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Japanese Track Video: A8 vs 745i vs XJ vs LS460

Bill submitted on 12/14/2006 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 1:40:26 PM

56 user comments | Category: Videos | Source: | SOURCE: www.youtube.com

Tag Link: Japanese Track Video: A8 vs 745i vs XJ vs LS460

It's not often you see luxury saloons racing in a wet race track.

Strange they didn't use the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The Audi is the heaviest and the least powerful car. But thanks to the 4WD Quattro, the A8 managed to beat all its rivals around the wet track.

Interesting they have the pre-facelift BMW 7-series (745i) against the new Lexus LS460 and despite having less power the Bimmer still beats it.

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— Bill (View Profile)

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It is obvious that a car with AWD such as the Audi A8 would defeat its non-AWD rivals such as the BMW 745i and LS460.

The Audi S6, yes the S6, being as underpowered as when compared to the BMW M5 and Benz E63 AMG, would still defeat those two cars on a wet track.

The RS4 would take down the M3 on a wet track.

The S8 would take down even the A8, 750Li, S600, LS460 or XJR and whatever other luxury sedan you want to include when going on a wet track.

The beauty of AWD when the conditions get sloppy.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 2:16:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Okay what a useless post.

"The RS4 would take down the M3 on a wet track."

The RS4 would take down an M3 on a dry track, too- why is this a surprise?

Why are you comparing the S8 to such a random assortment of cars? 750Li, S600, XJR, LS460? What?

I think its only real competition is the XJR. But what're the S600 and LS460 doing there, let alone the 750? Those are all completely different.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 6:04:42 PM | | Votes: 1

Your exactly right. I could not have typed it better myself.
— 1uberaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 2:20:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9

It will be interesting to see how the LS600hL with AWD performs vs. the S8 and S-Class 4matic when it comes out.
— GS450h (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 2:25:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Yes it will, considering the LS 600h L will have an engine equivilent to a V12.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 3:19:17 PM | | Votes: -1

The LS600hL will have AWD?

Interesting.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 10:49:27 PM | | Votes: 1

How about the LS600hL vs. an S65 AMG 4MATIC?
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 1:09:32 AM | | Votes: 0

The car is probally being designed as we type away.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 12:50:04 PM | | Votes: -1

Because they've heard of Lexus' AWD system and needed something to compare with it...good luck Mercedes, you're gonna nedd it ;).
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 10:03:21 PM | | Votes: 1

NEED it, sorry.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2006 12:10:26 AM | | Votes: 1

"Because they've heard of Lexus' AWD system and needed something to compare with it...good luck Mercedes, you're gonna nedd it ;)."

LOL. Stop kidding yourself.

Audi's quattro system, followed by Mercedes's own 4Matic system, are the luxury AWD leaders. The Lexus's system is pretty generic. There's no distinguishing feature in it- like Acura's SH-AWD (which also is a leader) or Audi's 40:60 handling split.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2006 1:40:27 AM | | Votes: 1

Who even cares what AWD system is on their car anyway? I mean, most people out there don't know one car from the next. Most people just see a shiny car at a dealership and buy it. Sad, but true. So basically, the only people who even look into AWD systems will know that there are different types of AWD systems.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2006 2:25:16 AM | | Votes: 1

yes the AWD with the S8 would be better match
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 1:07:41 PM | | Votes: 1

How do you know the Audi is the heaviest?

The Audi A8 4.2 quatrro for example only weighs 1780KG,
That's allot lighter then the S450 (1840kg) and the BMW 750i (1885kg)
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 2:37:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I copied the wording from a forum I was reading. I thought the video was interesting because these cars were being driven on the wet track.

Either way, WHO CARES about the placing and outcome? No sane owner will drive their _____ on the track.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 2:46:57 PM | | Votes: -1

If I lived on a wet track, I know which car I'd get.
— audiot (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 2:40:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Audi is absolutely not the hevier. The heviest in this class are LS ansd S class which are the only two with more than 2 tones!
— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 3:41:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

this kind of test depend definitly on t driver and much less on car!
— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 3:43:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

FYI - its a vid from Best Motoring and the track is Tsukaba. You can hear the regulars on the show "Orrido" and the host "Tsuchiya" . The track itself is fairly small and tight and in general does not favour cars that have "long legs".

While Audi does well in the rain due to its Quattro drive. I would give the nod to big BMW for being a better handler and the Lexus next for performing so well in nearly all the segments.

— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 6:24:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Actually the A8 is lighter than the Lexus LS 460 and the BMW 7 series. Go Quattro power.

Saw a V6 Mustang spinning its wheels in the wet today, looked like a complete tool.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 6:37:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

This should put to rest the Rumors about the LS460 having Shitty Handling and Bad Brakes (Chewy ??)
If you pay attention the LS was just behind the 745 all the way around the track till the END and the BMW is known to be the Best Handling Sedan.

