Case in point: Our 2007 A3 3.2 Quattro S line, which carried a price tag of $42,300. You understand why we put the term "entry-level" in quotes.

Outside of the jaw-dropping sticker and a few quibbles, there isn't much to dislike about the A3 3.2 Quattro.

SHE: OK, just let me get this out of the way, so we can heap lots of praise on the A3. But didn't you tell me this compact five-door hatchback shares its basic running gear with the Volkswagen Rabbit? And doesn't the Rabbit start at just over $15,000? I really love the A3, but I'm having trouble figuring out where Audi put that extra $27,000.

HE: I don't have an answer that will satisfy frugal shoppers.

Audi drives S models at BIC

Audi will hold a three-week driving event at the Bahrain International Circuit to demonstrate its new Audi S models, Trade Arabia reported. The Audi S4 and S4 Cabriolet, the A6 and the S8, the sports version of the A8, will be put through their paces by regional media, VIPs and potential customers. .

The 2007 Audi S8 is a magnificent monster

(12-02) 04:00 PST Montreal -- There are lines that are never crossed, lines that are blurred, and lines that snap like a string pulled too taut.

Snap best describes what has happened with today's test car, the 2007 Audi S8, because of its connection with the Lamborghini Gallardo. In the world of performance cars, snap is a good thing.

Last time I drove a Gallardo, I was surprised not by the expected power and handling, which were superb, but by the center stack of controls -- climate, audio, information. It was straight out of the Audi parts bin, and probably a cost-saving measure by the German company, which has owned Lamborghini since 1998.

But what has Lamborghini done for the Audi line? How about a V10 engine derived from the same power plant that propels the Gallardo, plopped into the S6 and S8 models, transforming already fast, roomy sedans into virtual lightning bolts of comfortable accommodation?

That's right, the S8, whose past model managed "only" 360 horsepower in a world of luxury sedans that have crept as high as 600, now sports 450 horsepower and nearly 400 pound-feet of torque.

