German Car Zone

L'Équipe, France's biggest automotive authority compared the top luxury cars against each other. This is similar to the Car and Driver review a few months ago. Here are the results:

1st Place: Mercedes S500 388/420 points
2nd Place: Audi A8 4.2 Quattro 369/420 points
3rd Place: Jaguar XJ8 363/420 points
4th Place: BMW 750i 338/420 points
5th Place: Lexus LS460 299/420 points


Here are the specs most of you care about. I also translated what they said about each car (the main points).

Mercedes S500:
0-100 km/h = 5.4 seconds
100-0 km/h braking distance: 52.4 meters

If there is a car that sets the benchmark for this segment, it's the Mercedes S class. Comfortable, dynamic and well built, the S class also impresses with its refined, silent and powerful V8. For a car of its size, it handles like a sports car. The V8 engine responds nicely to driver input.


Audi A8 4.2 Quattro:
0-100 km/h = 6.4 seconds
100-0 km/h braking distance: 51.3 meters

A solid well made car with an efficient AWD system and the best traction. Despite the aluminum body, the A8 is still a heavy car and coupled with AWD ensures that it does not accelerate as fast. It is equal with the S class in terms of handling, but the comfort could be better.


Jaguar XJ8:
0-100 km/h = 6.0 seconds
100-0 km/h braking distance: 59.3 meters

The Jaguar surprised us the most in this comparison. It handles generally well, but the ride and comfort are top class, but not as good as the Mercedes or Lexus. The engine has character and so does the design inside and out. If you're looking for old luxury, this is the car to get.


BMW 750i:
0-100 km/h = 5.8 seconds
100-0 km/h braking distance: 55.8 meters

Still the sportiest of the bunch, but its age is showing. The V8 engine is a joy to hear and responds on tap to driver input. Comfort is not the strength of the 7 series, it is outclassed by the competition in this department.


Lexus LS460:
0-100 km/h = 6.3 seconds
100-0 km/h braking distance: 67.3 meters

The Lexus is a fine car but it lacks the dynamic capabilities of the Europeans due to the soft suspension. A diesel engine option is non-existent and the brakes are quite weak. It comes however well equipped and can't be beaten in terms of value. Comfort is on the same level as the S class.

Pretty much the same as other recent comparos from Car and Driver etc. The S is unbeatable, but the A8 is right there. What is with the LS460L's brakes?

http://www.autospies.com/news/L-quip...es-S500-12272/

M

BMW really need a new 7er. the car is getting old now but at least it didnt came on last place

I saw a white 750Li getting on the expressway ahead of me earlier today and when it got on it looked so pretty to me. It was a FL model and then the guy hit the gas it vanished. First time I'd gotten a lump in my throat over the current 7-Series. When it took off he hit a hump in the road that sent the car upwards on the suspension but it landed and just took off, no squishy rebounding or anything, just complete control and deft acceleration. There was too much traffic for me to try and catch him to "play".

M

Audi really need a new 8'er. The car is getting old now but at least it came over the BMW and far away from last place

Almost as much points as the Benz

are you trying to be a smartass Silva? whatever its worth, A8 is newer car than 7er and its doing better in reviews so NO, Audi dont need a new A8 rigth now.

Stop playing games with me Silva

"Lexus LS460:
0-100 km/h = 6.3 seconds
100-0 km/h braking distance: 67.3 meters"

Those braking distances must be wrong...

They are already testing the new A8! I'm not trying to be smart..

Kudos to S! Another win of many more that'll follow...

well the allmighty won another one..
no surprise

PS
everyone says it handles like a sports car.. ( or very well atleast)..
i would love to see a track time S8 vs S63.. it could be a damn tight race

The BMW is still the sportiest and only the Merc will outaccelerate it. So us BMW boy can't or shouldn't be disapointed.
Clearly a comfort biased comparison, were BMW will forever lose, but its OK.