New S8 0-60 in 4.7 seconds

[chewym]

As tested in the latest Road & Track. 1/4 mile time was 13.1 @ 108.7 mph. They seemed to like it. The car weighted somewhere in the 4,300 pound range. Starting price was around 95k and as tested 112k. For comparison in the same issue they tested the RS4 0-60 in 4.3, 1/4 mile 12.8@109.7 and it weighted 3,920 pounds. These numbers are only slightly slower than the RS6 tested, with the trap speed slightly higher.

[Kev.S]

Is this available on the net?

[Aronis]

Wow, I thought the S8 would be a heavier car and slower than that.....but for 112k....OUCH it should be fast...

Mike

[Kev.S]

I suspect the extra 17k are the Bang and Olafson and ceramic brakes. I've ordered neither.

[chewym]

Originally posted by Kev.S
Is this available on the net?

Not yet, probably in a couple of weeks.

[cc]

Doesn't this kinda confirm that the RS6 was ahead of its time?

And considering its 4 model years old, that it aged well?

A friend leased a new M5, and as nice as it is (maybe better steering feel), I don't like it as much.

[chewym]

CC, I am not sure, the RS6 was awesome. But this shows that the current S8 is just as fast. That means that the new S6 will be about as fast as the RS6, probably only a few ticks slower. In the end it means that the new RS6 should be really awesome.

[Kev.S]

I can't understand why some magazines insist on comparing the S8 to the M5- they're different sizes. If anything, the S8 should be compared with the 7 series Beemer.

It'll be interesting to compare it with my current RS6 when it finally arrives.

[Rupert]

There is an article on the S8 in Audi Magazine, summer edition (an Audi UK publication). I just received the magazine yesterday. It claims 0-60 in 5.1 seconds.

Links below, hopefully you can read these!

Page 1 (http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5018/19vi1.jpg)

Page 2 (http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3007/27nb.jpg)

Page 3 (http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9505/33gy1.jpg)

Page 4 (http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/516/42ql1.jpg)

Page 5 (http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3255/55bn1.jpg)

Page 6 (http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/426/63xo2.jpg)

[Rupert]

:harass: Ceramic brake discs which last up to 186,000 miles? :noshake:

[JAXRS6]

Not so fast on the fastest, guys.:looking: My Dec 02 issue of Automobile mag, comparing the RS6 to the then-M5 with a 6 spd manual, E55 and S-type R, shows the RS6 fastest at 4.3 to 60 and 12.8 in the quarter. Second to 60 was the M5 (4.8) and in the quarter, second place went to the E55 (13.1).

I know, I know -- consensus has been that the E55 is faster in a straight line, and that may be true at times. Maybe even most of the time. My point is that on any given day, results may vary due to weather, driver talent, and other variables. If the Automobile mag test was on a cold day, for example, that could help explain the RS6 coming out on top.

Other examples: The May 02 comparo in Car and Driver showed the RS6 at 4.4 to 60, compared to 4.3 for the E55 ... Sep 03 Motor Trend said RS6 4.3, E55 4.2. So altho the E55 was faster in those two tests, it wasn't by much.

Given the advantage of AWD in everyday driving, even on dry pavement, and considering the cost of the newer products, I'm still very happy with my RS6! :rs6kiss: :rs6kiss: :rs6kiss:

[chewym]

JAXRS6

I know, the S8 is a bit slower than the old RS6, but definately by not much.

Road&Track tested the RS4 in June 2003 and got 4.6 for 0-60, 11.3 for 0-100 and 13.1 @106.3 for the 1/4 mile.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/652003134349.pdf

The S8 with the exact same hp, less torque, and more weight produces almost exactly the same times while gaving slightly more grip (.90 vs. .88). I think that is encouraging.

[Kev.S]

Originally posted by chewym
JAXRS6

I know, the S8 is a bit slower than the old RS6, but definately by not much.

Road&Track tested the RS4 in June 2003 and got 4.6 for 0-60, 11.3 for 0-100 and 13.1 @106.3 for the 1/4 mile.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/652003134349.pdf

The S8 with the exact same hp, less torque, and more weight produces almost exactly the same times while gaving slightly more grip (.90 vs. .88). I think that is encouraging.

I suspect the RS 4 time was on a low mileage (less than 1000 miles) vehicle, so wouldn't be delivering full power yet. I'd expect it to be slightly quicker 0-60 than an RS6 when it passes this mileage.
I've just been told by my dealer to expect my S8 mid-August, so will be able to compare the 6 and 8. With any luck I'll be taking it over to Germany for a blast down the Autobahns.

[JAXRS6]

Originally posted by Kev.S
I suspect the RS 4 time was on a low mileage (less than 1000 miles) vehicle, so wouldn't be delivering full power yet. I'd expect it to be slightly quicker 0-60 than an RS6 when it passes this mileage.

I respectfullly disagree for two reasons. First, the RS6 likely had low miles too. Why would you think otherwise? In fact, I think the RS6 tests pre-date its market release by more than the RS4. Wouldn't that suggest its mileage might even be lower?

