New levels of comfort and customization

Audi A8 was one of many luxury models on display at the Detroit auto show.

Kathy Renwald and Nika Rolczewski

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Audi A8

Luxury and sport performance come together with the next-generation Audi A8.

New is a slick eight-speed Tiptronic transmission with the V8 4.2 FSI that boosts the horsepower to 372 and gives 328 lb.-ft. of torque at 3500 r.p.m. Alternative diesel engines are not available in Canada.

The Audi A8 leads the pack in multimedia. It's the first production car to have Google-enhanced capabilities, including three-dimensional Google Earth navigation. Custom routes can be downloaded from a home computer into the vehicle's navigation system and activated with a scribble on the touch pad in the car.

Safety assistance systems – the vehicle's radar, cameras and navigation – work together with the adaptive cruise control and a stop-and-go feature for heavy traffic.

Infrared technology reacts to the heat emitted from objects, people or animals, improving night vision and sounding a warning if the car's computer believes a hazard lies ahead.

Audi's Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system stays the same, with a lightweight aluminum body and a luxury interior. The MSRP has not been set.

Audi R8 Spyder

Audi's R8 Spyder makes going topless sexy and fast – a mere 19 seconds for the fabric top to retract even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h. When opened, it folds like a Z into its storage compartment over the engine.

Audi addresses fears about the sun causing the slick interior leather to fade by infusing seats with pigments to reflect damaging infrared light.

This feature also keeps the seats cooler by up to 20C.

It's available only in 5.2 FSI, meaning that a 525-hp V-10 with 391 lb.-ft. of torque is under the hood. Production will start early this year. Final price isn't available, but prepare to pay a premium.

Bentley Mulsanne

"The opposite of mass production" is the Bentley mantra. With its newly introduced Mulsanne, it takes personalization to another level, offering 114 paint colours, 21 carpet colours and 24 interior hide options, tanned the traditional way to ensure the same rich, worn scent of its vintage leather.

Almost half of the build process (about 170 hours) is spent on crafting the interior of this four-door luxury sedan.

The 6.75 L, twin-turbocharged V8 delivers 505 hp and 752 lb.-ft. of torque at 1800 r.p.m. – providing ample power. For the first time Bentley comes with a gearshift mounted on the steering wheel for easy shifting through its eight-speed automatic transmission.

This exclusive grand tourer will be priced at $285,000 (U.S.) and will go on sale in the fall.

Cadillac XTS

The Cadillac XTS Platinum is a pretty concrete concept and waiting, it seems, to bust into production. The big Caddy could replace the older and morose STS and DTS.

In Detroit, it was hailed as a union of art and science. The luxury sedan is planned as an AWD model, with a 3.6-litre V6 and a hybrid version waiting in the wings. It could go into production in 2011.

Sharing the stage with the XTS was the sure-thing Cadillac CTS V Coupe. The sharply styled luxury performance car aimed at the younger Caddy customer will be on the assemblyline this summer. Sporty touches include Brembo brakes, Recaro seats and a six-speed manual. An unapologetic 556-hp V8 feeds the need for power.

Mercedes E Class Cabriolet

To a live rendition of "Here Comes the Sun," Mercedes Benz introduced the new E-Class convertible, the fourth model in the E-Class lineup.

Mercedes hammered home the fact the E-Class has four comfy seats and that all occupants will emerge with hairdos intact, thanks to Aircap. This is Mercedes' way to boss the wind around so it won't slap passengers in the face. Two wind deflectors push airflow above the interior and reduce turbulence.

The E-Class will stick with a traditional soft top that can open or close in about 20 seconds.

Worldwide, the E-Class offers eight engines, but in North America the selection is considerably pared down.

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