2007 Audi S8 Specifications
2007 Audi S8 Performance & Efficiency Standard Features -5,204 cc 5.2 liters V 10 front engine with 84.5 mm bore, 92.8 mm stroke, 12.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder -Premium unleaded fuel 91 -Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 21 and EPA city (mpg): 15 -Gasoline direct injection fuel system -23.8 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank -Power: 336 kW , 450 HP SAE @ 7,000 rpm; 398 ft lb , 540 Nm @ 3,500 rpm 2007 Audi S8 Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features -Four-wheel ABS -Brake assist system -Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs -Electronic brake distribution -Electronic hand brake -Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management -Immobilizer -Center limited slip differential -Driver selectable responsive suspension -Fullsize alloy rim internal spare wheel -Stability control -Multi-link front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and air springs -Interactive front and rear suspension levelling 2007 Audi S8 Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features -Body side molding -Body color front and rear bumpers -Chrome/bright trim around side windows, on side of body and on bumpers -Day time running lights -Driver power heated chrome door mirrors with automatic operation , passenger power heated chrome door mirrors with automatic and automatic operation -Double glazing -External dimensions: overall length (inches): 199.3, overall width (inches): 74.6, overall height (inches): 56.9, wheelbase (inches): 115.9, front track (inches): 64.1, rear track (inches): 63.6 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 41 -Electric foldable mirrors -Front fog lights -High pressure headlight cleaners -Projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlights -Heat reflective glass -Heated door locks or key -Laminated side windows -Luxury trim alloy & leather on gearknob, wood & suede on doors and wood & leather on dashboard -Pearl paint -Fixed rear window with defogger -Trunk/hatch spoiler -Glass electric front sunroof -Tinted glass on cabin -Weights: curb weight (lbs) 4,277 -Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe and rain sensor 2007 Audi S8 Interior Standard Features -12v power outlet: rear and cargo and 1 -Air conditioning with climate control and rear outlet 2 -Diversity antenna -Peripheral interior monitoring anti-lift anti-theft protection -Front and rear ashtray -Audio anti-theft protection: separate display and integrated in dash -Bose RDS audio system with AM/FM, Disc Autochanger and six-disc remote changer CD player reads MP3 -Automatic drive indicator on dashboard -Cargo area light -Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 14.6 -Front seats and rear seats cigar lighter -Clock -Coming home device -Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel -Full dashboard console with covered storage box , full floor console with covered storage box , partial overhead console -Cornering lights/curb illumination -Delayed/fade courtesy lights -Cruise control -Front seats cup holders fixed , rear seats cup holders pop out -Door ajar warning -Door entry light -Door pockets/bins for driver seat, passenger seat and rear seats -External temperature -Floor covering: carpet in load area -Floor mats -Driver and passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment -Sports electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat with height adjustment, lumbar adjustment, thigh support, eight adjustments and tilt adjustment shoulder adjustment -Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners -Front seat center armrest -Garage door opener -Lockable glove compartment -Two height adjustable electric adjustable active head restraints on front seats neck support , three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats neck support -Headlight control with time delay switch-off, dusk sensor and auto off with ignition active -Heated washer -Illuminated entry system -Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 37.3, rear headroom (inches): 38, front leg room (inches): 41.4, rear leg room (inches): 37.6, front shoulder room (inches): 59.1, rear shoulder room (inches): 57.5 and interior volume (cu ft): 114.9 -Knee airbags -Low fuel level warning -Low tire pressure indicator -Low washer fluid level warning -Memorized adjustment with four settings on door mirror position and steering wheel position with six driver's seat positions, six passenger seat positions and head restraint -Navigational systems : information type: full map and voice and knobs/touch buttons controls DVD and color -Online information system -Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch, includes power windows and speed sensing -Vehicle speed proportional power steering -Front and rear power windows with two one-touch -Front and rear reading lights -Rear fog lights -3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side with pre-tensioners -Rear seat center armrest integral box -Three fixed bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments -Automatic operation rear view mirror -Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls -Remote fuel filler door release -Remote control remote trunk/hatch release -Front and rear roof airbag -Front seat back storage -Leather seat upholstery with additional leather -Seating: five seats -Service interval indicator -Front and rear side airbag with occupant sensors -Twelve speaker(s) -Leather covered electrically adjustable multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment easy entry -Tachometer -Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror -Ventilation system with recirculation setting, micro filter and active carbon filter -Voice activating system includes radio settings, includes phone and includes navigation system

Audi S8 - Part Two Audi S8 Part Two

Sant'Agata Bolognese is under thick fog; the narrow highways disappear into the early morning light as I reach Automobili Lamborghini. Men in black examine me critically. I am here to deliver a challenge, a family duel: Audi versus Lamborghini, technology versus temperament. Ive come more than 700km over the Alps in the Audi S8 from Ingolstadt, pushing the chassis and brakes to the limit in the tight curves of the Malojapass.



Now its the turn of the yellow Lamborghini Gallardo. What I hadnt counted on was that I would be exchanging weapons with legendary Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni, who now takes the wheel of the Audi S8 with a friendly smile. As soon as I press the Gallardos starter, the engine responds with a hoarse bark. With two fingers I pull the right gearshift paddle towards me, selecting first, and squeeze the throttle with caution.

Forbes Takes Another Look At The Mercedes S550

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on November 28th, 2006 If Forbes Autos' initial review of the 2007 Mercedes S550 wasn't enough to clarify the publication's stance on the new model, Forbes itself has taken the liberty of publishing yet again a review of the luxury sedan to soothe the uneasiness surely felt by inquiring minds deliberating this very subject.

And while the reviewer lost any credibility he possessed when he stated the appearance of the Audi S8 is superior to that of the S550, the article does go on to mention a few of the S's more unique features, in the end delivering a mediocre assessment of the model.

As for whether or not you should buy the S-Class?

According to Forbes: "we can easily say to anyone who asks what to buy, if money's not an object and you want one of the world's best- ever luxury sedans: Buy this one."

No doubt.

Toyota excels in three Car of Year categories

The 200 "Best New" winners in 13 different Canadian car of the Year categories were announced this week by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) at a news conference in Toronto.