Audi shelved the old S8's V-10 for a new, 4.0-liter V-8 rated at 512 horses, peaking at 5800 rpm. The new engine is mated to Audi's eight-speed automatic, a transmission the next S6 and new S7 won't get. As a result, those cars' engines will be tuned about 100 horses lower.
Though Audi says the eight-speed won't package with that engine in these cars, it hints at RS6 and RS7 models that will match the S8 in transmission (and thus in horsepower) in the future.
The twin-turbo V-8 can run on just four cylinders at engine speeds up to 3600 rpm and at speeds up to 112 miles per hour.
The Audi S8 is in the running to be named the quietest, smoothest car extant. DTR VMS developed (and manufactures) these ingenious active engine mounts for Audi.
Audi also uses a four-microphone active noise cancellation system to counteract the noise of the cylinders shutting down.
One other tasty bit of high tech are the S8's optional ceramic front brakes, which shave 11 pounds off the weight of each front wheel.
Audi hasn't decided whether to offer ceramics on U.S. imports, partly because the option could approach the base price of a VW Jetta and partly because ceramic brakes are not linear like steel brakes.
Remember, this is an all-wheel-drive sedan, with the Quattro sport differential designed to push the car into the radius of a turn. This 4355-pound car -- about 66 pound heavier than its predecessor thanks mostly to more kit -- has the turbo V-8 guts to catch lighter sports cars in the straights. Audi claims a 4.2.-second 0-62 mph time.
The S8's suspension is 10mm (0.4 inch) lower than the A8. The Comfort setting overlaps the A8's Sport setting.
Audi has designed the S8 as the ultra-stealthy hot rodder, with subtle red-accent badges front and rear, a new front bumper cover and lower skirt from front to the back of the side, designed to make the car look wider. Real carbon-fiber accents are standard inside. The leather seats have a diamond pattern, and there's Alcantara wherever there isn't leather.
Several Audi reps repeated, "You can get anything you want." The S8 is the sport-flavored variant of Audi's A8 flagship sedan. Audi has taken a cue from BMW and swapped the locations of the intake and exhaust ports so that exhaust gas flows toward the center of the engine.
This allows the turbochargers to be moved into the valley of the engine's V and leads to shorter exhaust plumbing that improves engine responsiveness. The muffled growl under full throttle, smooth and deep, befits the engine's power and refinement.
This engine will eventually be offered alongside the twin-turbo V-12 in the Bentley Continental range and will power the Audi S6 and S7, albeit in less powerful form, producing 420 hp.
During light-throttle cruising at moderate speeds, the V-8 engine is capable of running on just four of its cylinders. Quattro all-wheel-drive, a torque-vectoring rear differential, and a nearly imperceptible variable-ratio steering system are all standard on the S8.
Carbon-ceramic brakes are optional in Europe and Audi decision-makers are considering offering them in the U.S., which makes about as much sense as driving this car on the track.
On a road drive in a carbon-ceramic-equipped car, light-pressure braking transitioned unpredictably between dull and abrupt. Standard equipment includes Audi's excellent MMI infotainment system with a pop-up, eight-inch display, in-car wireless internet, and Google Maps imagery.
Behind the top value for the new Audi S8 are the combined technologies of the Audi modular efficiency platform, including the recuperation and start-stop systems. The eight-speed tiptronic in the Audi S8 also unites sportiness and efficiency.
Chassis The Audi drive select dynamics system encompasses these two systems as well as engine management, the eight-speed tiptronic and the sport differential.
Body and design The luxury sedan's ASF (Audi Space Frame) body is made almost entirely of aluminum.
Interior The multi-way, power-adjustable comfort sport seats have been designed exclusively for the Audi S8. The display of the driver information system and the MMI monitor greet the driver with special S8 screens. The Audi S8 offers a wide selection of interior colors, inlays and seat upholstery.
Equipment The core of these is the adaptive cruise control system with stop & go function; others include Audi side assist, Audi lane assist, the speed limit display and the night vision assistant with highlighting of detected pedestrians. Supplementing these technologies is the safety system Audi pre sense, which is available in a number of versions.
The next Audi R8 supercar will feature a new, lightweight and more rigid structure, incorporating carbon fibre and aluminium into its chassis construction.
A variation of the new motor is featured in the new Audi S6 and Audi S8, and could potentially produce upwards of 400kW.
Combining both carbon fiber and aluminum seems like a good compromise, plus using both materials in the car’s construction will likely reduce the weight of the R8′s skeleton by some 45 lbs.
