On todays Top Ten Auto Show, Dave Lee Travis counts down the top ten luxury cars with the help of Ginny Buckley, Richard Hammond, Ken Gibson, Chris Goffey and Glenda McKay.
The top ten inc;ludes cars from Honda, Bentley, Aston Martin, Lexus, Audi and Mercedes, but which deserves to be on that top spot.
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© Men and Motors - One Media iP 2023
The top ten inc;ludes cars from Honda, Bentley, Aston Martin, Lexus, Audi and Mercedes, but which deserves to be on that top spot.
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss a video!
------------------
Enjoyed this video? Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE the video and get involved with our community by leaving a COMMENT below the video!
Check out what else our channel has to offer and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Men & Motors for more classic car and motorbike content! Why not? It is free after all!
Our website: http://menandmotors.com/
---- Social Media ----
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/menandmotors/
Instagram: @menandmotorstv
Twitter: @menandmotorstv
If you have any questions, e-mail us at talk@menandmotors.com
© Men and Motors - One Media iP 2023
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MotorTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:30 Hello.
00:31 This is Dave Lee Travis, welcoming you to the Top 10
00:34 Auto Show.
00:35 Over the past weeks, we've been looking
00:36 at the best cars in their class available on the UK market
00:39 during 2001.
00:41 This week, we continue the countdown
00:42 by looking at the lavish side of motoring
00:45 with the top 10 luxury cars on sale
00:47 during 2001, voted for by the editors of the top UK car
00:51 magazines.
00:52 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:58 Starting us off at number 10 is the Honda Legend.
01:02 Space and practicality are the best assets of the Legend.
01:05 It's luxuriously roomy inside, and you really
01:07 get the feeling that this is a very well put together car.
01:10 Also inside, luxury equipment is high on the agenda,
01:14 all electrically controlled for your convenience.
01:16 Inside the cabin, you couldn't exactly call the design
01:19 exciting, but exciting isn't necessarily
01:21 what you want in a luxury car.
01:23 You want a feeling of quality, and quality
01:26 is what you get here in the Legend.
01:28 There's wood veneer and plenty of leather.
01:30 Everything is functional, and it's well laid out.
01:33 The best bit about in here are all the gadgets
01:36 that you get to make those long journeys as
01:38 comfortable as possible.
01:39 Things like air conditioning, cruise control,
01:42 and controls for the stereo that are mounted here
01:44 on the steering wheel.
01:46 And whilst we're on the subject of the stereo,
01:48 this one with a CD changer in the boot
01:50 is one that you can actually use as soon as you see it.
01:53 You don't need to study the handbook for a week
01:55 beforehand, which is very useful.
01:58 Now of course, the Legend comes with a full electrics package
02:01 and those stacks of storage space.
02:03 There's even a power socket hidden away in here.
02:08 And where would we be without cup holders?
02:10 I've recently driven 1,500 miles in this car,
02:18 and it wasn't the high levels of spec that made it so easy.
02:21 I can honestly say I've never before truly appreciated
02:25 how fantastic, comfortable, and supportive seats were.
02:28 Normally, spending seven or eight hours
02:30 behind the wheel of a car would leave you getting out
02:32 with stacks of aches and pains.
02:34 But I can honestly say I got out of the Legend
02:36 at the end of the day, and I felt fine.
02:38 Behind the wheel, you can feel the changes
02:47 that Honda have made.
02:48 The steering used to be very light,
02:50 but some subtle changes have made it far more
02:52 positive and direct.
02:54 The four-speed automatic box responds well.
02:57 And on the road, the Legend really
02:58 does feel surprisingly agile.
03:01 The best thing about being behind the wheel
03:04 is cruise control.
03:05 It's absolutely addictive.
03:07 On long journeys, particularly on those long, quiet stretches
03:10 of European motorway, all you need to do is set your speed,
03:14 relax, and sit back to enjoy the ride.
03:18 With a name like Legend, you'd expect something, well,
03:22 legendary, which it isn't.
