Jun 01 2007
Luxury automobiles priced above $100,000.
The Rolls- Royce Phantom is the first product to wear the Rolls- Royce brand since BMW took ownership of the name on January 1, 2003.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW both offer high-end sedans and convertibles that break the $100,000 barrier.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, CL-Class coupe and SL-Class roadster are all lavishly equipped, but it’s their power plants that distinguish them from their lesser-priced siblings. The S55, CL55 and SL55 all sport supercharged V8 engines producing an impressive 493 horse-power. The S600, CL600 and SL600 get the same power output from a twin-turbo V12 under the hood. Look for details of an all-new S-Class coming soon.
BMW recently joined this elite group with its 760 luxury sedan. The top-end of the 7-series lineup, the 760 (and long-wheelbase 760Li) offers an expansive rear seating area, impressive handling and excellent performance from its 438-horsepower V12 engine.
Audi now brings an entry to this list with the A8 L W12. This extended-wheelbase version of the A8 sports a 450-horsepower W12 engine teamed with the automaker’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Jaguar has also moved up into the $100,000-plus arena with the all-new Super V8 Portfolio sedan. This limited-edition XJ Sedan features a sporting style, with sculpted aluminum power vents in the front wings, a distinctive mesh grille and polished 20-inch alloy wheels. Under the hood is the latest version of Jaguar’s supercharged 4.2-liter V8 putting out 400 horsepower. Inside are such amenities as a DVD system with twin rear display-screens, four-zone air conditioning and an Alpine Dolby Prologic II surround-sound audio.
Maserati also steps up to this elite group with the introduction of the new Quattroporte. Priced just below $100,000, the Quattroporte features a shape and styling cues, as well as the famous trident badge, that identifiy it as a Maserati. Rosewood, briarwood and mahogany are standard interior treatments; however, buyers can personalize the cabin, even specifying a titanium finish if they wish. The new Maserati sedan boasts a compact 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower. It gives this luxury sedan the performance expected of a Maserati: 0-62 mph comes up in just 5.3 seconds.
Volkswagen currently offers the high-end Phaeton—the first vehicle to break the $100,000 mark wearing the VW brand. However, the automaker has announced that it will no longer sell this vehicle in America due to slow sales.
A number of other vehicles sell for well above the $100,000 mark but wouldn’t necessarily be categorized as luxury automobiles. Many of these are ultra-high performance cars from brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. Details about these can be found in our overview of the Magnificent Exotics.
