Audi S8

The good: The 2009 Audi S8 offers a good bundle of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection. It has a good iPod interface, an excellent Bluetooth cell phone system, and an exceptional stereo right kind of music. Its Quattro all-wheel-drive and air suspension deliver good control.

The bad: The navigation system is badly in need of an update and offers no advanced features. Fuel economy is abysmal.

The bottom line: The 2009 Audi S8 is a very powerful big sedan with some excellent handling features, but it doesn't offer all of the latest in-dash and you trade a luxury ride for performance.

The A8 is Audi's flagship sedan, pile, the king of the mountain, but the company does itself one better with the 2009 Audi S8, an amped-up version of its big luxury car designed to throw a little thrill toward those well-heeled enough to afford such a car. The S8 gets the same engine as the new R8 V-10, Audi's all-wheel-drive system, and an air suspension designed for aggressive driving. Sport touches abound in the car, too, with carbon fiber cabin trim and S8 logos on the tachometer, rocker panels, and front brake calipers.

Our Audi S8 also served as a test pad for a set of driver aid features that included blind spot assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning system, this last feature being new for Audi. We were also quite pleased audio system we enjoyed so much in the Audi A8.