03:24 But then again, it does make for a better name than something
03:26 like, well, it's OK.
03:28 Number nine in our countdown is a luxury car from the US of A,
03:46 the Cadillac Seville.
03:47 If the name Cadillac conjures up the image
03:49 of a huge pink American convertible with chrome fins
03:52 and Bruce Springsteen behind the wheel,
03:54 then the Seville, in a way, won't disappoint you.
03:57 Although it's doubtful you'll get a Seville actually in pink,
04:00 this car does live up to its reputation
04:02 as a big, languorous luxury car with a real stateside feel.
04:20 This Cadillac is more luxurious than the one Bruce sang about.
04:23 It allows you to breeze away the miles in leather-covered comfort
04:26 with all your added luxuries under electronic control
04:29 for your convenience.
04:50 The only problem is that Cadillacs
04:52 are designed for the American market
04:53 and not suited to British roads.
04:56 It does have right-hand drive, but even that
04:58 won't help you on those curvy country roads.
05:00 And being such a heavy car makes for a rocky ride
05:03 on the bumpy roads of Britain.
05:04 (MUSIC PLAYS)
05:07 At number eight is a typically British car,
05:32 the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.
05:34 Equipment-wise, the Silver Seraph has everything you need,
05:37 and I should hope so at a price tag of £159,000.
05:41 And power is no short supply either.
05:43 Beneath the bonnet lies a powerful V12,
05:45 which allows this colossus of a car
05:47 to go from 0 to 60 in just 7.6 seconds.
05:51 As for how it feels to drive, who cares?
05:54 If you can afford to buy one,
05:55 then you can probably afford to pay someone
05:57 to chauffeur you around in it.
05:58 However, the chauffeur will find the driving position impeccable,
06:02 but the dash far from ergonomic.
06:04 But if you pay him well, he won't complain, will he?
06:07 I suppose you're wondering why the Roller isn't at number one.
06:10 Well, our expert panel have had to take many things
06:12 into consideration when voting for our top 10.
06:15 And while there's no question about the Seraph's style
06:17 and performance, the sky-high purchase price
06:20 and running costs bring its score right down,
06:22 unless money is no object, of course.
06:25 And that's the kind of person who drives a Rolls-Royce.
06:27 (MUSIC PLAYS)
06:30 (MUSIC CONTINUES)
06:33 (MUSIC CONTINUES)
06:36 (MUSIC CONTINUES)
06:39 (MUSIC CONTINUES)
06:42 (MUSIC PLAYS)
06:45 (MUSIC CONTINUES)
06:48 (MUSIC PLAYS)
06:51 (MUSIC CONTINUES)
06:54 At number seven is another great British institution,
06:57 even if it is owned by Ford these days.
06:59 It is, of course, the Jaguar XJ8.
07:02 Mention Jaguar and anyone over the age of 25
07:05 will think of Arthur Daly and Minder,
07:07 but that only belies the image of a great luxury car.
07:11 Smart, sleek, stylish, leather-lined,
07:13 expensive and exclusive.
07:15 It's every inch the classic executive chariot.
07:19 Fantastic performance is supplied by one of the three V8 engines
07:23 from the hard-working 3.2 litre to the 4 litre,
07:26 370 brake horsepower supercharged in the XJR.
07:30 However, it's in the ride where you find this car
07:32 is at its most luxurious.
07:34 It smooths out windy bends and potholes
07:37 on our British country back roads
07:38 and has agile handling to complement
07:40 its positive and responsive steering.
07:43 But underneath this smart, civilised suit,
07:45 there lurks something more sinister.
07:48 A snarling 4 litre V8 pumping out 370 brake horsepower.
07:54 So that'll give you 0-60 in a nudge over five seconds
07:57 and enough road-going attitude
07:59 to satisfy even the most rabid of boy racers.
08:02 Inside the saloon, the mix of wood and leather
08:05 adds to the complete feel of luxury
08:07 along with a high standard of equipment as in all models.
