Two weeks ago we brought you news of the ABT Sportsline AS7, a tuning package that boosted the Audi S7′s power figures to closely match those of the bigger Audi S8. Now, however, the German tuners have moved the goal posts once again, with the release of the ABT Sportsline AS8.
Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter, which lies with the Audi S8′s 4.0-litre TFSI V8 engine. In standard guise the engine pumps out 382 kW and 650 Nm, certainly nothing to be sneezed at when you consider Audi’s flagship R8 V10 achieves just 386 kW and 530 Nm. Once ABT have delved under the bonnet, or rather plugged-in their laptop, the engine is tuned to produce 456 kW and 780 Nm. That’s an inordinate amount of power in a luxury, full-size, executive saloon. As a benchmark, that’s the same peak power as a Porsche 911 GT2 RS and more torque than a W12-powered Bentley Continental Supersports.
The performance figures are just as impressive, or mind blowing depending on whether you’re actually sitting in the car. The benchmark 0 – 100 km/h sprint is over and done with in around 4 seconds, while 0 – 200 km/h takes a touch over 13 seconds. Thanks to the huge great lump of torque, 4th gear acceleration from 60 – 100 km/h takes just 2.8 seconds and in 5th gear the AS8 needs just 3.5 seconds to go from 80 – 120 km/h. The top speed has been electronically limited to 290 km/h, but we imagine the car is capable of running past 330 km/h mark quite easily.
Also part of the AS8 tuning package is adjustable air suspension module, ‘ABT Level Control’, that can lower the car for improved handling. ABT don’t specify by how many millimeters though, but we presume it’s more than the car’s 10 mm range when optioned with Audi’s sports suspension. Also on offer are exclusive ABT wheel designs in 19- or 20-inch, although if you’re the kind of person who plans on taking your Audi S8 to ABT, we suspect you’d have already optioned a set of 20- or 21-inch items from the Audi catalog, as well as the optional carbon ceramic brakes.
