Written By Jim Hall, Ian Adcock, Patrick Hong, Mike Monticello,
Matt DeLorenzo and Jonathan Elfalan of Road & Track

While the manufacturers of the high-volume cars are taking the brunt of the economic fallout on the chin — think Japan's Big 3 of Toyota, Honda and Nissan, in addition to the much-publicized woes of America's Big 3 of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford — it has, so far, been an entirely different story for many of the luxury brands. The German manufacturers still remain profitable: Audi's share of the luxury market has actually increased so far this year; and, thanks partly to growing sales in China, Volkswagen has recently passed Toyota as the world's best-selling car manufacturer. At the ultra-luxury end, sales may be slowing, but the companies that occupy these lofty heights are readying new product unabated. Seems the rich really are different than you and me — they can buy just about any car they darn well please.

2010 Aston Martin Rapide
Should secret agent 007 finally decide to settle down and have a family, the Aston Martin Rapide luxury sports sedan will fit him and his handsome brood nicely. Its true 4-seater accommodations (a transmission tunnel divides the rear seating area) can act as a bit of a barrier to minimize squabbling in back. And a 480-horsepower V-12 that can propel the Rapide to 180 mph should get the wee nippers to soccer — I mean "football" — practice in a hurry!

2011 Audi S7
If German sports/luxury brand Audi decides to bring its rumored S7 model to the U.S., it would certainly change Americans’ perceptions about 5-doors. Yes, what looks like a very upscale sedan is actually...a hatchback! And with output said to be nearly 400 horsepower coming from a supercharged V-8, the S7 might just put the "sport" back in sportwagon.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia
While the lusciously curvy F430 was an evolution of its predecessor, the 360 Modena, the all-new 458 Italia features a decidedly more angular design. Power certainly isn’t lacking, as the 458’s 4.5-liter V-8 produces 570 bhp. That power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed twin-clutch paddle-shift gearbox. And no, a true 3-pedal manual will not be offered. For your estimated $210,000, the 458 Italia comes standard with carbon-ceramic brakes and an active differential.

2013 Jaguar XE
Who doesn't love the sultry sheet metal that adorns a Jaguar? The price tag, though, can certainly be a major turn-off. But with the British motoring icon rumored to roll out the XE (a mid-engine Jag the size of a Porsche Boxster, but less expensive) in a few years’ time, owning one of these stylish kitties might just be possible.

2010 Jaguar XJ
The heralded British brand's new 4-door flagship is a dramatic leap forward from its stodgy old predecessor — especially in terms of its styling. Some may find the blacked-out rear pillars odd, and the rear end a bit too ample, but at least Jag is moving forward with new design. The interior is chock-full of high-tech, while 5.0-liter engines ranging from a 385-bhp V-8 to a 510-bhp supercharged version should keep even speed demons happy.

2012 Lamborghini Murciélago II
When hearing the term "Italian exotic car," one can't help but think of Lamborghini and, more specifically, the Murciélago model. Meaning "bat" in, oddly enough, Spanish, that is precisely how this 600-plus-horsepower, V-12-motivated, high-dollar rarity goes out of you-know-where. But having launched the Murciélago way back in the 2002 model year, Lamborghini is working on an all-new replacement — lighter, thanks to the use of carbon fiber and aluminum — that will soon find its high-velocity way down the Italian Autostrada.

2011 McLaren MP4-12C
Haven't heard of McLaren? It is a racing team based in England that has won multiple championships in Formula 1. The company also on occasion builds low-volume, street-legal exotic cars, including the million-dollar F1 from the late 1990s. Now McLaren is back with an all-new street car, the MP4-12C. Aimed squarely at Ferrari, the MP4-12C features a one-piece carbon-fiber tub, a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 with about 600 bhp and an active Airbrake. Price? About $250,000.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
It has a high-performance 518-bhp V-8 and a quick-shifting 7-speed transmission that the driver operates via steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters. And while this description could apply to the latest McLaren-Mercedes racing car in Formula 1, we're actually talking about the latest hot sports sedan from Mercedes-Benz. Enticing AMG bodywork and a stiffer, electronically controlled suspension elevate M-B's best-selling 4-door to a new level.

2011 Porsche Boxster
The term "downsizing" generally has negative connotations. But in the case of the Porsche Boxster Spyder, less really is more. First, the Spyder is lighter by 176 lb. compared to a Boxster S, due to GT3 RS door skins and inner door panels, along with a lightweight top. Next, the Spyder has more power, its direct-injected flat-6 rising to 310 bhp. It finishes off with a stiffer sports suspension for better handling, along with a standard limited-slip differential.

2010 Porsche Panamera
A Porsche SUV — "Blasphemy!" you say? That was the outcry heard from many a Porschephile about six years ago when the legendary German brand rolled out its first sport-utility vehicle, the Porsche Cayenne. Now the company has launched into uncharted waters again with its first 4-door sports sedan, the Panamera. With the top model producing 500 horsepower from a 4.8-liter twin-turbo V-8, it delivers its driver and three lucky passengers a thrill ride worthy of the marque.

* Based on an article from the June 2009 issue of Road & Track magazine