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"  Stacking the cards so a car manufacturer&amp;#039;s lineup maintains a semblance of performance hierarchy demands a delicate balancing act of engine outputs, power-to-weight ratios, and drivetrain nuances. Consider, for instance, Porsche&amp;#039;s eternal struggle to keep the Boxster nipping, but not encroaching, on the heels of the legendary 911. Audi&amp;#039;s latest S models creates a curious matrix that&amp;#039;s topped-- in rather spectacular fashion-- by the plus-sized S8. While the S6 and S7 are powered by a torquey, but relatively tame 420 hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the S8 goes full tilt by tuning the same block to a thumping 520 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque. The tuning game yields remarkable numbers: 90 more horsepower than the base version of the R8, a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, and a horsepower-to-weight ratio of .112, which bests the S7&amp;#039;s .093 figure by a notable margin. The result, as we reported in our first drive review, is an avalanche of acceleration that&amp;#039;s virtually supercar worthy. Audi&amp;#039;s previous S8 drew mixed reviews because its gas guzzling V10, which was a denatured version of a Lamborghini mill, didn&amp;#039;t quite deliver the punch it could have. If anything, the newest model is evidence that product planners have the last laugh when it comes to pairing up powerplants and platforms. In the case of this innocuous looking sedan, the S8 proves you don&amp;#039;t need speedy styling to provide a wild ride. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a8488/audi-s8-offers-supercar-numbers-with-tame-styling/>