S8 Press Release

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Mar 11, 1999 | 09:08 AM

Matt Daniels

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S8 Press Release

AUDI AG Public Relations Communication: Product and Technology D-85045 Ingolstadt Tel.: +49 841 89-32100/-37947 Fax +49 841 89-32817March 1999Audi News Geneva 1999The equipment and data specified relate to the model range available in Germany. We reserve the right to make changes. Errors and omissions excepted. A luxurious top-class car for the enthusiastAudi S8With its S8, Audi offers the discerning customer a perfect synthesis of luxurious top-class atmosphere and superior power. In combination with unique technical features such as the all-aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) and the quattro permanent four-wheel drive system, this makes the top-of-the-range model from Audi a leader in the field of automotive construction.The Audi S8 will appeal first and foremost to drivers with an enthusiasm for technology and high performance. As a true Audi S model, it offers supreme sporting performance combined with style. In appearance, the S8 differs only slightly from the A8: it has outside mirrors made of polished aluminium and special 18-inch îAvusî cast alloy wheels. This top-of-the-range model from Audi can also be recognised by the small emblems on the front and back and the combined aluminium-look tailpipe trim.Naturally, the S8 has also benefited from all of the improvements made to the A8 as part of the recent product enhancement program at the beginning of this year.The sports suspension fitted as standard and the optional enhanced-comfort suspension, which will be appreciated by long-distance drivers in particular, are made entirely of aluminium.The front and rear disc brakes, with their 17-inch ventilated discs and aluminium callipers, have also been upgraded to match the superior performance of the engine. The 8J x 18 îAvusî cast alloy wheels are fitted with 245/45 ZR 18 tyres.The V8 engine with its displacement of 4.2 litres has been revised for maximum power, starting with optimised intake paths and low-friction roller cam followers for the valve gear and extending to adapted timing for the variable intake camshafts and a two-stage switchable-flap intake manifold. These improvements and innovations add up to a rated power of 265 kW (360 bhp) at 7,000 rpm and an impressive maximum torque of 420 newton-meters, available from just 3,400 rpm.To transmit this power, S8 customers have the option of a manual 6-speed gearbox or the 5-speed tiptronic transmission with Dynamic Shift Program (DSP). This can be operated by means of fingertip switches on the tiptronic sports steering wheel that is available as an optional extra.The continuous flow of power of the engine allows the cruise control now fitted as standard to the S8 to maintain the speed selected by the driver effortlessly, even on hills. The discreet grey dials and white pointers of the instruments keep the driver informed about the S8ís speed and other operating parameters. The speedometer is calibrated non-proportionately, making it easier to read the carís exact speed between 0 and 90 km/h and therefore stay below speed limits.As with all Audiís S models, the S8 is available only with permanent four-wheel drive. This offers the assurance of optimum traction and directional stability and also ensures mobility even in difficult situations. On the Audi S8, a self-locking Torsen centre differential is used to distribute the power between the front and rear wheels as required.All Audi S8s are fitted with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard. ESP continuously monitors the parameters critical for the maintenance of the carís stability and intervenes automatically if there is any risk that it might skid. The ESP control unit calculates the momentary state of the vehicle from the wheel speeds and data supplied by the anti-lock brake system (ABS), the traction control system (ASR), and by sensors that detect the steering angle, yaw moment and lateral acceleration. Each steering angle is associated with a particular yawing moment which depends on the speed of the vehicle. If it exceeds this value, the car will oversteer and may skid. If it is lower than this value the car will understeer, that is to say the front wheels will tend to run wide when cornering.ESP counteracts oversteer by selectively braking the front wheel on the outside of the bend, while in the case of understeer, it briefly brakes the rear wheel on the inside of the bend. The combination of permanent four-wheel drive and ESP makes the Audi S8 one of the safest cars to drive that money can buy.The Audi S8 combines an extremely high level of active safety with an equally high level of passive safety. This is because of the aluminium body, which features the Audi Space Frame (ASF). Naturally, the S8 also has a highly advanced safety system incorporating two front airbags and side airbags integrated into the seat backs at front and rear, complemented by SIDEGUARD, Audiís head-level airbag system.Exclusive character is the distinguishing feature of the Audi A8ís interior. The individual elements, which are made of high-quality materials, match each other in every detail, combining to form a harmonious whole.There is a choice of nine colour combinations for the interior. The headliner is in a rich black colour. The previous silk nappa leather range has now been replaced by Valcona leather. The standard sports seats can be upholstered with a combination of leather and Alcantara. There is a choice of luxurious trim options, including myrtle (dark), birdseye maple (light) and carbon fibre, to match the colour combination chosen for the interior.As in the Audi A8, the S8 can be supplied as an optional extra with windscreen heating which does not use visible wires. Instead of these wires, which can impair visibility, it uses as a heating element the layer of metal incorporated into the laminated windscreen of cars with heat-absorbing glass. Its maximum output of 1,000 watts ensures that condensation is cleared rapidly and that even after a night in the open at sub-zero temperatures, any ice melts quickly.