08:10 Everything is electrically controlled,
08:12 including the seats, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
08:15 and a reverse parking aid.
08:17 You wouldn't want to dent your 50 grand Jag now, would you?
08:20 The XJ8 is let down slightly when it comes to practicality.
08:24 The rear is unexpectedly cramped,
08:26 the roof a tad low in the front
08:28 and the boot is too shallow to fit
08:30 any more than a couple of suitcases.
08:31 In fact, it's smaller than that of the Ford Mondeo.
08:35 In all, however, the XJ8 is a great luxury car
08:38 and the safety and security levels are excellent too.
08:41 (upbeat music)
08:44 At number six is the Bentley Arnage.
08:58 The Bentley like the roller and the Jag
09:00 is a car you buy for the name.
09:02 If you have 150 grand to spare, that is.
09:04 And if you're successful or you've just won the lottery
09:07 and you want everyone to know, you buy one of these.
09:10 But costing more than most people's houses,
09:13 these icons don't come cheap
09:14 and financially don't make any sense at all.
09:17 Unless of course you're so rich that money is no object.
09:20 - What I like about the Bentley is,
09:22 unlike its famous stable mate, the Rolls Royce,
09:25 it's got a much wider appeal.
09:27 Everybody from pop stars, Hollywood legends,
09:31 obviously the rich, but even lottery winners
09:35 all go for the Bentley.
09:37 It's got something different.
09:39 But the thing that I really like about it
09:41 is that beneath the distinguished exterior,
09:45 this wonderfully lavish interior
09:48 is something rather special and it's this.
09:51 Turn the key and blip the accelerator
09:53 and the sound hints at the awesome power
09:55 of the red label 6.7 liter turbocharged V8.
10:00 - The Arnage comes in two models,
10:01 the green label and the red label,
10:03 which makes them sound more like a bottle of whiskey
10:05 than a luxury car.
10:07 Both sport extremely high levels of equipment
10:09 with some extras you won't find anywhere else
10:11 and the upholstery and trimmings are excellent,
10:13 but not as good as that of the XJ8
10:16 when you consider how much the Bentley costs.
10:18 - The Bentley, it's got stiffened suspension,
10:23 a stiffened body shell,
10:24 and it gives it an amazing agility for a car
10:28 that's just under 18 foot long and just over six foot wide.
10:34 The way it handles really does take some believing at times.
10:37 - Bentley, of course, is now owned by Volkswagen.
10:40 Yes, I know, yet another German company
10:42 with a big hold on a British company.
10:45 But in fairness, they've invested over 500 million
10:48 in a range of new models, including the new red label.
10:52 And I think they've made a damn good job of it.
10:55 (upbeat music)
10:57 (upbeat music)
11:00 - That's all for the first five.
11:08 Join us in part two for the rest of the top 10 luxury cars.
11:11 (upbeat music)
11:13 Welcome back to the top 10 luxury cars of 2001
11:21 as voted for by our men and motors panel
11:23 of the UK's top car magazine editors.
11:25 (upbeat music)
11:28 At number five, shaken not stirred,
11:35 is the Aston Martin DB7.
11:37 The Vantage was the more affordable Aston in 2001.
11:41 Well, at 95,000, it was much cheaper
11:43 than the 158,000 pound big brother, the Vanquish,
11:47 which will appear as the next James Bond car
11:49 and has replaced the Vantage.
11:52 The Vantage has been the best selling Aston Martin ever.
11:55 And for good reason.
11:56 It represents British engineering at its best
11:59 and it's an impeccably constructed machine
12:01 with styling to die for.
12:03 The acceleration is awesome,
12:05 taking up to 60 in under six seconds
12:07 and the noise is just as exciting.
12:09 What a car to show off in.
12:12 In the complaints department, well,
12:13 the DB7 is based on the old Jaguar XJS platform,
12:17 which is just about acceptable.
12:19 But using old Ford switches
12:21 and what looks like Mazda door handles is not on really.
