The Audi A8 is the company's flagship sedan, setting exacting standards for both comfort and performance. It's available in two versions, the regular A8 and the performance-oriented S8 model, and both offer a rare level of luxury at the top of the executive market. Here's what you need to know about the A8, the S8, and the key differences between them. 

Refreshed Upscale Exterior

Both the A8 and S8 earn an exterior styling redesign for the 2022 model year. The key differences are mainly at the front end, where the grille has been expanded and redesigned to give a more dynamic appearance. Bumpers at the front and rear have been tweaked for a smoother outline, while new Digital Matrix LED headlights are backed up by OLED taillights.

The wheels have also been refined, with the standard 19" five-spoke design upgradeable to 20" or 21" options. And lastly, eleven exterior colors are available, including five new matte finishes, with an optional Black Appearance package adding dramatic matt black accents and accessories for a dark and moody look.

Spacious and Luxurious Interior

As a full-size sedan, the A8 can seat up to five passengers in genuinely spacious comfort. However, the second-row bench can be switched out for two individual seats, reducing the capacity to four but adding second-row heating, ventilation, foot massage, and a pair of individual entertainment tablets.

But whichever seating capacity you choose, the upholstery is finished with Valetta leather for a luxurious feel, along with 22-way power adjustment in the front row for ultimate comfort.

Powertrain and Performance Specs

At the heart of the A8 lies a meaty 3.0L turbo V6 engine, equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system to boost power while reducing fuel consumption. The overall output reaches 335 horsepower and 369lb-ft of torque passed to Quattro all-wheel drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

And while the figures are certainly impressive on paper, they also translate into excellent real-world performance, with the A8 turning in a 0-100km/h time of just 5.8 seconds. Combine this agile acceleration with a top speed of 209km/h and you've got a huge amount of driving appeal for a luxury executive sedan.

But the story doesn't end there. Upgrading to the performance-oriented S8 model adds even more power under the hood, with a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 cranking out 563 horsepower and 590lb-ft, again using a 48V mild hybrid system paired with an eight-speed auto transmission and all-wheel drive. This powertrain can rocket the S8 from 0-100km/h in as little as 3.9 seconds, barely pausing for breath before hitting a top speed of 249km/h.

Smooth and Powerful Ride

With all this power available under the hood, the rest of the engineering needs to be up to the task of handling the explosive performance. Both the A8 and S8 are fitted with adaptive air suspension which continuously adjusts the dampers to give the smoothest of rides over all types of surfaces. Four-wheel steering is also standard for pinpoint accuracy when cornering, and together these two features mean the A8/S8 handles beautifully whether cruising on the highway or tearing up the track.

Advanced Interior Technology

Slip behind the wheel of the A8/S8 and you'll be met with a wealth of instruments and displays. The dash is designed around the Audi Virtual Cockpit concept, based on a 12.3" digital instrument cluster as the main display.

However, there are two further touchscreen displays mounted on the center console. The upper screen measures 10.1" and is used for infotainment and navigation control, while the lower 8.6" unit handles climate control, seat heating and ventilation, in-seat massage, and other comfort functions. Onboard Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and in-dash navigation are all standard, while a head-up display is an optional extra.

The Audi Connect Plus system is available to provide a range of integrated assistance tools, including car finder, remote vehicle service, and roadside assistance, along with enhanced security functions including a stolen vehicle locator.

And lastly, the standard 18-speaker premium 3D Bang & Olufsen audio can be upgraded to a 23-speaker rig for earth-shaking sounds on the move.

Peace of Mind: Safety-Enhancing Tech and Driver Assistance

The A8's high level of technology is also evident in the extensive amount of active safety and driver-assist systems included as standard. Key features to give peace of mind include:

- Advanced collision mitigation and avoidance using onboard sensors, cameras, and lasers. 

- Cross-traffic assist to prevent incidents when pulling through an intersection, with automatic braking if needed.

- Full 360-degree visibility with a virtual 3D top camera view. 

- Adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist, automatic stop-start control, and traffic jam assist.

Browse Our Audi A8 and S8 Inventory in Toronto

Experience the luxury and power of the Audi A8 and S8 by booking a test drive from our Toronto location. When you're looking for the ultimate in executive sedan quality, you can't look further than these flagship Audi models.