2020 Audi S8 Coming To LA, A8 TFSI e PHEV Confirmed For U.S.

Audi’s stand at the 2019 LA Auto Show will be quite crowded, as the German automaker has just announced the all-new 2020 S8 will be present as well.

The performance luxury sedan will join two world premieres at the show, the e-tron Sportback all-electric crossover and RS Q8 high-performance SUV, as well as another U.S. debut, the 2020 RS6 Avant. In a first for the U.S. market, the all-new Audi S8 will only be available as a long-wheelbase model.

The flagship model is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 563 HP (571 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. Hooked to an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and standard quattro permanent AWD with self-locking center diff, the new S8 sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.8 seconds and can hit a limited top track speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

Related: Audi USA Details 2020 Lineup – A3 Gets Final Edition, While A3 Cabriolet Is Dropped

2020 Audi S8

As with the Euro-model, the U.S.-spec 2020 S8 comes equipped as standard with dynamic all-wheel steering, a quattro sport differential and predictive active suspension. Illuminating HD Matrix-design headlights are also standard on the S8, with customers also being offered the option of Audi Laser Light and OLED animated taillights.

While on the outside the all-new Audi S8 features subtle upgrades such as more aggressive bumpers, sharper side sills, silver mirror caps, unique wheels and quad exhaust pipes, the interior is more lavish than understated.

2020 Audi S8

Features include Valcona leather front sport seats with diamond stitching, upper dash inlay made of Carbon Vector with a special 3D depth effect, brushed matte aluminum lower inlay, a Premium Air Quality system with cabin air ionization and refreshing scents, and dual-pane acoustic glass. The 2020 Audi S8 is priced from $129,500.

Besides the new S8, the 2020 Audi A8 lineup adds another model, the A8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid. It combines a 335 HP (340 PS) 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with a 100 kW (134 HP / 136 PS) electric motor for a total output of 443 HP (449 PS / 330 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque.

2020 Audi A8 TFSI e

The TFSI e is only marginally slower than the S8, going from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 4.9 seconds. However, it’s 0.7 seconds faster than the standard A8 V6 thanks to the assistance of the electric motor integrated into the torque converter of the eight-speed automatic transmission. Also part of the powertrain is a 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that enables an all-electric driving range of up to 46 km (28.6 miles) in the Euro model (WLTP) – the EPA certified range for the U.S. model is not available yet.

The 2020 A8 lineup also includes the $96,800 60 TFSI that’s powered by a 453 HP 4.0-liter V8 and the entry-level 55 TFSI which uses a 335 HP 3.0-liter V6 and starts at $85,200. Prices for the plug-in hybrid version will be announced at a later date.

Note: Euro-spec models shown; all prices exclude a $995 destination charge