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2012 Audi S8 Spy Shots

 
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2012 Audi S8 spy shots

HI-RES GALLERY: 2012 Audi S8 spy shots



The redesigned 2011 Audi A8 has been on sale for a while now, winning hearts across the country with its unique blend of clean styling, precise German engineering and surefooted quattro all-wheel drive system.

As the fourth generation of the flagship A8 sedan, the latest model offers an all-new look and a range of updated technology. But what it will also offer is a brand new, high-performance S8 variant.

Captured here testing in prototype form once again is the new 2012 Audi S8, which is expected to go on sale later this year, most likely with a showing at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show this September.

Not much is known about the car but according to these images of the prototype, it will feature dual exhaust tailpipes, oversized brakes and a custom set of bumpers.

Audi design director Stefan Sielaff has previously revealed that the new S8 will be a very important model in the automaker’s lineup as it will influence the design of future performance models wearing the four-ring logo. He also said that the latest S models will have more visual differentiation over the standard models, with plenty of aluminum and carbon-fiber trim inside the cabin to emphasize their performance aspect to occupants.

The outgoing S8’s 5.2-liter V-10 is set to replaced by a smaller twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 in line with Audi’s new downsized engine strategy. You may recall that the 4.2-liter V-8 in the S5 has been replaced with a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 and you can bet something similar will happen to the S8.

Peak output of the force-fed V-8 should hover around the 450 horsepower mark, with drive going to all four wheels via a newly designed heavy-duty seven-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission.

Note, if you hunger for more, you could always opt for the Audi A8 L equipped with the 6.3-liter W-12 engine. This $133,500 bad boy develops 500 horsepower and 463 pound-feet of torque and will rocket from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.





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Comments (11)

  1. By NoNameDenton Posted: 4/13/2010 7:05pm PDT

    Aren't they working on a 4 liter V8 derived from the 3 liter V6, either gonna be twin turbo'd or supercharged
     
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  2. By  social bookmarking Posted: 4/13/2010 10:16pm PDT

    I think Audi would easily get more that 500ps from a BiTurbo V8 as they are now getting 450ps from a naturally aspirated 4.2...
     
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  3. orlandolimo avatar Orlando Transportation Posted: 11/16/2011 12:36pm PST

    my amazingly love car
     
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  4. By archknight Posted: 4/14/2010 3:26pm PDT

    Sorry social bookmarking, but none of Audi's engines are naturally aspirated, but I see your point though. Hopefully with this upward swing they've had in the first quarter, they'll look harder at the performance of their models and at least try to match BMW in the power department.
     
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  5. jfed avatar Joel Feder Posted: 7/28/2011 12:14pm PDT

    Archknight, actually the new A8 uses a naturally aspirated 4.2-Liter V-8. Also, the R8 has a choice of a naturally aspirated 4.2-Liter V-8 or 5.2-Liter V-10.
     
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  6. By NoNameDenton Posted: 4/14/2010 7:41pm PDT

    archknight you are wrong the 4.2 liter V8 is naturally aspirated
     
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  7. By Creative89 Posted: 4/20/2010 10:00am PDT

    The new RS5 has a high revving 8300 RPM N/A 4.2 V8 delivering 453bhp. And about the new S8 there are some doubts about the engine which they are going to use, but there are now words, that they may introduce a new high revving 4.2 BiTurbo engine which produces over 550 bhp! But as usual until it arrives we won't know for sure!
     
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  8. jfed avatar Joel Feder Posted: 7/28/2011 12:17pm PDT

    Creative89 is correct.
     
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  9. By  Audi A6 engine Posted: 5/7/2010 6:16am PDT

    Comment disabled by moderators.

     

  10. Damien Thomas avatar Damien Thomas Posted: 7/28/2011 3:13am PDT

    I wholeheartedly agree. I love that discreet V10 badge on the cars. I guy on my block has one, in black. It looks so good. I hope I can find a mint used one.
     
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  11. orlandolimo avatar Orlando Transportation Posted: 11/16/2011 12:37pm PST

    I can try to sell my dream car in New York but I can;t find my color
     
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