While currently more versatile in MY2016 form, last year’s redesigned S8 was able to keep Audi’s flagship presence afloat in a very difficult US market.
Just like in Europe, US buyers favored the Mercedes-Benz S-Class heavily when it came down to purchasing a brand new luxury limousine for themselves. However, unlike in Europe, the 2015 A8/S8 had to take a backseat against the likes of the BMW 7-Series and Lexus LS in terms of sales.
Just because a car receives a facelift, doesn’t mean that it’s not an aging model. Both the A8 and the S8 are already trailing what Mercedes-Benz and BMW have going for themselves in this segment, especially when looking at things like on-board tech and perhaps even inside & outside aesthetics.
Though that last part is questionable. Audi’s idea of a limousine still remains an extremely competent, comfortable and impeccably put together car, and the top of the line 520 PS S8 can still hang with any of its direct rivals in terms of performance.
Of course, nowadays people can just order the 2016 S8 plus ($114,900) if they want to go even faster. It has 605 PS and it will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds, unlike the “non-plus” version which can only manage that task in 4.2 seconds. How awful, right?
The 2015 Audi S8 is without a doubt still a benchmark worthy car. You can easily compare anything else to it and the other way around, without seeing any monstrous differences between the lot and saying to yourself that the Audi isn’t even worth considering.
This particular one looks business-like as usual, but with a small twist of custom Vossen VPS-307 wheels, which tend to have a more artistic design compared to the VPS-306 or the 310 series wheels.
The spokes are beautifully split down the middle, which makes for a really great look, whereas the red Vossen logo adds some much needed contrast, while also matching with the ‘S’ badges and the taillights.
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