Also in this issue:

• News & Features
  A Star-Studded Night to Remember
• Up Front
  Where You Lease Expect to Find Cigars
• Good Life Guide
  Bullfighting
• Good Life Guide
  Summer Mixes
• Good Life Guide
  Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
• More from this Issue

Top 10 Luxury Vehicles

We pick the best of the best in the 10 categories that define world class driving

Steve Morgenstern
From the Print Edition:
Camilo Villegas, July/August 2006

CADILLAC XLR-V While not quite as refined as the SL, its obvious role model, Caddy's XLR roadster becomes even more "world-class" with the addition of a new supercharged version of the automaker's exclusive Northstar engine. The "V" stands for velocity, as you'll discover the first time you stand on the throttle. $100,000

PORSCHE BOXSTER The classic, reasonably affordable German roadster went through a complete remake a little more than a year ago. The latest version is even better balanced than before, though if you don't care about pulling the top down, check out its counterpart, the Cayman coupe. $45,000

LUXURY CONVERTIBLE
Jaguar XK
Few cars boasted the visual stopping power of the original E-Type Jaguar. But the XK came close, picking up the original feline proportions. Now comes an all-new XK. Yep, as Jaguar's advertising slogan suggests, it's "gorgeous," though the lines are a little more angular and the overall shape just a touch chunkier than the original. That's the risk a designer faces when given the mandate to "make it better, but keep it the same." The good news is that the new XK uses the same sort of aluminum chassis that was introduced a few years back on the XJ sedan. So instead of flexing like a limp noodle on rough pavement, the new convertible is as stiff and solid as you could want, with its 300-hp V-8 providing all the power you need. $81,500

RUNNERS-UP
BMW 650i The original 6 Series was one of the most beautiful designs ever to emerge from Bavaria. The revived sedan is striking, the convertible even better, if you like top-down motoring. We'd have preferred a foldaway hardtop, but the canvas package retains a usable trunk, if not much of a rear seat. $81,195

AUDI A4 CABRIOLET Among the most affordable of the luxury convertibles, Audi's entry maintains the gracious lines of the sedan. The Cabriolet has plenty of power and if our own experience is any indication, you'd be likely to roll the top down whenever the sun's out—even in midwinter. $37,340

Paul A. Eisenstein is a Cigar Aficionado contributing editor and publishes the Internet magazine www.TheCarConnection.com.

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