2013 Audi S8: Faster Than All of You

[Quest]

2013 Audi S8 First Test
Faster Than All of You (excerpts)
October 22, 2012 By Scott Evans | Photos Robert Kerian
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How fast is your new whatever? Doesn't matter -- this full-size, four-door Audi is faster. That's right, kids, unless you're driving one of the absolute quickest cars on the market, the 2013 Audi S8 luxury sedan will probably show you its taillights.
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Let's look at the numbers. This all-wheel drive luxo-cruiser weighs a stout 4619 pounds and packs a 520-horsepower, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 481 lb-ft of torque. Hah! Your Chevord Mustaro GZ-51 makes more power than that! Well, you'd better get that launch right, or you'll be explaining to your passengers why you just lost to a sedan. See, this new Audi S8 hits 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds at 118.3 mph. Your Camaro ZL1 doesn't have a chance, and your Shelby GT500 better hook up or it's done, too. Of course, S8 buyers don't usually cross-shop Mustangs and Camaros, but it's still worth noting that you'd have to pay nearly the same coin for a Nissan GT-R or a Corvette ZR-1 that will actually beat the $110,000 Audi.
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The only car in the class that can match the S8 for straight line speed is its distant cousin, the Porsche Panamera Turbo S, and it's still a dead heat. The Panamera will hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, same as the S8, and run the quarter in 11.8 seconds at 118.0 mph to the Audi's 11.8 seconds at 118.3 mph.

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Motortrend
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PS. I was going to post this earlier in the week but I’ve been busy so… This car - well, that and the Bentley Continental GT Speed currently in all the rags – exemplifies what’s unique about MLB Audis, Porsche and Bentley. ;-)

[JuMPy]

impressive .........

[majicbz07]

Like the GTR I credit the Quattro system.

[Tone]

Yep, Quattro demonstrates that, when you get to this power level, getting power to the ground really, really matters. The quarter mile trap speed is not bad, at 118 mph. But, the GT500 that runs an identical 11.8 ET traps at 125 mph. The ZL1, which runs an identical 118 mph trap, ETs at 'only' 12.3. So, getting the power to the ground is roughly worth about a half-second in the quarter and almost all of that half second is gained at the launch.

That aside: HOLY COW -- full-sized sedans in the mid-3s to 60. That's insane!

[Amphibian]

A mighty fast sedan. Currently Porsche -with both the Turbo and Turbo S- has the only sedan(s) to duck under 12 seconds in the quarter. Looks like this is as fast as the Turbo and not much slower than the significantly more expensive (and less attractive IMO) Turbo S.

For sedans in this price range, the S8 is a great choice.

[Sal Collaziano]

That's a full-size luxury sedan faster than the CTS-V. Nothing against the CTS-V at all - which is amazing in itself. I read about this S8 a few months ago and was thoroughly impressed. That's having your cake and eating it too (I hate that stupid phrase). Full size and F'ing fast...

[donmateo]

Cadillac, please..... Hope for the best, anticipate the worst, though.

[bballr4567]

That's a full-size luxury sedan faster than the CTS-V. Nothing against the CTS-V at all - which is amazing in itself. I read about this S8 a few months ago and was thoroughly impressed. That's having your cake and eating it too (I hate that stupid phrase). Full size and F'ing fast...

For $110k, it better be damn fast. For $126k as tested? That is A LOT of money for any car.

Should Cadillac chase after something that will sell less than 500 units in the US? It would be nice to have it but lets get something a tad more practical here.


I wish the S8 looked more the part. A bigger grill? Still, pretty awesome car but again, it better be. lol

[jry]

Way faster than the STS V. Did they publish the mileage figures?

[germeezy1]

Yep, Quattro demonstrates that, when you get to this power level, getting power to the ground really, really matters. The quarter mile trap speed is not bad, at 118 mph. But, the GT500 that runs an identical 11.8 ET traps at 125 mph. The ZL1, which runs an identical 118 mph trap, ETs at 'only' 12.3. So, getting the power to the ground is roughly worth about a half-second in the quarter and almost all of that half second is gained at the launch.

That aside: HOLY COW -- full-sized sedans in the mid-3s to 60. That's insane!

The ZL1 has already broken into the 11 second range allegedly bone stock down to the air filter. This also illustrates why 0-60 in isolation is nigh on useless because that Mustang GT500 would be travelling 7 mph faster after 11.8 seconds.

A mighty fast sedan. Currently Porsche -with both the Turbo and Turbo S- has the only sedan(s) to duck under 12 seconds in the quarter. Looks like this is as fast as the Turbo and not much slower than the significantly more expensive (and less attractive IMO) Turbo S.

For sedans in this price range, the S8 is a great choice.

The CTS-V has also ran 11.9x stock down to the air filter, and will easily do so by normal drives with a drag radial. The S8's issue for me is that it is simply a shrinking violet, and I desire more gravitas for the fiscal expenditure.

That's a full-size luxury sedan faster than the CTS-V. Nothing against the CTS-V at all - which is amazing in itself. I read about this S8 a few months ago and was thoroughly impressed. That's having your cake and eating it too (I hate that stupid phrase). Full size and F'ing fast...

For all intents , and purposes the CTS-V is capable of performing in a way that is only marginally divergent from the S8 and for far less money.

Way faster than the STS V. Did they publish the mileage figures?

Pray tell can you remind me when the last STS V was made in relation to today?

[MonaroSS]

Probably the world’s greatest sleeper vehicle at this time...

If you want the same but have people notice you then the Porsche Panamera...

It also demonstrates that power has about reached the limit of practical tire grip technology.
I think we need aerodynamic skirting and PTO to a suction fan like the banned Brabham F1 Fan Car technology next, if power keeps going up...

[Amphibian]

The CTS-V has also ran 11.9x stock down to the air filter, and will easily do so by normal drives with a drag radial. The S8's issue for me is that it is simply a shrinking violet, and I desire more gravitas for the fiscal expenditure.

I should've been more specific by referring to the magazine drag-racing world.

[CaddyLac10]

A rocket no doubt. Very impressive for a car of that size. The hi-po flagship segment now has a new benchmark.

However, it simply doesn't look the part. Audi's S line does not look impressive from a design standpoint and for that much coin, I'd expect a it look classy, but clearly more aggressive and purposeful.

Too plain Jane for my taste, but I certainly respect the performance.

[jry]

Well, Germeezy, the CTS V was mentioned. Being that we still have an STS V in the organization, i thought i would put my two cents in on this.
Is there a problem with this?

[goblue]

Cadillac (and Chevrolet with the Camaro and Vette) had better learn a little more about high performance AWD or they won't be able to compete into the future. Over 400hp to just the rear wheels is just pissing away the power.