Audi recently was able to pump out some extra performance and power from the already very potent 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged TFSI V8 in both the Audi RS7 and Audi S8. In extra-strength from, these two cars are now dubbed the RS7 Performance and S8 Plus (don’t ask why Audi doesn’t just stick to one name, we don’t know either) and they’re both very, very fast. Now putting down 605 hp in both cars, mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, this pairs is able to get from 0-60 mph in around 3.7 seconds, though a bit faster for the RS7 Performance. That’s madness in cars as big and luxurious as they are.
Well, the lucky bastards at Autoweek were able to get the pair for a roadtrip from Miami to Daytona, to check out the Rolex 24 that Audi was participating in, and they’ve come back with quite a lot of praise. It’s funny, typically with press events like this one, journalists are flown to a pretty place, put up and a nice hotel and given a chance to test out awesome cars on awesome roads and it’s all paid for by the automaker. This usually means that the journalists are quite pleased when they’re writing about the cars and tend to write nicer things. But this location, and unfortunate weather, was one of the worst places to drive these cars.
The trip from Miami to Daytona is very flat, very straight and very boring. So not the best place to test out two 605 hp super sedans. Plus it rained heavily their entire trip with the cars, forcing them to drive slowly in cars that want to drive quickly. Very quickly. So it wasn’t the best meeting of the cars. However, the folks at Autoweek only have glowing things to say about these two cars, despite the less-than-ideal conditions.
The power is always there, obviously, regardless of gear or rpm, just stab the throttle and hit hyperspeed. These cars are massively powerful, which could be scary in the rain, but the Quattro all-wheel drive system and clever software keep the power down and the cars pointing straight. The ride is comfortable as well, though Florida roads are very flat so it wasn’t much of a test. Autoweek also raved about the interiors, wondering “Why can’t all car companies do interiors like Audi?”.
Audi S8 Plus – Interior
But the biggest thing they learned while driving these two beasts in the pouring rain is just how good of cruisers they are. They’re confident, comfortable, extremely powerful, very fast and have gorgeously appointed interiors. Though, we could have already surmised that, it’s interesting to hear people rave about these two cars while driving them in the least ideal conditions. We can’t wait to get our hands on them.
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