Mar 11, 1999 | 09:25 AM

Todd W

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C'mon Lotto!!!

Holy **%(*& :-)))))))))))

Mar 11, 1999 | 09:29 AM

Christian J. Long

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360hp! Hell yea!

Mar 11, 1999 | 09:38 AM

Matt Daniels

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Sorry for the weird characters, I just cut-and-pasted from a Word document.

And HTML doesn't like some of those characters.Matt

Mar 11, 1999 | 09:48 AM

DaveL

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WOW! Available with 6 speed MANUAL!

Mar 11, 1999 | 10:00 AM

Andy Hedin

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Wow...17" brake rotors!

Mar 11, 1999 | 10:02 AM

neilm

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Technical Data

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" BORDER="0"> <TR><TD ROWSPAN="10"><IMG SRC="../pix/p.gif" WIDTH="10" HEIGHT="1" BORDER="0"></TD></TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP><TD COLSPAN=4 WIDTH="600" HEIGHT="60"> Technical Data - Audi S8 (265 kW)</TD></TR><TR><TD><IMG SRC="../pix/p.gif" WIDTH="128" HEIGHT="1" BORDER="0"></TD><TD><IMG SRC="../pix/p.gif" WIDTH="20" HEIGHT="1" BORDER="0"></TD><TD><IMG SRC="../pix/p.gif" WIDTH="352" HEIGHT="1" BORDER="0"></TD><TD><IMG SRC="../pix/p.gif" WIDTH="10" HEIGHT="1" BORDER="0"></TD></TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD WIDTH="472" HEIGHT="30"> German sales specification - Status: March 1999</TD></TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP><TD Align=right> </TD><TD></TD> <TD> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" bgcolor="#CCCCCC"> <TR bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><TD WIDTH="200"><IMG SRC="../pix/p.gif" WIDTH="130" HEIGHT="1" BORDER="0"></TD><TD WIDTH="400"><IMG SRC="../pix/p.gif" WIDTH="250" HEIGHT="1" BORDER="0"></TD></TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Engine / electrics</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Engine type</TD> <TD colspan=2>V8 spark-ignition engine, 2-stage variable-length air intake, DOHC</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Valve gear / number of valves per cylinder</TD> <TD colspan=2>Variable camshaft timing, roller cam followers with hydraulic lash compensation / 5</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Displacement in cc / bore x stroke in mm / compression ratio</TD> <TD colspan=2>4172 / 84.5 x 93.0 / 11.0</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Max. power output in kW (bhp) / at rpm (acc. to 80/1269/EEC)</TD> <TD colspan=2>265 (360) / 7000</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Max. torque in Nm / at rpm (acc. to 80/1269/EEC)</TD> <TD colspan=2>430 / 3400</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Engine management</TD> <TD colspan=2>Motronic ME 7.1: fully electronic sequential injection, coordinated engine-torque control, hot-film air-mass metering, electronic accelerator, mapped ignition with solid-state high-voltage distribution, cylinder-selective knock control with two sensors, adaptive oxygen sensor control</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Exhaust emission control</TD> <TD colspan=2>Air-gap-insulated exhaust manifold, two 3-way catalytic converters, two heated oxygen sensors</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Emission category</TD> <TD colspan=2>EU III D</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Alternator in A / battery in A/Ah</TD> <TD colspan=2>150 / 450/92</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Drive / transmission</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Drive layout</TD> <TD colspan=2>Permanent all-wheel drive with Torsen centre differential and Electronic Stability Program (ESP)</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Clutch</TD> <TD>Single dry plate clutch, dual-mass flywheel</TD> <TD>Hydrodynamic torque converter with lock-up clutch</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Gearbox type</TD> <TD>5-speed manual</TD> <TD>5-speed tiptronic</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Gear ratio in 1st gear / 2nd gear</TD> <TD>3.500 / 1.889</TD> <TD>3.571 / 2.200</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Gear ratio in 3rd gear / 4th gear</TD> <TD>1.320 / 1.034</TD> <TD>1.505 / 1.000</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Gear ratio in 5th gear / reverse gear</TD> <TD>0.857 / 0.730</TD> <TD>0.804 / -</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Final drive ratio</TD> <TD>3.455 / 4.111</TD> <TD>4.095 / 