2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

The S8 disappeared from Audi’s lineup for the 2010 model year, but the sports sedan looks primed for a 2012 model year revival. Our spy photographers recently spotted the high-performance 2012 S8 undergoing some shakedown testing.

At first glance, this may just look like a blacked-out, 2011 Audi A8. However, all it takes is a quick look at the details of this car to know we’ve just captured the first up-close photos of Audi S8 test vehicle.

This S8 test car is an early development vehicle, so it is not wearing any of the sportier “S” bodywork just yet. What it does have are large brake rotors and calipers along with a quad tip exhaust setup — obvious signs this is no ordinary A8.

The S8 will get the usual upgraded suspension, brakes and powertrain that all “S” models get. Exactly which powertrain the S8 will receive seems to be a mystery so far, with the strongest rumors suggesting that a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 will be under the hood of the 2012 S8.