With 382 kW (520 hp) – the S8 is Audi’s big sports sedan. Its 4.0 TFSI paired with quattro all-wheel drive accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.1 seconds, yet consumes on average just 9.6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (24.50 US mpg), corresponding to 225 grams CO2 per kilometer (362.10 g/mile). The COD technology that greatly improves the efficiency of the sonorous, twin-turbo V8 under part load is largely responsible for this top value. In four-cylinder mode, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) uses precise antiphase noise to eliminate intrusive noise in the interior, while active engine mounts dampen vibrations. The A8 4.0 TFSI quattro, the A8 L W12 quattro and the A8 hybrid also have the ANC system on board.

The Audi S8 is the only member of the A8 family whose exhaust system ends in two elliptical dual tailpipes. Dynamic steering, the quattro powertrain with sport differential and the adaptive air suspension sport with an S-specific setup are standard. The wheels are 20 inches in diameter, and the brake calipers on the front axle bear S8 emblems.

The Audi A8 can be distinguished visually by means of several distinctive design modifications The Audi design selection black/vermont brown with Carbon twill copper inlays is available for the interior.