Second, regardless of whether that theory holds water, here's a real world result: My RS6 has become faster with age, it's true -- and I'm happier for it!:D But it didn't start getting faster until after about 10-15K miles. Since then it has improved by .8 sec in the quarter, timed at the same track. :race: Maybe I've improved as a driver, too, but that seems unlikely since I visit the track only once or twice a year.

Of course, the best real world result would come from an RS6 and RS4 at the same track on the same day, switching drivers over several runs. Until then I give the nod to the RS6 on straights and the RS4 in twisties.

Later, when some RS4s have put on five figure mileage too, maybe they will surpass the RS6 in straight line speed as well ... unless my RS6 also keeps getting faster! Meantime it's fun to speculate, and really, the differences are not very significant.

[Kev.S]

My RS6 has got faster as miles accumulated too, but that's just down to the engine loosening up.
My understanding of the RS4 is that there is a code in the engine management system that restricts the power by 40 bhp until 1000 miles have passed.
Not that I'm complaining if my new S8 will be nearly as fast as my RS6 is!

[Toto89]

I can't understand a thing: the offical time of the RS6 from 0-60 is 4,9 sec , in the B5 RS4 the time is 4,7 sec and in the B7 RS4 it's 4,8 sec.
Why some testers say that RS6 and RS4 can do this in ~4,4 sec and why did they say that the S8 can accelerate to 60 in 4,7 sec instead of the official 5,1 sec:confused:
If they are faster than their official time is good, but which time is true then?
/I don't know if my english is correct or not/

[Kev.S]

The official times are O-100 Km (0-62.5 mph) This probably accounts for some difference, although I'm surprised at how much that 2.5 mph makes.

[Leadfoot]

I hope my right, but I think I remembered read this in a VW book somewhere. Some of the difference might be the fact that VAG test their cars with 2 people, 80% full tank and half load of luggage. All that must account for 200Kgs of extra weight.

I'm not sure if any of the other do this as well, but if so this might explain why other brands show a difference also.

[Mr Kram]

Not so fast on the fastest, guys. My Dec 02 issue of Automobile mag, comparing the RS6 to the then-M5 with a 6 spd manual, E55 and S-type R, shows the RS6 fastest at 4.3 to 60 and 12.8 in the quarter. Second to 60 was the M5 (4.8) and in the quarter, second place went to the E55 (13.1).

Wasn't this E55 the N/A version?

[chewym]

Audi usually puts relatively conservative time for its high performance cars. They are based on 0-62.5 and give breathing room to acount for differences.

[JAXRS6]

Numerous factors cause test times to vary: The talent of the driver(s), the condition of the track, and the weather are three obvious ones that come to mind. I can feel that my RS6 is faster when temps are in the 60s vs. 70s (F) ... faster still in the 50s ... and fastest in the low to mid 40s. Once it gets colder than that, the advantage that the turbos get by inhaling denser cold air might be countered by deteriorating traction from "summer tires."

As for track condition, my best performance occurred when track personnel periodically coated the launch area with sticky stuff, the name of which escapes me. The same track was noticeably slower on another day when there were so many cars that staff did not want to take the time to re-apply the sticky stuff.

If Leadfoot is right about Audi putting a load in its cars before testing, that would almost surely slow things a bit compared to the mags. Automotive journalists are seeking fastest times, period, so I'm 90% sure they drive the cars empty of passengers and luggage.

[Kev.S]

The Road and Track article is now online

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=3698

[chewym]

Originally posted by Kev.S
The Road and Track article is now online

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=3698

Not exactly, that is a teaser article that contains the basic numbers. The rear article is all about the S8 and is a couple of pages long and includes the full data panel. The "real" article will come out by the end of the month.

[chewym]

Originally posted by Kev.S
The Road and Track article is now online

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=3698

Not exactly, that is a teaser article that contains the basic numbers. The rear article is all about the S8 and is a couple of pages long and includes the full data panel. The "real" article will come out by the end of the month.

[IulianUM]

It is a fast car , sounds better than I thought , but it is huge . On turns this is a bit of an issue , but again not as much as I thought . :p
The one that I saw had all the "extras" and the driver (an Audi Pro driver) said to me that the ceramic brakes are almost a must even for street use , the car is very heavy . You have to see that huge thing skidding on the track (I was inside the car) .:king:

Great car , too big for me , but great car .:incar:

BTW I love my Rs4 . ;)

[shimmy]

saw the S8 in northampton auid and it looked fabulous.

seats and interior to die for and i thought it looked smaller than it really was. good disguise!

bit pricey for me i think and especially as you will probably loose £20k in the first year.

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by shimmy
bit pricey for me i think and especially as you will probably loose £20k in the first year.

Yeah and the rest.:rolleyes:

[shimmy]

Originally posted by Leadfoot
Yeah and the rest.:rolleyes:

i reduced that from 325 in my post before I sent it in case I upset someone who has bought one but seems i need not have bothered!!!

:harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: :harass: