meem

when i was down at clair audi in boston today, a salesman told me that the s8 was definitely coming to the united states. this was the first i'd heard of this -- anyone know anything more? am i just way behind on the news?

in any case, can't wait to see 'em on the road ;-)

bartlane

My dealer told me the same thing. Still waiting to hear the details. Still unkown if the manual is coming, I really hope so. I will be the first on my block.

gypsum

90K. At this price, Audi may as well leave the S8s in Germany.

Ali B

By most accounts, the new A8 body style is slated to debut as a 2002 model. It just doesn't make much sense to certify the S8 for the U.S. market for just one model year. Also, if the asking price is any more than $10K above the A8, it doesn't make any sense to buy one. The performance differential over the A8 (especially in the torque department) is marginal. Unless they plan to offer it in a unique configuration (6-speed manual, highly unlikely though), it's just not that much faster than a regular A8. With annual A8 sales in the U.S. running very low (1999 total was only about 2200), I just can't see where the market for this car would be.

I love this car as much as the next guy, but I just can't see Audi importing it at this time.

Cameron

an S8, white on white, and enjoys driving it so much that he has his security escort sit in the passenger seat while he drives.

There is plenty of market for this car, plenty of people who want a big car with the six-speed. The S8 needs to appeal to a different buyer than Audis tend to appeal to the in the U.S., however.

I see the only S8 competitors that are DOT certified as being the DB7 Vantage and 456GTM.

Cameron

mrw

Cameron, where you been? Haven't seen you here in a while.

Robin

I'm with Ali, I don't see much sense in it at the likely price. I've driven one in Sweden, and they are an improvement over My A8 in handling, braking, and in power (in that order), but both the E55 and the M5 blow it's doors off. I'd want Audi to import an S8 with at least 400 Horses to compete with those cars.

Robin

bartlane

True enough, more power is always appreciated but for me the other two cars you mentioned lack AWD which is my biggest motivation to buy a car like this. I would just want to get the best car that Audi will let me have. I would be hard pressed to buy an S8 though in current body with a new car right around the corner. I can't think of a more desirable car than an AWD manually shifted 400hp A/S8.

John Stahmann

One of the German R& D guys I was talking to told me about it. There are cars that they build that only Piech can drive and he has his own parking lot full of them. 300 hp 4Motion Beetle, VR6 TT, 500 hp biturbo V8 S8, W12 A8, etc.

How would it be?

John

robertoc

Why would it be $90K in US