This level of data connection is slowly finding its way to competitive vehicles. And beyond the usual address and points-of-interest options, the S8 also has online destination search, returning a list of Google-sourced results for any keyword I enter. Entering destinations proves easy with voice command, while the touchpad enhances manual input by letting you trace letters and numbers instead of the more tedious process of using a rotary interface. If you don't like that, or are out of data cell tower range, you can choose to view the S8's stored maps, which look more like those in typical navigation systems. Wayne Cunningham/CNETĪn icon on the LCD shows a 3G data connection, and that enables Google Earth satellite imagery for navigation overlaid with street names and live traffic information. The rest of the car would be a problem at speed, but from the seat of my pants I can feel the torque vectoring, putting extra twist to the outside rear wheel, help the S8's back end come around.Īudi makes serious use of the S8's built-in 3G data connection, brining satellite imagery in for the navigation system.

The front end turns in easily and true, the front wheels empowered by Quattro all-wheel drive to do their part. Its adaptive air suspension helps this long, heavy sedan remain relatively flat as inertia exerts its pull. The true test comes in the turns, and here the S8 does not disappoint. Turbo lag isn't an issue with this high-powered engine as the direct-injection V-8 generates enough torque at low rpms to make the boost transition unnoticeable. When I switched to manual gear selection, the 520 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque from the twin-turbo 4-liter V-8 let me keep it in third for all but the tightest hairpins and longer straights. Powering around a twisty mountain road, the S8's systems work seamlessly. Drive Select affects everything from throttle response to adaptive cruise control in the S8.

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