Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC
Last but not necessarily least: the Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC. In this flashy group, the Benz almost gets lost in the shuffle; it's not as pretty as the Jag, not as luxurious as the Lexus and not as skilled on track as the Audi. Still, this executive sedan does everything extremely well - as you'd expect from a Mercedes-Benz that starts at $122K.
The car's 5.5-litre V8 matched the Audi from 0-100 km/h, but fell off the pace in the 80-120 km/h tests. The 7-speed automatic transmission is operated by buttons behind the wheel; not as sporty a solution as the paddle shifters on the Audi or Jag, although shifts are quick.
The Benz also features full-time all-wheel drive and a long list of technological advances, such as adaptive damping suspension and pre-safe adaptive brakes. Nice.
In the final analysis, all of these cars are winners in their own right. This observer would pick the Audi S8; it offers high-performance, luxury and that unbelievable sound system. Unfortunately, its price as tested was $150,250 - close to $18K more than the next most expensive competitor.
In my opinion, the Jaguar could steal the win. The XK Convertible fits many people's definition of what a prestige car is and should be - an exclusive ride from an exclusive manufacturer. More importantly, the XK is the only Jaguar in the past 35 years with the credentials to build on the company's rich legacy.
Still: a tough call.
Basic specs
Audi S8
4 doors
Base price: 129,700$
Price as tested: 150,250
5.2L V10
450 hp
6 speed automatic
Permanent all wheel drive
ABS, traction control
Jaguar XK Convertible
2 doors convertible
Base price: 113,000$
Price as tested: 122,400$
4.2L V8
6 speed automatic
Rear wheel drive
ABS, traction control
Lexus LS 460L
4 doors
Base price: 98,700$
Price as tested: 122,700$
4.6L V8
380 hp
8 speed automatic
Rear wheel drive
AB, traction and stability control
Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC
4 doors
Base price: 122,000$
Price as tested: 132,400$
5.5 L V8
382 hp
7 speed automatic
Permanent all wheel drive
ABS, traction and stability control
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| (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
The car's 5.5-litre V8 matched the Audi from 0-100 km/h, but fell off the pace in the 80-120 km/h tests. The 7-speed automatic transmission is operated by buttons behind the wheel; not as sporty a solution as the paddle shifters on the Audi or Jag, although shifts are quick.
The Benz also features full-time all-wheel drive and a long list of technological advances, such as adaptive damping suspension and pre-safe adaptive brakes. Nice.
In the final analysis, all of these cars are winners in their own right. This observer would pick the Audi S8; it offers high-performance, luxury and that unbelievable sound system. Unfortunately, its price as tested was $150,250 - close to $18K more than the next most expensive competitor.
In my opinion, the Jaguar could steal the win. The XK Convertible fits many people's definition of what a prestige car is and should be - an exclusive ride from an exclusive manufacturer. More importantly, the XK is the only Jaguar in the past 35 years with the credentials to build on the company's rich legacy.
Still: a tough call.
Basic specs
Audi S8
4 doors
Base price: 129,700$
Price as tested: 150,250
5.2L V10
450 hp
6 speed automatic
Permanent all wheel drive
ABS, traction control
Jaguar XK Convertible
2 doors convertible
Base price: 113,000$
Price as tested: 122,400$
4.2L V8
6 speed automatic
Rear wheel drive
ABS, traction control
Lexus LS 460L
4 doors
Base price: 98,700$
Price as tested: 122,700$
4.6L V8
380 hp
8 speed automatic
Rear wheel drive
AB, traction and stability control
Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC
4 doors
Base price: 122,000$
Price as tested: 132,400$
5.5 L V8
382 hp
7 speed automatic
Permanent all wheel drive
ABS, traction and stability control