2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

Aston Martin produces some of the sexiest sheetmetal in the automotive industry today, and the tally now stands at 8 (we’re not counting the diminutive Cygnet in this group). Every new offering seems more swoopy than the the previous one, and the 2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe ($200,000) is no exception. Created to fill a slot between the DB9 and the Bond driven DBS, the Virage Coupe carries forward a name used by Aston some 20 years ago but ups the ante by dropping in a delicious V12 that does not betray what the exterior package promises to deliver. With a 6.0 liter powertrain churning out 490 hp and 420 lb-ft torque, this curvaceous beauty will scramble to 60 in a little over 4 seconds and top out at almost 190 mph. This sonorous V12 is mated to a six-speed auto gearbox, connected to a carbon-fiber driveshaft and limited slip diff. Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes (28 lbs lighter than its iron brothers) atop manhole cover-sized 15.7 inch front and 14.2 inch rear brakes will stop this Brit with authority and next to no fade. Along with the satisfaction of your performance appetite, your butt gets babied, too, as the interior takes 70 man-hours of expert British craftsmanship to complete using seven different Scandanavian cowhides. Gorgeous wood and clean aluminum round out the interior in what appears to be an absolutely posh yet tasteful cockpit. Look for it in both Virage Coupe and Volante Convertible formats. Note the very tasteful orange it comes in, as well.

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

The long-awaited replacement for the top end Lamborghini Murcielago has finally broken cover. Introducing the even more vicious and beautiful Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. Carrying over several significant design elements from the limited edition Reventon, the all-carbon fiber bodied Aventador boasts a ferocious 6500cc V12 engine that snorts out 700 hp and 479 lb feet of torque. That colossal power is sent to all four wheels, allowing the bull to reach 60 in less than 3 seconds and max out at a face-warping 217 mph. Power is nothing, though, without adequate middle management. To this end, the V12 is connected to an all-new seven speed automated manual, known as the Lamborghini Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) that moves from one gear to the next nearly simultaneously, providing lightning fast 50 millisecond shifts. Stopping is bolstered by massive 380mm carbon ceramic brakes, six-piston fronts and four-piston rears. This range topper also benefits from a 500 pound weight drop over its predecessor due to a carbon fiber chassis and an increased rigidity of 70%, which should prove a boon for the handling. One feature that we feel should show up on every low-slung supercar is the Aventador’s unique hydraulic chin-lifter, raising the front of the car by 40mm at the touch of a button, so you don’t embarrass yourself next time you exit the drive-thru at Bob’s Big Boy. With the Aventador, the carmaker from Sant’Agata effectively takes its flagship into the 21st century of supercars. The technology, design and the performance should be nothing short of astounding. Estimated price? A whopping $350,000.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition

If Darth Vader had been born in Detroit, this just might be his vehicle of choice. The new 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition ($70,000). Uncannily timed with the release of a similarly adorned steerable rocket sled, the Porsche 911 Black Edition, this iteration of the already stunning CTS-V adds upgraded interior materials like microfiber suede Recaro sport seats to cradle the Dark Overlord’s butt and Midnight Sapele wood trim. For the exterior mods, you’ll find a black triple coat SpectraFlair paint job, yellow Brembo brakes and gorgeous 19″ matte black wheels that add that extra touch of sinister, in case the 6.2 liter 556 hp V8 isn’t enough to send the kiddies running. Thankfully, this rip-snorting American-made monster is available in both paddle shift automatic and a beloved 6-speed manual. This ninja’d version will also show up in the sedan and wagon, as well. Get behind the wheel and start playing “The Imperial March” as you overtake the petty masses.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Revamped both inside and out, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is a four door force to be reckoned with. Earlier generations of Mercedes AMG vehicles were blunt force instruments. Lately though, Merc has been churning out drool-worthy vehicles that truly raise the performance quotient for the German automaker, as is the case for the C63. So, for you laymen, it’s not just fast in a straight line, it handles the twisties, too. With 481 hp, the naturally aspirated C63 will make mincemeat of most sports cars, rocketing the “family sedan” to 60 in 4.3 seconds. That’s awfully close to Ferrari territory, folks. The all-new AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed transmission has four driving mode selections with rev-matching and a “Race Start” option, so you won’t need that cup of joe to wake you up on your morning commute. Brushed piano lacquer and dark aluminum trim add a stealthy sophistication to the interior. Other niceties include Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Parktronic parking guidance, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist. The C63 can’t teach you how to drive, but if you can, it will certainly get you to your destination with haste and taste. Available Fall 2011.

Audi Carbon Ski Concept

In case Hublot’s sledge doesn’t strike your winter sport fancy, consider Audi’s Carbon Ski Concept a potential alternative. Created in collaboration with Head, Audi’s Munich based concept design team has developed a pair of skis built around a wood core sandwiched between aluminum and titanium and coated in carbon fiber. The result is a more rigid, yet more flexible design than your average pair of terra firma skis. The carbon fiber finish lends to some seriously beautiful planks, too. Like the Audi E-Tron, the skis are only concepts for now… but that doesn’t mean you can’t dream of bombing Grand Couloir on them.

Lamborghini PML-F Formula 1 Concept

Unlike the Prancing Horse, Lambo lacks any serious racing pedigree. The newly designed Lamborghini PML-F Formula 1 Concept, however, could change that. Part F1 racer, part Dark Knight transport, this demonic creation from Sabino Leerentveld is intended to be propelled by a 3.0L 1200 hp V12. If it ever gets built, pairing that engine with the proposed ultralight sub-one-ton frame would result in a horsepower-to-weight ratio capable of dealing speed-induced damage to your internal organs. Make that a table for two with its side-by-side seating setup. Still, spend one moment staring into its stealth black exterior and those concerns will disappear faster than this beast off the starting line.

Electric PiCycle & Smartphone To Stop Bike Theft.

The PiCycle is an interesting machine for a few reasons. First off it’s electric, second it’s two-wheeled drive and third, it has a built in theft recovery system that updates its location on your smartphone. Personally I don’t believe in bicycles that power themselves, but I do believe in getting back at the bad guys that stole them. The PiCycle is currently being sold through Best Buy for $2,495.00. It’s not cheap, but with up to 20 miles on a single charge and a way to get it back if it gets nicked, it’s actually not a bad way to get around.

Volkswagen's next-generation Passat is expected to up the stakes against Germany’s luxury carmakers, with the car’s designers hoping it will be mentioned in the same breath as the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

Under the hood, a replacement for the VR6 engine will be in place, putting out close to 300hp (224kW) from a displacement of 3.0L. To improve mileage and maintain power, the new engine will also be using direct injection, while the rest of the powertrain lineup is expected to benefit from some form of forced induction as well. Other models will include a new hybrid as well as a high-performance diesel with AWD.

To give the Passat some much needed panache, VW will be pulling out all the stops to make the next-generation a technological showcase, with features that should have the traditional German manufacturers feeling a little worried.

Expected to debut in late 2011 as a 2012 model, the next-generation Passat is tipped to feature a host of new technologies, including airless tires, a wiperless window cleaning system, and an advanced user interface. There may also be an electronic stability system with a feature that automatically offers counter-steering assistance in adverse driving conditions.