Hottest Sports Cars for 2008

Aston Martin DBS

2008-07-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

Now owned by a consortium that includes a Kuwaiti investment firm, Aston Martin's latest model is a racier interpretation of the DB9 that packs a 510-horsepower V12 engine. The new James Bond, actor Daniel Craig, drove it in "Casino Royale." Aston Martin designer Marek Reichman likens the DBS to a muscle-bound man in a tuxedo: dashing good looks, with a hint of machismo and heavy helping of performance (i.e., 0-60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds). It rides on a bonded aluminum structure, with aluminum, magnesium alloy, and carbon-fiber composite body panels, all for the sake of weight reduction.

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Audi R8

2008-07-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

For the first time, Audi reaches out to buyers in a higher tax bracket with the low and wide (it barely cleared the sides of our rather cramped garage in New York City) R8. Priced well into six figures, it looks like a street-legal racecar, but is civil enough to be driven daily, though you'll want to watch those huge wheels with low-profile tires around curbs and potholes. A 420-hp V8 engine can be mated to a six-speed manual or Audi's R-Tronic sequential-shift transmission. The latter is fun on the track, but clunky around town (it should not be confused with Audi/VW's excellent DSG transmission). Handling dynamics are tear-inducing in a good way, and the engine sounds melodic from behind its glass enclosure.

Chevrolet Corvette

2008-07-31T15:29:00.001-07:00

Still one of the best sports-car values, the rambunctious Corvette gets an infusion of power thanks to a new 6.2-liter V8, which channels 430 hp to the rear wheels. Adding an optional performance exhaust system brings the total up to 436 hp. It remains available in two body styles: a coupe with a removable, rigid roof panel, and a soft-top convertible. The higher-performance 505-hp Z06 coupe remains the top model, at least until an even-quicker version debuts for 2009.

Dodge Viper SRT10

2008-07-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

The vicious Viper SRT10 Coupe and Roadster are reborn for 2008 with a beefed-up V10 engine that now produces a full 600 hp. That translates to a 0-60 mph time of less than four seconds. It's further enhanced with a new six-speed manual gearbox and speed-sensing limited-slip differential, along with upgraded brakes and functional air extractors on the hood. It may not last in the lineup beyond 2009, however, which could make the Viper a future collectible.

Ferrari F430 Scuderia

2008-07-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

This limited-production enhanced-performance version of the Ferrari F430 is as close to a street-legal race car as you'll ever see (albeit in a blur). Its low weight (2,775 pounds) and a screaming 510-hp V8 engine combine to provide a stunning 0-60 mph time of about 3.5 seconds — that's nearly as fast as the legendary Ferrari Enzo. Its F1-SuperFast2 sequential-shift transmission affords lightning-fast gear changes, while an E-Diff2 electronic differential delivers added stability and handling feedback.

Lamborghini Reventon

2008-07-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

Talk about exclusivity — only 20 rich people will get their hands on a Reventon, and the cars are all spoken for already. Like the Murcielago LP640 upon which it's based, this extreme-looking sports car is named after a famed fighting bull and promises hard-charging performance thanks to its 650-hp 6.5-liter V12 engine. Its odd-looking body is made of lightweight carbon fiber and its high-tech cockpit is styled after that of a fighter jet, with instrumentation made solely of LCD displays.

Lotus Elise/Exige

2008-07-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

Already among the lightest, quickest, and most efficient sports cars available, the Elise roadster and Exige coupe get even faster for 2008: The Elise gets a 220-hp supercharged four-cylinder engine and the Exige gets a 240-hp version. The top Exige is able to reach 60 mph in just four seconds, which amounts to exotic-car abilities at a budget price — and with excellent fuel economy. Airbags are now standard across the line, along with other minor upgrades.