Weight savings are also planned for the car’s suspension, driveline and bodywork, as Audi seeks to make the next R8 the lightest sports car in the segment.
According to reports quoting Audi's chief engineer Michael Dick, the 2014 R8 will undercut the current model's weight by some 100 kilograms (220 lbs), while increasing torsional rigidity by 30%.
That last bit may benefit from the advanced carbon construction methods being developed by sister-company Lamborghini, which Audi owes to a large degree for the existence of the Audi R8 altogether.
Audi's ultra-green city car has come a step closer to joining the family, with the debut in Frankfurt this week of the new Audi A2 Concept.
Energy is provided by a 31kWh lithium-ion battery, with 24kWh of that made available to the electric motor. Audi promises a driving range of around 200km off one charge, putting the A2 into the higher-range end of electric vehicles.
A package of LEDs and microreflectors generate a high-resolution and non-glaring high-beam light. Delicate daytime running light fibers frame the highly efficient LED low-beam light module.
Intelligent tail lights adapt their illumination to the visibility conditions. The dynamic light runs below the edge of the window from the front to the rear of the Audi A2 concept - a band of light that contains a multitude of innovative, dynamic light functions.
While driving, the dynamic light functions as a continuous side marker light. If the car's indicator is activated, light impulses run throughout the entire band of light.
The Audi A2 concept has a flat interior floorboard. The center console is attached to the driver's seat; the rear console extends forward between the two rear seats. Aluminum elements create highlights the cockpit.
The 2012 Audi A5 DTM appears lower and sturdier than its successful predecessor with which Audi has won four of the last seven DTM titles.
The combination of a carbon fiber monocoque and steel cage sets new standards in terms of safety for a race touring car. The requirements for the front and rear crash absorbers have been increased as well. The 2012 Audi A5 DTM will be presented today in Frankfurt Motor Show.
In 2012 new Technical Regulations will come into effect in the DTM,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. We’re convinced that we’ll be able to continue Audi’s success story with it in the DTM.”
The racing model adopts the current A4 DTM’s V8 engine with a power output of about 460 hp (340 kW) will be adopted from the successful A4 DTM nearly unchanged.
The Audi A5 DTM is 5.01 meters long, 1.95 meters wide and 1.15 meters low. The wheelbase of all DTM vehicles is identical, i.e. 2,750 millimeters. The exclusive tire partner Hankook is supplying larger and wider tires with dimensions resembling those of LMP2 sports cars.
It would allow the current distance of a DTM race to be covered without a refueling stop. This creates a stronger visual resemblance between the race car and the production model.
"In the past, Audi has had very innovative solutions particularly in the area of aerodynamics in the DTM," says Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Engineering at Audi Sport. Since then testing of the Audi A5 DTM has been in progress.
At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi took the wraps off of the new 2012 Audi RS5, which will be headed to the United States next year.
So there’s been a lot of confusion on what the Audi A5/S5/RS5 lineup will look like in the United States next year. The Audi RS5 Coupé uses a high-revving, normally aspirated V8 displacing 4,163 cc.
High end: quattro with crown-gear differential Like all RS models, the Audi RS5 Coupé also applies its power to the road with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Audi offers the sport differential as a complementary option that actively distributes the power between the rear wheels via two superposition stages.
The chassis of the Audi RS5 Coupé unites fast and precise turn-in, high cornering speeds and supreme stability. The new speed-dependent power steering is an electromechanical system with a direct steering ratio for highly precise road feel. Newly designed, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels with 265/35-series tires are standard; 20-inch wheels with 275/30-series tires are available as an option for the high-performance coupe.
The brake system of the RS Coupé features large, internally ventilated wave brake discs, with the front discs measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in diameter. The Audi RS5 can be optionally equipped with carbon fiber-ceramic discs up front. Upon request, Audi equips the RS5 with a particularly dynamic damping technology - the sport suspension plus with DRC dynamic ride control.
During fast cornering, the system intensifies the stabilization of the front outside wheel. The Audi drive select driving dynamics system comes standard with the RS5 Coupé. Audi drive select can also modulate the sound of the exhaust system, double-clutching when downshifting in dynamic mode.
Dynamic steering is another module available for Audi drive select beside the sport differential and the damping characteristic in the sport suspension plus. Audi also offers a sport exhaust system with a more voluminous sound and black exhaust tip bezels. Thanks to its advanced aerodynamics, the Audi RS5 Coupé generates downforce at high speed to further enhance stability.
