Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2006

Most Wanted Sedan Over $45,000
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Winner: Audi A8

While its rivals have stumbled over controversial styling and build quality issues, Audi has been steadfastly solidifying its place in the luxury arena. The A8's neatly tailored and timeless design, fine build quality and ultraluxurious cabin continue to impress our staff of harsh critics. In motion, the A8 is no less astonishing — the 450-horsepower, W12-powered version can dispatch the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds. Not that the 335-hp V8 version is lacking. With either engine, the A8 eats miles at a furious pace without ever feeling rushed. And as advanced as its electronics are, you rarely feel overwhelmed by its technology. That's our kind of luxury sedan.

Honorable Mention: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes calls this four-door vehicle a coupe due to its sexy styling. We won't argue as the CLS certainly looks the part of a sleek, high-performance GT coupe that just happens to have four door handles. The company didn't drop the ball in the cabin either, as high style and luxurious materials happily coexist in the CLS's cocoonlike inner sanctum. If we had a blank check, we'd go with the incredibly fast CLS55 AMG with its 469-horsepower supercharged V8. But we'd be nearly as happy with the CLS500 and its more than ample 302-hp V8. After all, there's more to this beauty's personality than straight-line speed.

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