3.730</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Running gear / steering / brakes</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Front suspension</TD> <TD colspan=2>Four-link with double upper/lower wishbones and anti-roll bar</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Rear suspension</TD> <TD colspan=2>Track-stabilising trapezoidal-link with wishbone, tubular anti-roll bar</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Steering / steering ratio / turning circle in m (D102)</TD> <TD colspan=2>Maintenance-free power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering / 15.7 / app. 12.3</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Brake system front/rear</TD> <TD colspan=2>Dual-circuit, diagonally split, ABS/EBD, servo; ventilated discs front and rear; twin-piston calipers at front</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Wheels / tyres</TD> <TD colspan=2>8 J x 16 cast alloy / 245/40 ZR 18</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Performance / fuel consumption / acoustics</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Maximum speed in km/h</TD> <TD colspan=2>250 (governed)</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Acceleration, 0-80 km/h / 0-100 km/h in s</TD> <TD>4.0 / 5.4</TD> <TD>4.8 / 6.6</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Fuel grade</TD> <TD colspan=2>Super Plus/Euro Super unleaded, 98/95 RON</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Fuel consumption, urban/extra-urban/total, l/100 km 1)</TD> <TD>20.8 / 9.7 / 13.7</TD> <TD>21.7 / 9.5 / 13.9</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>CO2 emissions, g/100 km 1)</TD> <TD>329</TD> <TD>334</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Standing / drive-past exterior noise level in dB (A)</TD> <TD>84 / 74</TD> <TD>85 / 74</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Servicing / warranty (German market)</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Oil change every ... km / inspection every ... km</TD> <TD colspan=2>15,000 (maximum 1 year) / 30,000</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Vehicle / paint / rust penetration warranty</TD> <TD colspan=2>1 year, unlimited distance / 3 years / 12 years</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Insurance classification in Germany</TD> <TD colspan=2>32 (fully comprehensive) / 39 (partial) / 24 (third party)</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Weights / loads</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Unladen weight in kg / gross weight limit in kg</TD> <TD>1730 / 2330</TD> <TD>1750 / 2350</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Axle load limit at front / rear in kg</TD> <TD>1230 / 1230</TD> <TD>1250 / 1230</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Trailer load limit, unbraked in kg</TD> <TD colspan=2>750</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Trailer load limit at 8%/12% gradient, braked in kg</TD> <TD colspan=2>2300 / 2300</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Roof load limit in kg / nose weight in kg</TD> <TD colspan=2>100 / 95</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Capacities</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Cooling system volume (incl. heating) in l</TD> <TD colspan=2>11.0</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Engine oil capacity (incl. filter) in l</TD> <TD colspan=2>7.5</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Fuel tank capacity in l</TD> <TD colspan=2>90</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3">Body / dimensions</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Body type / number of doors / seats</TD> <TD colspan=2>Aluminium: Audi Space Frame (ASF) / 4 / 5</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>Drag coefficient cD / frontal area A in m2</TD> <TD colspan=2>0.29 / 2.25</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Length (L103) / width excl. mirrors (W103) /height (H100) in mm</TD> <TD colspan=2>5034 / 1880 / 1418</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Wheelbase (L101) / track front/rear (W101/W102) in mm</TD> <TD colspan=2>2880 / 1591/ 1580</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Height of loading lip in mm (H195)</TD> <TD colspan=2>624</TD> </TR> <TR VALIGN=TOP> <TD>Luggage capacity in l, acc. to VDA block test method (V210)</TD> <TD colspan=2>525</TD> </TR> </TABLE> 1) According to 93/116/EU Scroll down until table appears... <TR><TD COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="LEFT" NOWRAP> <A HREF="#0">Top</A></TD></TR> </TABLE>