If you are looking to bring more sophistication to your life, the BMW M5, embodies class and style all with everything it stands for.

The M5 is equipped to take you and your entourage anywhere you want to go, equipped to seat five passengers comfortably, there is plenty of room for everyone to fit without feeling the least bit cramped.

Although the M5 appears to have a modest look, don’t let the exterior fool you. This BMW is probably faster than most other cars in its class. Not only does it beat out others with its fast speed it also has impeccable stopping capabilities as well as handling capabilities that will take turns and rough patches with ease.

This high speed BMW doesn’t just come with a speedy athletic package it also the brains the too. The M5 comes standard with an MDrive that is located on the steering wheel. The MDrive button will allow the driver to customized their favorite settings and the car will remember it for next time. If you travel a certain path to work every day, this BMW will memorize every mile you pass. Smart and sophisticated, what more could you ask for?

Because of a few added bells and whistles, this BMW M5 doesn’t come cheap, although above average, the price tag is well worth it. This car makes for a sophisticated drive that is flashy enough on both the interior and exterior to turn some heads and cause a little stir. Although it doesn’t live up the flashy flair of most BMW’s in its class, the M5 makes up for it with its brain and it’s brawn, leaving you anything but disappointment.

Enjoying the life that you have worked hard to maintain makes it all that more pleasurable with the BMW M5. Sometimes things are actually better on the inside than from how they appear on the outside and the BMW M5 is a good example of that.  Author: Richard McCombe

The Azure T is the latest member to join the Bentley family. This 2009 model is a more powerful and exclusive version of the drop-top Azure.

Bentley’s flagship convertible, the Azure T, offers speed, style, superior craftsmanship and high-end acoustics. Too many awesome featires, so where do we begin?

First, let’s talk about Speed: Boy does this luxury Bentley Azure T have speed. This four-seat convertible has a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 500 hp with a top speed of 179 mph and a 0-60 mph of 5.2 seconds.

Even the roof is fast: Touch-button and hydraulic-powered, the three-layer canvas roof stows beneath the rear parcel shelf in 25 seconds. The roof stows in a separate well area; boot space is designed to hold two sets of golf clubs and hand luggage.

Bentley’s Azure T includes standard features that were previously unavailable or only available as extras.

Inside, the Azure T embodies a range of standard features that were previously unavailable or available as cost options on the standard model such as the diamond-quilted seats and door panels, the aluminum finish on the dashboard that is supposed to remind the 1920s racing Bentleys and the instrument faces which are finished in Black rather than Parchment.

The seats and door panels have Diamond Quilting, the fascia features an “engine-turned” aluminum finish and the instrument faces are finished in black.

All Azure T models come with an iPod interface linked to the Infotainment system. Optional Naim for Bentley premium audio system features 10 speakers, a dual-channel sub-woofer and an 1100 watt amplifier.

The latest RL luxury sedan from Acura, which actually made its world debut at this year’s New York Auto Show, steps up to the plate with a larger engine and improved handling characteristics.

This latest RL from Acura is a highly desirable, luxury performance sedan that comes loaded with virtually everything one could possibly want in such a vehicle in its price range, and then some. Factor all this in with the more powerful V6 engine, and you have a car that can comfortably compete with European sport sedans.

The Acura RL is a smooth, quick and comfortable luxury sedan, and complements its sleek, sporty appearance. To enjoy maximum performance in terms of acceleration and shift points, simply select the Sport mode and let the RL do the work for you, or utilize the paddle shifters to chose gears at will. Either way, the RL delivers a satisfying and exhilarating ride.

The Acura RL for 2009 also showcases advanced new technologies including AcuraLink weather, AcuraLink Traffic Rerouting, a new note function for XM radio, active sound control and Bluetooth audio – all additions to the already rich inventory of high-tech features found on the previous RL model.

Even the innovative Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system has been enhanced and improved, along with a revised steering system, upgraded coil springs, better shock absorber performance, a larger rear stabilizer bar and bolder, more aggressive wheels and tires.
Source: SFGate.com

From the Mercedes Simplex to the E Series, Mercedes vehicles are, and have always been, sought-after vehicles. Mercedes has been known for their cars since 1871, when the company was founded in Stuttgart, Germany.

The company crafted its first car in 1886, and in 1901 the original Mercedes was released for public consumption.

The Mercedes Simplex, technically the third vehicle they ever created, was first produced in 1902 and again in 1909 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. Wilhelm Maybach was the designer of the Mercedes Simplex, which offered more engine performance and more stability than previous vehicles.

The Mercedes 35hp, that was created the year before the Mercedes Simplex, broke with several standards of automobiles of their time. To keep up with the tradition Maybach and Daimler knew they needed the Simplex to be even more of what consumers were considering a “standard” car. They decided to added comfort by means of simplicity, hence the name “Simplex.”

As you can imagine, cars like the Simplex are highly sought after because of rarity. With the 1902 vehicle improving the horse power of the engine, the Mercedes Simplex had to prove its worthiness on the race track. The first race track to see the Simplex in action was at Nice, France.

That same year, in the United States, the Simplex raced in Detroit offering another win. William Vanderbilt Jr. was a high-profile fan of the Simplex, boosting the profile of Mercedes in the United States.

In 1903, the Mercedes Simplex gained another fan in Kaiser Wilhelm II. He expressed such admiration for the car in stating that it was a truly magnificent engine, but not as simple as its name implies.

Currently, antique vehicles like the Mercedes Simplex can only be seen at the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart. They still have 13 original Simplex units on display. These vehicles still take part in competitions each year as some of the best cars ever made.

Whether you are interested in new, antique, or used Mercedes cars performance and dedication to luxury are marked factors. The modern line of Mercedes vehicles includes SUV’s, trucks, and compacts. They recently began offering Smart cars for city driving. The reputation of Mercedes Benz will continue to be on the top of the quality car list for performance, endurance, and comfort for quality vehicles.

Author: by Fabian Toulouse

Corvette ZR1

Within the troubled walls of auto giant General Motors, a competition was brewing.

A couple of years ago, Chrysler’s Dodge division announced it’s 2008 V10 Viper would offer 600 horsepower for its base engine. That was a direct jab at Chevy’s Corvette ZO6 and a power struggle ensued in the muscle car arena.

G.M.’s engineers went to work and the result is another classic – the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

The new model surpasses the Dodge Viper by 38 more horsepower with an entry price of $105,000. That price is about $33,000 more expensive than the next-in-line Corvette ZO6 model and $15,000 higher than the Dodge Viper.

The Corvette ZO6 was considered one of the best values in outright car performance, and the ZO6 was the starting point for the new Corvette ZR1.

Besides the many feature upgrades, Chevy says the rise is better than the base Corvette, in additIon to offering better handling capabilities than the ZO6.

If you want one of these babies, you better move fast.  Only 1,800 ZR1’s are planned for the 2009 model year.  Each ZR1 will wear a vehical identification number specifically designed to enhance the car’s status as a future collectible.

For more information, go to official Corvette site

Economic uncertainty has many consumers seeking out overall value in new vehicles.

The Audi Q7 tops recent luxury SUV winners from Mercedes and BMW, as Audi finishes 1-2 in the luxury multi-function segment with the A3 and A4/S4 Avant.

The Audi Q7 earned recognition as the best luxury SUV and the Audi A3 claimed the top ranking among luxury multi-function vehicles in the just-released 2008 Total Value Index(R) produced by the consumer research firm Strategic Vision.

The annual Total Value Index brings together what consumers say about their vehicles (in terms of expected reliability, expected fuel economy, price paid and expected resale value) with various ownership measures calculated by Strategic Vision.

In determining the 2008 Index scores, the San Diego-based research firm found clear evidence that consumers are looking for the best pricing along with quality cues that would indicate a vehicle’s long-term value.

“These results reinforce the market’s shift toward experiences Audi offers in terms of performance and technology, luxurious features and efficiency,” said Audi of America Inc. Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen. “We believe the long-term value of owning Audi models will be a difference maker as these economic times lead consumers to rethink their luxury-vehicle options.”

Strategic Vision noted that consumers are giving greater scrutiny to their vehicles, which it said opens up opportunities. “When economic conditions become more favorable, the manufacturers who have focused their efforts in enhancing product quality and communicating messages of trustworthy products and overall value will be in a position to regain, and even take over new, market share,” said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision’s automotive division.

Source: Audi of America, Inc.

The recent economic has hit the auto industry hard. The Big 3 auto makers have been hit hard and are collectively bleeding red ink and blowing through their cash reserves.

