Certain cars are immortalized on film, such as James Bond's white Lotus Esprit, Lt. Frank Bullitt's '68 390 GT Fastback or even the Lamborghini Countach in The Cannonball Run (along with the car's jumpsuit-wearing vixen drivers, naturally). What happens when a Gen X-er sees a black '70s Trans Am on the road? It's not a Trans Am, it's "Bandit's car."
Such should be the case for the Audi S8, one of the "hero" cars, as director John Frankenheimer calls them, from the 1998 film, Ronin*. Starring Robert DeNiro, Ronin is a highbrow action movie that features some of the best car chases ever filmed. At the beginning of the movie, wheelman Larry (actor Skipp Sudduth) is asked what kind of car he needs for an upcoming mercenary mission and he replies, "Something very fast. Audi S8, something that can shove a bit."
But that's not all. A stock S8 isn't fast enough for Larry, so he also requests that the car be equipped with a dual-tank nitrous system. This black S8 is then used to escape, and later chase, the apparent bad guys. In the process, Larry has the car doing lurid four-wheel slides in Paris, blasting full-throttle on the narrow back streets of Nice and — fitting given the S8's all-wheel drive — catching big air off dirt humps.
The Audi is K-O'd by the middle of the movie, reduced to a bullet-riddled hulk during a gunfight, but it's enough to achieve movie martyrdom. After driving an identical Brilliant Black S8 (no nitrous, though) for a week, we expected that some people would identify the car not as an S8, but as "the car from Ronin." This did not happen. In fact, motorists were completely ignorant of the car and its abilities. It would seem people saw the S8 as just another black executive sedan plying the Los Angeles freeways.
The S8 is the high-performance version of Audi's flagship A8 luxury sedan. Previously on sale in Europe, 2001 marks the first time that the S8 is offered in North America. As testosterone-injected over-300-hp luxury sedans go — a group that includes the BMW M5, Jaguar XJR, Mercedes-Benz E55 and S55 — the S8 is the most understated. Working off the A8, a car that has looked virtually the same since its introduction in 1997, Audi has made only subtle exterior changes. Dual exhaust tips, bigger wheels, a small badge on the front grille and rear decklid, and aluminum outside mirrors are the only identifiers available. Blink and you'll miss it.
While those looking to show off will be disappointed in the S8, others will find understated presence to be one of the car's strengths. Subtlety means reduced attention from vandals, wannabe racers in tricked-out Civics and even the local constable. It is like having an anonymous e-mail account; nobody knows who you are and nobody bothers you.
Teddy Roosevelt would like the S8. Backing up the "speak softly" exterior is a "big stick" of an engine. Based on the 40-valve 4.2-liter V8 from the A8, the S version is modified for increased output. Changes include optimized intake paths, a two-stage variable intake manifold, more aggressive camshafts, a low-friction valvetrain and a freer-flowing exhaust system. These changes boost a regular 2001 A8's power from 310 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque to 360 hp at 7,000 rpm and 317 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm.
Like the A8, the S8 comes with a standard five-speed automatic with the Tiptronic sequential-shifting feature, as well as an intuitive shifting program and hill detection capability. Power is routed to all four wheels via Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. This is the car's key attribute, as AWD can't be found on any other car in this class. For extra grip and stability in wet conditions, the S8 is the car to get.
While the Audi is harnessed to major-league horsepower, the relatively small displacement of the engine, its associated amount of torque and the extra powertrain inefficiencies of the all-wheel-drive system prevent the S8 from posting stellar acceleration numbers. Zero-to-60 mph can be achieved in 6.2 seconds, and the quarter-mile passes by in 14.6 seconds at 97 mph. For comparison, the S55's 5.5-liter V8 makes 354 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. During testing, we found the S55 posted slightly better acceleration numbers than the S8. Even faster is BMW's 394-hp M5, capable of 0-to-60 in 5.3 seconds.
While more torque would be appreciated, the S8 is still fast enough for any real-world situation. Need to pass a dawdling minivan on the highway? No problem. Mash the throttle and the S8 smartly downshifts. The tach needle zings to the big numbers on the dial, and the S8 rushes forward. Even with four adults aboard, the S8 doesn't feel labored. Keep the throttle planted, and the car keeps accelerating to speeds worthy of a World's Scariest Police Chases video. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. You know, there's never an autobahn around when you need one.
