Audi announces ante-upping S8 plus model

As if the Audi S8 and its 520-horsepower V8 wasn't enough, the automaker has announced the ante-upping S8 plus, a car it says represent "the pinnacle of sportiness."

Audi engineers reworked the plenty-potent 4.0-litre TFSI engine for the S8 plus, with output now reaching 605 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque.

The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.8 seconds in the S8 plus, .2 seconds quicker than the S8, and its governed top speed of 250 km/h can optionally be increased to 305 km/h as part of a Dynamics package.

Along with carbon ceramic brakes, the package also includes a sport exhaust system modified by Audi's in-house tuner, quattro GmbH.

Outside, the car gets a rear lip spoiler, available in body colour or carbon fibre, as well as carbon fibre flaps in the air inlets and chin spoiler, and a carbon fibre rear diffuser.

Other exterior accents, including the grille and tailpipes, are black.

Inside, the S8 plus gets black leather seating with red stitching, and black Alcantara headliner.

Other standard features include ambient lighting, power-assisted door closing, a DVD/CD changer, and 21-inch wheels.

Pricing and availability in Canada have not been announced, but Audi said the S8 plus will go on sale in Germany at the end of November starting at €145,200.