
The S8 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4 seconds, which is a direct reflection of the car's power. Taking the 2021 Audi S8 as an example, it belongs to the full-size car category with body dimensions of 5302mm in length, 1946mm in width, and 1483mm in height, a wheelbase of 3128mm, a fuel tank capacity of 82 liters, and a trunk capacity of 505 liters. The 2021 Audi S8 features a multi-link independent suspension at the front and rear, and is powered by a 4.0L twin-turbocharged engine that delivers a maximum horsepower of 571 PS, a maximum power of 420 kW, and a maximum torque of 800 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

I drove my friend's S8, and the acceleration felt like riding a rocket. The official 0-100 km/h time is just 3.8 seconds. This car uses a 4.0T V8 twin-turbo engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid system—step on the gas, and you're instantly pinned to the seat. The quattro all-wheel-drive system keeps the tires firmly gripping the road, so even rainy-day acceleration won’t cause wheelspin. But you’ll need to fill it with 98-octane fuel, and the fuel consumption isn’t exactly low—around 15 L/100 km in the city. Personally, I’d say this car is perfect for sudden bursts of speed during highway cruising when overtaking. That addictive kick of instant thrust is intoxicating, though it feels like overkill for daily commutes.

As a seasoned driver who has been driving German cars for years, I am deeply impressed by the acceleration performance of the S8. Its 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds is quite rare among large sedans. I particularly noticed its carbon-ceramic brake discs, which provide exceptionally stable high-speed braking, perfectly complementing its acceleration capabilities. Despite its nearly 5-meter-long body, the air suspension automatically lowers the center of gravity during rapid acceleration. The only thing to note is that this car has high fuel requirements, and its tire wear is much faster than that of a regular A8. It is recommended that owners regularly check the drivetrain and tire pressure to ensure full performance during every acceleration.

From a technical perspective, the S8 achieves a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of approximately 3.8 seconds. This is primarily attributed to four key factors: the 571-horsepower V8 engine delivers formidable thrust, the 8-speed automatic transmission shifts gears in just 0.2 seconds, the torque-vectoring quattro all-wheel-drive system prevents power loss, and the lightweight aluminum body is over 200 kg lighter than a standard D-class sedan. During actual testing, it was found that launch control requires deactivating ESP and other electronic systems, with Sport mode being the optimal setting. Notably, battery charge level affects the 48V mild-hybrid system's assist performance, and acceleration may be about 0.3 seconds slower when ambient temperatures drop below 10°C.

Last week, I test-drove the S8 on the track, and its 3.8-second 0-100km/h acceleration was truly stunning. At the moment of launch, the front wheels slightly slipped but were immediately controlled by the quattro system—the whole process felt like being catapulted by a giant slingshot. Compared to the BMW M5, the S8's acceleration is more linear and less abrupt. But what truly impresses is its comfort as a luxury executive sedan. Even at full throttle, the double-glazed acoustic windows reduce the engine roar to a deep hum. Personally, the S8's balance is what moves me the most—it can comfortably chauffeur clients while effortlessly outperforming 90% of performance cars on the road, with rear legroom spacious enough to cross your legs.

Our car enthusiast group has been buzzing about the S8's acceleration performance lately, with actual tests consistently showing 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds. This car incorporates numerous racing technologies, such as a dry-sump engine that ensures lubrication during extreme acceleration. I've spoken with performance shop technicians who say the factory tuning is already quite aggressive, leaving little room for improvement through ECU remapping. Interestingly, in comfort mode it behaves as docile as a regular A8, but switching to dynamic mode transforms it instantly. One caveat: oil temperatures rise quickly during spirited driving, so installing an additional cooling system is recommended. While buyers of this car likely aren't concerned about fuel costs, finding 98-octane gasoline can be surprisingly challenging.


