In light of the economic downslide, only time will tell how badly hurt the luxury car market will actually be. Not to be dismayed, the editors at NADAguides.com have bravely soldiered on, recently announcing their picks for the most luxurious cars for 2009. I know what you’re thinking - and while these fine cars certainly don’t fall within every girl’s budget (especially mine!), they’re pretty to look at, awesome to drive and represent a great list of some mighty fine luxury automobiles.
Hey - even though the economy may be taking a nose-dive, we girls can still dream, right?
The editors at NADAguides have based their top 5 luxury cars for 2009 on a variety of factors, including styling, luxury amenities and overall handling:
1. 2009 Audi A8L (starting at $74,050.00)
The 2009 Audi A8L 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. The A8L comes equipped with a 450-hp 6.0-liter W12 engine and Audi Quattro AWD, making it extremely responsive on the road. The A8L 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 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 $64,475.00)
Jaguar has delivered one of the “smoothest cars on the planet,” according to NADAguides. 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, “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 $90,225.00)
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. “Equipment you expect to be available in the next five years is probably already installed on the S550,” say the editors. 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.
4. 2009 Hyundai Genesis (starting at $32,250.00)
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. 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 $224,900.00)
“When it comes to luxury cars, Bentley coined the phrase,” says the folks at NADAguides. Unfortunately, the crème de la crème 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.
So girls (and guys!) - what do you think of the list? Can you add to it? See something on the list you think shouldn’t be? Do you own a luxury car? Have you recently bought one? If so, leave a comment and tell me what you love about it!
Source: http://www.carsforgirls.com/index.php/top-5-luxury-cars-for-2009/
