New Audi S8 Tortures Its Tires at the Nurburgring

The S8 was the first to test out the new generation of Audi V8 engines. We're still dealing with a 4-liter twin-turbo, though the block is quite different, and so are the electrical systems.

The 8 is the only S model to keep its V8 from one generation to the next. Both the S6 and S7 are going to come out with V6 setups, most likely of the 2.9L twin-turbo variety like you also find in the Panamera S.

While luxury sedans have been getting bigger and slightly more cumbersome to accommodate new technologies, Audi has had to juggle performance and sometimes to downsize. At this moment, it's believed that the new S8 will offer somewhere between 540 and 600 horses of power. This is as good as it's going to get since an RS version of the A8 is off the table.

The rumors used to talk about an S8 e-tron taking the place of the S8 performance. But so far, Audi has been reluctant to add sockets to the MLB platform. Also, the German automaker doesn't want to reveal too much of the new design.

The new S8 is probably going to have a blacked out version of the current grille fame, revisions to the front bumper, a rear diffuser and the obvious stance adjustment. The only "final" feature we see here are the quad exhaust tips. Interior changes should include a new steering wheel and bolstered seats.

The Nurburgring spy video is not exactly a performance fest. The 2+ ton sedan corners flat, but the sound of the V8 is often covered up by the front tires being tortured. Still, the S8 is going to be about as rare as an Aston Martin. The whole A8 range only managed 3,127 sales in America last year, and it's going to be much worse for 2018.