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Accelerate
What: FA M I LY W H E E L S
This group leaves the workhorse family cars of old in the dust. ▼
The words “family car” conjure images of wood-paneled wagons, bland minivans and other dutiful transport. But, particularly in the luxury realm, the family car is getting a serious upgrade, with sleek designs, lavish features and potent engines. These models don’t shirk their responsibilities: Safety, allwheel-drive and fuel economy are also part of the portfolio. Ferry the kids in one of these family friends, and you may even look forward to carpooling. 1 Audi A8 and S8 Shy of, say, a Bentley Flying Spur, the A8—whose AWD system, onboard navigation and WiFi, optional W12 engine and other technologies underpin the Bentley— may be the new emperor of plus-size sedans. Audi Connect links up to eight external devices to the internet, perfect for road trips when singalongs have lost their luster. And the S8 amasses 520 V-8, twin-turbo horses, blasting from 0 to 60 mph in a slightly ridiculous 3.8 seconds. Base price: $72,995 to $135,395 Contact: 800.367.2834, audiusa.com
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New and Improved The second-generation Cayenne is dramatically lighter and more luxurious than its predecessor.