AnkA4

<center><img src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ankehuber/rs8.jpg"></center><p>

KjellA

Juornalists! You know, these rumours has been around for a *long* time, and they are purely speculations. There also was "insiders information" telling that they where building a RS8 on current S8 a while back.

That would actually make some sense, but it is to late now. You see, all earlier Audi RS-models have been so called "end of life kickers". In other words super hot models to keep the interrest up for an outgoing model. This makes perfect sense in the smaller car segments, but I doubt it will make same sense in the luxury segment. How many will buy an old A8 just because they launched a super hot new version that don't actually match the customer group? Not many.

There might of course be an RS8 coming in about 7 years from now, but I seriously doubt they are doing much work on it now. If it is here within 5 years, I would be *very* suprised!

cyjack

I'm not sure why you'd be so surprised at an arrival five years from now. The new A8 is due to be introduced at the end of this year and in production by early next year. Why does it seem so bizarre that Audi would have an RS8 version out 4.5 - 5 years from the launch of the new car?

Audi didn't acquire Cosworth for nothing.

KjellA

Because the next A8 will probably live 8-9 years, and the S8 will fill the market need for a performance version of that car for the major part of the lifespan, if not all. There is probably close to no market for an ultra-high performance luxury sedan, especially since the next S8 will be pretty beefed up itself.

As I mentioned, the RS versions so far has been "end-of-life kickers", and if we assume that to continue, the RS8 will not be "needed" until the next A8/S8 is about 7 years old.

We are talking about a large luxury sedan primarely targeted at executives, not at sportcar enthusiasts. There is no such car (RS8 like) in the market at the moment, except for special versions like the Brabus Mercedes and such. Even BMW don't have a M7, probably for a very good reason (small market). If the S8 will have about 450 Hp, who would buy a "racing" version with 600 Hp? Not many at all.

Audi S5 TC

But I am guessing the 398 ft/lbs of torque that many sources (including Automobile magazine) are saying the new S8's four cam 48V 6L W12 with FSI will produce is way conservative and most likely incorrect. My guess is that most likely the new S8's four cam 48V 6L W12 with FSI will produce 450 hp and 450 ft/lbs of torque. That would make the S8 much more competitive with the BMW 760Li, MB S63 AMG and new Jaguar XJR.

:::EuroRacerGT:::

600HP?, lol

lowmicgmc

If i could afford it by any means i would do it in a second. Remember, how much would an executive love to flash some Audi keys and tell a new-cocky Brabus MB owner that his car is a better perfromer. At that point, IF the guy isnt an afficionado, its all about image. If they got to that point in their lives, at soem point they had to use image to plow their way to the top. thats their mentality. Not to mention the exclusivity and prestige audi would recieve.