Audi’s long history of prioritising luxury without sacrificing performance, especially with its S models. In 2022, the German automaker unveiled its new flagship S8 executive sedan, which continues to provide supercar performance and elegance. Since its debut, this model has consistently offered the role of an understated luxury cruiser and a high-performance sports sedan.
For 2022, the S8 receives a facelift – a mid-generation life cycle refresh – with slight modifications from its previous version. According to Audi, this upgrade will provide incremental improvements over the model’s prior generations, especially on its comforts and handling aspects of performance.
For example, the suspension has received a massive tech enhancement by combining it with the predictive Audi Pre Sense technology, making it more intelligent and more intuitive.
As the car scans the road ahead with built-in sensors, the suspension is able to cope with inconsistencies on the road – speed bumps and potholes – to go as far as unloading the shocks as the car arrives at the roughness. Hence of this, it results in a ride that is not only smooth but it also actively accounts for jolts and bumps that would upset the chassis.
Aside from that, the Audi Pre Sense technology also helps provide a comfortable and smooth turn. When the car carves a corner, it firms up the outside wheels to support the inner turn, thus counteracting body roll and levelling the car. All this active suspension is felt throughout the cabin. However, Audi claims the rear passengers will notice the benefits the most, which further solidifies the luxurious nature of the Audi S8.
In addition to that, the Audi Pre Sense features also help reduce the impact in the event of a possible T-bone collision with either side. The shocks and springs will actually raise the whole side so that the colliding vehicle will hit the impact beam instead of a crumple zone in the door. This same action is also initiated for occupants entering and exiting the car – every time the door is opened, the car raises up to make getting in and out easier.
Aside from the improvements in the suspension, Audi S8 has also refined the lighting where they have installed a digital Matrix-design headlight featuring 1.3 million micro-mirrors that could even project a welcome sign for owners as they approach the vehicle.
Aside from that, the rear tail lights have also been upgraded with a pattern and signature that can be customised based on the car’s driving mode. For example, when the car is put into Comfort mode, the rear lights will illuminate differently than when the car is in Dynamic mode. A welcome sequence is also seen inside, with revealing air vents and ambient lighting greeting the driver and passengers.
Further refinements are seen in the lighting. At the front, digital Matrix-design headlights feature 1.3 million micro-mirrors, capable of even projecting a welcome sign for owners as they approach the vehicle. The rear tail lights are also revised with a customisable pattern and signature, depending on which driving mode the car is currently in.
If the driver is in Comfort+ mode, the tail lights will illuminate differently than when the car is in Dynamic mode. A welcome sequence is also seen inside, with revealing air vents and ambient lighting greeting the driver and passengers.
In terms of performance, the S8 is generally at its best when driven like a muscle car with lots of throttles followed by lots of braking, rinse, and repeat, and it also maintains its impressive figures: 0-60 in 3.8 seconds via its twin-turbo 4.0L V8. Its limited top speed of 155 mph places the S8 in supercar territory.
Based on the car’s performance, it shows that the Audi S8 is best suited for everyday driving as it prioritises comfort and a luxurious ride while offering sports car-like performance readily and purposefully.
The price for Audi S8 2022 will start from USD 118,000 or RM 519,436 for standard packages. However, there are also other available packages with additional prices that you can choose from, such as – the exterior “Black Optic” and interior “Comfort Plus” and “Executive” packages.
