Audi New Zealand’s most prestigious sedan, the S8 TFSI quattro, is now available to order and comes with an array of new technology.

With a biturbo V8 engine with 420 kW of power and 800 Nm of torque, the S8 is priced at $265,900.

“New Zealanders love their performance cars, so we’re pleased to be able to offer a limited run of the high performance S8 in this market,” said Dean Sheed, General Manager of Audi New Zealand.

“With its V8 engine, luxury design and top of the line technology, we know this high-end sedan will satisfy the discerning luxury performance customer.”

The new S8 introduces design enhancements from the previous model, specifically elements in the front, side, and rear which significantly increase its presence on the road. 

The base of the singleframe grille is now wider, and chrome angles that increase in size from bottom to top decorate its grid. The rear is dominated by wide chrome clasps, a customisable taillight signature with digital OLEDs, and a continuous, segmented light strip.

The S8 has mild hybrid technology (MHEV) as a standard feature, which uses the 48-volt main electrical system. The 4.0 TFSI engine distributes its four litres of displacement to eight cylinders in a V-assembly. One highlight of the V8 is the cylinder on demand system (COD), which temporarily deactivates four cylinders for moderate driving.

The S8 engine is connected to a fast eight-step tiptronic. Thanks to an electric oil pump, the automatic transmission can change gears even when the combustion engine is not running.

The constant all-wheel-drive quattro with the sport differential and dynamic all-wheel steering is standard. It actively distributes torque between the rear wheels during fast cornering and thereby makes the handling even sportier and more stable.

The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is also standard, along with progressive steering.