Audi A8 Beats BMW 7 Series

The new Audi A8 just beat the BMW 7 series in the German car publication Auto Bild.

Although the article is in German, I thought it would be useful to share this article because these 2 cars are going to be sold in the US with very similar specifications, especially when it comes to engine choices.

To sum it up, Autobild says the cars are very similar in that one is not better than the other by more than a hairline. The A8's ride is smoother, while the BMW, especially in the rear axle, is tuned more for sport. Space is about the same, but the BMW offers easier entry into the back seat as its rear doors are slightly bigger.

But when i comes to performance, the Audi edges out the BMW in every major aspect. Despite the BMW's bigger and torque-laden turbocharged motor, the Audi is faster. It accelerates to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds, while the 750i does it in 5.5. The difference in fuel economy is even greater with the Audi burning 11.4L/100km and the BMW with 14.1L/100km. Braking in the Audi is better as well. All this does not come as a huge surprise when one compares the weight of these cars. The A8 is 220kg, or almost 500lbs lighter than the 7-series.

For more specs, check out the link and scroll down to the performance table, which thanks to universal measurements can be understood even if you don't speak German.


http://www.autobild.de/artikel/audi-a8-gegen-bmw-7er-im-vergleich_1162923.html

Overall, the new Audi A8 took 1st place with 376 points and the BMW 750 came in 2nd with 357/400 points.
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aarononymous - 4/23/2010 8:28:42 PM

-1 Boost

Oh snap, but how did you think this information would be helpful HERE?

aarononymous - 4/23/2010 8:37:39 PM

+5 Boost

Also as much as everyone says the A8 looks like a big A4 and I do agree I think it looks much cleaner than the BMW. There are certain angles that don't lend well to both of the cars but I think the profile & back the Audi edges it out. Not crazy about the 7-series tails and the proportions look off from the side.

TrueAutoSpy - 4/23/2010 8:54:46 PM

+2 Boost

Congrats AUDI!

golden009 - 4/23/2010 9:16:07 PM

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aarononymous - how this information would be helpful here?? Well let's see, come this fall both of these cars will be on sale in North America so I don't understand your confusion. Also this is one of the first comparison test's I've seen of the new A8 so I thought people might be interested how these cars stack up against each other.

aarononymous - 4/23/2010 9:28:06 PM

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here as in Autospies, or as some say BMWspies

giants10 - 4/23/2010 10:18:14 PM

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Yea well that article all but flies out the window, because the A8 is not faster then the 750 at all. The A8 is 0-60 in 5.8 and the 750 gets below 5.0 easily. Audi makes the worst performing cars for the money, i think everyone knows that even Audi customers.

car750i - 4/24/2010 12:29:17 AM

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the link goes to fourtitude an audi forum

2ndbimmer - 4/24/2010 12:25:45 PM

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Actually, the 750i US Spec shows 5.1 0-60mph. So, I dont know how the Audi is faster?
How is the 750i suspension tuned to sport? You have the choice! The adaptive drive is standard. You can go from comfort, normal, sport and sport plus. This article is whack.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 4/24/2010 4:30:17 PM

+2 Boost

2ndbimmer

I have spent over 4 weeks and 8,000 km in the 550Li and i can promise you the suspension even when in Comfort Mode is Much Less Supple than the S 550 when it is in Sport.

Now I have not yet driven the New A8 but to say the BMW Suspension has different Modes is a bit of a Lie.

It might Say {Comfort / Sport / Sport Plus} but really it should all be Underneath a Huge SPORT Glow.

Not saying i don't like the BMW setup, on the contrary, I preferred it to the S-Class Setup which i felt was not Engaging Enough for spirited driving.

BondMI6 - 4/24/2010 12:29:06 AM

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This is the first official test for the new A8 I'm aware of- so Vlad for you to say the real acceleration figure for the Audi to be 5.9 must be something you pulled out of your !#*!$%.....

The Audi is 500 lbs. lighter so the figure of 5.2 is def possible although Audi AG qoutes a 0-62 of 5.7....