Consumers are cutting back their spending and big ticket items like cars are one of the first to go. But the luxury auto market is still relatively strong.

NADAguides.com has just released it’s guide of the Top 2009 Luxury Car List.

“Time will tell how negatively the luxury car segment will be impacted after the economic shakeout,” said Jeff Glucker, road test editor at NADAguides.com. “From our vantage point, however, what hasn’t been negatively impacted is the quality and selection of 2009 luxury cars available to buyers today.”

Following are the NADAguides.com top 5 luxury cars for 2009.

1) 2009 Audi A8 L, starting at $74,050
The 2009 Audi A8 L made the NADAguides.com luxury car list due to its ultra-luxurious cabin, complete with leather and wood inlays, and plenty of extra legroom for rear passengers, thanks to its extended wheelbase. The A8 L comes equipped with a 450-hp 6.0-liter W12 engine and Audi Quattro AWD, making it extremely responsive on the road. The A8 L features a 14-speaker Bose surround sound system with Audiopilot noise compensation, with which a microphone measures background noise and adjusts the radio volume accordingly, resulting in a more balanced sound. According to the NADAguides.com editors, “this sedan is a must-have for car buyers who want passion, prestige and power in one perfectly-appointed package.”

2) 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged, starting at $64,475
Jaguar has delivered one of the “smoothest cars on the planet,” according to NADAguides.com. The 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged boasts the Jaguar Sequential Shift transmission, with steering wheel-mounted paddles perfectly mated to its supercharged V8, which generates 420-hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. The XF features ventilated front seats with fan-assisted whole-seat heating and cooling, in addition to single-cushion heating and cooling. Because the XF separates seat and cabin temperature controls, occupants have the option of a warm cabin with a cool seat or vice versa. According to NADAguides.com, “The term luxury and the nameplate Jaguar go hand in hand and the XF showcases this pairing perfectly.”

3) 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class 550, starting at $90,225
With its exhilarating 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 and its long list of luxury amenities, the 2009 Mercedes S550 represents the latest in automotive technology, according to NADAguides.com. “Equipment you expect to be available in the next five years is probably already installed on the S550,” said the editors at NADAguides.com. For 2009, Mercedes upgrades its adaptive cruise control, now called Distronic Plus, which uses two onboard radar systems to distance you from moving vehicles ahead. It offers true stop-and-go functionality by braking the vehicle to a complete stop or automatically adjusting the throttle. The Distronic Plus system also features Blind Spot Assist that provides visual and audio warnings if a vehicle is in your blind spot, as well as Parking Guidance which uses sensors to help you identify parking spaces that can accommodate your car and steering instruction displays to help you park. “Mercedes’ flagship sedan is an instant classic. No wonder it dominates luxury car lists year after year,” said the editors at NADAguides.com.

4) 2009 Hyundai Genesis, starting at $32,250
Hyundai is all grown up now, and the 2009 Genesis is here to prove it. With its Lexicon-designed sound system – built by the same company that designs Rolls-Royce systems – its well-appointed interior, a long list of standard equipment and a powerful 4.6-liter V8, Hyundai has “hit a homerun with the 2009 Genesis,” according to NADAguides.com. The Genesis went head to head against the Porsche Boxster and the BMW 750i in a zero-to-60 sprint…and beat them both.

5) 2009 Bentley Arnage, starting at $224,900
“When it comes to luxury cars, Bentley coined the phrase,” says NADAguides.com. Unfortunately, the creme de la creme company of the ultra-luxury car world sings a swan song for its Arnage this year. To commemorate, the folks at Crewe have created the Bentley Arnage Final Series model, which will be produced in extremely limited quantities. What won’t be limited, however, is the abundant power and prestige of the Arnage Final Series. Every Arnage is hand built to order, so the possibilities for personalization are virtually limitless. Up to 6.2 meters of veneer is used in every Arnage, with each wood set taking approximately 60 hours to complete. “The 2009 Bentley Arnage makes you feel like a king with its gorgeous hand-stitched leather and its wickedly powerful 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V8,” said the editors at NADAguides.com.

To compare luxury cars, research new luxury car prices or read luxury car reviews, visit http://www.NADAguides.com for more information.

Earlier this year, Maserati announced the long overdue release of its next generation sports car – the GranTurismo coupe.  The Italian design specialist, Pininfarina, who creates almost every Ferrari, does it again this this luxury car.  Translated into “Grand Touring” in Italian, it offers a 4.2-liter, 405-horsepower V-8 engine.  Full article

If you ever want to know what the hottest luxury cars are, just closely watch what the celebrities drive.

Why does the one of the world’s greatest athletes drive a Buick? Like Tiger Woods, the Buick Enclave is approachable, down-to-earth, yet something the rest of the pack keeps chasing.

The Buick people say the 2009 Enclave CXL is a combination of style and grace with elegance and precision. Before I got into this seven-passenger, four-door crossover, I walked around it, observing its size, shape and how the body lines swept from front to rear.

The headlamps have similarity to the eyes of a human; in fact they even turn sideward to illuminate the area in turning (adaptive headlights). The entire headlight assembly sparkles, giving a hint of a personality that’s inviting. It makes you want to get inside.

Full article

According to David Reuter, Bentley’s spokesman in the North America, “Our median buyer has a net worth of a little over $3 million,” Reuter said. “And that doesn’t include real estate holdings, just liquid assets.”

That buyer is also predominantly male, typically in early middle age, Reuter adds. And he “has three or four other automobiles, like a Ferrari or another British car.”

So what are these affluent buyers getting for a Bentley like the 2008 Bentley Continental GTC Convertible?

The answer is a lot more than they were before Volkswagen bought the brand a decade ago. The old, British-designed car had nothing to sell but high-quality materials and a mind-boggling amount of hand work.

From a technological standpoint, the cars were antediluvian. Their pushrod V-8 was designed before the Earth’s tectonic plates assumed their present positions.

The folks who design Volkswagens and Audis changed that. The test car was powered by a techy, twin-turbocharged, 6-liter V-12 that developed 552 horsepower. This power was dispatched to all four wheels by a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system featuring a Torsen center differential. Three rear-drive models use an extensively modified, turbocharged version of the old V-8.

“It’s a real car now,” Innaurato said. “It’s very well-engineered and styled, and performs well.”

And it does perform. Despite the fact, it weighs a morbidly obese 5,478 pounds, the big droptop gets from 0 to 60 in a factory-claimed 4.8 seconds, then finishes up at 195 miles an hour. The big guy is also surprisingly light on its feet in the corners.

While things have changed on the technological front, some things remain the same. The car is still built in Crewe, England, it still gets lousy gas mileage, and the materials and workmanship are still stunning.

Virtually all cars built with “leather seats” only have leather where it touches your body. The seat’s sides and backs are vinyl. The soft, exquisite hides used in the Bentley I drove covered the entire seat. They also covered the parts of the door panels and dashboard that weren’t devoted to beautiful burl walnut inserts.

When you opened the doors to reveal the front jambs, you found they weren’t the usual stamped steel. They were covered with the same saddle-stitched leather found on the dash.

The paint work on the tester was enough to make Rembrandt and Titian jealous. You get that kind of flawless depth by running the car through the paint shop three times, and hand-rubbing it between each coat.

In all, it took close to 150 hours to build this car, about four times the assembly hours on a conventional auto.

A paint job this magnificent left me haunted by the possibility of a door ding. I found myself looking for three contiguous empty mall parking spaces so I could put the Bentley in the middle one.

As much fun as I had driving this car and pretending I was rich, I was a little relieved when the Bentley boys took it back.  Story by: Al Haas at Phillynews.com.

It looks like there’s a changing of the guard in luxury car market.  The Bugatti Veyron is no longer the most expensive car in the world. The Veyron also lost its spot as the fastest car.

That most expensive car title now goes to the One-77. It’s a $2.3 million hand-made coupe that Aston Martin will sell next year.

Rumor is that no more than 77 cars will be built, a figure that makes Bugatti’s run of 300 Veyrons look mass-market and just beats the 80 Veyron roadsters in exclusivity.

“It’s a very special car for customers who want to take the bespoke experience to a higher level,” company chairman David Richard told Autocar. “Every car will be entirely individual.”

Aston Martin isn’t saying much about the One-77, a codename for the as-yet-unnamed coupe, but the project started about 15 months ago.

Aston Martin has identified about 500 potential customers for the One-77.

Top speed is estimated at 220 mph and 60 mph arrives in 3.5 seconds.

Those figures are well short of the 253 mph and 2.5 seconds the Bugatti has hit, but Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Benz says the company isn’t “doing a Veyron.”