Best of the Big Boys: Styling only...

[Matt]

Ok. Because The S/7/A8 are so integral in determining the design of the upcoming generation, I thought we could have a comparison of which is the best looking car. Basically its an extension of the 7er picture thread that turned into a heated debate over styling. SO this time I thought we could include the Audi boys and have ourself one heated mean and awsome debate. I'm not going to put up any poll because people simply vote for the brand they affiliate themselves with, so its text only. No name calling/assenine comments, just a serious conversation. Ok have fun....!



1. The 7er. The 7 series has always intrigued. I never understood the pre-fl 7 but the new one has really gained my liking. Its simple yet antagonistic and is a really interesting car look at. I suppose the best word for it is intriguing..Its that good...

 

[NarutoRamen]

To me it's the S. It's funny that the S has caused almost as much debate with it's new styling that the 7 did. Whether that's a good thing or not will be determined in the future but it was a success for the 7 though. I really like the fact that the S maintained it's look from the previous model but managed to look really fresh. I've seen all three cars in real life and a few times (in san francisco) almost next to eachother. To me the S stood out more with it's flowing side line, big gaping front and those fender flares. It is definitely more modern the the other two and yet so classical. That is impressive because the A8 is very beautiful but not modern looking but the 7 is just pure modern with no hint of classical styling.

 

[Matt]

I do like the S and it would be my second choice because it challenges me and it is different. You really notice that car when it passes. A8 is my third choice mostly because its boring. Its pleasant to look at but its also just very simplistic in design and overly conservative. (however the S8 is a very attractive vehicle)

 

[Merc1]

For me it would have to be the S also, but by a slim margin over the A8. The new S is grand car that really does evoke a sense of exclusiveness when you see one, well at least until they populate the roads like Camrys. It manages to keep the traditional Mercedes DNA like the C-pillar and broad expanses of sheetmetal (without looking slabsides) while bring new styling cues to the mix. In AMG sportswear the new S is downright killer, witness the real-life pics of Nevada Jacks' S550.

The A8 is the slickest, most elegant design to ever come from Audi and is just such a sweatheart of a car that it can't be ignored. I can't wait to see the inevitable facelift. The 7-Series has been a let down since 2002 because I really loved the previous model and the one before that. Won't ever like the current car no matter what they do to it though it does have presence and I like the interior, I can't stand the overall exterior look of it.

M

 

[Zafiro]

If we look at the standard models the facelifted 7er simply look the best. Im not quite sold on the S-class yet. Unfortunaly 7er dont have a sportversion and S8 look better than a 7er but a regular A8 doesnt.
The facelifted 7er was a success and the facelifted is even selling better than the prefacelifted so I take it people find the facelifted 7er to be a good improvement.

 

[Mr. M]

I'd take a 7 Series if it isn't so common on the roads, because to me it gets many eyeballs peeled. And I'm young, reckless and wanting of attention... BMW is synonymous with that to a certain extent.

Of course, if I had to have a more cultured taste, perhaps when I'm 40-50, I'll take the A8 without a doubt.

 

[LaArtist]

The benz no doubt..
beacuse the BMW ment to be challenging and turn out wierd..after a while i started to almost like some aspects.. and then they ruined the rear with the FL.. They should learn something from MB.. the S was launched in sept..huge debate over styling of interior and the wheel arches.. ( that means they did a challenging style) and now every one is fine with it..and it has settled in.. only in less then a year.. the 7er hasent set in yet.. and its like due for modell change sooner than the 2 other.. to me it was to radical..

The A8 is the car that is most like the W220 right now.. its elegant as hell.. and i love the design.. but now with the new S and the radicall 7er it feels that this car group should not only be the first with cutting edge technology but even cutting edge design.. and the A8 is to plain for that..
but still the classic elegance of the car makes me chose it over the 7er FL

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Let's see:

1. 7er (pre FL)
2. 7er FL (because of the headlight it's not first)
3. A8 w big grille
4. A8 w/t big grille
5. VW Phaeton
6. missed something, oh the W221 but only the 65 AMG is acceptle, the plain ones aren't worth debating about.

Yep, that pretty much is it.

 

[MikeJ]

1. Quite clearly the A8. Clean, timeless, understated, tasteful.
2. S-Class. I had my reservations at first but after seeing the car in the metal I've decided I sort of like it.
3. 7er. The facelift certainly improved things here, and apart from the tail-end treatment I'm actually quite happy with it. Still not exactly my taste.

 

[wltsm]

For me:

1. Audi A8
2. 7er
3. Jaguar XJ
4. Lexus LS460
5. Merc S class

 

[Choleric]

Pre-facelifted A8 for me, it just looks so powerful, prominent and beautiful.

And that interior, Oh my