Top 10 Most Wanted Cars for 2009

We featured [Top New Cars for 2008] during this period of last year, it’s time to look forward to the next 12 months and see what car buyers have in mind. We’ve picked the 10 most promising new models due in 2009.

For a great many of us, a dream car planted the seeds for a lifelong addiction to all things automotive, and these 10 cars are bound to incite a few automotive addictions of their own. They are the leggy supermodels of the auto industry, cars that make their first impression with exceeding beauty.

2009 Lotus Elise

The 2009 Lotus Elise carries on the English company’s tradition of pint-sized sports cars with exotic-car performance. This mid-engine, targa-top 2-seater is fitted with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine built by Toyota and tuned by Lotus. It makes 189 hp in the base Elise, and 218 in the supercharged Elise SC. A 6-speed manual is the only transmission offered. ABS is standard, but an antiskid system is not available; nor are front side airbags or curtain side airbags. Other standard features include air conditioning, power windows, and remote power door locks. Options include leather upholstery, limited-slip differential, and traction control. We have not yet tested a 2009 Lotus Elise, but see our comments on the similar Lotus Exige.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Alfa is back, and it’s making a splash in the US, this time going for the big money. After its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2003, the 8C nearly ceased to exist, but the company finally decided to bring it to the US to build image before introducing less expensive and more mainstream vehicles than the two-seat coupe.

The engine is from another Italian thoroughbred, Maserati’s Quattroporte, although it’s been enlarged to 4.7 liters of displacement. It makes 444 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, and 347 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm, with a 7,500 rpm redline. That engine will be placed behind the front axle for a low center of gravity and ideal weight distribution.

what’s underhood is nearly as splendid as the wrapper: a sonorous 4.7-liter V-8 that is closely related to the engine found in another car on this list, the Maserati GranTurismo, as well as several Ferraris.

Top 10 Wanted Car for 2009 - Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin revealed an all-new flagship model for the 2008 model year called the DBS. A concept version of the coupe was revealed in 2006, followed by an appearance in the James Bond film Casino Royale.

The DB9’s 6.0 liter V12 finds a new home in the DBS, albeit with more power. Output is rated at 510 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 5,750 rpm. The power goes to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted transaxle with six-speed swapped with the use of a clutch pedal. A limited-slip differential is included.

Dodge Viper Convertible SRT10

Along with Chevy’s Corvette, the Dodge Viper is one of the most eye-catching and most recognizable high-performance sports cars in the North American marketplace. It was largely responsible for reinvigorating the Dodge brand in the early ’90s.

The Viper SRT10 coupe shares the convertible’s mechanicals, which means the same fire-breathing 600-horsepower V10 engine under the big hood. It displaces 8.4 liters and also generates 560 pound-feet of torque.

Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

This is the base model of Porsche’s legendary, many would say iconic, 911. The rear-engine rear-drive sports car is powered by a 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine, generating 325 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 274 pound-feet of torque starting at 4,250 rpm. Zero-to-60-mph flies by in 4.8 seconds.

You’ll be impressed at how the engineers pack in such a highly tuned performance motor into a compact spot, especially with all the ancillary mechanicals and the exhaust system. This is a prime example of how Porsche has perfected the 911 design.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz reinvented the idea of a stylish, four-door, premium coupe when the German automaker released the CLS in 2004. Last year, the AMG-tuned CLS got a significant upgrade when the AMG-designed and developed 6.3-liter V8 engine was shoehorned under the hood.

The first AMG-designed engine, the 6.3-liter V8, is carried over from 2009, good for 507 horsepower along with 465 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood of this shapely sedan. Its V8 burble is made louder than last year’s car thanks to a less restrictive exhaust installed for 2009.

Pontiac Solstice GXP

The Solstice GXP is high-performance variant of the popular rear-wheel drive, two-seat roadster from Pontiac. It was added to the company’s lineup for the 2007 model year and onward.

The Solstice GXP comes with a turbocharged, Ecotec 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 260 horsepower that can be mated to either a close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic. Riding on a standard performance suspension using Bilstein adjustable-valve, monotube shock absorbers, the GXP features 18′ polished aluminum wheels with 18′ chromed wheels as an option.

2009 Audi S5

Alongside the new A5 coupe, Audi launched the S5 for the 2008 model year. It features Audi’s direct-injection 4.2-liter V8 engine, basically a detuned version of the one found in the RS4 and R8, which produces 354hp and 325lb-ft of torque instead of the 420 hp /317 lb-ft. Like the A5, the new S5 features an engine placement behind the front wheels, resulting in better weight distribution between the axles.

One of the most passionate designs ever to come out of Germany, the S5 wears a perfect balance of masculine and feminine elements, mixing a strong, assertive gaze with elegantly flowing fenders and a thick fuselage offset with delicate brightwork. Sporty accents to the S5 include a squared-off chin, subtle sill extensions, a slightly longer decklid, and four wonderfully vocal tailpipes—all without detracting from the coupe’s innate beauty. Best of all, it sets the tone for the styling of Audi’s lineup henceforth.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe

Affectionately described as the “baby Aston,” the V8 Vantage coupe is Aston Martin’s cheapest, smallest and highest volume model currently on the market.

It is positioned in price against the Porsche 911 Carrera S, Audi R8, Mercedes SL550, and BMW M6, but in reality is different from all those vehicles. It’s lighter and more nimble than the M6 or SL, but more of a grand tourer than the hardcore R8 or 911.

The Vantage comes with a 4.3 liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 380 horsepower at 7,000 rpm along with 302 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. The high-revving V8 is mated to one of two transaxles, both of which are equipped with a limited-slip differential.

2009 Maserati GranTurismo

The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, made its worldwide debut as a 2008 model. The new coupe is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine and delivers a nimble weight distribution of 49 percent at the front and 51 percent at the rear.

The engine delivers 405 horsepower at 7100 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque at 4750 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters for the manual control mode.

Pricing starts at $114,750, making the GranTurismo a rival to the BMW M6, Aston Martin Vantage, Mercedes CL-Class, and even more expensive models like the Bentley Continental.