Two equally matched German
juggernauts square-off in a duel of speed and luxury. Extravagance ensues…
The Audi S8 and BMW 750i are two of
Deutschland’s most formidable exponents of power, status and style. Equipped
with every conceivable mod-con and brimming with opulence and refinement, they
reside at the top tier of the automotive food chain. However, there’s more to
each car than meets the eye. Go on, take a closer look. Yep, those
performance-forged physiques are not merely impetuous nuances but rather
structural allowances for the vast array of cutting-edge technologies that
underpins each car’s façade. But how do you pick a winner in aristocratic
company such as this? Well, that’s going to come down to what each limo offers
in terms of luxury, dynamic acumen and performance, not forgetting the back
seat experience and price.
BMW
750i and Audi S8
Auto armor
Parked alongside each other it’s the Audi
S8 that looks the most menacing as it projects the steroidal muscularity that
epitomizes Audi S cars. Painted in Phantom Black, it looks twice as big as the
750i and about ten times as hostile. It’s got massive 20-inch wheels wrapped in
275-section Pirelli rubber, flared ’arches, bold V8T branding on each front
fender and twin double-barrel exhaust pipes – there’s nothing understated about
this machine. I found myself entranced by its five-meter-long slab-like
proportions, circling it repeatedly and taking in every bit of its imperial
presence. If it’s this exciting to look at I can only imagine what it’s like to
drive.
Parked
alongside each other it’s the Audi S8 that looks the most menacing as it
projects the steroidal muscularity that epitomizes Audi S cars.
Hmmm, the 750i looks innocuous by
comparison doesn’t it? Save for the 750i badge on the boot there aren’t any
real defining elements alluding to the driving experience: instead it follows a
more understated Q-car approach. This one comes with Havanna metallic paint –
not the best shade for showing off its proportions but a regal tinge
nonetheless. Other than the 12-spoke 20-inch wheels and the distinctive
shoulder line that integrates with the tail-lamps, I’m afraid there’s nothing
too alluring about the styling, although this is subjective. The only area that
shows some semblance of added creativity is the rear end, which benefits from
two chrome strips and twin exhaust pipes set within a valence.
Yep,
that's what it feels and looks like when pressing down on the Audi S8's
throttle pedal - 382kW/ 650Nm and four-wheel drive equals 0-100kph in 4.2 secs
Belly of the beast
Climb inside the 750i and it’s a totally
different machine to the one viewed in the parking lot. It’s clearly evident
that it has been tailored for ferrying delegates around – it’s a first-class
ride bar none. There are loads of gadgets on offer too, such as the 10.25-inch
instrument cluster that’s rendered entirely in digital. The cluster will change
color and function depending on which drive mode setting has been selected on
the Driver Experience Control facility. The materials are lavish and used
without remorse: a combination of stitched saddle-brown leather, smooth
plastics and burled walnut veneers coat the facia and door panels, while the
roof is clad in anthracite Alcantara. The back seat experience offers
unparalleled exclusivity and comfort levels with generous head- and legroom.
Rear occupants can also enjoy rear-seat entertainment with iDrive controls and
personal, seat-mounted LCD screens with TV functionality.
The
S8 may measure just over 5 meters in length but put it through a set of bends
and it handles with the poise and composure of a sports saloon
The S8 shares its basic cabin architecture
with the A8 upon which it’s based. This means it gets the same facia layout,
fluorescent-like LED lighting strips on the ceiling, a centrally mounted
analogue clock and diamond-stitched leather seats. But it’s far racier than the
standard car thanks to the generous dollops of veritable carbon fiber paneling,
brushed aluminum strips and Alcantara. It all looks fantastic – especially from
the driver’s perspective, which resembles that of a fighter jet’s cockpit. You’re
confronted by a thick-rimmed multi-function steering wheel, a thrust lever-like
gear selector and a prominent instrument cluster set upon a LCD digital
display. The only options fitted to the S8 are Night Vision, which improves
visibility in poorly lit areas, a 360-degree camera park assist system and a
Bang & Olufsen sound system.
