A luxury sedan that focuses more on sport.
When Audi unveiled their new S8 model it came with a great deal of new technology and the new 4.0 TFSI engine, which was packed with potential. The team at ABT Sportsline is looking to tap into the new twin-turbocharged V-8 with their upcoming ABT AS8 model and turn the sports sedan into a “sports car limo.”
“For us, the new AS8 is the best of both worlds, that is, the best in terms of both comfort and acceleration and agility“, says Hans-Jürgen Abt, Managing Director ABT Sportsline. “After all, the AS8 has to meet our premium customers’ standards when it comes to performance and luxuriousness.”
The new 4.0 TFSI replaces the bigger and arguably more exotic 5.2-liter V-10 used in the previous generation S8, and offers better efficiency in virtually every aspect. In stock form, the engine packs a lot of wallop with 520 ponies churning all four wheels. But in the ABT AS8, the engine has been upgraded by approximately 20 percent for an estimated 620 horsepower and 575 lb-ft. of torque. But, this is only the estimated output and could reach even higher levels of fun once the final testing is completed.
With the new ABT Power upgrade, the new ABT AS8 is set to reach sports car levels of performance, hence the “sports car-limo” moniker from ABT Sportsline. The 0-62 mph sprint will take a mere 4.0 seconds flat, 37 – 62 mph can be accomplished in 2.8 seconds with fourth gear, while the fifth gear 50-75 mph run takes 3.5 seconds. The tuned Audi S8 can also reach 124 mph in just over 13 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 180 mph.
In terms of chassis refinement and modifications, ABT Sportsline has kept things mostly stock to complement the already precise (for a large sedan) handling. The pneumatic suspension can be upgraded with the ABT Control system that can electronically alter the ride height for an optimum center of gravity. A number of wheels are also available from the German tuner on the ABT AS8, with the 19-, 20-, and 21-inch in-house CR or DR lightweight alloy wheels to match the exterior design. The wheels also come with high-performance tires to ensure maximum grip, handling, and braking at all times.
The new ABT AS8 upgrade program for the new Audi S8 will be available from the German tuner shortly after the final stages of testing are completed. Pricing for all of the upgrades has not been released.
ABT AS8 Audi S8 Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 4.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: V-8
Aspiration: Twin-turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 620/456 kW (est.)
Maximum Torque: 575 lb-ft./780 Nm (est.)
-ABT Power upgrades
Performance:
Acceleration 0-62 mph: approx. 4 seconds
Acceleration 37-62 mph (4th gear): 2.8 seconds
Acceleration 50-75 mph (5th gear): 3.5 seconds
Acceleration 0-124 mph: >13.0 seconds
Top Speed: 180 mph/290 km/h (electronically limited)
Wheels and Suspension:
Wheels: CR Sport Wheels or DR Sport Wheels lightweight alloy in 19-21 inch diameters
Tires: High-performance
Suspension: ABT Control pneumatic lowering module
ABT AS8 Audi S8 Gallery
[Source: ABT Sportsline]
What do you think of the power output on the ABT AS8? Leave a comment and let us know!
