2002 Audi S8	2002 BMW 7 Series	2002 Lexus LS430
	Aluminum Space Frame	High Strength Steel	High Strength Steel
General Data
List Price	$72,500	$64,540	$54,405
Curb Weight	4068 LBS	4376 LBS	3955 LBS
EPA city/highway	17/25	18/26	18/25
Horsepower	310 bhp @  6200 RPM	325 bhp @ 6100 RPM	290 bhp @ 5600 RPM
Dynamic Performance
0-60 mph:	6.4 sec	5.9 sec	6.3 sec
0-1320 ft. (1/4 mile)	13.4 @  105.1 mph	13.1 @ 111.0 mph	13.4 @ 105.9 mph

Source:  Car and Driver Magazine, April 2002

2002 Audi S8:

The 2002 Audi S8 is virtually unchanged from its inception in terms of its all aluminum body construction. The design relies on the aluminum industries latest technology, nodular castings, an extruded space frame, and aluminum skin panels. Compared to the two other high strength steel designed vehicles, it has the worse fuel economy and dynamic performance. When compared to the other two vehicles, the all steel Lexus LS 430 is 113 lbs. lighter and costs $18,095 less – with virtually the same dynamic performance. 

2002 BMW 7 Series:

For this generation of 7 Series, BMW’s body engineers specified increased use of high strength steels – up from 18% to 85% of the total steel in the body-in-white – to achieve greater strength without a corresponding increase in weight. Of the three vehicles shown in this case the BMW has the best fuel efficiency along with the best driving performance with use of a high strength steel body structure and the latest steel manufacturing technology.

2002 Lexus LS 430:

The LS 430 represents the latest addition to the Lexus fleet.  Toyota took great care in selection of the most advanced materials for their flagship - they chose advanced high strength steels for the entire body architecture.  By efficient use of steels properties Toyota came up with a world class design (leading in crash test results for this vehicle class) and at 113lbs. lighter than the aluminum intensive Audi S8.

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