The technical details of Audi’s new S8 Plus have been revealed, confirming it is the most powerful model in the luxury super-saloon segment. Powered by a more potent variant of the regular S8’s 4-litre V8 TFSI engine, the Plus produces a staggering 597bhp and 553lb ft of torque, an increase of 84bhp and 47lb ft over the regular car. This helps the Plus shed three-tenths from the S8’s 4.1sec 0-62mph time, while the optional removal of its 155mph limiter enables it to reach a 189.5mph top speed.

To put those numbers into perspective, the S8 Plus is just four-tenths of a second slower to 62mph and 8.5mph off of the top speed of Audi’s all-new R8 V10 sports car. For a car that weighs close to two-tons and can seat four passengers in luxury, it’s truly mind-boggling.

That being said, the S8 isn’t a car in which you attack country roads, but rather, it’s a superfast and ultra-luxurious point-to-point weapon. Order books for the new S8 Plus open in October, with prices starting from £97,700 - £16,965 more than the standard S8.