AS car makers become more and more adept at squeezing quarts into pint pots, dow-sizing has become the in-thing for many members of the car-buying public..
However, while smaller can undoubtedly be beautiful in some people's eyes, no matter how good these models are, in the world of executive travel, there is nothing quite like the real thing. Which is why Mercedes-Benz continue to make the S-Class, BMW the 7 Series and Audi the A8.
The Audi A8 first appeared in the UK in the autumn of 1994, as a spacious and comfortable, aluminium-bodied prestige saloon with a choice of front-wheel-drive and four-wheel quattro-driven form.
In the spring of last year, an all-new Audi A8 quattro cruised convincingly on to the UK motoring scene with two petrol engine options of 3.7 and 4.2-litres.
But buyers had to wait until the summer of last year for Audi's jewel in the A8 crown - the derivative powered by the four-litre, V8 turbo diesel engine, a model in which I recently spent some roadway time.
Large, wide-opening doors which have that expensive-sounding thunk on closing welcome you into an opulent interior. Even in "standard form it is well equipped but a the test car came with around eight grands worth of extras turning it into the proverbial Alladin's Cave..
Audi's option features are designed to help buyers create a car which is virtually the ultimate in executive luxury motoring. There's a DVD-based satellite navigation system which will add around £1,000 to your bill, a TV reception system at £705, a Bose Sound-Around set-up at £725 and an electronic climate control system for every section of the car costing £450. We are definitely in self-indulgent territory here.
But there's more. For the absolute ultimate in automotive personalisation, £1,200 will enable you to get into your car via fingerprint recognition. With a mere touch of your index digit on a sensor pad, the car immediately recognises you - or other drivers - and automatically adjusts the on-board settings for driver's seat, steering wheel, mirrors and air con and will even tune-in to your favourite radio station.
However, while optional opulence may contribute to making this A8 one of the most sophisticated prestige cars on the road, the standard kit level is also hugely generous. It comes direct from the showroom floor with electronic climate control, electric windows all round, nine-speaker sound system, six-disc CD autochanger, cruise control and Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) which allows you to select from the centre console screen anything from suspension settings to your favourite radio station, thus dispensing with banks of switches.
A futher boon to a spacious front of house is the absence of a conventional handbrake lever.Instead there's a very user-friendly electro-mechanical parking brake which is actioned by a switch adjacent to the gearstick.
The 14-way adjustable electrics provide an easy route to the optimum driving position in comfortable and supportive seating liveried in leather upholstery. Alcantra door inserts and burr walnut trim are tastefully used on the dash to add that extra touch of class to the executive-style surroundings.
The boot is hugely accommodating. The cavernous hold swallows up the requirements of three adults and two youngsters for a weekend away with ease, even taking on the extra load for the return journey of items acquired during our stay away.
On the move, the A8 proved to be a smooth operator. The four-litre V8 turbo diesel is refinement itself, doing its roadway work in majestic fashion, effortlessly transferring its considerable 275bhp to all four wheels via the six-speed tiptronic transmission. If you prefer to do it the hard way the gears can be changed manually by switching the gearstick across the gate.
Ride quality is hugely impressive thanks to the Adaptive Air Suspension system which gives the driver a choice of four settings. Automatic lowers or raises the ride height as you go along to suit your driving style, Dynamic provides a more sporting pose while Comfort mode is for boulevard cruising and Lift for tackling uneven surfaces.
I preferred the Dynamic mode which proved to be all things to all surfaces, providing precise control to any body movement as you tapped into the car's inherent dynamism to string together a series of twisty bits. The big A8 responds almost as if to the manner born.
Capable of doing the 0-62mph dash in under seven seconds and with a monitored top speed of 155mph, this big car is no slouch and, even more importantly, the A8 4.0 V8 turbo diesel does hold out the promise of just under 30mpg in mixed driving dependent, of course, upon individual driving styles.
There is, of course, even more in the optional extras bin, not least the Adaptive Lighting system to help guide you around the bends, but, even without these further enhancements, this car is a roomy, comfortable, refined, dynamically capable and extremely well equipped example of the true luxury limousine.
FAST FACTS
Audi A8 4.0 TDI quattro
Price: £58,600
Mechanical: 275bhp, 3,936cc, 8cyl turbo diesel engine driving all four wheels via 6-spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 6.7 secs
Combined mpg: 28.8
Insurance group: 19
CO2 emissions: 265g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust