Choose between the 128i, powered by a 3.0-liter, 230-horse DOHC I-6, or a twin-turbocharged engine of the same displacement, spooling out a torque-rich 300 horsepower. Both engines can be had with stick or automatic transmission. Our tester was a full-boat 135i, but we’ve also driven a less-optioned 128i with a stick and can tell you this car is a scream to drive, even in its most basic form.

That was then, this is now, blah-blah. But none of that makes the 1 Series any less special. It is, of course, based on the 3 Series, but it rides on a four-inch-shorter wheelbase and is an average of 100 pounds lighter (depending upon equipment). Yet it gets the same powertrains as the 3 and costs less. Hmm…same power, lighter weight, fewer bucks.

So does the BMW 1 Series have the goods to be the Motor Trend Car of the Year 2009? Let us know in the comments below and find out who wins at 18th of November .

As with many Bangle-era Bimmers, the arguing point is design. Some testers like the squat proportions and “flame-surfaced” detailing. Others have described it as “frumpy” with “too many lines stamped into its little body.”

Photography by Brian Vance and Julia LaPalme.

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.

This elegant Bentley Flying Spur is the latest luxury sedan from the prestigious marque, employing a powerful 550- horse power engine and all-wheel drive.

Economically speaking, these ultra-luxury vehicles are usually out of reach for most consumers, with base retail prices starting around $100,000 and increasing from there. So is there really a market for these fantasy-drivers? Even in these times of worldwide economic uncertainty, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

According to R.L. Polk and Co., the “super luxury” segment (cars costing more than $100,000) is one of only two to show market growth over the last five years. R.L. Polk and Company is a global automotive information and marketing firm that provides solutions to automotive and related industries.

“The popularity of super luxury sedans among affluent American consumers has opened the door for automakers to roll out a whole new generation of innovative, amenity-laden models,” said Eric Papacek, analytic consultant for Polk. “New models and concepts recently announced by Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and Cadillac are clear signs that the uber car has returned to the American auto scene.”

Highlights of the Ultra-Luxury Lineup
At the top of the luxury car market are two models that arrived on American shores in the last few years—the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Maybach 57/62.

Five years ago BMW AG became the owner of the prestigious Rolls-Royce name, and in January 2003 the new owners showed off a new car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Phantom has a design instantly recognizable as a Rolls-Royce, with only the finest materials used throughout the vehicle. As many as 16 hides of leather go into each Phantom, and the automaker claims it to be the softest in the industry. Base price for a new Phantom: around $330,000.

Not to be outdone, Mercedes-Benz has brought back the Maybach name and put it on a set of ultra-luxury sedans. Named the 57 and 62 (based on vehicle length: 5.7 meters and 6.2 meters, respectively), the Maybach is quite different from the Rolls. Styling is more modern and the interior feels more high-tech. The 57 is considered a driver’s car, while the 62 would likely be chauffeur-driven, referred to by the automaker as a “business jet on wheels.” Featuring power-closing rear doors, a 600-watt audio system and reclining rear seats with power footrests, the Maybach 62 goes for around $375,000.

The Bentley brand stakes a time-honored claim in the ultra-luxury class. The sleek Continental GT is one of the fastest 4-seat coupes available in the world, boasting a 552 horsepower twin-turbo W12 engine that powers all four wheels. Not only is it the first all-wheel-drive Bentley, the Continental GT also is the least expensive, with a starting price at a mere $159,900. Joining the Continental GT coupe last year was the 4-door Flying Spur. The Flying Spur shares styling with its coupe sibling, as well as the powerful W12 engine and all-wheel drive.

The ultra-luxury sedan from Bentley—the Arnage—received a freshened look and a number of enhancements last year. The front fascia now features round headlights and revised hoodlines, both of which bring the sedan’s looks in line with the new Continental GT. The already outstanding ride quality and handling have been enhanced with a revised rear suspension. The 2005 Arnage is available in R and T trims, as well as the long-wheelbase RL. Inside, the Arnage gets a new dashboard top, fresh instruments and a new DVD satellite navigation unit.

Aston Martin rides high with the all-new DB9. The two-plus-two sports car offered in both Coupe and Volante (convertible) versions replaced the DB7 for the 2004 model year. The hand-built DB9’s 450-horsepower 6.0-liter V12 engine is available with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Aston Martin is also considering a sleek 4-door sedan based on the DB9. A concept 4-door called the Rapide was shown at January’s North American International Auto Show.

The 2008 Audi R8. The ultimate execution of Audi engineering. Race inspired and derived from the Le Mans dominating R8 machine. Built from the ground up to assume its rightful position as the leader in innovation,  design, technology, and performance.

2008 Audi R8 Reviews:

Forbesautos Review the Audi R8 and gave out”Audi — a subsidiary of Volkswagen — has not released other details about how it will turn the Le Mans quattro into the R8, and what specifications the production car will have. Frankly, part of the reason for running a piece about the new vehicle is to revisit the glory of the showcar.”

Pros:    Engineering Perfection
Cons:    wish the V10 was available

Special Features & Interior Design

The R8 continues Audi’s tradition of originality in interior design, employing a cockpit-style theme that the company calls monoposto, an arc of controls that wraps around the driver in the style of a single-seat racing car. Aluminum is a prominent element of the R8’s creative surface treatments, and the flat-bottomed steering wheel is certainly unique. The car’s long wheelbase and roomy cabin allow room for tall drivers, and long doors ease access. Unusual for a high-end sports car, the R8 offers plenty of storage spaces and useful cupholders. Audi says there’s space behind the seats to store two golf bags. There’s also a small capacity (3.5-cubic-foot) front trunk.
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