Audi S8 safety has yet to be verified by EuroNCAP – even the regular A8 hasn’t been subjected to the body’s testing. However other models in the Audi range have already achieved five stars, and we’d expect the S8 would do the same.

As standard the S8 comes kitted out with a plethora of airbags, and stability systems – as well as the firm’s excellent quattro four wheel drive system. The firm claims the aluminium construction of the body’s frame means it boasts best in class safety too.

You can expect the cars equipped with the optional Ceramic brakes to stop a little quicker than those on conventional steel discs as well, which may be the difference between avoiding an accident and being involved in it. And the standard Matrix LED headlights ensure that you can see more of the road more of the time, while not dazzling other road users – they even use sat-nav data to determine what patter to throw.

The Audi S8 also has Audi pre sense which ensures the cabin is perfectly set up to maximise protection in the event of an accident, tightening the seat belt’s grip and closing any open windows. Should the unavoidable occur the car can then contact the local emergency services, in the correct language (even in a foreign country), and alert them to the vehicle’s location and to how many occupants were in the car at the time.

Night vision is optional, but the new system can detect both humans and animals and alert the driver to their presence using the screen between the main instruments and an audible warning.

In terms of space Audi S8 practicality is impressive; there’s loads of room for passengers and even the boot can hold 510-litres of luggage – with a hatch in the middle of the rear seats for longer items. Audi will even sell you a ski bag to protect the cabin from any scuffs likely to be picked up while transporting your winter sports gear.

There’s some clever storage options too, including the door armrests which conceal a small cubby and the glovebox is a decent size. Of course the S8 isn’t designed as a family car, ready to deal with the clutter that is associated with children, but we’d wager as long as you weren’t too precious about the cabin’s exquisite finish it would deal with that life with ease.

You can’t get the S8 in long wheelbase format though, which adds another 130mm of length to the standard car, so although rear passengers will have plenty of space they can’t enjoy the ultimate – for that you’ll need the long wheelbase-only W12 model.