Maserati GranTurismo

2008-07-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

The new-for-2008 GranTurismo is big news for the sports car world as Maserati's marginally successful Coupe and GranSport models finally give way to a svelte and modern-looking two-door four-seater. Its Ferrari-designed 4.2-liter V8 powerplant is shared with its four-door sibling, the Quattroporte. As befits a kinder, gentler sports car, only a six-speed automatic transmission is offered. A fully independent suspension includes anti-squat and anti-dive geometry to keep it on an even keel under extreme acceleration and braking.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

2008-07-31T15:19:00.000-07:00

A new roadster version of Mercedes' hand-built super coupe lets you race the stars, provided you have nearly half million dollars on hand. Both the SLR McLaren Roadster and Coupe were developed jointly with Mercedes' Formula One racing partner McLaren. A power-operated insulated fabric top lowers in about 10 seconds and facilitates open-air conversations at up to 120 mph; top speed exceeds 200 mph.

more info http://mercedes-benzslrmclarenroadster.blogspot.com/

Nissan GT-R

2008-07-31T15:16:00.000-07:00

Soon available in the U.S. after more than a decade of remaining tantalizingly out of reach as the overseas-only Skyline GT-R, the new GT-R ("Skyline" gets dropped from the name) runs with many of the top sports cars for less money. A twin-turbo V6 engine drives all four wheels and propels occupants to 60 mph in less than four seconds. Given its high-profile use in video games, the GT-R is one of the rare sports cars that has both auto-enthusiast and techno-geek appeal. To that end, the creators of the popular Gran Turismo video game series helped design the GT-R's high-tech-looking instrument panel.

Porsche 911 GT2

2008-07-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

Priced at nearly $200,000, the GT2 is the most powerful street-legal 911 yet. It's visually distinguished by oversized air intakes up front and a unique spoiler at the rear. But it's most notable for a twin-turbochargd 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine that sends 530 hp to the rear wheels. The 0-60 mph sprint happens in just over 3.5 seconds. Top speed is rated at more than 200 mph. Other upgrades include carbon fiber/ceramic-compound brake discs and titanium tailpipes.

MORE INFO VISIT http://porsche911gt2.blogspot.com/

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe

2008-07-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

Starting MSRP: $99,900
Five-year cost of ownership: $174,264

Four models in this list have starting prices higher than the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. But after five years of ownership, the CL-Class swallows more dollars than any mass-produced vehicle you can buy. That's because pricier models — the BMW Alpina B7, M6 Convertible and the Porsche 911 GT3 and Turbo — all hold resale value far better, thereby depreciating less than the CL-Class.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan

2008-07-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

Starting MSRP: $85,750
Five-year cost of ownership: $171,130

Like the two Mercedes models that fall before it on this list, the S-Class expenses run high because its ultra-high performing AMG version elevates the average cost of ownership for the entire car line. Considered alone, the S65 AMG Sedan duns its owners for an astonishing $243,491 over five years. If you took it out of the mix, the other three S-Class versions sold by Mercedes — the S550, S550 with 4Matic all-wheel drive and S600 — would cost owners an average of $147,010 after five years.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Convertible

2008-07-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

Starting MSRP: $94,800
Five-year cost of ownership: $168,203

The top-shelf AMG versions of Mercedes’ SL-Class boost average cost of ownership for all SL version, particularly the priciest and fastest SL65 AMG. With that variant out of the equation, the ownership costs for the remaining three SL models — the SL550, SL55 AMG and SL600 — average out to $150,895. But even with five-year costs totaling a lofty $220,128, the SL65 AMG receives a “good” value rating from Vincentric when compared to other brutally expensive cars in its category.

BMW M6 Convertible

2008-07-31T14:59:00.001-07:00

Starting MSRP: $104,900
Five-year cost of ownership: $150,565

The M6 Convertible is the last of three pricey, high-performance, low-volume BMWs to make the list. Fuel cost is its most conspicuous downfall. At $18,313 over five years, the M6 Convertible ties with its M6 Coupe twin for the second-worst fuel efficiency on the list, eclipsed only by the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. All that fuel returns low 0-60 mph times: 5.0 seconds for the convertible and 4.6 seconds for the coupe.

Porsche 911 Turbo

2008-07-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Starting MSRP: $122,900
Five-year cost of ownership: $149,574

The 911 Turbo is the most expensive 911 variant sold by Porsche, as of publication time, and has the highest starting price on our list. It's also the fastest, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds. Surprisingly, the 911 Turbo has the lowest five-year fuel cost of the list, $12,551.

Audi S8

2008-07-31T14:51:00.002-07:00

Starting MSRP: $92,000
Five-year cost of ownership: $136,368

Audi is the only brand with vehicles in both the top and bottom 10 for cost of ownership. The large, fast, technology-laden S8 makes the most expensive list mostly because of high depreciation — 68 percent over five years — that substantially erodes a lofty base price. At the other end of the spectrum, the Audi A3 hatchback likewise depreciates rapidly, but a substantially lower purchase price holds down the A3's total ownership costs, making it one of the 10 least costly luxury cars to own.

Porsche 911 GT3

2008-07-31T14:51:00.001-07:00

Porsche 911 GT3
Starting MSRP: $106,000
Five-year cost of ownership: $129,458 Depreciation: $53,467
Interest and opportunity cost: $31,268
Fuel: $13,211
Maintenance and repairs: $5,523
Insurance: $19,025
Taxes and fees: $6,964

Jaguar

2008-07-31T14:32:00.001-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 912 (1st)
Customer Service Index: 908 (4th)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,820

Jaguar may be just starting to reinvigorate a conservative, slow-selling model lineup and appeal to younger buyers, but as it stands the brand's dealer experience is tops. Jaguar placed first overall in J.D. Power's combined surveys, with a strong first-place ranking of 912 on the SSI, 21 points above its closest competitor, Cadillac, as well as a closely ranked fourth place on the CSI. "Jaguar has traditionally scored very strong in the dealership facility itself, including the sales process and delivery," says J.D. Power's Gauer. These ratings are backed up by Strategic Vision results, in which rank Jaguar second overall with an especially strong score in the sales process.

Cadillac

2008-07-31T14:31:00.000-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 891 (2nd)
Customer Service Index: 909 (3rd)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,800

Cadillac has a very strong showing in both the sales and after-sales aspects, with a second-place ranking in the SSI and a third-place ranking in the CSI. The other surveys also rank Caddy near the top: third in overall dealer experience by AutoPacific and sixth in overall dealership experience by Strategic Vision. "Cadillac has done a consistently good job over the years in the dealership experience area," says AutoPacific President George Peterson. The Luxury Institute CEO Milton Pedraza says that Cadillac posts a consistently strong showing in the sales area because its sales force takes the time to assess customers and match them to the products that best meet their needs and tastes. "The sales force is just better trained than that of many other luxury brands," Pedraza says.

Lexus

2008-07-31T14:30:00.001-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 887 (5th)
Customer Service Index: 912 (1st)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,799

Lexus has seen top ranks in both sales and service since it shook up the business of how luxury cars are sold and serviced when it launched in 1989. Lexus' dealership facilities — and the perks that come with them — are still widely known as the best in the business, while the brand's service department is known to go the extra mile for customers. But Lexus has its weaknesses. AutoPacific's Peterson says that the brand faces a real test with regard to dealership service over the next several years as it continues to expand its model lineup, especially with the upcoming "F" high-performance cars. "When you add a performance line and reach for younger, affluent buyers, they are typically more critical," says Peterson.

Lincoln

2008-07-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 889 (3rd)
Customer Service Index: 906 (5th)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,795

Ford Motor Company's American luxury brand has quite consistently placed high in customer satisfaction with the dealership experience over the past several years. Lincoln even held first place in J.D. Power's Customer Service Index for 2005, and while it fell slightly in that post-sale category for 2006, it did even better with regard to the sales process (SSI). After a brief period of trying in vein to be a European-flavored luxury make, Lincoln has over the past several years refocused on its core buyers in middle America, who seek a very traditional yet stylish kind of luxury vehicle.

Buick

2008-07-31T14:27:00.000-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 884 (7th)
Customer Service Index: 911 (2nd)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,795

This General Motors mainstay has an especially aged demographic, a very traditional approach to luxury in its cars and, in general, a conservative dealership feel. But its appeal is well honed, and it shows in the figures: Buick ranks a commendable seventh in the SSI, and the brand shines in post-sale service, with a second-place finish in the CSI, above all brands except Lexus. The satisfaction also shows in the number of repeat customers, as the brand has boasted enviable owner loyalty ratings.

Saturn

2008-07-31T14:26:00.001-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 887 (6th)
Customer Service Index: 904 (7th)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,791

Saturn isn't a luxury brand, but it routinely ranks with them in terms of customer satisfaction at the dealership. "Dealerships are the foundation that the brand was built on," says Saturn spokesman Randy Fox. The GM brand ranks sixth and seventh, respectively, for sales and service in J.D. Power's findings. It's also the top-ranked non-luxury brand in the overall dealer experience, according to Strategic Vision. "No haggle pricing has kept Saturn at the top, and a lot of it is due to the customer treatment, as 'No Hassle, No Haggle' takes over the entire operation from sales through service," says J.D. Power's Tom Gauer. Customers can exchange their vehicle for any reason within 30 days or 1,500 miles, and the brand has also just added a new Test Drive at Home program.

Mercury

2008-07-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 881 (9th)
Customer Service Index: 905 (6th)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,786

How does this non-luxury brand that sells restyled versions of Ford vehicles do so well in satisfaction with the dealer experience? Just visit a dealership and the answer is obvious: Mercury often shares facilities, service bays and even salesmen with Lincoln. "That's one of the reasons to buy a Mercury over a Ford," says John Clinard, a Ford Motor Company spokesman, who agreed that, in effect, you're getting Lincoln service at a Ford price. Riding the coattails of a premium brand isn't so bad after all.

Porsche

2008-07-31T14:24:00.001-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 889 (4th)
Customer Service Index: 887 (15th)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,776

The racy German sports-car maker has long stood out for intimate post-sale service, and although the brand ranks 15th in J.D. Power's CSI, it ranks first in "experience with the service department," according to Strategic Vision. Despite rising sales and less exclusivity for the brand due to popular models like the Boxster and Cayenne, Porsche is still doing well to maintain satisfaction with the sales experience. "Porsche has made an effort to give a more uniform look to its dealerships and also offer more uniform customer treatment," says J.D. Power's Gauer. He adds that the brand continues to improve in the sales area faster than the industry as a whole.

Volvo

2008-07-31T14:23:00.000-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 883 (8th)
Customer Service Index: 890 (11th)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,773

Volvo fell slightly in post-sale customer service for 2006, according to J.D. Power, and this is confirmed with an 11th-place finish in Strategic Vision's overall measure of satisfaction with the dealer experience as well as a 10th-place ranking in AutoPacific's assessment. That said, the brand continues to be regarded highly for the sales experience, with a stable, well-established network of dealerships and service that has arguably become better under Ford's Premier Automotive Group umbrella, despite the pressures of rising sales and an expanding model line.

Mini

2008-07-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

Sales Satisfaction Index: 873 (13th)
Customer Service Index: 890 (10th)
Total (CSI+SSI): 1,763

Mini ranks as most improved for this year, jumping from a lackluster performance in J.D. Power's prior satisfaction surveys into the top 10. For 2005, Mini ranked around the middle of the pack in the SSI rankings and near the bottom in the CSI. Mini also rose up in AutoPacific's annual survey — to first place in Satisfaction with the Overall Dealer Experience. According to Mini spokesman Andrew Cutler, the improvements were brought through changes on the dealership level, including a new sales approach where the customer deals with the same person through the entire purchase process, and a service experience that's faster and more engaging.

Maybach 57 and 62

2008-07-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

95 percent male drivers*
Starting price: $335,500

Maybach sold 156 models in the United States last year, and just eight of those went to women, according to CNW Marketing Research. The top-echelon Maybach 62 S — which measures more than 20 feet long — as a staggering starting price of $432,250, excluding options. If you need extra security, purchase the armor package. A $$29,900 limousine-like partition wall made our list of the World's Priciest Car Options. There's even a solar-powered ventilation system available. No matter how much equipment you add, the twin-turbocharged V12 has plenty of power on reserve.

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

2008-07-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

90.47 percent male drivers*
Starting price: $54,275

The boxy GL-Class landed in the second spot on our list, even though at first glance it might not seem more attractive to men than some of the other sexy sports cars on this list. Even the rarer G-Class seems to have more cachet. But the GL-Class is huge and has the large wheels and aggressive stance that men look for. Unlike the militaristic G-Class, the GL-Class has all the makings of a trusty, upscale family-hauler, thanks to a rigid car-based structure underneath. It has three-row seating, an especially smooth and quiet ride and enough power to tow a boat out to the lake

Ten safety tips for first-time drivers

2008-07-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

To keep your kids as safe as possible behind the wheel, experts advise that you think back to other firsts of their childhood: Closely monitor them until they’ve demonstrated they can handle the road and don’t let go of the back of the bike too soon, so to speak.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drivers 16 to 19 years of age are four times more likely than older ones to crash, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Part of the problem is teens’ inexperience, combined with their natural tendency to live life on the edge. “Risk-taking is a normal part of being a teenager, and that can have pretty horrible consequences,” says Chuck Hurley, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Adding even one peer in a car where a teen is driving raises the risk of a crash by 50 percent, Fischer says. And talking on a cell phone when driving is “the equivalent of a 0.08 percent alcohol level,” says Timothy Smith, a driving instructor and author of “Crashproof Your Kids: Make Your Teen a Safer, Smarter Driver.”

So, before you hand over the keys, make sure your instructions are in sync with the law: Don’t let your child use a cell phone, pick up friends when your state’s rules prohibit it, or drive past the curfew. Check your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles Web site for details.

State the obvious
A ban on driving while intoxicated goes without saying — but you still need to say it to your kids.

It’s imperative to be a good role model, Fischer says. “The bottom line is, the most dangerous time in a teen’s life is that first couple of years of driving,” she says. So when you’re at the wheel, be aware of your own actions, and make sure that you’re always demonstrating safe driving.

A good driver’s education course at school, or from an outside vendor, can be helpful, but don’t rely on it. Kids need at least 50 hours of driving with a parent, experts say, and that should include practice in dangerous conditions like rain, fog, or snow.

“Driving schools will give a good foundation, but there’s no substitute for experience,” Fischer says. “In that permit phase: practice, practice, practice.”

Choosing a safe, steady car for your kids to drive is also critical. When teens finally get their licenses, they naturally want the fastest, fanciest model available to them, but it’s folly to give in, experts say.

“We’re talking about young people,” says James Wasser, superintendent of regional high schools in Freehold, N.J., whose six schools and 12,000 students constitute the largest high-school district by population in the state. “They’re going through a difficult time in their life, and automobiles aren’t made like they were back in 1968. Some of these new cars are like rocket ships,” he says — combining teenage angst and horsepower is “a recipe for disaster.”

Dodging tragedy
With its large population and old-fashioned country roads, Wasser’s district has seen more than its share of tragic accidents, including one in January 2007, where three high school students and an adult driver were killed.

At the time of the accident, a 17-year old driver carrying two other students was going at least 20 miles per hour over the speed limit, police estimate, when he apparently lost control of his vehicle and veered into oncoming traffic, hitting a Dodge Caravan. The driver of the Caravan, and all three students in the speeding Cadillac CTS were killed.

Another teen who was speeding and who had passed the Cadillac moments before the crash was charged with reckless driving and for violating the terms of his provisional license. He was carrying three student passengers at the time.

“I never thought I would be attending wakes and funerals and services for young people killed in car crashes,” Wasser says. “When you pass by a casket, and you’re standing next to the grandfather of someone who died, that’s not supposed to happen.”

Wasser urges parents to buy their kids less powerful cars. “Why do you need to get them a souped-up sports car?” he says. “They don’t have to have fast cars. We can’t control it, but we ask [parents] to think about it.”

MADD’s Hurley, who has worked in traffic safety for more than 30 years, gave his own three children, now in their thirties, a “big and slow” full-size Buick station wagon to use. “The only downside was it could hold too many teenagers,” he says. Although the law didn’t limit additional passengers at the time, he placed restrictions on how many people could ride in the car, limiting it at first to just himself or his wife.

Though experts clearly place the onus on parents, public awareness of the issues is growing. In October, Congress made the third week of every October "Teen Driving Safety Week," and there are many resources that offer help.

Programs such as the National Safety Council’s “Alive at 25,” Ford’s “Driving Skills for Life,” Tire Rack’s “Street Survival,” American Automobile Association’s “Dare to Prepare” program, and private companies such as Roadwise America, Inc., in Duluth, Ga., are all geared toward helping kids learn safe driving.

Automakers and insurance companies often have resources and tutorials on their Web sites, and driving schools are plentiful.

The Freehold high school district, which even before the tragedy in January was considering bringing in an outside program for teens, sped up the process this year. Now, all juniors who want to drive to school next year are required to take “Alive at 25,” and their parents are required to complete their part of the course, too.

The website of one of the organizations mentioned above could be a good starting place to get some ideas, like writing and signing a contract between you and your teen, which experts say is important.

This document should outline expectations and the consequences for violating them. It’s a good idea for kids’ friends and their parents to sign the same exact thing, Fischer says, so that everyone can follow the same rules.

For teens who slip up, or who have already demonstrated risky behaviors, it might be a good idea to use one of the several GPS gadgets on the market that lets a parent see where a teen is in the car, and how fast they’re going.

“To have a device and a set of eyes when you’re not there is not such a bad idea,” Smith says, but adds that they are not in and of themselves the answer. They “definitely are not going to have an impact on the skill sets that make teens smarter, safer drivers,” he says.

MADD’s Hurley said GPS devices can be helpful to parents, and that in serious drinking and driving cases, teens should be required to have an alcohol ignition interlock on the car. "But they're not a silver bullet,” Hurley says.

For more insight on helping your kids stay safe behind the wheel, see the “slide show” link above for ten tips culled from experts.

The hottest sports cars for 2008

2008-07-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

Sales of sports cars in 2007 show that the rich are getting richer, and as the average age of sports-car buyers steadily creeps up, more models with added luxury and amenities are rolling into showrooms.

The healthiest segment of the small but highly profitable sports-car market is at the extreme upper end. Sales of "ultra-luxury" makes like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, whose vehicles tend to have longer product cycles, are down by the smallest margin so far this year, 6.9 percent, according Bandon, Ore.-based, CNW Marketing Research.

David Wurster, president of research firm Vincentric in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., sees the high end of the sports-car market holding strong in the coming year. "So-called 'supercars' costing $200,000 and up are in a different sort of marketplace," he says. "It's a good example of the widening gap between the rich and poor in this country — we're apparently going to see more wealthy people at the top who can afford to own the very best."

Overall, sports car sales are in a slump, but that's not stopping manufacturers from releasing hot new models for 2008. Sales of "premium" sports cars (which include the Audi TT, BMW Z4, and Chevrolet Corvette) are down 10.2 percent during the first 10 months of 2007 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to CNW data. "Upper premium" models (Dodge Viper SRT10, Mercedes-Benz SL, Porsche 911, etc.) are off by 13.5 percent.

In these categories, where models tend to get refreshed every four or five years, significant models for 2008 include redesigned versions of the Audi TT and the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe and Roadster; the latter gets a major boost in power, with its massive V10 engine now pumping out 600 horsepower.

Arguably the most anticipated new sports car in recent years debuts next spring as an early 2009 model: The Nissan GT-R will be powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine and be able to reach 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds.

This sleek all-wheel-drive coupe has long been a performance icon in Japan (where it has been called the "Skyline GT-R") but is just now coming to America. "It will be a true 'halo' vehicle for Nissan," says Francois Gravigny, an analyst with the market research company R.L. Polk and Company in Southfield, Mich. "The Japanese had gotten away from selling high-performance vehicles in the U.S., like the Acura NSX and the Toyota Supra, and Nissan is timing the return to that segment of the market perfectly."