Audi S8

Audi S8: Full-Size Performance Sedan Across Eight Generations

The Audi S8 is a full-size performance sedan built by Audi across eight generation entries spanning from 1996 to the present. Every generation of the S8 has used a Sedan body and Audi's AWD (quattro) drivetrain.

Audi S8: Full-Size Performance Sedan Across Eight Generations

Overview

The Audi S8 is a full-size performance sedan built by Audi across eight generation entries spanning from 1996 to the present. Every generation of the S8 has used a Sedan body and Audi's AWD (quattro) drivetrain. The model line runs from the original 1996 4.2-liter V8 through the 5.2-liter V10 era to the current 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, including a restyled version of the fourth generation that remains in production. Generations are covered separately below, with restyling treated as part of its parent generation rather than as a standalone one.

Generations

1 generation (1996-07-01 – 1999-05-31). Sedan body, two versions offered: a 4.2 MT and a 4.2 AT, both built around a naturally aspirated 4172 cc V8.

1 generation, restyling (1999-06-01 – 2002-10-31). Sedan body, two versions: a 4.2 MT and a 4.2 AT, sharing the naturally aspirated 4172 cc V8 architecture with revised output and gearing versus the pre-restyling cars.

2 generation (2005-01-01 – 2008-06-30). Sedan body, one version: a 5.2 AT powered by a naturally aspirated 5204 cc V10.

2 generation, restyling (2008-08-01 – 2011-08-31). Sedan body, one version: a 5.2 AT, again using the naturally aspirated 5204 cc V10, with a revised fuel-injection system versus the pre-restyling car.

3 generation (2011-09-01 – 2013-09-30). Sedan body, one version: a 4.0 AT with a turbocharged 3993 cc V8, marking the S8's move from V10 to twin-turbo V8 power.

3 generation, restyling (2013-09-01 – 2017-12-31). Sedan body, two versions of the 4.0 AT built on the same turbocharged 3993 cc V8, offered at two distinct power outputs (520 hp and 605 hp — the latter badged as the higher-performance variant).

4 generation (2019-07-01 – 2022-01-31). Sedan body, one version: a 4.0 AT with a turbocharged 3996 cc V8.

4 generation, restyling 1 (2021-12-01 – present). Sedan body, two versions, both named "4.0 TFSI V8 MHEV quattro tiptronic," using the same turbocharged 3996 cc V8 with mild-hybrid assistance, distinguished by different kerb weight and acceleration figures (2220 kg / 3.8 s vs 2335 kg / 4.0 s).

Engines and Specs

Performance and Economy

Acceleration to 100 km/h ranges from 6.8 seconds on the earliest 4.2 AT (1st generation) down to 3.8 seconds on the fastest versions — the 4.0 AT (605 hp, 3rd generation restyling) and the 4.0 AT (4th generation). All versions in the data share a stated top speed of 250 km/h.

Fuel consumption (combined) ranges from 9.6 l/100km on the lightest 4.0 AT (3rd gen restyling, 520 hp) up to 14.9 l/100km on the earliest 4.2 AT (1st generation). The 4.0 TFSI V8 MHEV (4th gen restyling 1, second listed version) shows combined consumption of 11.8 l/100km but city and highway figures for that version are not measured. CO2 emissions are listed for generations from the 3rd generation onward (225–258 g/km); earlier generations (1st and 2nd, including their restylings) have CO2 not measured. Emissions class is Euro 5 for the 3rd generation (2011-09-01 – 2013-09-30) and Euro 6 for the 3rd generation restyling and later; earlier generations have emissions class not measured.

Dimensions and Weight

Kerb weight spans from 1730 kg (1st generation, both versions) to 2335 kg (4th generation restyling 1, second version). Gross weight ranges from 2330 kg to 2900 kg across the same span.

Ground clearance is listed only for some versions: 120 mm for the 1st generation and its restyling, the 3rd generation, and the 2nd generation restyling; 140 mm for the 3rd generation restyling. For the 2nd generation (pre-restyling), the 4th generation, and the 4th generation restyling 1, ground clearance is not measured.

Fuel tank capacity ranges from 80 liters (1st generation) to 90 liters (2nd generation, 2nd generation restyling, 3rd generation, and 3rd generation restyling). The 4th generation and its restyling use an 82-liter tank.

Wheel sizes are specified only for the 4th generation (265/40 R20 and 265/35 R21) and the 3rd generation restyling's 605 hp version (265/40 R20 and 275/35 R21); other versions have wheel size not measured in this data.

Which Version to Choose

Buyers wanting the most power and torque should look at the 4th generation and 4th generation restyling 1's 4.0 TFSI V8 MHEV, all rated at 571 hp and 800 Nm — a jump of 51 hp and 100 Nm over the 3rd generation restyling's top 605 hp variant only in torque terms is not applicable, since that car actually has less torque (700 Nm) but was in fact the more powerful car before the 4th generation arrived, at 605 hp versus 571 hp; so for outright horsepower, the 3rd generation restyling's 605 hp 4.0 AT remains the highest-output S8 in this dataset.

For the quickest sprint to 100 km/h, the 3rd generation restyling's 605 hp version and the 4th generation's 4.0 AT are tied at 3.8 seconds, both faster than the 4th generation restyling 1's 4.0 TFSI V8 MHEV versions (3.8 s and 4.0 s respectively).

Those prioritizing lower fuel consumption should note the 3rd generation restyling's 520 hp 4.0 AT returns the best combined figure at 9.6 l/100km, versus 9.9 l/100km for its 605 hp sibling and 11.3 l/100km for the 4th generation's 4.0 AT — a meaningful gap for buyers weighing daily running costs against the roughly 85 hp difference between those two versions.

Buyers who value a lighter car should consider the 3rd generation and its restyling, at 1990-1975 kg kerb weight, versus 2220-2335 kg for the 4th generation and its restyling — a difference of up to 360 kg that reflects the added mass of the more recent mild-hybrid, larger-turbo V8 platform. Those seeking the historic V10 character should look to the 2nd generation and its restyling, the only S8 versions in this data built around the naturally aspirated 5204 cc V10 rather than a turbocharged V8.