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2008 Lust-Mobiles
Hot new rides headed down the pipeline to a dealer near you
Every year there is a small group of vehicles that, like movies, generate massive amounts of advance ‘buzz,’ get the blood moving a little faster and reawaken that particular form of techno-mechanical lust that completely bypasses members of the opposite sex and is focused like a laser on the newest crop of curvaceous cars.
As with all things that incite our lust, some are so plainly out of reach that – unless you’re a dot-com entrepreneur or a trust-fund baby -- a poster taped to your bedroom wall is the closest you’ll ever get. Others are still a stretch, but with a little extra effort and daring in your daily business dealings, you might wind up with one in your garage. And there are a few that are actually affordable to we mere humans, but are still so completely cool that their appeal goes beyond money.
And here they are, presented in alphabetical order just to make things a little more democratic:
Audi R8
Approximate MSRP: $109,000
After building some of the fastest, most fun-to-drive sedans and high-style 2-seater sports cars (the TT) to hit the roads in recent years, Audi finally decided to take what it learned from all those race wins at Le Mans and build a mid-engined rocket that can go toe-to-toe with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, or any other exotic you care to name. The R8 is that car, with a 420 horsepower, mid-mounted V-8 delivering power to all four wheels and giving it a top speed of 187 mph.
BMW M3
Approximately MSRP $54,000
BMW’s new, fourth-generation M3 is something special indeed, including it’s first-ever V-8 engine -- producing 420 horsepower – carbon-fiber roof, and lightweight aluminum suspension… all of which helps it accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds and gives it a top speed that has to be electronically limited to 155 mph. An unusually wide range of factory custom touches are also offered, including innovative color and materials for the interior and high-end audio systems.
Cadillac CTS
Approximate MSRP low-$30,000 range.
Among all the American marques that were in trouble just a few years ago, Cadillac seems to be the one that has recaptured some appreciable measure of its former stature. A prime indicator is the 5-door CTS luxury performance sedan, all-new for 2008 and designed to raise the bar for Cadillac's entry-level model. The CTS kicked off Cadillac's trend-setting new design language in 2002, and the 2008 version keeps that edges-and-angles theme, but dresses it up in a more elegant suit. The interior is totally new, all-wheel drive is optional and under the hood is a 300 horsepower V-6 that is almost 50% more powerful than the engine it replaces.
Infiniti G37
Approximate MSRP $34,000
Arguably the sexiest shape ever to emerge from the Infiniti design studios… and with the kinetic chops to back up its looks… the all-new G37 replaces the G35 in the lineup and is due at dealerships in August. Changes include new styling, the first-ever application of Infiniti's new 3.7-liter, 330 horsepower V-6 engine and three models; the G37 Coupe, G37 Coupe Journey and G37 Coupe Sport<
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