In our ongoing series of future product plan coverage let's take a look at what will be coming across the Atlantic in the coming years. Glancing through the Automotive News analysis it would appear Europe's focus will be on crossovers, small cars and increased fuel efficiency. Who'd a thunk it? But a return of Alfa Romeo and a "cheap" Rolls Royce should keep things interesting. I'm only covering half of the European brands today because, well, there's a lot of them!

Alfa Romeo: After years of hints and innuendos it appears Alfa Romeo may really be coming to America in 2009. Look for the 8C Competizione (rear-drive coupe with 450hp V8), the 159 sedan (front- or all-wheel drive), the Brea (a 2+2 coupe) and the Spider (a two-seat convertible based off the Brea platform). Momma-mia!

Aston Martin: The DBS is debuting this week in Frankfurt, and it looks to be a worthy successor to the Vanquish. But the real test of Aston Martin's future will come with the launch of it high-end, high-performance sedan, the Rapide (in 2009). With new ownership and a new product direction the future could be very bright for this British brand.

Audi: The redesigned A4 is practically here, and the redesigned A6 follows next year. But the big news for 2009  is a sleek new A7 sedan that goes up against the CLS, plus not one but two new crossovers (one of which is the Q5, pictured). An A5 convertible and redesigned A8 round out the fun in 2010.

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I really like this car. It's super quick (510 horsepower, 0-60 in 4.2 seconds), super refined (64 decibels at 70 mph) and super safe (PRE-SAFE crash technology and 60-0 braking in 114 feet). Hell, I'm even getting pretty good with COMAND (and I think COMAND is evolving for the better, too).

But $150,000?!! You can buy a lot of nice cars for that money. I don't mean other $150,000 cars, I mean a lot of cars, as in an Audi S8 ($92,000), and a top-line Odyssey ($35,000) and a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited ($23,000). Mercedes is obviously going after the Bentley Continental GT with this model, but to me it doesn't wash. The M-B is actually more technologically advanced than the Bentley (night vision, radar cruise control, super-mulit-adjustable seats, etc.). The car's windshield even looks like something out of a Star Wars movie. But the Bentley has a presence this car doesn't deliver. And at this price point isn't that ultimately the most important element? Still a fabulous car, but for this kind of coin I've got to go Continental.

   I have a new favorite convertible in the "over $150,000" category. Okay, so it's a pretty thin category, but the new Bentley Continental GTC is still the best car in it. Not surprising when you consider how good the coupe version is. You can read my First Drive here, but the short version goes something like this: stunning interior, superb drivetrain, ultra-stiff platform and remarkably nimble handling. The three-layer top makes the car whisper quiet at freeway speeds, so while it isn't a retractable hardtop it's basically just as serene as the Mercedes SL or Lexus SC at high speeds (plus the headliner fabric is as sumptuous as in the Continental coupe). The transmission shifts crisply with the paddles (also done in high-quality metal), and the 552 horsepower W12 gets the car to 60 in less than 5 seconds (all-wheel drive means no traction issues). And while it's no Veyron, 190 mph with the top down (195 with top up) should satisfy most people's need for speed. All for a cool $189,900. I could go with the dark silver exterior and deep red interior as pictured above, or the bright blue paint and parchment leather. See, I can be flexible when I have to be.

A flatbed truck is never a good sign. However, when it's picking up a $250,000 sedan you have to wonder, "Is that just an owner trying to keep his exotic sedan's miles down?" Well, the miles were low on this test vehicle -- just 2,400. But the front, driver's-side wheel bearing decided to disintegrate anyway, ending my 48-hour period with the Arnage on a sour note. I'd like to say the car was supreme before the wheel started vibrating like a paint mixer, but momma taught me not to lie. The basic structure of this vehicle dates back to the Clinton era, and despite VW/Audi's best efforts it still feels like a...how to put this...quaint design. Sure, the seat leather is top notch and VW even retrofitted a navigation system, yet low-end power is meager (it's a twin-turbo, 6.75-liter V8 with lots 'o lag) and handling can best be described as "relaxed" (think 1970s Cadillac). Theoretically people don't buy the Arnage for drag racing or slalom testing, but when a far superior Bentley is available for $80,000 less (Flying Spur) it truly boggles my mind that anyone would buy this vehicle. I will admit that plenty of people did double takes as I wafted up PCH and through Malibu. Still, I can get that same effect from several other cars that cost less and deliver more (including a flatbed-free weekend...). A reworked Arnage is on Bentley's horizon, and not a moment too soon.

Okay kids, it's Christmas week and...

Wait, just to clarify -- I am using "Christmas" in this blog. If you celebrate some other holiday that involves gift giving my question still has merit for you. If you don't celebrate any holiday or any form of gift giving...well, sorry.

Anyway, it's Christmas week and Santa has come down your chimney to ask you what you want under the tree.

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As an automotive journalist, some days are better than others. Today is a good day (and talk about experiencing the full spectrum of British automobiles!). Earlier I was able to sneak out of the office long enough to experience a Lotus Elise test car before it went back. Despite only having 40 minutes in the car, I found a canyon road off PCH and got lucky with traffic (meaning none). Wooo-heee!!!

 

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