GTP Cool Wall: 1996-2002 Audi S8

[Wiegert]

1996-2002 Audi S8 nominated by @Mark II Blit

Body Style: 4-door sedan
Engine: 4.2L V8 (32-valve), 4.2L V8 (40-valve)
Power: 335 hp (32-valve), 355 hp (40-valve)
Torque: 302 lb-ft (32-valve), 317 lb-ft (40-valve)
Weight: 1720 kg (manual) to 1750 kg (automatic)
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-engined, all wheel drive
Additional Information:
The first-generation Audi S8 was the first full-size luxury sedan from Germany's "Big Three" luxury brands to wear a performance moniker from the factory. The combination of high-strung V8, low weight (owing to its all-aluminium construction), Quattro four-wheel-drive system, and sports-tuned suspension promised a driver-focused experience. Although a majority of S8 buyers opted for the Tiptronic automatic, the unique option of a manual transmission through all model years further emphasized the enthusiast nature of the S8.

The S8 remained virtually unrivalled in its class until the introduction of the highly-priced Mercedes-Benz S 55 AMG in early 1999, although the Mercedes reflected a different philosophy altogether. With a large-displacement V8 and unchanged air suspension from a non-AMG model, the fortes of the S 55 were ride comfort and brutal straight-line speed as opposed to the jack-of-all-trades, meticulously balanced character of the Audi.​

Spoiler: Additional Pics

 

[Famine]

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[Dennisch]

I love these fat ****ers. A giant blob of autobahn monster.

 

[Tyger]

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I'd still choose that XM in a heartbeat

 

[GTP_Ingram]

One of very few Audis that I actually want to own. Cool.

 

[Neddo]

Should be as one of examples for word sleeper in dictionaries.

 

[MisterWaffles]

If you were offered one of these, you'd have to be insane to turn it down. Cool

 

[AudiMan2011]

Discreet, powerful, menacing autobahn destroyer.

Cool.

 

[LivingWithGames]

Oh heeey, one of them Audi's I actually forgot.

I barely watched Ronin too...but visual wise? I dig it, a lot. Cool.

 

[Ken]

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One of the reasons that I chose to vote cool.

 

[Mark II Blit]

Possibly the only cool Audi ever made. Understated, underappreciated, and undervalued on today's market (something, something, catastrophic maintenance costs!).

As for Ronin, the Nice chase—though underrated like the hero car itself—was superior to the Paris chase. The latter always felt too contrived compared to the former. The highway scenes especially were plagued by shoddy interior shots and frivolous explosions that broke immersion.

 

[homeforsummer]

Low cool. Understated and fairly timeless styling - buy one today and Average Joe in the street wouldn't know you'd not spent a fortune on it, cleverly helped by Audi's styling strategy of making everything from the past 20 years look more or less the same.

 

[Turbo]

A big car that looks quite fun to drive. Cool.

 

[Wiegert]

Don't think those 12 spoke rims suited the late D2 S8. Otherwise it was perfectly discrete for a full-size sports saloon.

Cool.

 

[Roger the Horse]

Boxes. Will be cool in five years. Probably.

 

[All Your Base]

One of the coolest cars Audi has ever produced, alongside the Quattro (especially the Quattro Sport variant), RS2 Avant, and the C5 RS6.

Sub-Zero.

 

[VXR]

Sub Zero. Performance in a discrete suit, especially the earlier cars.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I love this era for luxury high performance sedans, some of the best ones came out of Germany looks and performance wise. This being one of the best runners if not the best.

 

[Razor440]

A good, solid cool in my book.

 

[MoLiEG]

Solid Cool. Love it.