Fine weather at the the Nurburgring this time of the year brings out the high-speed hardware, and the forthcoming Audi S8 has been spotted again at the Nurburgring Nordschleife – our spy photographer has caught its driver apparently having some oversteer fun, just like the G80 BMW M3 spotted before it.
Seen here without camouflage, the 2019 Audi S8 is expected to use a development of the 4.0 litre biturbo V8 engine used in the outgoing model, which produced 605 hp and 750 Nm in range-topping S8 Plus form; though figures haven’t been released, the next-generation car should produce slightly more than the standard S8‘s 520 hp. Quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic makes up the driveline.
Here, the S8 retains traditional S-model visual identifiers such as slightly deeper front and rear bumpers, larger wheels with uprated ceramic brakes featuring six-piston calipers in front, and quad circular exhaust pipes at the back.
Our sources suggest that there is a chance for an Audi S8 ‘e-tron’ plug-in hybrid variant, likely featuring the same driveline as that in the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, though one that is likely detuned from the Porsche’s 680 hp and 850 Nm of torque. Of course, with the A8 as a base there will be no shortage of technology – it may adopt some of that car’s self-driving ability, and most if not all of the base car’s active safety and driver assists.
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