To compile the list of this year's most beautiful cars, forbes asked some of its most trusted experts for their nominees: Tamara Warren, automotive journalist and creator of the car blog Go Tryke; Mike Caudill, an automotive analyst for DrivenMedia; Gary Flom, CEO of Manhattan Automobile Company; and Noah Lehmann-Haupt, CEO of Gotham Dream Cars. Cars on the list must be new and in production for 2010--no pre-production models. Cars are listed in alphabetical order.
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
MSRP: $301,600
The 4.7-liter, V8 engine gets 444 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Each angle on the front and sides of the car was calibrated to ensure the most efficient airflow around the car, Alfa says, and it shows: It'll do 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and 0 to 100 mph in 9.7 seconds.
Aston Martin Rapide
MSRP: $197,850The front mid-mounted 6-liter V12 engine produces 470 bhp, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. The engine is hand-built in Köln, Germany, and features a six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission.
Bentley Mulsanne
MSRP: $285,000Mulsanne is inspired by the company founder W.O. Bentley's crowning achievement, the 8-liter auto first shown at the 1930 London Motor Show. A 6 3/4-liter, V8 engine gets 505bhp; inside, exotic woods, leather hides and solid stainless-steel brightware are hand-crafted for maximum luxury.
Dodge Challenger SRT8
MSRP: $43,680
The vintage throwback has a 6.1-liter V8 HEMI engine, with a five-speed automatic transmission and 425-horsepower. Inside, heated leather bucket seats with an accent stripe and illuminated cup-holders help make the car viable as a daily driver.
The vintage throwback has a 6.1-liter V8 HEMI engine, with a five-speed automatic transmission and 425-horsepower. Inside, heated leather bucket seats with an accent stripe and illuminated cup-holders help make the car viable as a daily driver.
Ferrari 458 Italia
MSRP: $240,000The 8-cylinder two-seater "berlinetta" has a mid-rear mounted engine and a max speed of 202 miles per hour. Its three rear tailpipes, single-opening front grille, side air intakes and swooping Pininfarina design underscore the "performance-oriented efficiency" that inspired the project, Ferrari says.
Jaguar XJ
MSRP: $113,000 (XJL Supersport)The highest end of the XJ line, the XJL Supersport, does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph (thanks to a 510-hp engine). It has softgrain leather throughout the cabin, manual side window blinds and a panoramic sunroof.
Maserati Quattroporte
MSRP: $120,250The 4.2-liter V8 has 400 bhp and a top speed of 164 mph. Zero to 60 mph time is 5.5 seconds. Hand-stitched Poltrona Frau leather and wood veneers in dozens of colors can be combined for a personalized feel inside the car.
Mercedes SLS AMG
MSRP: $183,000This car is the modern interpretation of the classic Mercedes 300SL. It's a V8 and with 571 horsepower, which gets it to 60 mph in 3.8-seconds and a top speed of 197 miles per hour.
Porsche Boxster Spyder
MSRP: $61,200The 320-horsepower engine (more powerful than the Boxster S) gets to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 166 miles per hour. Its two trunks and manageable ragtop (switch time: three minutes) make it viable as a daily driver in warm climates.
Rolls Royce Ghost
MSRP: $245,000
The 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 has 563 horsepower, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 60 mph is 4.8 seconds; top speed is 155 mph. It's the most drivable and aesthetically distinctive modern Rolls but still shares the same uber-luxe leather, paint and wood detailing as the larger Phantom.
Source :forbes.com
MSRP: $245,000
The 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 has 563 horsepower, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 60 mph is 4.8 seconds; top speed is 155 mph. It's the most drivable and aesthetically distinctive modern Rolls but still shares the same uber-luxe leather, paint and wood detailing as the larger Phantom.
Source :forbes.com
