CAR-MAD Max Clapton is only 10 years old, but that did not stop him phoning Audi Swindon and asking for a test drive.

So earlier this month the lucky schoolboy was taken for a ride in his dream car the A8.

Max, from Trowbridge, is something of a car expert, and a keen reader of Top Gear and What Car magazines.

"I'm interested in the evolution of cars and how they are changing," he said.

"My dad had an Audi and they're built with quite big engines.

"They might not be the fastest but they have lots of power."

Of the A8 itself, he said: "It's been out for a year but it's the mother of them all.

"It's big, powerful, longer and more luxurious than the others."

Max, who attends St John's Catholic Primary School in Trowbridge, said he wanted to be a pilot when he grew up so he could fund his love of expensive motors.

"They get a lot of money so I could afford some of these cars," he said.

Max's mum, Louise, did not know anything about her son's test drive until he told her it had been arranged.

The A8 is the dealer's flagship car, the culmination, it says, of the maker's technology and innovation.

Tim Parks, sales manager at Swindon Audi who drove the car with Max in the passenger seat, said: "The A8 is the luxury saloon car that pioneers Audi's advanced technology. It feeds into the next generation of Audi cars."

Mr Parks said the A8's four-wheel drive quattro system was renowned, and its aluminium spaceframe made the car lighter and more rigid than any other in its class.

Its top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, and other features include an on-board computer system, which controls satellite navigation, television and internet.

Speaking before Max's test drive, David Wills, Swindon Audi's business manager, said it was the first request of its kind he had received, and that he hoped that it would be the first of many.

"I hope Max enjoyed it and if he needs to have a go in our other cars we will see what we can do," he said.

For more information about the A8 call Swindon Audi on 01793 603000 or visit its showroom in Frankland Road, Blagrove.

Top speed: 155mph

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds

Maximum power output: 335ps

Combined fuel consumption: 23.5 miles per gallon

CO2 emission: 288 g/km

Insurance group: 19

Cost: From £55,055 on the road

SO WHAT DID MAX THINK OF THE AUDI A8?

The car was brilliant I really liked it. I felt quite important and other drivers glanced at the car.

It has a fantastic design and its two exhausts make it look sporty.

The beige leather upholstery is comfortable and the handbrake is a tiny button.

The optional extras are really good. It has a telephone, TV with surround sound, internet access and heated seats you can control on the computer.

In the future they say that engineers in Swindon will be able to sort out a problem with the car even if it is in Scotland, by using the computer.

I felt safe going around the corners because it held the road quite well. It was really smooth and there wasn't much wind noise.

When it was in automatic mode you didn't notice the gear changes.

If you speed up, the radio volume turns up to get over the engine noise.

It was really perfect, although it probably could have had a bit more power and speed.

The A8 is a luxury car for people who are in high positions at work, or for retired people if they have got lots of money to spend. If you're a rich businessman going on long journeys it's good for that.

It's more of a chauffeur car it's comfortable and sturdy rather than sporty and fast.

If you want a sporty one you should go for the RS6 because it has two turbos.

I'm looking forward to being able to drive myself I can't wait to do that.