We picked the new Mercedes-Benz CL as our Editors' Choice in this rarified section, because of its multitude of attributes, but also because it one of the few surviving, true Grand Touring coupes these days (as opposed to, say, a Pontiac Sunfire GT).

It's designed and meant for ultra-fast cruising in style, and fulfils it's mission brilliantly.

Where there's a new S-Class sedan, a new CL can never be far behind; it's essentially a coupe version of the S. The CL brings to the table pretty much everything you can find in an S-Class except four doors and a middle back seat. Perhaps less obviously, there's no sign of 4Matic, even though all-wheel drive is standard on the Bentley GT that is arguably the CL's natural-born rival.

The CL550 arrived last fall, motor-vated by the new-generation 382-hp, 5.5-litre V8 that perfectly blends aggressive performance and supreme refinement. The standard automatic is a 7-speed. A few months later the CL600 turned up, toting a 510-hp, 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 and a 5-speed automatic. An AMG CL63 derivative is waiting in the wings.

Standard stuff on the CL550 includes leather upholstery, a glass sunroof, power rear window shade, park-assist, active body control, power trunk and door closure, rear-view camera, navigation, a Harman Kardon LOGIC7 surround sound and a CD/MP3-capable 6-disc DVD changer.

Supreme elegance, exclusivity, performance and refinement

Flared fenders look a bit boy-racer body-kit kitsch-ish