Pete RD
01-27-2001, 07:21 PM
I just sent this to a friend as we both own A6 2.7T/6-speeds...
The S8!!! VERY nice! If ever there was a understatement, THAT'S IT!
JUST got back from a short "spin" in John's (back-door neighbor) 3-day old autobahn-burner...quite a car! It easily lives up to all the hype/expectations...worthy of the "flag-ship" role it fills.
Engine: Most impressive. A steady flow of effortless power, something we're used to and you'd understand. As a result, does not feel at all like a 4200+ lb automobile. Rather quiet with just a hint of V8 ...but put your foot down and it responds strongly, smoothly with a WONDERFULL growl that lets you know what's happening without being too intrusive. It's there for the driver to listen to, but will not offend those who don't understand these things.
Transmission: Strong, smooth up-shifts in both tip and regular modes. Down-shifts better than I've experienced in the past, but not "sudden"..."slight" delay. Tip controls on the sports steering-wheel are easy to get used to...if I can remember to use them. With no clutch/shifter I have to remind myself that I must still pay attention and shift. Using the consol shifter in "tip" mode was more natural to me. Yeah...I know...eat my heart out!
Suspension: A real joy. Most impressive. Smooth, firm without being "jiggly" at all speeds and very composed in sweeping on/off ramps where John kept saying "Go ahead...push it...see what it will do!" I could simply feed in the power and the suspension kept everything under controll...no roll-over to a different "set", or anything like that. Gives me something to "shoot" for as a final set-up for my car.
Steering: Consistant feel/boost. After driving our cars, I'd say it is a little firmer than ours, but it does have wide (245/45 x 18) tires carrying 4200+ lbs, so maybe that is the difference.
Seats: Not the same Recaro seats as in the European version...more like our seats with a slightly higher side-bolster. The thigh-support extends out like the urS4/S6 seats. I think they are a bit better than our sport seats, if that's possible.
Over-all impressions: Very solid feeling. Firm. Does not feel/drive like the big car it really is. I hit the rr tire on the curb making a right-hand turn, because the wheel-base is longer than our cars. Glad I went from a A6 driving back-ground instead of directly from my old A4 into the S8!
I think there will be a demand for the manual transmission if for no other reason than the true, serious driver will want one for the "total involvement" driving experience.
I also think our cars "measure up" rather well. We have the driving experience and "visceral" feel of a sports sedan, with a great engine/transmission and, soon, a "proper" suspension. We already have the wheels/tires, and Audi saw fit to provide good brakes.
PS...last comments were in reference to our A6 2.7Ts.
The S8!!! VERY nice! If ever there was a understatement, THAT'S IT!
JUST got back from a short "spin" in John's (back-door neighbor) 3-day old autobahn-burner...quite a car! It easily lives up to all the hype/expectations...worthy of the "flag-ship" role it fills.
Engine: Most impressive. A steady flow of effortless power, something we're used to and you'd understand. As a result, does not feel at all like a 4200+ lb automobile. Rather quiet with just a hint of V8 ...but put your foot down and it responds strongly, smoothly with a WONDERFULL growl that lets you know what's happening without being too intrusive. It's there for the driver to listen to, but will not offend those who don't understand these things.
Transmission: Strong, smooth up-shifts in both tip and regular modes. Down-shifts better than I've experienced in the past, but not "sudden"..."slight" delay. Tip controls on the sports steering-wheel are easy to get used to...if I can remember to use them. With no clutch/shifter I have to remind myself that I must still pay attention and shift. Using the consol shifter in "tip" mode was more natural to me. Yeah...I know...eat my heart out!
Suspension: A real joy. Most impressive. Smooth, firm without being "jiggly" at all speeds and very composed in sweeping on/off ramps where John kept saying "Go ahead...push it...see what it will do!" I could simply feed in the power and the suspension kept everything under controll...no roll-over to a different "set", or anything like that. Gives me something to "shoot" for as a final set-up for my car.
Steering: Consistant feel/boost. After driving our cars, I'd say it is a little firmer than ours, but it does have wide (245/45 x 18) tires carrying 4200+ lbs, so maybe that is the difference.
Seats: Not the same Recaro seats as in the European version...more like our seats with a slightly higher side-bolster. The thigh-support extends out like the urS4/S6 seats. I think they are a bit better than our sport seats, if that's possible.
Over-all impressions: Very solid feeling. Firm. Does not feel/drive like the big car it really is. I hit the rr tire on the curb making a right-hand turn, because the wheel-base is longer than our cars. Glad I went from a A6 driving back-ground instead of directly from my old A4 into the S8!
I think there will be a demand for the manual transmission if for no other reason than the true, serious driver will want one for the "total involvement" driving experience.
I also think our cars "measure up" rather well. We have the driving experience and "visceral" feel of a sports sedan, with a great engine/transmission and, soon, a "proper" suspension. We already have the wheels/tires, and Audi saw fit to provide good brakes.
PS...last comments were in reference to our A6 2.7Ts.