Click more for the other videos

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

According to Top Gear’s September Issue from egmcartech’s report, the production version of the Ocean Drive concept will most like tackle the RR Drophead. The performance and amenities will be closer to the Drophead than the speculated competitor A7 from Audi.

“The Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive… will extract 510 horsepower from a 5.5 liter V8 with the range topper having a V12 engine that produces anywhere from 525 to 550 horsepower. A 6.2 liter AMG that produces 604 horsepower is also on the drawing board.” The performance will no doubt be a class leader. With the pricing set lower than the RR Drophead, it will definately fill the gap between the S and the upper-market.

“…in a real-world setting, it (Ocean Drive) has a presence that demands your attention and respect. The only other production car I can think of to have the same guvnor effect is the Phantom.”Lee Brimble of Top Gear

for the story click here

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Also in things comfort is the s-class a force that is hard to beat; with its air-suspension and comfortable seats, it gives the driver a very pleasant drive, that the A8 can’t match.

The Audi, with simpler operation as well as substantially more favorable fixed costs and lower purchase price, couldn’t convince the test drivers, so yet again the S-class is declared the winner.

For some stupid reason Google can’t translate the page, so I have provided it on this page. Read it by clicking more.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

No doubt: With the introduction of the all-wheel drive to normal passenger vehicles AUDI made an important contribution more traction and driving safety and made themselves than technique pioneer a name. Until 2002 the A8 was competitionless. But since that time not only company brothers and sisters VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton and Bentley Continental, but also the sedans Mercedes S-class with all-wheel drive stepped on the plan.

The advantages of four propelled wheels become effective with the tested V8-Varianten impressively, although both manufacturers pursue perfectly different concepts. AUDI about sets on a Zentraldifferenzial with gate EN technology, which normally distributes the driving power evenly on front and rear wheels. Footstep slip up, can be transmitted it up to 75 per cent to that axle, which promises better adhesion. The distribution between the wheels of an axle regulates electronics by brake interference.

That happens with the 4-Matic-System of the S-class flows Kraft not flexibly, but rigidly with the help of a central planetray gear Differenzials always at 55 per cent at the rear axle, which is remainder intended for the front wheels. For emergencies, if the wheels of an axle do not find Grip, a delicate multiple disk clutch intervenes and closes the force river, so that the S-class can drive off.

Mercedes: No desires openly

If it took up travel, it precedes in a way, which does not leave desires open. Traction? Of the finest one. Kurvenverhalten? Almost neutrally, most trust-arousing. Handling? Surprisingly agil. Also the steering element is very direct and precise, but an idea too low-friction. Brake? High delay, very stably, but reduced stability, if only the wheels of a side of the car on handy roadway adhesion find.

The AUDI can follow Mercedes on winding terrain well. But the fahrerische employment is clearly more highly, because it under-steers strongly, in the frontier however occasionally for overriding changes. Despite its deficiency in weight of approximately 200 kilograms it works a trace more behäbiger.

Thus not enough: Also in things comfort is the S-class a force. With its pneumatic cushioning it carries the passengers there over bad roadways so gently that almost in the state of suspension wähnen themselves. For itself regarded the A8 is not under any circumstances a unkomfortabler contemporary. But it does not achieve with its tauter chassis tuning and the harder seats evenly the exemplary comfort qualities Mercedes.

AUDI only second winner

In the remaining criteria the S-class with better space offer and more extensive safety equipment scores. On the other hand the AUDI with simpler operation as well as substantially more favorable fixed costs and lower purchase price convinces. That is enough not completely: The honour of the winner is entitled to the S-class.

As may know, the E63 is the best E-class so far, and it really shows in this test, not only have they fixed the little problems that the C&D tester had last year, but they created a monster conceiled under a beautiful skin.

I don’t want to reveal anything, so go to Car and Driver and read the whole comparison test, or click on more to see it here.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Third Place: BMW M5

Highs: BMW competence and grace, V-10 top-end power, crisp six-speed gearbox.
Lows: Relentless stability-control meddling and, of course, iDrive dementia.
The Verdict: Outstanding dynamics diluted by tyrannical electronics.

