Audi has shown off its V8, 571hp, S8 super-saloon.
Feeling sad that you can't afford the new Bentley Flying Spur saloon? Well, sob no more because this hottest version of the A8 is here to bring you similar performance and luxury for a lot less money (still a lot of money).
That 4.0-litre twin-turbo TFSI engine pairs 800Nm of torque with that headline power figure. That means that this massive, and massively luxurious, four-door limo can scamper to 100km/h from rest in just 3.8 seconds, thanks in no small part to the traction advantage of quattro four-wheel drive. The top speed is limited to 250km/h and you'll be burning fuel at a rate of 11.4 litres per 100km, with CO2 emissions of 260g/km but hey, they won't be building all that many of these.
48-volt mild-hybrid
That said, for all those suffering from Thunberg Guilt Syndrome when considering a new S8, it is actually a hybrid. Well, a mild-hybrid, pairing a compact battery with a 48-volt starter-generator to add little bursts of bonus electric power when accelerating hard, as well as having a more efficient stop-start system for when you're loafing around town. Combined with a fuel-saving cylinder-cutoff system, Audi says that the S8 is (wait for it) a whole 0.8 litres per 100km better off with the system than without it.
Predictive air suspension
The S8's suspension is not only air suspension, it's predictive air suspension. What does that mean? Well, it means that the air springs can not only absorb bumps by allowing upward compression, they can also push an individual wheel downwards. Audi claims that this means: "It is therefore possible for the first time to actively control the trim of the body in any driving situation and thus greatly reduce pitch or roll during acceleration or braking. The front camera, which detects larger road surface irregularities, enables this to be done predictively."
Not only does the suspension better absorb bumps in this way, it can even make the S8 lean into corners, like some sort of massive, leather-lined motorbike, by as much as three degrees. Switch the suspension into Dynamic mode and the S8 returns to normal 'leaning out' mode, presumably to give you some warning that a massive accident is in the offing, but it does cut the body roll from five degrees in normal mode to just 2.5 degrees.
The suspension has a final trick - pull the door handle when getting in and it quickly raises the car up by 50mm to make getting in and out a bit easier on your back.
All-wheel steering
Not clever enough for you yet? How about dynamic all-wheel steering? Not only does the S8 steer itself from both ends, it also has a torque-distribution system for the rear wheels, so that the outside wheel can be over-sped, "nipping understeer in the bud", as Audi puts it.
Keeping all of this performance potential in check are massive brakes - up to 420mm and optionally available as fully carbon-ceramic items for the ultimate in stopping power and weight saving (the carbon brakes save 9kg per corner compared to iron brakes). The front brakes come with ten-piston calipers, too.
On the styling front, as is the S8 tradition, you'll struggle to tell this car apart from its lesser brethren. There are oval exhaust pipes, optional 21-inch wheels, and a very, very subtle exterior styling pack and bodykit, but stealth is the order of the day here.
Inside, you can choose from nine different colour schemes for the leather, and the dash comes with a new Carbon Vector inlay which has a subtle 3D-effect. If you live in China, Canada, or the US you'll also be able to order your S8 with an extended wheelbase for maximum rear legroom.
Those in the front get seats with pneumatic adjustment for the side bolsters, and optional cooling and massage functions. There are so many driver assistance systems that Audi has split them up into two packages - 'Tour' comes with adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and lane tracking, while the 'City' pack offers extra protection in a side impact: Audi pre sense side joins the systems pre sense front and pre sense rear to create Audi pre sense 360°. If the system detects an impending side impact, it can operate together with the predictive active suspension to instantly raise the body by as much as 80mm. This brings the sill into a better position to absorb the impact energy, mitigating the potential consequences of the accident for the occupants.
Needless to say, the cabin is full of screens, including the fully-digital Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument panel. That comes with special S-model displays, and optionally you have have Amazon's Alexa digital assistant incorporated into the car's infotainment system. There's also an optional heads-up display, and Audi's latest car-to-x communications system that receives and sends warnings of traffic disruption and potential dangers in the immediate area. There's also the Traffic Light Information system which, depending on where you live, can give you advice as to the best speed to drive at to catch the next green light.