Verdict
A
Luxury Saloon · Germany · 1996-Present
Audi S8
Audi S8 — spec data and generation history.
Years
1996-Present
Generations
4
Segment
Luxury Saloon
Audi's flagship performance saloon — sleeper limo. D2 (1996–2002) — 4.2 V8, 355 bhp, immortalised by the Transporter films. D3 (2006–2010) — 5.2 V10 (Lambo Gallardo), 444 bhp. D4 (2012–2018) — 4.0 TFSI biturbo V8, 513 bhp (S8 plus: 597 bhp). D5 (2019-Present) — 4.0 TFSI biturbo V8 MHEV, 563 bhp. Always quattro, always understated, always faster than it looks.
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1996-2002
D2
→
4.2 V8 quattro — 355 bhp, 0-62 in 5.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
355
0–60
5.6 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
17 mpg
Used
$6,400-$23,000
- + Aluminium body — light
- + Transporter film fame
- − Aluminium body specialist repair only
- − Heavy thirst
2006-2010
D3
→
5.2 V10 quattro — 444 bhp, 0-62 in 5.1s.
Verdict
A
BHP
444
0–60
5.1 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
17 mpg
Used
$13,000-$36,000
- + 5.2 V10 — Gallardo-derived
- + Sleeper limo
- − V10 service costs
- − Air suspension wear
2012-2018
D4
→
S8 plus 4.0 TFSI quattro — 597 bhp, 0-62 in 3.8s.
Verdict
A
BHP
597
0–60
3.8 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$23,000-$57,000
- + 4.0 TFSI biturbo V8
- + S8 plus 597 bhp
- − COD stutter complaints
- − Carbon build-up
2019-Present
D5
→
4.0 TFSI MHEV quattro — 563 bhp, 0-62 in 3.8s.
Verdict
A
BHP
563
0–60
3.8 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$51,000-$133,000
- + 4.0 TFSI MHEV
- + Active anti-roll
- − Heavy
- − Premium pricing
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1996-2002 · D2
- 4.2 V8 timing chain (front)
- Aluminium body repair specialist
- Air suspension wear
2006-2010 · D3
- 5.2 V10 service costs
- Carbon build-up
- Air suspension compressor
2012-2018 · D4
- 4.0 TFSI carbon build-up
- 8-speed Tiptronic mechatronic
- COD stutter
2019-Present · D5
- MHEV 48V system fault codes
- Carbon build-up
- MMI freezes pre-2022
Rivals
Mercedes-AMG S63 · BMW M760Li · Porsche Panamera Turbo · Audi A8