In Australia, Audi has traditionally struggled to keep up with fellow German marques and luxury pace-setters BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
All that has changed with the new all-aluminium-bodied A8. Audi labels it the world’s first luxury-sports limousine. We suggest it’s a stunning wake-up call to rivals.
Like other limousines, some of ABC’s value for money criteria are not amongst its strengths. It costs a packet, is savaged at resale time and its running costs, for lesser mortals, are the stuff of nightmares.
But its standard features top the class, with all-wheel-drive, air suspension, xenon headlights, an abundance of airbags, stability programs galore and parking sensors among the offerings.
Most impressive of all is its design. The A8 matches or betters top scores for safety, security, space, ergonomics and build quality.
And, given the quality of its peers, it is surprising that A8 tops the on-road scores, with a superb engine-transmission package, nimble handling and beaut brakes.
The ride is admirable and only the most whisper-quiet limos shade it for noise suppression and smoothness.
Audi matches buyers’ expectations so accurately that it scores well above average in five of eight crucially weighted categories, with above average for the rest.
At $103,400, way below the Audi price, BMW’s ‘business class’ 530i Executive could, and should have matched the A8 but for some oversights.
A sub-standard, two-year warranty affects its value ratings, while the provision of run-flat tyres and a temporary-use spare tyre hinders its practicality.
And while the 5-Series is a technological tour-de-force, delays to crucial GPS and voice activation systems sap its innovation score.
Deposed, but not disgraced, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Elegance gave up ground in value to the 530i, but managed to reverse the trend in design and function against its bitter foe. They could not be separated on driving scores.
So accomplished are the top three, that their dynamic abilities created as favourable an impression as the sub-$57,000 sports cars driven on the same roads on the same day. That says it all.
Final Scores (Out of 5): A8 4.27, 530i 4.23, E320 4.15.
Full Details: www.australiasbestcars.com.au.
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