This is the new Audi S8, a £80k and 513bhp über-limo Ingolstadt believes will take on Jaguar’s XJ Supersport and Mercedes’ S63 AMG.

The new S8 is purposely positioned away from the other circa-500bhp Audi limo, the A8 W12. That other £94.5k Audi limo is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre W12 engine, produces 493bhp and 460lb ft, and comes just in stretched and comfort-orientated LWB specification. The S8 will only ever be sold in the 'standard' (though a 2994mm wheelbase can never be called short) wheelbase configuration, and it’s got a 513bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8.

This new 2012 Audi S8 is our first taste of Audi's new V8 engine, which also powers the S6 and S7 (in a detuned guise). It’s also set for the next RS6, potentially an RS7, and it’ll definitely be slotted into Bentley’ second-generation Continental GT. Read on for our first drive review of the new Audi S8.

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lots of speculation there...but I think quattro GMBH will be the ones to decide what engine/configuration goes in the RS6/7, not carmagazine

these are the same boffins who think the new RS4 will be 4.0T as well

I think it's patently obvious that if the RS4, if it is produced, will be 4.2 FSI/S-tronic 450hp just like the RS5.

Take all of the past RS cars...none of them used the drivetrain from any regular Audi S/RS. They were developed exclusively by quattro GMBH (and Cosworth in some cases and Porsche in the case of the RS2).

RS2 (b4)
RS4 (b5)
RS6 (c5)
RS4 (b7)
RS6 (c6)
TT-RS
RS3