Audi gave the world a preview of its all-new S8 high-performance flagship in July but now it’s time for the full monty, including full specs, a big photo gallery, and videos. At the heart of the 2020 Audi S8 resides a 4.0-liter TFSI twin-turbo V8 gasoline engine with mild-hybrid technology producing 571 PS at 6,000 rpm and 800 Nm of torque at 2,000 – 4,500 rpm.


Linked to an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and standard quattro permanent AWD with a self-locking center diff, the V8 enables the S8 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h – despite a curb weight of 2,230 kg.


The standard mild-hybrid system consisting of a 48-volt belt alternator starter and an additional lithium-ion battery is said to help reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.8 liters per 100 km. Still, you should not expect miracles as Audi quotes a combined fuel consumption of 11.3 l/100 km (20.8 mpg US) and corresponding CO2 emissions of 258 g/km.

As the flagship of Audi’s flagship, it goes without says that the 2020 S8 is a technological tour de force. It comes fitted as standard with systems such as the predictive active suspension, dynamic-all-wheel steering, quattro sport rear differential, Audi drive select, cylinder deactivation, active noise cancelation, and much more.


The predictive active suspension works in combination with the air suspension and is able to lift or push down each wheel separately via electromechanical actuators. Therefore, pitch or roll during acceleration or braking can be greatly reduced thanks also to a front camera which detects larger road surface irregularities.

The 2020 Audi S8 offers no fewer than 38 driver assistance systems divided into the City and Tour packages. Highlights include the adaptive cruise assist which combines the functions of adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and lane tracking, Audi pre sense 360°, and more. When fully equipped, there are five radar sensors, six cameras, twelve ultrasound sensors and a laser scanner on board, all managed by a central driver assistance controller (zFAS).


Audi Sport‘s biggest model gets the best in terms of connectivity too, including the fully digital MMI touch response operating concept, Audi virtual cockpit, MMI navigation plus with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, natural speech control, optional head-up display, and more.

The 2020 S8 will be available in the United States only in long-wheelbase guise, with a starting MSRP of US$ 129,500 (excluding a US$ 995 destination and handling fee). Other markets like China, Canada and South Korea will also get the new model exclusively in LWB configuration. Prices start from € 140,000 in Germany.