Some would say it was worth the wait. After a four-year absence, the Audi S8 returns in 2007 with a 450-hp 5.2-liter V10 direct fuel injection engine based on the Lamborghini Gallardo -- it is the first V10 ever offered in an Audi vehicle. This sport version of the full-size luxury A8 sedan combines speed, power, and racing performance within a subtly elegant and upscale personal touring machine.
Quattro all-wheel drive adds to the confident handling, and the 2007 S8 also offers an adjustable air suspension with four modes. These include automatic, dynamic, comfort, and lift. An auto/manual 6-speed Tiptronic is the only transmission offered. ABS, front and rear airbags, traction, and stability control are also standard.
The 2007 S8 offers some exterior clues to its road-burning performance, including quad exhausts, numerous badges, xenon headlights, a rear and chin spoiler, faux aluminum trim, 20-inch wheels, and menacing vertical chrome slats on the wide-mouthed grille. The ful-size luxury cruiser seats four passengers comfortably and comes with the full complement of equipement. This includes plenty of power features, heated front seats (heated rear seats are optional), memory settings, a Multi-Media Interface trip computer, Valcona leather seats with extra support when taking tight turns, and carbon fiber trim. There is little missing here, and if you need more, option packages add on adaptive cruise control, 4-zone climate control, a navigation system, power sunshades, a ski sack, satellite radio, parking assist with rear camera, and remote start.
Clearly Audi is trying to satisfy all the needs of every driver. The 2007 S8 can be both an upscale business car or a personal cruiser ready to sail on the open road. Drivers like the smoothness of the Tiptronic, the precise and responsive handling, the V10 grunt and noise, and the quattro performance. Major issues appear to be fuel economy and the overall cost of the car.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OTHER AUDI/VW PERFORMANCE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN I USE ON THE V10 I WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF THE SINGLE LARGE INTAKE AND POSSIBLY REPLACE WITH TWO ( SIMILAR TO THE AUDI TSFI 2.5 I5 ) FOR RUNNING A TWIN TURBO SETUP ANY FEEDBACK OR SUGGESTIONS ARE APPRECIATED
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · IPod auxiliary audio input · CD changer: 6 · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Sirius Satellite Radio · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 350 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.2 · Front brake width: 1.4 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.2 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: carbon · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: passenger seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.06 · Limited slip differential: center
Exterior Features
Grille color: chrome · License plate bracket: front · Paint: special factory paint
Headrests
Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: cornering
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Lumbar Support: power adjustments · Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation · Sunroof: solar panel
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation