Audi S8

The S8 is a performance variant of Audi’s full-size luxury sedan, the A8. The five-seater is the largest sedan in the German automaker’s lineup of performance vehicles, measuring over a foot longer than the midsize S6.

Audi has mostly offered the S8 in a single, well-equipped “base” trim. The one exception is the higher-performance Plus trim, which was first offered in 2016 and was made standard for both the 2017 and 2018 model years. No matter the trim, the S8 comes with an array of desirable standard equipment, including an adaptive air suspension, front and rear parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, and a sunroof. It gained a standard blind-spot warning system in 2014, and in 2020, forward collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, a wireless charging pad, and a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration also joined the standard-features list. Some notable options include adaptive cruise control and heated rear seats.

A turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 has long powered the S8, with output ranging from 520 horsepower at its 2013 debut to 605 ponies for versions with the Plus trim (offered from 2016-2018). In 2020, the V8 gained a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that improves acceleration and fuel economy despite a slightly lower 452-hp rating. All versions since 2013 are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that routes power to all four wheels. No fully electric versions have yet been produced.