A new New Audi A8 245-horsepower gasoline-electric hybrid edition of Audi's A8 flagship sedan is on the way in 2012. The Audi A8 Hybrid will officially debut next month at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Power is delivered to the front wheels through an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission.
The parallel hybrid setup enables the A8 Hybrid to run on either the gas engine or the electric motor, or a combination of both.
Audi A8 Hybrid limousine Ingolstadt has revealed the planet saving, tree-hugging version of their flagship limousine, the Audi A8. Fuel economy is what customers of the new Audi A8 Hybrid will be looking for.
Audi A8- dials Coming to the more important bit i.e. fuel economy, the Audi A8 Hybrid delivers a respectable 36.8 mpg (15.64 kpl). Emissions from the flagship Audi limousine stand at 148 grams. The new Audi A8 Hybrid will be at the Frankfurt motor show.
Infiniti M35h hybrid First Drive Gallery: Audi A8 Audi’s new hybrid drivetrain combines a 211hp 2.0-litre TFSI engine (as seen in the Golf GTI) with a 54hp electric motor. Factor in the immediate response of an electric motor and it suggests the Audi A8 hybrid will offer neck-snapping response.
However, instead of using a quattro drivetrain to handle this drive, the A8 hybrid sticks with the standard car’s front-drive layout, in the interests of efficiency.
Unique 10-spoke turbine-design alloys are fitted, and Audi will paint it in a unique A8 hybrid colour called ‘Arctic Silver’.
4.2 FSI® V8 Engine The Audi A8 delivers performance and handling typically reserved for cars half its size. Thanks to FSI® technology, the 4.2 is powerful, responsive and offers impressive fuel efficiency. Making the most of the fuel and air combustion results in maximum efficiency and responsive power at any RPM.
Eight-speed Automatic Tiptronic® Transmission Power is transmitted via the new shift-by-wire eight-speed Tiptronic® Transmission. With optimally spread gear ratios that produce dynamic acceleration, the eight-speed transmission also helps reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 6 percent when compared to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Available Sport Rear Differential Permanent all-wheel drive systems are not created equal. Under normal driving situations, quattro distributes the power between each axle by sending 40 percent to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels, enhancing the driving dynamics while helping maintain optimum control. quattro with Sport Rear Differential additionally senses which rear wheel to deliver an optimum level of torque.
Servotronic® Steering Handling is further increased by Servotronic® speed sensitive steering. The dynamic technology of this steering system varies the power assistance based on vehicle speed.
Audi drive select Progressive Audi technology flourishes with hundreds available vehicle handling and performance combinations thanks to Audi drive select.
Adaptive air suspension Audi A8 handling is even more evolved with the standard adaptive air suspension. It's designed to react to driving forces nearly instantaneously producing a comfortable, responsive ride in any driving condition.
The Audi convertible features active roll bars behind the seats, front airbags, knee airbags, seat-mounted side head/chest airbags, and ESP stability control. Additionally, the A5 Cabriolet offers a head-level heating system extending the top-down season by circulating heat at neck level through the vents located at the top of the front seats.
For more performance-oriented handling characteristics, the 19-inch Sport Package includes a specially tuned, firmer suspension with an assertive stance and sport seats that offer greater lateral support. Inside, elements include Brushed Aluminum doorsills with S line badging and elegant Brushed Aluminum decorative inlays extending across the center console, doors and dashboard.
The S line designation extends to the three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel featuring special perforated leather and S line badge. Also included are S line sport seats with leather and perforated Alcantara seat inserts.
The MMI Navigation plus Package features a 7-inch full-color LCD screen and MMI control logic. The S line designation also extends to the three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel featuring special perforated leather and S line badge. Also included are S line sport seats with leather and perforated Alcantara seat inserts.
The most important technical updates for the 2012 Audi S5 are quattro drive with the crown-gear center differential and electromechanical power steering.
Averaging 8.1 liters (29.04 US mpg), the new engine is 20 percent more fuel efficient than the V8. The supercharged V6 will put out 333 horsepower, while consumes on average 20 percent less fuel per 100 kilometers.
Average fuel consumption is just 8.1 liters (29.04 US mpg) while performance remains impressive. Suddenly, 2012 Audi S5 sporty models don’t sound so hot.
Apart from the new engine, the most important upgrade to the 2012 Audi S5 is a revised quattro all-wheel drive system with a crown-gear center differential.
Electromechanical power steering is also added for the 2012 Audi S5 model year.
The German car manufacturer Audi has announced the United Kingdom pricing for the facelifted A5 and S5 models.
The convertible range will be available from 29.450 pounds, while the Coupe version will start from 26.490 pounds.