Also for those who cannot figure out why such a test should be carried out.
If you lived in a Country with rainfall over 50% of the Year you would find this test useful.
— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 7:24:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Judging from what the drivers are saying, they are trying to push the cars as much as possible without losing control under the condition (yes, I can understand the language). I'm guessing that they are professional drivers, otherwise they won't be allowed on the track let alone in this very rainly condition. But what do I konw, huh?

By the way, the driver of A8 was praising the handling of the car very much. He said he would have spinning out of control on the coners if he was driving the other cars.

I do agree with I95SPEEDINGTICKETS that Lexus seems to be doing just fine right behind BMW.
— sracekili (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 10:01:13 PM | | Votes: 3

Nice. Go A8!
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 10:50:51 PM | | Votes: 1

Wow u r happy because the Lexus LS460 was compared to the 745i that is 6 years older. Now how about try the 750 against the LS n we ll c who wins BY FAR!
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2006 8:39:17 AM | | Votes: 0

Okay cry babies here are two AWD drive tests (snow and wet) with the same results

1) Snow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDt81H_-Xnc&mode=related&search=

2) Wet

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=3280
— TheGenius (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 11:34:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Tsuchiya(Drift king) was driving the A8 which would also give the car an advantage,over the other less
experienced drivers,oh and do you guys remember Top-Gear when the Audi TT went up against the BMW Z3,the Z3 lost on the wet track,but the Z3 killed the TT on the dry track,I think that would be the same outcome with these vehicles!!
— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2006 11:59:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

The C3 A8 has always been a better handler than the 745/750, wet track or not. AWD has a significant advantage.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 12:30:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Must remember all drivers are not created equal and a better test around the track would be one driver and one car at a time.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 1:17:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Fabian555..

"If you had paid attention, you'd have seen that these cars were hardly pushed at all in this video. Put some professional drivers behind the wheel and tell them to achieve the best times, slaloms etc. and the BMW will leave the Lexus in the dust"

don't be silly. those drivers were at it full throttle. i happen to know that it takes a JTC Nissan Skyline GT about 53 seconds or so to go around tje tsukuba track on dry tar. the audi did it in 1.17 minutes. do the maths.
— Gennissen (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 5:38:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Anyway, why are they racing the XJ-R with them not the XJ-8?? Weird... I love the noise of the supercharger though, this car is pure british and very nice, handling is not good however and as we can see from the video probably traction.

Fabian555 whats ur point if they can't give it full throttle and they're not?
— ToyotaLexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 12:41:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

On other thoughts, the LS did do pretty well and would do much better on a dry track. The other thing is the Audi is the lighter by far, it's known about the aluminuim bodies they have.
— ToyotaLexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 12:44:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I would like to see these cars with the S550 race on a NASCAR track like the California Speedway and a little bump and grind action would be fun to watch and most appropriate :D
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 2:51:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I thought the LS460 looked very good racing around the track.

Was it the long wheelbase?

I wonder whick car the LS460 vs. LS460L is a better handler?
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 3:27:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Every LS I have seen has been the LWB.

Why not spend a few more pennies and get the room, I know I would and may.

Now, which color to get???
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 4:51:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Interesting comparo - if only the LS600L was REAL AWD. I don't think the front drive wheels and the real drive wheels are integrated - I think they are separate - rear powered by gas engine and front powered by electric engine. I think it was engineered not for traction but for fuel economy.

I'd love to see an engineering analysis of the LS600L and true traction comparo to a MB 4matic or a BMW 'x' or Audi Quattro.
— nybimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2006 5:50:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I wonder y they used the 745 not the 750, mayb they wanted to give the lexus some hope! anyway thats kind off not fair, comparing a 6 year old BMW to a brand new Lexus. Anyway the lexus didnt win!
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2006 12:41:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

insanity. the bmw 750 woudl win this hands down on a regular track, much like it wins everyday in the marketplace.
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2006 2:16:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

LOL the 7 Series is incompetent.

Anyone who buys it over an A8, S-Class or LS460 is in need of brain surgery.

It's not as luxurious, not as good to drive (as A8 or S-Class), not as good-looking as any of them, and the controls (not just the iDrive, but things like the seat controls) are needlessly complicated.

The 7 Series is in need of a redesign. I'm sure the next one will be better- but then the new A8 will come out and whip it in every respect, much like the S550 has taken reign over the A8's former dominance.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2006 1:43:27 AM | | Votes: 1

The A8 and LS are about 4700lbs.

Good video though, it's interesting that the Japanese have the gas pedal on the right too.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2006 10:16:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

No, the A8 4.2 is only 3900LBS and the W12 is 4300LBS.
This all because of the Full Aluminium Space Frame.

— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2006 7:52:17 AM | | Votes: 1

Hmmm, either Car and Driver doesn't know jack about cars, or VW is lying.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/12086/2006-audi-a8l-quattro.html
Click on the "test sheet", the A8L weighs in at 4500lbs.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/18/2006 11:39:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Japanese Track Video: A8 vs 745i vs XJ vs LS460

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