Audi S8 2023: facelifted luxury sedan priced at $273K in Australia

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The 2023 Audi S8 has landed in Australia priced from $273,400 before on-road costs and options.

The S8 is Audi’s flagship sedan and represents a blend of luxury, speed and a hint of old-school class arguably not offered by SUVs. 

Arriving in facelifted form, Audi’s new luxury sedan has had a mild makeover. There is a broader ‘single frame’ grille, new Matrix LED headlights, 21-inch alloy wheels, with red brake calipers and a black styling pack fitted as standard. 

Audi offers the new S8 in nine exterior colours with three upholstery options – including cream and black ‘Valcona’ leather – to tailor this luxury sedan to your liking.

Audi’s S8 is a rival for the BMW 750i ($277,900 before on-road costs), new Mercedes-Benz S580 L ($335,100) and Lexus LS500 F Sport ($195,830).

In Australia, only the S8 is available to order now, with Audi yet to announce pricing of A8 50TDI and long wheelbase 50TDI L grades. If you want about the S8’s size but more sporting, Audi will sell you an RS6 Avant or RS7 liftback. 

Is there anything new inside the S8?

The S8’s cabin has matured, but not changed massively since the fourth-generation ‘D5’ A8 was introduced globally in 2017. 

Just like in the latest RS6, the S8 scores a pair of 10.1-inch touchscreens in the centre; one to wake care of music and infotainment functions, and the lower to look after HVAC controls. 

A customisable 12.3-inch digital driver’s display returns for the new S8 with navigation, live traffic and satellite imagery. There’s also a 23-speaker, 1920-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system fitted as standard. 

The S8 is a car intended to indulge rear seat passengers. As such, electrically-adjustable outboard rear seats feature, as do electric sunblinds and a panoramic sunroof. 

Those in the front of an S8 won’t be left wanting, with power front seats that feature heating, ventilation and massage function, as well as a heated steering wheel.

What’s under the S8’s bonnet?

The S8 is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 as the RS6. In S8 trim, the V8 produces slightly less power (420kW vs 441kW) but the same 800Nm torque figure. An eight-speed automatic sourced from ZF is the only transmission. 

With AWD fitted and an electronically controlled ‘Quattro Sport’ limited slip differential as standard, the S8 is capable of hitting 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. 

The new S8 features a revamped 48 volt mild-hybrid system that allows longer stop-start operation at traffic lights and the ability to ‘coast’ down hills on the motorway. 

Audi says the S8s clever fuel-saving tech saves 0.8L/100km, resulting in a combined ADR consumption figure of 10.5L/100km for the new S8. 

There’s also active air suspension – Audi’s terminology is ‘predictive active suspension – that uses cameras and other onboard sensors to rapidly adjust the S8’s chassis based on the road ahead.

Audi S8 2023: pricing in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• S8: $273,400