The speakers are housed in enclosed capsules so that their vibration behaviour can be precisely controlled. Their anodised aluminium grilles underscore Audi's expertise with this material. The front tweeters use what is known as Acoustic Lens Technology: with their coated silk diaphragm domes, they act as perfect point sound sources. When the system is switched on, they extend out of the dashboard automatically.

With all its qualities put together, the S8 - along with the rest of the Audi A8 model line - is positioned as a luxurious and sporty saloon in the top car class. Its aluminium body based on the ASF principle, aluminium chassis, adaptive air suspension and quattro permanent four-wheel drive combine to produce its dynamic character.

A six-speed tiptronic transmission, three-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel and deluxe automatic air conditioning with moisture sensor and sun sensor provide maximum comfort and convenience. The luxury impression is also enhanced by the luggage compartment lid with power-assisted closing, the light and rain sensor and cruise control.

The front seats can be adjusted electrically. Innovative technologies such as the Multi Media Interface MMI, battery power management, the electromechanical parking brake including auto release function and the light-emitting diodes in the rear lights underpin Audi's proverbial "Vorsprung durch Technik".

Sporty components and high-tech systems also play the leading role in the list of optional extras. The radar-controlled adaptive cruise control, for example, represents a major advance on conventional cruise control systems. This intelligent system permanently calculates the distance to the vehicle ahead and adjusts the car's own speed accordingly by actively controlling the accelerator and brakes.

The interior lighting package with ambient lighting illuminates the interior in accordance with the situation at hand, and produces a new level of harmony with the interior design as a whole. The four-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning allows the individual precision adjustment of temperature and air distribution for all four seats.

A hands-free car phone with cordless handset is available as an option to go with the Multi Media Interface MMI. Bluetooth technology permits wireless communication with the in-car control unit. The speech control system for a great many infotainment functions enhances the operating system's ergonomic convenience still further. With two additional modules, MMI is able to receive digital radio stations (Digital Audio Broadcasting, DAB) and digital TV stations.

The personalisation system one-touch memory enables up to four drivers to use Audi S8 without them having to enter their preferred settings all over again each time.

The system identifies the driver by his or her fingerprint, which is scanned by a sensor on the advanced key start button, and compares it with the memorised prints. Once the driver has been successfully identified, an array of processes are activated: the seats, mirrors and steering column are adjusted in accordance with the pre-selected configuration, as are the air conditioning's temperature and air distribution, and a series of infotainment settings.



S models
Sports appeal and luxury

The forefather of all Audi S models was the 1985 S1, the last and technically most advanced evolution model of the revolutionary rally competition car. 224 of its homologation version, the Sport quattro, were built. 1991 saw the first S model purely for use on public roads enter the showrooms - the Coupé S2, the designated successor to the "Ur-quattro" (original quattro). In characteristic Audi style, the S2 was equipped with permanent four-wheel drive. Its sophisticated character was a combination of sportiness and refinement. Inspired by the success of the S2, a self-contained family of S models grew over the years, from Audi S3 to the S4, S6, all the way up to Audi S8.

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