The Audi A8 is a large, luxury saloon that Audi have been producing since 1994, taking over from the old Audi V8. Back in 1997, the A8 was the first mass-market car to utilise an aluminium chassis called Audi Space Frame (ASF) which significantly reduced weight without running structural rigidity.

The third and current line up went on sale in late 2010. It keeps Audis Space Frame aluminium construction of the previous A8, ensuring it the lightest all-wheel drive car in the luxury class. This also helps it to achieve best in class fuel economy.

Prices start at £55,995 and go up to £94,460, if you start adding options you can be well over the £100k mark. Most people will choose some kind of car finance at this price, even those who can afford one outright. All big cars values drop more quickly than smaller, cheaper cars, but Audis residual values are always strong, making an Audi Lease the sensible option.

Engine choices consist of 4.2 litre petrol (366 bhp), and turbo diesel (346bhp) V8s. There is also the cheaper and more efficient options of the 3.0 litre V6 TDi with a choice of 247 bhp or 201 bhp. To top it off, for the seriously rich there is a 6.3 litre W12 engine that kicks out 493bhp and hits 60 in 6.1 seconds. The mid range overtaking acceleration is mind blowing. The 4.2 FSi actually gets to 60mph more quickly in 5.7 seconds, which begs the question, do you need the W12? Well, for some, that extra smoothness matters!

The cheapest way into an A8 is also one of the best. The 3.0 TDi diesel has all the power you need, yet offers the refinement and luxury that buyers in this class expect.

Example lease prices based on 10,000 miles per year (at the time of writing*):

A8 3.0 TDI Quattro SE Tip Auto. Lease from £749 per month +VAT – List price: £55,995

A8 6.3 W12 Quattro LWB Tip Auto. Lease from £1386 per month  +VAT – List price: £94,460

*Check updated prices on Financeacar.co.uk

CO2 values are impressive for this sector, from 74 g/kg, and tax banding from H up to M. Most people will finance through a business, where leasing comes into it’s own due to VAT being reclaimable on the monthly price. Although with leasing, you never own the car, most people only keep a vehicle for 2 or 3 years then change. When you lease, you simply hand the car back and can then get a new one and continue with a monthly rental. If you buy the car, use hire purchase, a bank loan, or any form of finance where you ‘own’ the vehicle (remember, you don’t fully own it till it’s fully paid off), then you have the hassle of selling it privately to get the best price, or risk getting ripped off at a dealership if you trade it in.

The Audi A8 is a technological powerhouse. Smooth, refined and beautifully made, if you want to lease an Audi A8, then you are probably choosing the best option. Standard equipment is also impressive (as it should be in this class and at these prices), and the 3.0-litre diesel engine combines effortless performance with impressive economy.

After the magnificent R8, the Audi A7 is quite possibly the most gorgeous car Audi have ever built. It has incredible high speed composure and refinement means it eats motorways like a GT car. Have Audi built a Mercedes CLS beater?

Use of aluminium in the body keeps weight, and fuel consumption, down

With prices from £43,755 to £49,860, there is not much difference from entry level to top of range. However, entry level does not mean basic, and top of the range does not mean it comes fully loaded. If you fully spec up an A7 you won’t get much change from £100k! With this in mind, some form of car finance will usually be considered as there are very few people who can afford to pay in cash for one.

The residual prices are always above the industry average, so an Audi Lease is always a good choice. Leasing doesn’t cover the whole cost of the car as such, but the value lost through depreciation plus a finance fee. By not covering the whole cost, leasing becomes a viable option.

You can drive away a 3.0 TDI SE Multitronic A7 has a list price of £43,755 and can be leased from £563 per month + VAT with a low deposit of just 3 times the monthly rental. The A7 3.0T FSI Quattro S Line S Tronic 2011 will set you back £49,860 but can be taken on a lease from just £668 per month +VAT

The interior of the A7 is as stunning as the exterior. The dash has a wraparound effect with cool-looking instruments. The general ergonomics are brilliant, the layout of all the buttons is extremely well executed. Audi are really setting standards for cabin quality as well as engineering excellence.

The A7 is a strict four seater, but most adults will find it just as comfortable as the upper class A8. With plenty of space to stretch out, and even with the tapering roofline, only taller passengers will experience any kind of  problem with it.

It has very good road manners, the A7 sees the introduction of an entirely new platform, that uses 20 per cent aluminium to keep weight down. This helps some of the lower powered models achieve over 50mpg, which is very good for this kind of car. The higher powered 3.0-litre diesel has to be the pick of the bunch as it combines storming performance with excellent fuel efficiency.

The Audi A7 is a thing of beauty and will always turn heads. It will be a sought after car second hand, even third and fourth hand. If you choose to lease an Audi A7, especially through your company, you will have the most affordable way of driving a lovely car.