Audi powerhouse

TO someone who has never driven the Audi S8, perhaps one way to describe it would be "a cruise missile with a lovely interior".

The S8 is the high-performance version of the A8 full-size saloon. This third-generation model was unveiled in late 2011 but has since undergone a "product improvement" with various mechanical and technological refinements, even better performance, plus a mild facelift.

The latter includes aesthetically enhanced features such as the new Matrix LED head and tail lamps with Audi's "dynamic turn signals" sweeping outwards in the intended direction of travel, as well as a redesigned bonnet and bumpers. Under the new bonnet is the same formidable 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine with cylinder-on-demand technology, except that it is now EU6-compliant from EU5 previously.