AUDI'S A8 is a sumptuous limousine par excellence available in short and long wheelbase and came in very handy as the perfect wedding car for my goddaughter's nuptials.

She was flying so high she wouldn't have noticed if she was riding in a Morris Minor, but I knew I had done her proud.

There are four trim levels - all of which come very well equipped as you would expect - A8, quattro, SE and Sport and most have quattro four wheel drive.

And petrol engines range up from a 3.0-litre with 216bhp to a massive 6.0-litre with 443bhp.

But the diesels are the ones to go for - a 3.0-litre with 229bhp or a 4.2 with 321bhp.

The ride is exceptional, superb handling and road-holding add to the experience and all the engines are smooth, quiet and very powerful.

The engine is inaudible, road noise not worth mentioning, the automatic gearbox takes all the strain in its stride and performance  - shall we just say more than adequate.

Inside, there is acres of black leather, electrically adjustable heated seats, sat nav and a superb multi-CD sound system.

The steering is full of feel, the boot is vast and there are many little touches, including a rear sunscreen which lifts at the touch of a button. All in all - brilliant.