Regal Rides

Three exceptional European 2004 business sedans includeAudi's A8 L, Jaguar's XJ Vanden Plas and Volvo's S80.Audi's superb new $68,500 flagship is built on a long wheelbasefor a luxuriously stretched-out interior and exceptional ridingcomfort. Sophisticated and classically styled, with innovationsincluding a multimedia interface to handle functions and controls,permanent all-wheel drive, six-speed Tiptronic transmission and anadaptive air suspension system, the A8 L debuts with a V-8 engineboasting 330 horse-power and 317 pound-feet of torque. The interioris pure elegance with leather, wood trim and an impressively largerear passenger compartment. And at 17.7 cubic feet, even the trunkis roomy.

The 2004 XJ model lineup, which includes the Vanden Plas,celebrates a makeover, with a new air suspension and a redesign fora taller, wider and roomier car all around. With a base price of$68,330, the Vanden Plas is a stately luxury four-door sporting aV-8 engine with 294 horsepower. High-quality luxury touches abound,from piping on the leather seats to DVD systems both front and back(optional). Rain-sensing wipers, optional parking-distance control,an electric moon roof and a 16.4 cubic-foot trunk combine for a carthat outranks many in its class.