New Audi S8 2020 pricing and spec detailed: V8 power arrives for Mercedes-Benz S-Class-rivalling limousine

Audi’s all-new S8 large luxury limousine will land in Australian showrooms priced at $260,000 before on-road costs, according to documentation seen by CarsGuide.

Though Audi Australia is yet to officially confirm the S8’s price, as well as its equipment list and launch timing, CarsGuide has contacted the brand for comment.

The flagship S8 also heralds a price rise for the standard A8 line-up, with the base 50 TDI now $194,300 (+$2300) and the 55 TFSI now $197,400 (+$2758).

Long wheelbase (LWB) versions now incur a $15,200 and $15,100 price premium respectively, slightly up on the $15,000 cost from before.

The new S8 range-topper is available in LWB form only though, and is powered by a 420kW/800Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, which sends drive to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro system and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

As a result, the S8 will blitz the 0-100km/h run in just 3.8 seconds.

The engine also scores a 48-volt mild-hybrid boost to keep fuel consumption to around 11.3 litres per 100km for the 2230kg unladen luxury sedan.

Standard equipment in the local S8 is expected to include 20-inch wheels, a performance exhaust, LED matrix headlights, Audi’s all-digital virtual cockpit instrumentation and sports seats, mirroring the overseas model.

Like the new A6, A7, Q7 and Q8 model lines, the S8 adopts a dual-screen centre stack, with the top 10.1-inch screen handling multimedia and the bottom 8.6-inch screen with haptic feedback for climate controls.

A predictive air suspension system with front-facing camera is also fitted to overseas versions, which can read the road ahead and control each wheel independently to smooth out imperfections and deliver a more drag supple ride for occupants.

Rear-wheel steering is also expected to feature, helping manoeuvre the S8 at low speeds and keep it steady at high speeds.

Advanced driver assistance system includes adaptive cruise control with lane tracking, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert.

For reference, the last Audi S8 started at $282,616 in base form and rose to $334,340 for the Plus variant.

It is currently unclear if equipment levels have changed for the standard A8 range with the price rises, but both are powered by 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engines – the 50 TDI with a 210kW/600Nm diesel and the 55 TFIS motivated by a 250kW/500Nm petrol.


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