New to the United States this model year, the A8 4.2 is known within Audi as the "normal wheelbase" car. It has all the power, technology and convenience features of the A8 L 4.2, which was introduced here in June 2003. The difference? The A8 4.2's wheelbase, and overall length, are 5.1 inches shorter than that of the A8 L (L stands for long wheelbase). Inside the car, those 5.1 inches translates entirely into a reduction in rear-seat legroom. Choose the A8 over the A8 L if squeezing into tight parking spots is more important than a vast rear seat, remembering that the standard A8's rear accommodations are still quite expansive by typical sedan standards.

The 2005 A8 4.2 models are powered by a 330-horsepower 4.2-liter four-cam V8 with Audi's five-valve-per-cylinder technology. A six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shift control is the only transmission offered, feeding power to Audi's standard quattro fulltime all-wheel-drive system.

The A8 4.2s come loaded with all the luxury features you'd expect at this price point. The air-conditioning system, for example, uses temperature, moisture, and infrared sensors to detect and demist the windows before they can even think about fogging. Similar to that of the BMW 7 Series and Jaguar XJ series, the A8's parking brake is electromechanical, which in other words means a switch. Advanced Key and Soft Close doors are standard features.

Options include massage, heating and ventilation features for the front seats, four-zone automatic climate control with individual rear-seat settings and a wood steering wheel. A solar-cell sunroof produces enough electrical energy to supply the passenger compartment continuously with fresh air via the blower even when the ignition is off.

The A8 L 6.0 (expected to retail for about $117,500) comes with all of the above and more. New for 2005, the 6.0 features Audi's unique, 440-horsepower W12 engine (literally two Vs), and ultra-luxury amenities. These include power sunshades for the rear windows, heated power-adjustable rear seats, and leather upholstery on the door panels, console and dashboard. The 6.0 also comes standard with a full-length rear-seat center console, housing elaborate climate and seat adjustments, and limiting seating capacity to four.

The A8 L 6.0 offers three options: a 20-inch wheel/performance tire package, upgraded from standard 19-inch wheels and not offered by BMW or Mercedes; radar-managed Adaptive Cruise Control, which maintains a prescribed distance to traffic ahead; and a rear-seat entertainment package with DVD player and two LCD screens in the back of the front headrests. The rear center console can be deleted in favor of a three-place bench seat.