Man modifies his V10 2008 Audi S8 to make it sound like a Lamborghini Gallardo, and it delivers an incredible roar
Published on Sep 04, 2025 at 2:04 PM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Sep 04, 2025 at 2:04 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
An Audi S8 with a Lamborghini Gallardo V10 engine has been rebuilt with a custom exhaust to give the sedan a voice closer to that of a supercar.
The 2008 Audi S8 left the factory with a detuned version of Lamborghini’s 5.2-liter V10 engine, adjusted by Audi for refinement and reduced volume.
It delivered strong performance but did not produce the sharp tone of the Lamborghini Gallardo.
A custom exhaust build has now changed that, with results that draw clear attention to the car’s shared heritage.
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Lamborghini Gallardo sound unlocked
The project was documented in a video by Kaisheps Cars on YouTube.
The second-generation Audi S8 was produced from 2006 to 2010 and featured a naturally aspirated V10 engine that came directly from the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Audi tuned it for comfort, which kept the car quiet but left the sedan sounding restrained.
An owner decided to unlock the sound potential through a custom exhaust project.
A specialist company fabricated a twin 3-inch system with an X-pipe, designed to bring out the sharper qualities of the V10 engine.
Several test versions were built, with small changes in placement altering the results dramatically.
If the system sat too far forward, the Audi S8 took on a lower tone like a V8.
If it sat too far back, the exhaust barely changed the sound at all.
The final version produced a roar that was clear, high pitched, and closely matched to a Lamborghini Gallardo.
Cold starts gave the Audi S8 a heavy and aggressive presence, while higher revs revealed the full range of the V10 engine.
Listeners noted that the result was one of the closest recreations of the Lamborghini Gallardo sound from a sedan.
The project demonstrated how a custom exhaust could completely reshape the identity of the Audi S8 while highlighting its Lamborghini roots.
Custom exhausts on the rise
This build reflects a wider interest in custom exhaust work, where enthusiasts adjust sound to better match the character of a car.
In the case of the Audi S8, the project connected the sedan more clearly to its Lamborghini Gallardo roots.
It also shows the value of shared engineering within the Volkswagen Group during the mid-2000s.
Both the Audi S8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo were powered by versions of the same V10 engine, although each was tuned differently.
With this custom exhaust, the Audi S8 now expresses the character that was always present in its engineering.
For enthusiasts, the project underlines why naturally aspirated V10 engines remain so sought after.
The sound is a key part of the driving experience, and a custom exhaust allows it to be heard as intended.
This sedan now carries one of the most distinctive sounds on the road, achieved by careful custom exhaust design and precise engineering.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
