A lot of cars are hugely impressive after a quick first drive, and some continue to impress when we test the wheels off them over an extended period. And then there are cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-class – cars so impressive that, even after a prolonged spell trying to pick holes in their abilities, it’s hard to think anything could possibly be better. But that’s not how things work here at Autocar India, and for the ultimate verdict on just how good a car – any car – is, you need to add a bit of perspective.
And it’s a similar story with the other cars here – the Jaguar XJ, the Audi A8 and the BMW 7-series. All are available with petrol engine options but for most buyers, the six-cylinder diesel is the one to choose. The S-class is all new, while the other three have been given updates recently that have made them a bit more appealing. The BMW got an ever-so-mild update last year, the Audi a similarly light facelift earlier this year, and the Jaguar was given some more equipment and a much better price tag, thanks to local assembly at Pune. So they all bring something new to the table, which is good, because toppling the mighty S is not going to be easy. Time to get pampered.