12:25 But the name, the image, the styling,
12:27 and above all, the acceleration sells this car.
12:30 And the V8 DB7 Vantage is at number five.
12:33 (upbeat music)
12:50 At number four, classy, handsome.
12:53 No, not me.
12:54 It's the Audi A8.
12:55 Audi's flagship is as luxurious as they come
13:02 with all the trimmings and equipment you'd require
13:04 from a car in this class.
13:05 And it's spacious too, with comfort throughout,
13:08 especially behind the wheel
13:10 where you have a myriad of adjustments to suit any driver.
13:13 The A8 is one of the most handsome of the cars
13:17 in our top 10 with its unmistakable Audi design.
13:20 So it may not be a roller or a Jag,
13:22 but it doesn't need to be because it's an Audi.
13:25 Thanks to its lightweight aluminum body,
13:35 the A8 is a quick machine, especially in S8 form,
13:38 which combined with its pretty nimble handling
13:40 makes this Audi an exciting car to drive.
13:43 You might find the ride a bit too firm though.
13:46 An aluminum build is rare in this class of car
13:48 and so is the four-wheel drive a standard on all A8s.
13:52 The A8 benefits from a reasonable purchase price
13:59 for the level of luxury you get in return,
14:02 but surprisingly poor residual value
14:04 makes it an expensive option,
14:05 unless you plan keeping hold of it for a while.
14:08 And being an Audi, you can make it last
14:10 as long as you choose to keep it.
14:12 (upbeat music)
14:14 At number three is another example
14:33 of fine German engineering, the BMW 7 Series.
14:36 For such a large car, the 7 Series is a delight to drive,
14:41 whether it's gliding round country back roads
14:43 or eating up those motorway miles,
14:45 this BMW is a pleasure for both driver and passenger alike,
14:49 although there's still some room
14:50 for improvement in the ride.
14:52 The equipment list gets longer
14:58 the higher up the range you go.
15:00 At the top, you can expect to find satellite navigation
15:03 and even a dash-mounted television.
15:05 So now there's no excuse to miss the top 10 auto show,
15:07 but please don't drive and watch us at the same time.
15:12 (record scratch)
15:13 All models do benefit from those luxuries
15:15 that are almost a requirement to this class,
15:17 such as climate control, leather trim and alloys.
15:20 The 7 Series gets top marks for safety and security
15:23 with airbags from all angles, anti-lock brakes
15:26 and stability and traction control
15:28 to name just some of the equipment available
15:30 to protect you and your car.
15:32 (upbeat music)
15:35 (bells jingling)
15:38 As with the Audi A8, residual values are low,
15:51 but that quality German engineering
15:53 means you can rely on your 7 Series
15:55 for as long as it takes to get your money's worth.
15:58 (upbeat music)
16:01 (upbeat music)
16:04 ♪ Oh yes ♪
16:13 (upbeat music)
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16:31 (upbeat music)
16:33 At number two is Japan's finest, the Lexus LS 430.
16:47 (upbeat music)
16:51 During its recent makeover,
16:57 the LS 430 was given a new 4.3 litre V8
17:00 providing excellent power throughout.
17:03 This means that not only is motorway cruising effortless,
17:06 but also this Lexus can propel you from 0 to 60
17:09 in just 6.7 seconds.
17:11 The V8 is so quiet,
17:16 it would make a submarine captain jealous.
17:18 You'll need to keep looking at the rev counter
17:20 to remind yourself the engine's still running.
17:23 There is some wind noise,
17:25 but you only notice that
17:26 because of the lack of engine and road noise.
17:28 In the cabin,
17:29 you're faced with every sort of gadget available.
17:31 Such equipment as electric windows
17:33 are swamped by a fantastic array of electronic devices
17:37 such as rain sensitive wipers,
17:39 keyless ignition, soft closing doors.
17:41 The seats and steering can be adjusted
17:43 in a variety of directions
17:45 and the full leather upholstery
17:46 gives that unmistakable feel of luxury.
