The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury car built by the German automaker Audi to replace the V8 model as its flagship offering. Although the Volkswagen Phaeton, long wheelbase Jaguar XJ8 and Lexus LS 430 compete in the same size and price category as the Audi A8, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series are often thought to be its primary rivals. On the market since 1994, the Audi A8 has fully established itself as a popular alternative to these long-running competitors. Most versions feature Quattro all-wheel-drive as standard as well as a multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmission. In 1997, IVM Automotive of Munich, Germany built a 2-door Audi A8 Coupé. The car was unveiled at the 1997 Geneva Motor Show. Audi hired IVM to build the prototype, and was considering production of the vehicle. The Audi A8 coupé had a re-engineered alloy body shorter than the production Audi A8 sedan. Like the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, there was no central pillar, giving the car a seamless design with a gradually sloping roofline. The car included custom leather seats and could seat four. Ultimately, Audi decided not to put the coupé into production, citing lower-than-expected sales figures for the similar BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé.