The new Audi S8 can be specified with 385mm ceramic brake discs. It is perhaps vaguely disconcerting that I found myself more excited about that than the Lamborghini-sourced V10 engine in residence under its bonnet. I suppose, in the interest of ego defence, that the shock of a 5.2-litre V10 engine (up from 5 litres in the Gallardo) powering a big, refined saloon had worn off since I’d seen the headline-grabbing tech spec for the new S8 at the Tokyo motor show last November. But I hadn’t clocked the brakes, and I can’t help associating ceramic brakes with the likes of the GT3 RS, 360 Stradale and Zonda F – just my cup of tea.

Okay, so you might not share my excitement over the brakes, but you’ve got to love the concept of the S8. The Gallardo’s engine has been bored out to 5204cc, equipped with Audi’s FSI direct petrol injection technology, and massaged for torque rather than pure horsepower.

With the enormous traction afforded by the quattro four-wheel-drive system, that’s enough to launch the 1940kg S8 to 100km in 5.1sec and thump it into the 200s before the acceleration starts to fade. Our car had a ‘press-launch speed- limiter’ which saw it sail past 250kmh and on to around 270kmh – with plenty more to come.

So, it’s comfortable, practical, beautifully-constructed and has the heart of a $200,000 Lamborghini – all for $110,000. In the right aspect, it might almost be described as loosely resembling a bargain.

Until, that is, you remember the 501bhp, V10-engined, $95,000 BMW M5. But this is a very different animal to the M5 or even the deftly balanced and similarly priced Maserati Quattroporte. It’s more appropriate to look at the S8 as a cut-price Mercedes S55 AMG: a smooth, sophisticated and relaxing luxury saloon that just happens, should you require it, to have some serious firepower at its disposal.
Perhaps that sells it short. If the S8′s ceramic brakes hint at its performance potential, then the adoption of the new RS4′s 40:60 front:rear torque split sends a clear signal that this car is intended to attack corners with as much enthusiasm as it devours motorways.
Twist the key, or depress the starter button, and the V10 flicks into life instantly, idling loudly enough to let you know that you’re in something special. Slide the ‘box into D and tickle the throttle. As the speed picks up, the exhaust note almost disappears. It’s as quiet as any other A8. The ride is exceptionally good, too. You’d never guess the S8 is running on 50cm wheels with aggressive rubber and a more sports-orientated version of the A8′s adaptive air suspension that lowers the ride height by 20mm.
Nudge the lever across to activate the paddles mounted on the back of the steering wheel (they’re always active, but if you don’t engage the true manual override the electronics will soon reassert themselves), start to exercise the engine and the S8 really delivers. It’s not S55 AMG-fast, in fact initially it doesn’t feel as accelerative as you might hope, but the delivery is beautifully judged. There’s plenty of creamy torque and as the revs rise and the exhausts start to deliver their tuneful offbeat howl, the S8 gathers momentum with an easy, magical stride.
Nestling beneath this deep lustre of effortlessness there’s taut control. The body feels extremely well tied down and when you start to test the grip and composure of the S8 it simply shrugs its shoulders and gets stuck in. For such a heavy car its resistance to roll is superb. Grip is very strong and the S8 manages to feel both utterly secure and yet nicely malleable.
The steering, despite being 10 per cent quicker than that of other A8s, would benefit from a shade more weight, but the six-speed ZF automatic gearbox is superb. It hits up-changes home with such speed and precision that you’d swear it was equipped with the VW Group’s DSG system.
You won’t be surprised to learn that ultimately the S8 will understeer gently rather than spit you sideways, but in a two-ton car of such generous proportions it’d be churlish to complain about that. Instead, just revel in the security, the glorious noise and the sense of occasion.

And oh, one final thing – the ceramic brakes work beautifully and I don’t agree with that in the work-place!