Audi S8 -- First Drive: Running backs are fast. Defensive linemen are big. Motorcycles are nimble. Freightliners are cumbersome. Simply put, fast in straight and curvy lines usually correlates with small and lean, while brute power is typified by big and brawny. They seem mutually exclusive to a large extent, but not in the eyes of Audi engineers.

Hence, the creation of the 2007 S8, a sport-tuned A8 last sold in the U.S. as a 2003 model. Thanks to the generous use of aluminum in its construction, the S8 (and A8) is relatively light, which allows its 450-horsepower, Lamborghini Gallardo-derived V10 to be all that much more effective. In fact, that sophisticated piece of hardware, when coupled with S8's standard quattro all-wheel drive and six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, allows this most athletic rendition of Audi's flagship to reach 60 mph in only 4.9 seconds. Those are impressive figures, and are sure to catch the attention of large sedan lovers and well-paid executives everywhere, those who won't shy away from the S8's base price of $94,020 when it arrives in November. But they'd best be satisfied with that exceptional straight-line performance, because in the corners the S8 is more oversized linemen than evasive running back. For the total performance package, including outstanding balance and handling, buyers would be best served to take a gander at the smaller S6 sharing space on the Audi showroom floor, or one of the S8's top-notch competitors.

Model Mix With a base price of $94,020, the Audi S8 is equipped with an Alcantara headlinder, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar, eight airbags, Bose audio, and security glass. An 1,100-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system is a $6,300 option.

Walk into an Audi dealership, ask for the most expensive ride on the showroom floor, and your salesperson, suddenly bursting with overwhelming friendliness, ushers you over to a shiny long wheelbase A8 with the W12 engine. At about $120,000, it may indeed be the priciest model he's got (until the R8 supercar arrives), but you think it's a big too long for your tastes, and not quite sporty enough. Then, something with an S badge catches your eye – it's nearly identical, but a bit shorter and sportier. Plus, with its $94,420 base price (including a $720 destination charge and $1,700 gas guzzler tax), you can be confident that you've selected the second most expensive car in the joint.

It's the all-wheel-drive 2007 Audi S8, or the sport version of the regular, 115.9-inch wheelbase A8 sedan, which stickers for about $69,000. Passenger sedans of this caliber are typically well-equipped, and the daddy of the Audi family is no exception. Among the standard goods are heated headlight and windshield washers, a dual zone climate control system, a power sunroof, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with memory, heated power front bucket seats, leather upholstery accented by Alcantara suede-like fabric on the doors and headliner, and a voice-activated navigation system. That's in addition to a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a tire pressure monitor, rain-sensing wipers, break-resistant security glass, Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) central control, Bluetooth connectivity, and OnStar telematics. Front-side, rear-side, and side-curtain airbags were included for good measure.

Still want more? That's cool – Audi's got ya covered. You can swap out the standard gray birch interior with carbon fiber inlays for $500, have the entire interior swathed in leather for $4,900, add a solar roof panel for $790, give your rear passengers some power adjustment buttons to fiddle with for $350, or drop $2,100 on intelligent cruise control that lets the S8 gauge closing distances in traffic. There's also a $3,500 Premium Package that adds rear sunshades, power trunk and door closers, a park-aid system, a rear heated seat, and keyless ignition. What Audi is most proud of is the Bang & Olufsen audio system. In exchange for $6,300, audiophiles are treated to 1100 watts of surround sound from 14 speakers, a subwoofer, and trick tweeters that rise from the top corners of the dash – try to find a Best Buy car stereo installer who can pull that off.

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