I test drove 2016 S8 Plus yesterday

[VeryBadman]

I stopped at Audi Concord which is my local dealership to coordinate an event for the Audi group here in NorCal and was told to take a new 2016 S8 Plus on the floor out for the spin. The manager there was so insisting that I have to drive it so okay, why not? Coming from a Unitronic Tuned RS7 here is my thought on the S8 Plus. I think it shouldn't be that different from comparing RS7 to RS7 Performance as well.

Interior: Super luxurious as you should expect from the 8 model, the carbon trim has red twill which is pretty cool. It's such a nice place to sit in and very comfortable. Only minus point for me but could be plus for some people is that it's so quiet. Pretty much I can hear nothing whatsoever. Granted, that S8 Plus didn't have sport exhaust as well so I'm not sure if the sport exhaust will make a whole different but I kinda doubt it.

Performance: With now 605HP the acceleration of the S8 Plus is quite amazing and definitely pulling harder than 560HP in stock RS7. However, my car is tuned so it's noticeably pulling harder than that so this confirms my take on getting RS7 Performance that we better think of paying extra for carbon ceramic brakes setup, not the added performance from extra 45HP because slapping on a stage 1 tune to RS7 will make it quicker than RS7 Performance instantly.

Handling: I have to say that it handles very well for a car that big and holds on to the corner pretty tight. I was quite amazed by that since I expected S8 to handle almost like a boat but it wasn't that bad. However, we can't really fight the physic that it's a big car and I could tell that there was a big mass in my hands during cornering and it's quite significantly heavier than RS7. Anyway, all in all I think S8 can handle nicely still.

Bottom line: From my bias and preference, I still pick RS7 over an S8 Plus. Yes, it's an amazing car but Audi puts a bit too much luxury into it for my liking. However, if you want a car that is very comfortable for long drive with performance to back it up when you need S8 Plus might be the car for you. Anyway, if you really want to get one, you probably want to check the Dynamic Package option or otherwise the cabin will be way too quiet for a car with that much power.

[Demandred]

nice review - when you look at them as a limo almost they are amazing for what you can get out of them

[Serpent]

Nice - my dealer has a S8 plus as well that they wanted me to test drive as well, unfortunately due to time constraints I had to pass. I did drive a regular S8 before my RS7 and my sentiments are same as yours. I'll still give the S8 plus a go if when I swing by next time the car is still there.

[VVG]

S8 is just too big. Even my S6 drives a little big for my tastes. I have come to realize that I am a smaller car kind of guy. I just like the tighter feel. I really love my wife's S3 in that regard. Too bad you can't get real premium luxury and premium power in a smaller car. The only larger car that I have driven that does drive tightly is the Panamera.

[marty was here]

thats very interesting that you feel that there is such a gulf in mass, considering that the weight difference is only ~200lbs

because, aluminum.

wonder if your car is also on air bags like the s8?

[VeryBadman]

S8 is just too big. Even my S6 drives a little big for my tastes. I have come to realize that I am a smaller car kind of guy. I just like the tighter feel. I really love my wife's S3 in that regard. Too bad you can't get real premium luxury and premium power in a smaller car. The only larger car that I have driven that does drive tightly is the Panamera.

Only small car with premium luxury and power I can think of is 911 Turbo S but that comes with very premium price tag.

thats very interesting that you feel that there is such a gulf in mass, considering that the weight difference is only ~200lbs

because, aluminum.

wonder if your car is also on air bags like the s8?

I think 200lbs is very noticeable. At least I can tell the different in weight between 21" stock cast wheels and light weight forged wheels in which the difference in weight is about 100lbs or less.

And yes, my car is also air ride but lowered.

[justcured]

At least I can tell the different in weight between 21" stock cast wheels and light weight forged wheels in which the difference in weight is about 100lbs or less.

A 100 pound reduction in unsprung weight is huge, on any car and under any circumstances.

[Barritia]

200lbs does make a car feel very different. My mate weights about that and when he's in my car it feels like I lost about 80hp and handling is def affected.