Classic: Audi S8 D2
Posted on 12-03-2016 to 18:00 by larssb – 76 Comments”
Das Original, the first athlete in his class. And it was never more beautiful than this Audi S8.
In Stuttgart, the AMG badges are still loose on the shelf when Audi in 1996 the S8 came out. Not for there showbinken, this S8 was initially difficult to distinguish from the A8. The distinctive chrome mirror covers came only in 1998, and for that time saw only the connoisseur that the grill something different and lower, with a double, polished eindpijpje left, bottom middle, and the car on the Avus rims. For those interested, it seemed, there were a few subtle S8 badges front and on the back of this understated singing.
Because before the Big Match Far Piss with PK’s of even was 340 HP is still quite significant. And because the S8 is not as obese as most of his competitors he could with that amount of often be just fine. That toned weight came, of course, by the unique construction of the S8. Just as his base, the A8, was this überversie built on Audi’s Space Frame. The D2 aluminum chassis, with the beautifully contoured aluminum in the carriage as monocoque construction. The limited weight of this fit bully to a lousy 1730 kg. Erdnüsse, that suggests nothing.
Now yes, everything is relative, of course. A featherweight, it was still not, but Ferdinand Piëch’s brainchild, developed in collaboration with Aluminum Company of America, it was considerably lighter than was common in these overweight class. Early in the ‘80s began with this cooperation is the development of what the successor would be of the V8, Audi’s cautious entrance into the Thick German Stronghold. With the release of the A8 in 1994 were the windbags from Stuttgart and Munich, there really is a serious competitor. In the V8 was still an Audi 100/200 to recognize, the A8 was a unique and impressive design, and whispered’ve been gently, but clearly premium. A term that is often used would be, the bar where everything on four wheels along was laid. Whether or not premium, good and evil were weighed. The auto-sharia.
But the S8 was good. The lat also and especially in the perspective of his time. The market of large and bloedsnelle sedans in this segment, there was actually not yet. And then he saw it, even civilized, but undeniably powerful. A beautiful sleeper. With its 4.2 liter V8 and manual zesbak catapulted this limousine himself in over less than six seconds to two times the speed allowed in built-up areas. That was for an important part due to the four-wheel drive, by the standard quattro chassis was the S are force and torque good on the street. The top speed was limited. But who the usual 250 km/h aantikte still saw some light under the accelerator pedal. There was still space. Only at 285 km/h was the cake. And that whole splash gasoline about everything, probably.
That was a fraction better from 1999: the V8 now had five valves per cylinder and was marginally more economical. Very important. He was especially powerful: the power increased to 360 HP. Still, there was the choice between a manual zesbak or the vijftraps Tiptronic automatic transmission, although outside of Europe most of the S8-and standard vending machines were delivered. And also in Europe remained a manual version is much rarer, probably inherent to the segment. Here was one not of the craft.
That was also not necessary. Everything that is not fixed, glued, or otherwise fastened or screwed was moved electrically in the S8. As with the standard sport seats, which could on no fewer than fourteen different ways to be amazed or be adjusted, including the head restraints and seat belts. A bird’s nest could make now everyone, if you remained seated and on the correct buttons pressed. But also trunk and rollo’s moved at a distance. In Neckarsulm went all the stacks and registers to be open on that area, if the S8 buyer shall lack nothing. That had to be the best man or woman will probably not be accepted, because the S8 was almost as pricey as a 750i or a S500. But much less flabby.
Except for the motor area and exactly that was the combination that distinguished the fab S8 of his smug competitors. More power in a slimmer body, there can be no star or propeller meet. There is only one lord of the rings.
In 2012 we made quite a trio-test with three different generations of the S8, including the D2. Images check here. Prefer just the pictures? You can visit the gallery below.
Gallery: Audi S8 D2
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