Audi’s flagship performance sedan should arrive later this year. Already, multiple mules for the uber saloon have been spotted undergoing testing. According to Autobild an official reveal will take place later this year. While the German language report is fairly scarce on concrete details, it’s fairly reasonable to assume the S8 will basically look like an A8 Sedan but with a dirty great high-performance engine under the hood. However, there are changes to indicate the future of performance will be electrified.
The exterior treatment won’t break from the typical Audi S format, with subtly flared fenders quad exhaust tips, bigger wheels and an uprated set of brakes expected to feature, like always. While not explicitly stated, the big Audi will spout off using a 4.0-liter V8 strapped with a pair of turbochargers. In typical VW Group fashion, the engine should be all but identical to the Porsche Panamera Turbo’s eight-cylinder heavyweight. At least 500 horsepower should definitely be expected. There will be even more Porsche powertrain sharing as a e-tron version will be launched, but with a focus on performance.
Rumor has it the S8 e-tron will feature a powertrain adopted from the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which offers a combined output of 680 horsepower. Don’t hold your breath for an RS8 either, as models like that sell in miniscule quantities, plus Audi Sport has said it’s prioritizing the development of hot rod RS-badged SUVs. If higher cylinder counts are what cream your crank then you might want to go and get one of the 6.0-liter biturbo W12 versions, which will only be around until the end of the current generation before being dropped forever. It’s unclear exactly when Audi plans to unveil the S8, but one definite possibility is the Paris Motor Show in early October.
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