For the past decade, Audi has invested heavily in technology intended to establish itself once-and-for-all on equal terms with German heavyweights BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The company's flagship sedan, the 2005 Audi A8, suggests Audi has not only matched its primary rivals in most areas, but surpassed them in some.The A8 is Audi's largest, most sophisticated sedan: Comfortable, fast and very smooth. Yet those qualities are the baseline for full-size cars in this price range. The A8 is the newest of Germany's Big Three luxury sedans, and it raises the performance bar in many respects. It's more refined that the Mercedes S-Class, and more handsome to many than BMW's 7 Series. Nor is Audi resting on the A8's achievements. All new for model year 2004, the A8 nonetheless adds features for 2005. The line has been expanded with two new variants, including the ultra-luxurious, 12-cylinder A8 L 6.0.Click here to read more