Audi S8 retains V8

The flagship of the Audi family has a new flagship of its own in the new Audi S8.

By keeping the 4.0-litre biturbo V8 but adding a 48-volt mild-hybrid boosting system, the new S8 has steered well clear of Audi's latest S6 and S7 models, which in some markets will switch from petrol to diesel engines in their latest iterations.

The upgraded V8, shared with Porsche and Bentley, now employs a stand-alone lithium-ion battery to help drive the starter-generator, which should boost its fuel efficiency and its low-down torque delivery.

The system power has been boosted to more than 420kW and its torque rises to a snapping 800Nm, though Audi has yet to release performance figures beyond its limited 250km/h top speed.

The other key changeover in the new Audi S8 will be its predictive active suspension, which works in a similar way to Mercedes-Benz’s Active Body Control.

It has electromechanical actuators atop each of its four air-suspension units and cameras constantly scanning the road surface, then the car preloads (or unloads) each wheel individually to prepare for anything it’s about to meet.

Audi insists it will have a big impact on body control, particularly pitching and roll, while allowing the faster, harder-edged S8 to have the same ride quality as the more comfort-oriented standard A8.

There’s also an active noise-cancellation system to minimise out-of-body noise from the road and the wind, plus rear-wheel steering and Audi Sport’s clever rear differential.

Riding on 21-inch alloy wheels, the new Audi S8 will use ventilated carbon-ceramic anchors as an option, along with some unique design tweaks and new twin exhaust pipes.