German Car Forum

Old one, but still love it:

Audi S8 – Part One
Pilgrimage to Sant'Agata


The new Audi S8 is the first fruit of a significant harvest. Since 1998, the Lamborghini brand has – with Audi’s influence – undergone a transformation from exotic rarity to internationally successful supercar. Now it’s Audi’s turn to benefit from the fighting bull’s finer traits. The second-generation Audi S8 unites cool German architecture with Italian flair, the sporty flagship of the model range inheriting ten cylinders from the Lamborghini Gallardo. With 450bhp and 540Nm of torque, the S8 promises exceptional performance; but has the engine’s essential Italian character been lost in translation? There’s only one way to find out. We sent the Audi S8 on a pilgrimage from Ingolstadt, over the Alps into Italy, and on to Sant'Agata Bolognese, the homeland of Automobili Lamborghini.



At first sight there’s not much to identify the Italian blood running in the veins of this purposefully-styled S8. It sits in the underground car park looking cool and rational, as if to emphasise the international stereotype of the emotionless German engineer. To the eye it’s all technology, reason and mathematics; there’s no trace of high blood pressure. Only a few details distinguish it from the less sporty models in the range: a large, single-grille radiator with chrome trim, and three narrow air-intakes beneath. The rear-view mirrors and door handles in aluminum, and the quartet of elliptical tail-pipes whisper exclusivity, as does the integrated spoiler lip at the rear.



In the interior the differences continue with an abundance of chrome and aluminum. The three-spoke steering wheel feels superb and, owing to Keyless Go technology, the ignition key remains in your pocket. Starting the ten-cylinder engine simply requires a short push on the starter key. The engine awakes with a hoarse growl, which causes the hair to stand up on my arms despite noise-absorbing double glazing. The Gallardo sounds different, more hostile and unrestrained – nevertheless this is the most animal sound I have yet heard from a saloon. I pull the gearlever into Drive, carefully squeeze the throttle – and the car jumps abruptly forward. The white needle twitches readily against the grey rev-counter, and I emerge cautiously from the multi-storey car park, programming the navigation system with my destination.



The ten-cylinder mid-mounted engine of the current Lamborghini Gallardo generates an output of 520bhp and a maximum torque of 510Nm from its five litres. For the Audi sports saloon the stroke was increased to give a displacement of 5.2 litres. At the same time, the engine was equipped according to Audi philosophy with the latest direct injection, introducing the fuel into the cylinders at up to 100 bar pressure. The maximum torque of the Audi S8 was raised to 540Nm, of which 90% is available from just 2,300rpm. A little more throttle, and the selection of ‘Sport’ mode, and the V10 immediately growls more loudly, beginning to roar like a group of low-flying Italian aircraft in attack formation. The car pulls impatiently forward.



I decide against a straight burn-up down the motorway and opt instead for a small detour over the legendary Swiss Malojapass. On the sharper curves toward Engadin the Audi S8 demonstrates its superlative technology: despite the heavy all-wheel drive the total weight, thanks to its aluminum spaceframe, is only 1,940kg, giving it a better power-to-weight ratio than a Porsche 911. The 0-100km/h sprint takes just 5.1 seconds. The car responds tautly and precisely, the steering proves pleasantly easy and direct, while the sporting suspension ensures almost magnetic road-holding.



Down the valley, through steep, wet hairpins, the S8 comes to life, its hoarse engine note acknowledging the slightest pressure from my throttle foot. I provoke the car further, downshifting and steering hard into each corner, but the car remains agile and predictable. Before me the Val Bregaglia opens up, the road unwinding into the early morning light, and the xenon headlights illuminate the curves. Still another hour to Milan, and then the road to Bologna and Sant'Agata Bolognese, where a Lamborghini Gallardo awaits us.

To be continued...


Audi S8 - Part Two
Audi S8 Part Two


Sant'Agata Bolognese is under thick fog; the narrow highways disappear into the early morning light as I reach Automobili Lamborghini. Men in black examine me critically. I am here to deliver a challenge, a family duel: Audi versus Lamborghini, technology versus temperament. I’ve come more than 700km over the Alps in the Audi S8 from Ingolstadt, pushing the chassis and brakes to the limit in the tight curves of the Malojapass.



Now it’s the turn of the yellow Lamborghini Gallardo. What I hadn’t counted on was that I would be exchanging weapons with legendary Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni, who now takes the wheel of the Audi S8 with a friendly smile. As soon as I press the Gallardo’s starter, the engine responds with a hoarse bark. With two fingers I pull the right gearshift paddle towards me, selecting first, and squeeze the throttle with caution. Valentino seems to need no time to acclimatise to the Audi, and is already some hundred metres ahead as I chase the rev-counter up the dial and shoot away in hot pursuit.



Balboni has a clear home advantage – since 1968 he’s been a test driver on the highways around Sant'Agata. Here he tested the revolutionary mid-engined Miura, examined the first futuristic Countach prototypes and helped develop the new Gallardo. A private test track is not the Lamborghini way. Valentino knows each curve, each bump of the road – and is fearless in his handling of the Audi S8, accelerating and braking in a staccato rhythm. The 5-litre V10 of the Gallardo, on which the engine of the Audi S8 is based, produces 520bhp and 510Nm of torque and catapults the experienced driver in to 100km/h in four seconds. The Audi S8 is leisurely by comparison; with 450bhp and 1940kg it needs a good second more to reach 100 km/h. Nevertheless it demands my full concentration to keep up with Balboni in his silver saloon.

The Lamborghini is from another world. It is harder, more hostile, and accepts no compromises. The gearbox whips through the ratios, like a bull chasing hard on the tail of the V10. But the Audi’s extra 30Nm of torque gives it a sporting nature of a different sort. Valentino smiles, he’s in his element: “Torque! Molto buono!” He tears through the industrial landscape of northern Italy with me, in the Gallardo, hard on his heels. A pursuit worthy of Hollywood. In this homeland of the supercars, with Ferrari, Maserati and Pagani just a few kilometres away, roaring engines are simply a part of everyday life.



At the side of the road a sign comes into view, announcing that we’ve returned to Sant'Agata Bolognese. Balboni seems to have finished his personal route, and steers the Audi off the road. I roll after him, hands still glued rigidly to the steering wheel. When I peel myself free of the deep cockpit, I see the S8 being welcomed with interest by the young men who work there. The Gallardo and Murciélago are a common sight to them, but the high-performance saloon from Germany is rarer. Balboni comes over to me, smiling. Actually, he does a lot of smiling – perhaps because of his job? “What next?” he asks with the charm of a host. “Something relaxing,” I suggest. "Perhaps a ride in a classic?"



Ten minutes later I find myself wedged into the passenger seat of a Lamborghini Countach. The twelve-cylinder engine roars like a pack of wild dogs. Valentino shows no mercy, driving hard despite desperately poor visibility. In the rear-view mirror I think I can make out, far in the distance, the silver front of the Audi S8 with our photographer Miguel Martinez at the wheel, trying hard to keep up. I sneak a glimpse at the speedo, and see the orange needle twitching between 240 km/h and 260 km/h – and yes, we’re still on the public road. A blue Lamborghini Gallardo with ‘Polizia’ on the side appears, the officers giving us a friendly wave. "The Countach was developed on this road," explains Balboni. There is obviously strong local feeling for such a car. But what does the famous Lamborghini test driver choose as his everyday transport? Valentino smiles, and answers: “A beautiful Audi!” We might have guessed.


Text: Jan Baedeker
Photo: Jan Baedeker / Miguel Martinez
Video: Jan Baedeker / Miguel Martinez (Kamera) / Maike Möller (Schnitt)