What I'm surprised at is the Bimmer's time of 5.5 0-62mph (0-100kph). That's a 0-60 of roughly 5.3.... but many mags have tested it at 4.9-5.1 so I'm wondering if this was an "off" 750i that's maybe not broken in yet...

M53R - 4/24/2010 6:39:57 AM

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I stopped reading after I saw the 5.5 seconds to 60 for the bimmer. Seriously?

2ndbimmer - 4/24/2010 12:26:56 PM

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exactly, they clearly dont know how to drive. The stats are way off.

Steve - 4/24/2010 8:17:01 AM

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I declare this article a total sham! Everyone knows that BMWs are the best cars in the world. Always! Any assertions to the contrary are obvious lies, or the work of an insane mind.

BozzorTheGreat - 4/24/2010 12:33:34 PM

+3 Boost

0-62 mph times are damn tough to compare really fairly: these days, so much has to do with software calibration for grip types as well as different launch styles. Either way, does anyone REALLY believe one car is better in EVERY way than another? As w ekeep saying 1,000 times, it really comes down to personal preference for a slight edge in one or another area at what already is a very high standard. It's not as if someone is buying a definite 'loser' car here no matter which is selected!

CarCrazedinCali - 4/24/2010 1:58:41 PM

+7 Boost

I understand how some people might think that autospies is BMWspies, but it's just that BMW fans seem to be more passionate about their cars and I guess dominate the site, sorry other make fans/drivers... I respect Audi product, but find their exteriors a bit bland but interiors are exceptional- not so sure about that touchpad "innovation" in the A8- will have to play with that and compare to iDrive and voice commands... Thanks for the post anyway though AgentGolden009

tattedtwice - 4/24/2010 6:47:12 PM

+2 Boost

I wonder if they did the acceleration runs on an incline for the BMW and downhill for the audi. The notion that its weak engine could hit 100 km/h in 5.2 ticks is laughable. Yea, I know it has the new 8 speed tranny, against the 7's six-speed, but that alone isnt enough to make it faster. I can't see this thing being any better than a mid-5 second car.

VISO - 4/25/2010 12:33:46 AM

-2 Boost

Obviously, you haven't attended any Audi enthusiast and owner events, Audi sports events like the Audi corrals at Laguna Seca or 24 Hours of Le mans, or surfed various Audi websites to see the passion of Audi owners. The problem here at bmwspies.com is that there is lack of rational debate and lack of knowledge or intellect regarding certain issues which then breakdowns down in false tribes and arm chair experts that are from it.

JustaCar - 4/24/2010 10:52:21 PM

+1 Boost

Definition of "Denial": 1- an unconscious defense mechanism in which emotional conflict and anxiety are avoided by refusal to acknowledge those thoughts, feelings, desires, impulses, or FACTS that are consciously intolerable. 2- The reaction of a BMW fan when an Audi places ahead of a BMW in a comparison test.

BondMI6 - 4/25/2010 3:09:20 AM

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No Vlad I dont't need a link- I used official Specs from the Audi AG press release on the new A8 and used C&D for the 750i times.

Open mouth insert foot Vlad.................

Yonder7 - 4/25/2010 10:19:57 AM

+2 Boost

Well, 7 is not doing so well aginst old S class, so A8 will contribute to sink the sales of 7 series, so they will need the Grand Coupe so improve their economy....so I'm happy if tha push that concept to the market.

Neverfollow - 4/26/2010 4:10:56 PM

+2 Boost

The BMW deathstar has taken a hit captain!

Eyecarehawaii - 4/30/2010 5:26:20 PM

+1 Boost

"Oh snap, but how did you think this information would be helpful HERE?"
"aarononymous - how this information would be helpful here??

"Although the article is in German, I thought it would be useful to share this article because these 2 cars are going to be sold in the US with very similar specifications, especially when it comes to engine choices."

Hmm, you dodn't have to read very far into into this article to read why it might be helpful.

100kph=62.14mph

Autobild is a respected German car publication. Like most Germans they tend to be much less biased in their evaluations than US car publications. They just reported what they found.

BMW doesn't need defenders and neither does Audi. Both cars will sell on their own merits. These cars are close - it still comes down to buyer preference.