Second Place: Audi S6

Highs: Unflappable poise on backroads, sweetest voice in a great choir, snazzy styling.
Lows: Underpowered for this mission, transmission has a mind of its own.
The Verdict: A fast and sexy sweetheart priced to near irresistibility.

First Place: Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Highs: Major-league muscle, astounding agility, transmission actually does what it’s told.
Lows: COMAND control collective still confusing, new exterior a bit too familiar.
The Verdict: AMG finally delivers an Autobahn burner that also knows how to dance.

I am not even sure we should be surprised, the updated E63 has definitely been reworked to directly compete and win these kinds of comparison test against the M5 and S6. I do have to hand it to the S6, with 70hp less then the M5, and it still beat it, respect!

Here is the translated Autobild site, unfortunately one has to pay to get access to the full review. If you are financially stable, I would suggest you buy the pdf file (and if you could be so nice, maybe you could send me a copy) for all the other cheap bastards, we just have to wait until they release it to the public in a couple of weeks.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

2007 Lexus LS460L
Highs: Tranquil environment, flawless finish, comprehensive standard luxury equipment.
Lows: Soft in roll, squishy tires, small trunk, long stopping distances.
The Verdict: May be the most indulgent luxury car in the segment.

2006 Jaguar Super V-8
Highs: Keen steering, pliant ride, low weight, simple controls.
Lows: Engine not always that strong, narrow body compromises space for passengers.
The Verdict: The perfect long car for those still fighting World War II.

Read

2006 BMW 750Li
Highs: A fast driver’s car that has all the moves.
Lows: Challenging ergonomics (the curse of iDrive), interior is not that elegant.
The Verdict: Fun to drive if not to look at.

2006 Audi A8L Quattro
Highs: Cool styling, sporty character, cheaper than German colleagues.
Lows: Smallish engine relative to the competition, slowest off the line.
The Verdict: A very adaptable vehicle.

2007 Mercedes-Benz S550
Highs: Torquey V-8, great ride, amazing handling.
Lows: Seriously expensive, polarizing styling.
The Verdict: Maximum comfort, with plenty of excitement for the guy behind the wheel.

If you didn’t guess it already, the winner was the Mercedes S-class 550.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Read the entire comparison test at Autobild (Google translation)

The V8 in the Rover runs more flexible and more softly in comparison to the Mercedes, its turbo-hole with the start is noticeably smaller. It sounds less like a Diesel than the somewhat hoarse GL. And the ZF-mechanism works only with six drive positions, sorts these however gently, sovereign and fast. There are no large differences with consumption. The GL has a 11.9 liter fuel tank, while the Rover has a bit smaller one with 11,7 liters.

As enormously as everything else is as expected also the prices: Mercedes GL 420 CDI price was at 79,460 Euro, and the Rover TDV8 SE was at 74.900 Euro. The equipment is more than lavish with both - one may also expect that. Thus with air suspension, air conditioning, all-wheel drive, CD radio and so on. In addition, Rover has leather seats (GL 1781 euro), a high-ending sound system (GL 783 euro) and some other stuff on board. It cannot win the comparison nevertheless. The Mercedes is simply outstanding in many ranges - even if the Rover is a bit bigger.

Conclustion:
Two impressive cars: enormous, with great Diesels and mad handling characteristics. Mercedes wins, because it fulfills, next to desire and luxury, the practical tasks effectivly: more place, better road performances and brakes, larger trunk, higher cargo load. However, when it comes to style, the Range Rover has its nose in front.

Go to Autobild to read the whole comparison test, or scroll down for the result.

Not only is the S-class the winner because of the amazingly good all-wheel drive, but it can do nearly everything better than the Audi. It offers more space, accelerates faster, is more comfortable and brakes better. The hour of the A8 strikes with engaged driving fashion. The sporty handling remains unequaled. In addition, Audi’s price tag is clearly more favorably than Mercedes.