In the more typical American environment of city streets, the S8 isn't quite as sharp. The car can occasionally be tardy in responding to throttle inputs, and the driver must wait until the tachometer has risen into the midrange to gain maximum acceleration. The exhaust note is muted, leaving the sound of the engine as the primary aural stimulator. Hearing a V8 rev to 7,000 rpm is certainly special, but the final payoff isn't as enjoyable as a big American V8's barrel-chested roar.
The transmission is nearly flawless, providing smooth and quick shifts. The Tiptronic mode can be accessed either by moving the shifter to a separate gate and then pushing the lever forwards or backwards, or by using the steering wheel-mounted buttons. Tiptronic isn't needed for normal driving, but it does come in handy when driving on curvy canyon roads that require frequent shifting.
Used for such occasions, the S8 displays a level of athleticism unexpected for a luxury sedan. Some of the credit goes toward the A8-platform's aluminum body structure. The S8 checks in at 4,068 pounds, lighter than the S55. But lightness isn't the sole reason. To increase the car's performance envelope, Audi equips the S8 with a lowered ride height, 30 percent stiffer spring rates, 40 percent more compression damping for the shocks and thicker antiroll bars. It also comes with 18-inch Avus-style wheels with 245/45ZR18 tires.
There is a marked difference in handling characteristics between the A8 and S8. In our Super Luxury Sedan Comparison Test, an A8 placed fourth out of five cars. One attribute we disliked was the car's overly soft suspension, commenting that, "Through the canyon road part of our test loop, [the A8] leaned and swayed, and mid-corner bumps weren't dealt with in a prompt fashion."
The S8 is vastly superior. When asked to boogie on back roads, the S8 responds more like a midsize sport sedan than a luxo-cruiser. The body is well controlled, and the wider tires give the car better ultimate grip, as well as a quicker steering response. The quattro system inspires confidence, or at least as much confidence as one can have while flinging a near-$80,000 car along a narrow road at high speed.
Entered a corner too hot? Braking is handled by upgraded ABS-equipped Brembo four-piston calipers and vented discs at each corner. The S8 feels secure when asked to reduce high speeds, but some of our editors commented that the brake pedal has excessive travel upon initial application. During testing, we found the S8 stops from 60 mph in 128 feet. It is nice to know that the S8 comes standard with Audi's electronic stabilization program (ESP). This system continually monitors the conditions of the car and intervenes when necessary to help reduce the chance of a dangerous skid or spin. During our testing, we found the ESP to work as advertised, though it will never allow the car to overcome the laws of physics. Yank the wheel at 90 mph, and you're on your own. Fortunately, the S8 comes with front, side and head-protecting side curtain airbags, should you need them.
On broken city pavement, the S8's sport-tuned suspension does an adequate job of absorbing harsh impacts. This Audi can be used as a daily driver if its owner so chooses. There are only a few S8-specific changes, such as the sport seats and the polished doorsills, but not much is needed for the A8 cabin. Audi's big sedan boasts meticulous detailing, solid switchgear and quality materials. Our test car came equipped with the luxury Alcantara and Leather Trim package. Most of us liked the use of the Alcantara upholstery, but the $3,500 asking price made the remaining editors balk.
The S8 possesses fantastic nighttime illumination. Every possible switch, cranny and bin is given a red hue. In the daytime, one can admire the premium seat stitching and the modern metallic highlights. The front seats provide excellent comfort and adjustment, four memory positions and firm bolstering to keep occupants snug during spirited driving. The trunk is huge, and it can hold a maximum of 18 cubic feet of luggage. Major options include a navigation system of limited usefulness, parking assist, heated front seats and a Premium package with heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade, manual side shades and an expandable ski sack.
There are a few negatives associated with the interior. Rear accommodations aren't very generous, as the seat is tailored for just two outboard passengers. Legroom and foot room are only adequate. More room can be gained in the A8 L, but the S trim isn't offered on this extended wheelbase model. The Audi also suffers from mediocre interior storage availability and a nearly worthless front cupholder. We also noticed that our test car had a number of rattles in the doors and a squeaky driver's window. Whether these build issues are associated just with our test car is pure conjecture, but it certainly doesn't speak well for such a premium vehicle.
With a $74,775 base price, the S8 is cheaper than the S55 and about the same as the M5, E55 and XJR. Backed by the Q-ship exterior and quattro system, the S8 holds the advantage when stealth is desired or when the clouds grow dark and brood. But when the more significant aspects of high-performance luxury sedans are considered — power, luxury features and handling — the S8 is outclassed. This car will satiate most needs, but if you want the best, you should look elsewhere.
