Haute wheels: Audi A8 vs Mercedes S500L vs BMW 750i
Compared to the other two sedans, the Audi A8 sports the tallest 18-inch alloy wheels in 235/55 R18 profile. The only car in this comparison to feature the quattro or all-wheel-drive, that inspires confidence while entering turns at higher speeds by resisting under- or oversteer and maintaining a solid grip. The more slippery the conditions, the bigger the advantage of the all-wheel-drive. If you are a driving enthusiast and like to take your prized possession for an occasional spin, then adding the optional Sport rear differential to the quattro kit is worth every rupee. You can even use the MMI control system to adjust setting for the suspension damping, active steering weight and ratio, along with throttle and gearshift strategy. Its light weight and sporty engine paired with the dynamic ride quality make the Audi the sportscar of this segment. The aluminium bodyshell makes a stiff yet light base which further enhances the ride comfort. The best way to experience this is to go over bad roads at low speeds and watch all the bumps and thuds get mopped clean. The A8L wraps around you and feels smaller to drive and its steering is much lighter than the 750Li and transmits better information from the tyres. All this and along with the beautiful new interior of the A8L is what will probably attract the attention of luxury-car buyers towards itself.
I know that the fuel efficiency might not matter much in this segment, but it should because of the carbon footprint cars leave behind. The BMW 750Li gives an average fuel economy of 6.2 km per litre, while the new Audi A8L does 6.75 km/l and the Mercedes S500L returns 7.4 km/l.