individually-adaptable air-powered suspension system that makes you feel like you're actually floating instead of rolling." -- Carseek
• "You definitely feel the size of the S8 when cornering, but that air suspension keeps it surprisingly balanced. With this big of a car, it seems as if it should wallow just a bit in hard corners, but it stays flat and the speed-sensitive power steering offers good feedback." -- CNET
• "All the electronically-enhanced suspension sophistication in the world can't change the laws of physics, which is why we were so surprised to have as much fun as we did in Audi's sizeable 4,500-pound sport-luxury sedan. It might not be as nimble as the S6, which isn't as agile as the S4, but it's no less eager to charge a canyon road or a looping on-ramp." -- Kelley Blue Book