* Ronin is available on VHS, DVD and laserdisc. If you get the chance, check out the special features of the DVD. Director John Frankenheimer gives running commentary, allowing car and movie enthusiasts to learn more about the filming of the spectacular stunts and chase scenes.
Such should be the case for the Audi S8, one of the "hero" cars, as director John Frankenheimer calls them, from the 1998 film, Ronin*. Starring Robert DeNiro, Ronin is a highbrow action movie that features some of the best car chases ever filmed. At the beginning of the movie, wheelman Larry (actor Skipp Sudduth) is asked what kind of car he needs for an upcoming mercenary mission and he replies, "Something very fast. Audi S8, something that can shove a bit."
But that's not all. A stock S8 isn't fast enough for Larry, so he also requests that the car be equipped with a dual-tank nitrous system. This black S8 is then used to escape, and later chase, the apparent bad guys. In the process, Larry has the car doing lurid four-wheel slides in Paris, blasting full-throttle on the narrow back streets of Nice and — fitting given the S8's all-wheel drive — catching big air off dirt humps.
The Audi is K-O'd by the middle of the movie, reduced to a bullet-riddled hulk during a gunfight, but it's enough to achieve movie martyrdom. After driving an identical Brilliant Black S8 (no nitrous, though) for a week, we expected that some people would identify the car not as an S8, but as "the car from Ronin." This did not happen. In fact, motorists were completely ignorant of the car and its abilities. It would seem people saw the S8 as just another black executive sedan plying the Los Angeles freeways.
The S8 is the high-performance version of Audi's flagship A8 luxury sedan. Previously on sale in Europe, 2001 marks the first time that the S8 is offered in North America. As testosterone-injected over-300-hp luxury sedans go — a group that includes the BMW M5, Jaguar XJR, Mercedes-Benz E55 and S55 — the S8 is the most understated. Working off the A8, a car that has looked virtually the same since its introduction in 1997, Audi has made only subtle exterior changes. Dual exhaust tips, bigger wheels, a small badge on the front grille and rear decklid, and aluminum outside mirrors are the only identifiers available. Blink and you'll miss it.
While those looking to show off will be disappointed in the S8, others will find understated presence to be one of the car's strengths. Subtlety means reduced attention from vandals, wannabe racers in tricked-out Civics and even the local constable. It is like having an anonymous e-mail account; nobody knows who you are and nobody bothers you.
Teddy Roosevelt would like the S8. Backing up the "speak softly" exterior is a "big stick" of an engine. Based on the 40-valve 4.2-liter V8 from the A8, the S version is modified for increased output. Changes include optimized intake paths, a two-stage variable intake manifold, more aggressive camshafts, a low-friction valvetrain and a freer-flowing exhaust system. These changes boost a regular 2001 A8's power from 310 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque to 360 hp at 7,000 rpm and 317 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm.
Like the A8, the S8 comes with a standard five-speed automatic with the Tiptronic sequential-shifting feature, as well as an intuitive shifting program and hill detection capability. Power is routed to all four wheels via Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. This is the car's key attribute, as AWD can't be found on any other car in this class. For extra grip and stability in wet conditions, the S8 is the car to get.
While the Audi is harnessed to major-league horsepower, the relatively small displacement of the engine, its associated amount of torque and the extra powertrain inefficiencies of the all-wheel-drive system prevent the S8 from posting stellar acceleration numbers. Zero-to-60 mph can be achieved in 6.2 seconds, and the quarter-mile passes by in 14.6 seconds at 97 mph. For comparison, the S55's 5.5-liter V8 makes 354 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. During testing, we found the S55 posted slightly better acceleration numbers than the S8. Even faster is BMW's 394-hp M5, capable of 0-to-60 in 5.3 seconds.
While more torque would be appreciated, the S8 is still fast enough for any real-world situation. Need to pass a dawdling minivan on the highway? No problem. Mash the throttle and the S8 smartly downshifts. The tach needle zings to the big numbers on the dial, and the S8 rushes forward. Even with four adults aboard, the S8 doesn't feel labored. Keep the throttle planted, and the car keeps accelerating to speeds worthy of a World's Scariest Police Chases video. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. You know, there's never an autobahn around when you need one.
In the more typical American environment of city streets, the S8 isn't quite as sharp. The car can occasionally be tardy in responding to throttle inputs, and the driver must wait until the tachometer has risen into the midrange to gain maximum acceleration. The exhaust note is muted, leaving the sound of the engine as the primary aural stimulator. Hearing a V8 rev to 7,000 rpm is certainly special, but the final payoff isn't as enjoyable as a big American V8's barrel-chested roar.
