Unbelievable: riding the Audi S8
By: Joris van Vroonhoven / jorismo
Today I was lucky to get a ride in one of the most amazing cars on the current market, the Audi S8. This is my story...
After having a slighty nervous breakfast, my driver for today Renee arrives. We have been friend for about a year now, sharing the same passion: cars. Renee also got me into this. A few weeks back he got an invintation from a local Audi/Volkswagen dealership. After having talked to me, we both agreed on subscribing to have one hour test drive in the Audi S8. Attracted by both the looks and the performance of the vehicle it seemed the best choice. And boy, what a choice it was!
As soon as we arrived at the dealer ship, a plesent view was awaiting us. A brand new "Lava Grey" Audi S8 was steading next to its little brothers, the S4 ans S6, on the grass. Their cousins in the form of the (new) TT and the A6 Allroad proudly occupied the other half of the grass field, finishing the idealistic scene. Before even entering the building we couldn't let it to have a fast first peak at the car. The nice 19" rims with the huge brakes and the four exhaust predicted some very good things. The S8 is big, perhaps even huge. The car looks fast and agile. The chrome grill has the size of a BBQ. It must be a monsterous and scarry feeling to see that comming up in your rear-view mirror. We agree: we can't find anything that ain't good about the car.
A perfect scene...
After filling in the paper work, it was time to hit the road. Because of insurance policies we had to be accompanied by one of the salesmen. He handed Renee the keys and we got into the car. Something that stands out immidiatly when you get in is the solid feeling of the car. No mather what you touch or look at, it feels and look solid. The buttons for the A/C, the steering wheel, the doors, really everything. As soon as you put the key in a screem flips out of the center console. This screen is one of the organs of the car. It displays all info about your satilitte navigation, the radio station your listening to on your €8000,- B&O stereo or who's calling on your Bluetooth phone. Besides all that, it also displays all settings of the car itself. You can think of the tyre pressure, air suspension and in what gearmode you're in. The little S8 badge in the steering wheel finishes it all.
Every person in the car has his own A/C settings.
"The V10 feels like a fish in the water in the big and classy Audi"
It was time to get rolling. One small push on the 'start' button unleashed an Italian monster. The 5.2 liter V10 from Lamborghini really steals the show. On low revs the engine sounds tame, almost lame. If you didn't have a clue, you might as well would have believed the Audi was powered by a diesel. But as soon as you start to drive and overrule the automatic gearbox with paddle shifters, you can here the bull. It's just need a red fabric in front of its eyes. In the Drive mode the gearbox automatically shifts at the most fuel economic rpm, still controlling the bull. But as soon as you shift to the S(port) mode, the engine goes all the way. A purring sound makes room for an amazing, almost erotic, roar. The V10 feels like a fish in the water in the big and classy Audi. It proves it's not only suited for an exotic Italian sports car, but also for a fat German saloon. We are driving on the highway (in Sport mode) as Renee desides to overtake some trucks. He accelerates a bit and before we know, the five big trucks are little dots on the horizon. We went from 100 km/h till 210 km/h in a wink...
"Even if you touch the throttle with the top of your toe, you feel like you get launched"
But not only on the highway, were the S mode makes you feel like some sort of Micheal Schumacher, but also on the country roades the car handles fine. The cars' suspension is soft and comfortable, the steering is direct and feels solid. The power steering does the job fine, making the ride smooth and fun. The byways are also perfectly suited to give the S mode a chance to prove itself. We decide to give it a shot and we get highly rewarded. The acceleration capabilities of the S8 are astonishing. Even if you touch the throttle with the top of your toe, you feel like you get launched.
After having driven for around 20 minutes, we decide it's time for a brake to make some pictures and a short video. As the sun is still low, we look for a spot with some shade. We stop at a parking spot next to a farm. A group of schoolkids passes and the boys stop to take some pics with their phones. "Sir, can please turn the engine on? I would like to make a video!", askes one of the boys. Of course Renee ain't a bad man, so he gives the guy what he wants. He ignites the engine and a harmoninous "wow!" is the logical result. The boys forget the time (as are we) as one of the uninterested girls has had enough and shouts they are running late for school. After shouting a quick thanks the kids rapidly disappear. For only five minutes though. We are heading in the same direction and overtake them down the road. Renee give the kids a show and in the back mirror we see the boys cheering. "They won't forget that soon!" Neither will we...
The big V10 suits the S8 perfectly. It's pure chemistry.
After one hour it's time to return. What has been one of the most exciting and spectecular rides of my, has now come to an end. I will never forget this. The magic this car has underneath its hood is amazing and it will make Harry Potter fade away. This is what drving is all about.
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Originally Posted by quattro_20v
