Before the 7er's facelift it was a A8 for me. Sleek and elegant, sporty, low profile... Mmmmm. But now it's definitely 7er, afaic. The facelift helped a lot this car and after seeing it several times in flesh, it definitely gets my vote. Although i have to see the new S in flesh too, but i don't think i'lll change my mind. If the rear of the S was different (nicer or better than it is), it would be tough.

the a8 and the fl 7er r very nice cars but comon guys y dont u just be realistic ?r u guys blind?
i think it needs time for the new s-class to get more addicts cuz its too early, same thing happened when the current s-class came out ,IMO the 7 series looks very chunky compared to the new s-class....

I'll have to disagree with you Robert. Didn’t they mention on that that Top Gear that 90 something percent of World governments use the S-Class in their motorcade? As for the UN diplomats, I have a friend of my father’s who works there and guess what he drives. That’s right, an S-Class. Actually, almost all diplomatic license plates I’ve seen are on Merc’s.

Now, like you said, that might not be the case in Europe, but the majority rule. If you ask me, I think Audi is only known in Europe and now in the US. When I was back home years ago, people would always ask what brand is that car (the one with 4 rings on the grill). I actually didn’t even know it was a German brand until a couple of years ago.

My vote goes for the S-Klasse. I’m sure it will be a hit like the older generation S.

the old S-class is more common than A8 and 7-serie. Trust me the same will happen with the new S-class. Just wait and see.

Soon more MB fans from the old board will join us so expect a lot more votes for S-class. Dont give up yet

S-Klasse hands down.The more i see it the more i like and am looking forward to checking it out in the flesh next month.
BTW nice to see you guys all here..I'll visit both here and there at the same time before there thoroughly collapses..I don't like the interface of this board.Guess it will take some getting used to.

The A8 is just tastefully done, there is nothing I don't like about the car... The S-Class although surpassing the A8 in several aspects (brand cachet, comfort, and in the case of the W221, performance) has some aspects of design and interior egronomics that doesn't 'feel' to me. So for now, my vote goes to the flawless A8.

As I said in another thread, Mercedes was always the brand of the "establishment" but over the past 10-15 years it has transformed itself into a brand that appeals to a much larger, perhaps younger, more newly-rich, market. Whereas in the past, most S class buyers were happy with a stately and tastefully understated design that reflected their conservative and business-like persona; today's S-class owner is not as simple to stereotype - of course the S class is still the most popular choice as a business-limousine, but it also has a much "cooler" image than in the past - the A8 on the other hand still retains that German understatement that the more traditional S class buyer might prefer.

It is probably for that reason, Audi has indeed become very popular among Europe's élite.

When it comes to voting of the "king" of large luxury saloons it would be remiss of me to voter for anything other that the mighty S. This car is what Mercedes Benz are all about and, along with the E-Class (or at least what the E ought to be), what they are best at. The S, I feel is still the top of the heap in this one.

As far as personal preferences go, I'd still plumb for the Audi and the 7er would come stone last courtesy of the cop-out, diluted facelifted looks. Sell outs!

I'm surprised you are calling the A8 understated, it may be that I know about cars, and know how much thay cost, but if someone has an A8 then I'm thinking nice car!

Perhaps he meant understated as in 'not as popular as', the A8 out here in the US is hardly seen in comparo too the S or 7'er.