2001AudiS8Audi S82001 Audi S8 4.2SedanSedanAWDGermanyThe S8 is Audi's new high-performance version of the flagship A8. It's armed with more horsepower, a stiffer suspension and more powerful brakes. As with other 2001 A8s, the 2001 S8 has the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) and the new multifunctional steering wheel as standard equipment.Faster and quicker than A8, sumptuous luxury, all-wheel drive.Price paid for advanced technology, rather bland exterior design.Audi is making a dedicated effort towards bringing more performance-oriented car to United States consumers. This trend started in 2000 with the S4, and it continues in 2001 with the new S8. The S8 is a high-performance version of Audi's flagship luxury sedan, the A8. At the heart of the S8 is a five-valve, 4.2-liter V8 engine. Its modifications over the standard A8's engine include optimized intake paths, a new two-stage variable intake manifold, revised camshafts and a free flowing exhaust system. Thanks to these improvements, the S8's engine makes 360 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 317 foot-pounds of torque at 3,400 rpm. Other performance enhancements on the S8 include larger brakes, 18-inch wheels and a stiffer suspension. All of these improvements make the S8 even more fun to drive than the A8. This doesn't mean that the S8 has lost any of its real-world edge, however. It is still equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and Quattro, Audi's all-wheel-drive system. Additionally, Electronic Differential Locking (EDL) provides low-speed traction control operating through the standard antilock braking system (ABS). Electronic Braking-Pressure Distribution (EBD) is included with the ABS system, and ensures that maximum braking capacity can be utilized whenever needed, regardless of road or load conditions. Like the A8, the S8's body structure is made out of aluminum and is designed to provide lighter weight, superior structural rigidity, improved handling and responsiveness, better fuel efficiency and easier recycling. For safety, the S8 has dual-stage front airbags and side airbags for front and rear outboard occupants. Audi's Sideguard head airbag system consists of inflatable curtain airbags installed in the headliner along each side of the car, which cover the windows in the event of an accident and remain inflated for five seconds to protect the head in case the vehicle rolls over. Inside, drivers will find an interior slathered in real wood and Valcona leather upholstery. Front seats (with more supportive bolstering than the A8's seats) are power adjustable in 14 different ways, and a memory feature accommodates four different settings for the driver's seat, exterior mirrors, driver's headrest height and steering wheel position. The steering wheel tilts out of the way when the key is removed from the ignition. The automatic dual-zone temperature controls employ two sunlight sensors to help maintain accuracy. With 360 horsepower, the S8 is aimed directly at other high-performance luxury sedans like the Jaguar XJR and the Mercedes-Benz S55. The S8 is shy on torque compared to these cars, but its all-wheel drive, lightweight structure, and long list of standard equipment should prove desirable enough to make it a worthy competitor. BMW 7-SeriesJaguar XJ-SeriesLexus LS 430Mercedes-Benz S-Class450,000450,0004Unlimited12UnlimitedNANANA84.2 litersV8360 hp @ 7000 rpm317 ft-lbs. @ 3400 rpm198.2 in.79 in.55.8 in.4068 lbs.113.4 in.37.1 in.37.9 in.58.3 in.57.1 in.NANA41.3 in.38.4 in.17.6 cu.ft.StandardNot AvailableStandardStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested23.7 gal.15 mpg / 21 mpg356 mi. / 498 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$64,045$72,5007.35%$575$1,700No Holdback4.2 (5A): 4.2L V8 DOHC SMPI 40-valve engine with variable valve timing, (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; engine oil cooler; 150 amp alternator; auto-manual transmission; full-time limited-slip differential, 3.73 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; sport-ride suspension, electronic stability control, front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 23.7 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; express open/close sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers with chrome bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding with chrome bodyside insert; metallic monotone paint; projector beam highintensity headlamps with washer; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote chrome heated folding auto-dimming outside mirrors; 18" x 8" silver alloy wheels; P245/45YR18 BSW performance tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts, residual heat recirculation; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer, 8 premium speakers, premium amplifier, theft deterrent, window grid diversity antenna, steering wheel radio controls; cruise control; power heated door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release, power remote fuel door release; cell phone pre-wiring, 2 power accessory outlets, front and rear lighter elements, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener, smokers' package, first aid kit; instrumentation display includestachometer, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, low brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags, overhead airbag; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with front and rear 1-touch down function; double-pane side glass; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers with heated washer fluid jets, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front sports seats, power adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver and passenger seats include 8-way power adjustment, power 4-way lumbar support; heated driver's and passenger's seats, rear bench seat with power tilt headrests,center armrest with storage; height-adjustable front seatbelts with front and rear pretensioners; leather seats, simulated suede door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, genuine wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, genuine wood console insert, aluminum interior accents; memory on driver's and front passenger's 4-setting seat memory includes settings for exterior mirrors, steering wheel, headrests; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, driver's side auxiliary visor; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo net, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealedcargo storage; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.