2011 LA: 2012 Audi S8 debuts in North America, drops V10 for V8

Posted: Nov 17, 2011
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  • Key Competitors: BMW 760i, Porsche Panamera S, Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG.
  • Power: Twin-turbocharged 4.0l TFSI V8, 520 hp.
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic.
  • Performance: 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, 155mph electronically limited top speed.
  • Pricing: TBA.
  • Availability: Fall 2012.

Audi has just unveiled its latest addition to the A8 lineup for the North American market here at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The 2012 S8 is powered by the same new 4.0L TFSI twin-turbocharged V8 that found its way into the new S6 and the new S7. But in the S8, instead of producing just 420-hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, the S8’s V8 was reworked to produce a whopping 520-hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, both figures significantly higher than the outgoing 5.2L Lamborghini-based V10 powered S8 of the last generation.

Click here for more news on the Audi S8.

Also debuting with the new S8 is the company’s new “cylinder on demand” technology, which is synonymous to General Motors’ Active Fuel Management (formerly called Displacement on Demand) and Chrysler’s Cylinder Deactivation System. This allows the new S8 to achieve nearly 23% better fuel economy over the outgoing mode, despite the hike in power.

- By: Chris Chin


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  • Cad4life

    please, stop copying GM

  • http://gtr-skyline.com/ Martin Lotsberg

    Wow! Audi isn’t holding back the punches!

  • John Schofield

    I agree.  Who can forget the piece of dung 80′s Caddy with 4-6-8 engine?!  One of the worst failures GM ever had and it jokes were made of it.  But I don’t think you have to worry; Audi like Mercedes (and Chrysler from their days of Mercedes ownership) have it correct.  And I don’t think the VW group really is concerned with copying anyone, since they own, besides Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche, VW and the killer Bugatti car.

  • John Schofield

    Just came from the LA Auto Show.  The acceleration posted on Audi’s stand for this car (which looked very good in person) is 0 – 100 kph (or 0 – 62mph) is 4.2 seconds.  60 comes up sooner than 62 so it should hit it a little quicker.  I was pretty amazed that this car weighs in around 4,300 for an EPA large luxury vehicle, significantly less than the Mercedes S class and BMW 7 series.