17:48 (upbeat music)
17:53 (upbeat music)
17:56 And it's fitted with the most sophisticated
18:02 hi-fi system you've ever seen.
18:04 Designed by Mark Levinson,
18:06 well-known Californian manufacturer
18:09 of incredibly expensive hi-fi systems.
18:11 Now in the past,
18:12 he would never put a system in a car
18:14 'cause he always said,
18:15 "Well, the ambient noise is so high in a car,
18:18 "you can't tell the difference
18:19 "between excellent hi-fi and truly great hi-fi."
18:24 But in the Lexus,
18:25 he thought it was calm enough
18:27 and quiet enough in the cabin
18:29 for you to really appreciate one of his systems.
18:32 Let's see if he's right.
18:33 All this luxury doesn't come cheap though.
18:37 On top of the 50 grand price tag,
18:40 you'll find an average fuel consumption
18:41 of 23 and a half miles to the gallon
18:44 and a high tax bracket.
18:45 But to be honest,
18:46 you're only gonna buy this car if you're rich
18:48 so you won't care about money, will you?
18:51 Well, after a few miles,
18:52 you have to say he was right.
18:54 It really is uncannily quiet in here.
18:56 You can't hear the engine.
18:57 There's very little noise coming back from road surface
19:00 or bumps and thumps.
19:02 You really do rather want the radio or the CD on
19:06 to block out the eerie silence.
19:09 (upbeat music)
19:11 At number 10,
19:22 the only thing legendary about this car is the name,
19:25 the Honda Legend.
19:26 At number nine, this one's not pink.
19:30 It's the Cadillac Seville.
19:32 At number eight,
19:36 the ever so typically British Rolls Royce Silver Seraph.
19:39 At number seven,
19:43 there's no sign of Arthur Daly behind the wheel
19:45 of this Jaguar.
19:46 It's the XJ8.
19:48 At number six is another typically British institution.
19:53 It's the Bentley Enage.
19:55 And at number five,
20:01 shaken not stirred,
20:02 the Aston Martin DB7.
20:05 (upbeat music)
20:08 At number four,
20:09 almost as classy and handsome as me,
20:11 the Audi A8.
20:12 At number three,
20:16 an example of fine German engineering,
20:18 the BMW 7 Series.
20:20 And at number two,
20:23 Japan's finest,
20:24 the Lexus LS 430.
20:26 And there you have it,
20:32 from 10 to two.
20:33 And so, onto the number one luxury car of 2001.
20:37 (upbeat music)
20:42 At number one is the Mercedes S-Class.
20:51 We had to have a Mercedes in our top 10,
20:58 and it's only fitting that the S-Class be our number one.
21:01 Widely considered to be the finest luxury car
21:04 currently on the market,
21:05 the S-Class enjoyed great success in 2001.
21:08 The latest model is smaller and lighter
21:10 than previous models,
21:11 and also enjoys stronger engines.
21:14 Whether you have the base level 2.8 V6,
21:16 or the tremendous 5.5 V8 AMG under the bonnet,
21:20 you'll find the S-Class will take your breath away
21:22 on the open road.
21:24 But what is the point in a sporty limo?
21:27 Well, that isn't the concept behind AMG.
21:30 You see, if Mercedes have got a roadster such as the SLK,
21:33 AMG basically makes it more sporty.
21:36 But if Mercedes have got a car like a limo,
21:40 like the S-Class,
21:41 AMG basically makes it more luxurious
21:44 and comfortable to ride in.
21:46 Like the Lexus, the S-Class is almost silent on the road,
21:50 and that includes the diesel.
21:52 Again, you'll find yourself looking to the rev counter
21:54 to reassure yourself that the engine is still running.
21:57 (upbeat music)
21:59 So there you have it,
22:06 the top 10 luxury cars of 2001.
22:08 Remember to tune in next week for the Top 10 Auto Show.
22:12 This is DLT saying goodbye.
22:13 We'll see you next week.
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