The transmission is nearly flawless, providing smooth and quick shifts. The Tiptronic mode can be accessed either by moving the shifter to a separate gate and then pushing the lever forwards or backwards, or by using the steering wheel-mounted buttons. Tiptronic isn't needed for normal driving, but it does come in handy when driving on curvy canyon roads that require frequent shifting.
Used for such occasions, the S8 displays a level of athleticism unexpected for a luxury sedan. Some of the credit goes toward the A8-platform's aluminum body structure. The S8 checks in at 4,068 pounds, lighter than the S55. But lightness isn't the sole reason. To increase the car's performance envelope, Audi equips the S8 with a lowered ride height, 30 percent stiffer spring rates, 40 percent more compression damping for the shocks and thicker antiroll bars. It also comes with 18-inch Avus-style wheels with 245/45ZR18 tires.
There is a marked difference in handling characteristics between the A8 and S8. In our Super Luxury Sedan Comparison Test, an A8 placed fourth out of five cars. One attribute we disliked was the car's overly soft suspension, commenting that, "Through the canyon road part of our test loop, [the A8] leaned and swayed, and mid-corner bumps weren't dealt with in a prompt fashion."
The S8 is vastly superior. When asked to boogie on back roads, the S8 responds more like a midsize sport sedan than a luxo-cruiser. The body is well controlled, and the wider tires give the car better ultimate grip, as well as a quicker steering response. The quattro system inspires confidence, or at least as much confidence as one can have while flinging a near-$80,000 car along a narrow road at high speed.
Entered a corner too hot? Braking is handled by upgraded ABS-equipped Brembo four-piston calipers and vented discs at each corner. The S8 feels secure when asked to reduce high speeds, but some of our editors commented that the brake pedal has excessive travel upon initial application. During testing, we found the S8 stops from 60 mph in 128 feet. It is nice to know that the S8 comes standard with Audi's electronic stabilization program (ESP). This system continually monitors the conditions of the car and intervenes when necessary to help reduce the chance of a dangerous skid or spin. During our testing, we found the ESP to work as advertised, though it will never allow the car to overcome the laws of physics. Yank the wheel at 90 mph, and you're on your own. Fortunately, the S8 comes with front, side and head-protecting side curtain airbags, should you need them.
On broken city pavement, the S8's sport-tuned suspension does an adequate job of absorbing harsh impacts. This Audi can be used as a daily driver if its owner so chooses. There are only a few S8-specific changes, such as the sport seats and the polished doorsills, but not much is needed for the A8 cabin. Audi's big sedan boasts meticulous detailing, solid switchgear and quality materials. Our test car came equipped with the luxury Alcantara and Leather Trim package. Most of us liked the use of the Alcantara upholstery, but the $3,500 asking price made the remaining editors balk.
The S8 possesses fantastic nighttime illumination. Every possible switch, cranny and bin is given a red hue. In the daytime, one can admire the premium seat stitching and the modern metallic highlights. The front seats provide excellent comfort and adjustment, four memory positions and firm bolstering to keep occupants snug during spirited driving. The trunk is huge, and it can hold a maximum of 18 cubic feet of luggage. Major options include a navigation system of limited usefulness, parking assist, heated front seats and a Premium package with heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade, manual side shades and an expandable ski sack.
There are a few negatives associated with the interior. Rear accommodations aren't very generous, as the seat is tailored for just two outboard passengers. Legroom and foot room are only adequate. More room can be gained in the A8 L, but the S trim isn't offered on this extended wheelbase model. The Audi also suffers from mediocre interior storage availability and a nearly worthless front cupholder. We also noticed that our test car had a number of rattles in the doors and a squeaky driver's window. Whether these build issues are associated just with our test car is pure conjecture, but it certainly doesn't speak well for such a premium vehicle.
With a $74,775 base price, the S8 is cheaper than the S55 and about the same as the M5, E55 and XJR. Backed by the Q-ship exterior and quattro system, the S8 holds the advantage when stealth is desired or when the clouds grow dark and brood. But when the more significant aspects of high-performance luxury sedans are considered — power, luxury features and handling — the S8 is outclassed. This car will satiate most needs, but if you want the best, you should look elsewhere.
* Ronin is available on VHS, DVD and laserdisc. If you get the chance, check out the special features of the DVD. Director John Frankenheimer gives running commentary, allowing car and movie enthusiasts to learn more about the filming of the spectacular stunts and chase scenes.
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