COLUMNS DRIVEN FEBRUARY 2005

Some of the most potent sports cars on the road are really upscale sedans in disguise.

TAKING YOUR LAPS IN LUXURY

Some of the most potent sports cars on the road are really upscale sedans in disguise.

Remember when a luxury car's mission was to virtually isolate a driver from the road? Those rolling cocoons of comfort coddled their occupants with sofa-like seating, a supple suspension and what could only be described as tranquil handling.

Yet today's moneyed motorist ?especially those who've grown up admiring Autobahn-bred European model"demand more than just a relaxing ride when they hit the road. Automakers are responding with a swell of upscale sedans that combine traditional attributes like comfort, elegance and exclusivity with a sports car's personality and performance.

If you're one of those drivers who want to have your cake and eat up the curves, too, here's a quick sampling of 2005's latest luxury sport sedans:

Acura RL Acura's redesigned flagship sedan is larger and more stylish than before; it's also quicker, thanks to a 300-horsepower, 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine and five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission. A new all-wheel drive system distributes power between both the front/rear and left/right wheels to assure tenacious handling. The RL's satellite navigation system comes with real-time traffic monitoring and can suggest alternate routes to avoid congestion.
Acura: 800-382-2238 www.acura.com MSRP: $48,900.

Mercedes-Benz CLS Mercedes-Benz CLS. The brand new CLS cuts a sleek, coupé-like profile and offers a choice of a quick 272-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine (in the CLS 350), or a quicker 306-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 (in the CLS 500). Both drive the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. In addition to a host of standard safety and chassis-control features, an optional "Pre-Safe" system can anticipate when a collision is imminent and react accordingly (by automatically tightening the seat belts, for example).
Mercedes-Benz: 800-222-0100 www.mbusa.com MSRP: $45,000.

Audi A6 An all-new, all-wheel-drive A6 is graced with freshly sculpted forms inside and out, a longer wheelbase and enhanced driving dynamics. A 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine comes standard, while an available 4.2-liter V-8 generates a sturdier 335 hp. Even though the A6's Multitronic CVT automatic transmission eschews gears for belts and pulleys, it can be "shifted" like a manual in its seven-stage Tiptronic mode. A new Multi-Media Interface combines navigation, audio and climate functions into a single joystick-operated system.
Audi: 800-822-2834 www.audiusa.com MSRP: $40,900.

Infiniti M Infiniti's crisply styled M sedan is offered in both rear-and all-wheel-drive versions. The base M35 comes powered by the G35's 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, while the top M45 includes the Q45's 340-hp, 4.5-liter V-8; a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is standard. "Sport" models include 19-inch wheels and tires, a tauter suspension and active steering for the rear wheels. A new Lane Departure Warning system alerts drivers to other vehicles' sudden lane changes ahead.
Infiniti: 800-662-6200 www.infiniti.com MSRP: About $40,000.

Cadillac STS Replacing the former Seville, the rear-drive STS shares both its "Sigma" platform and its 225-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine with the smaller Cadillac CTS. An optional 4.6-liter "Northstar" V-8 entices the power-hungry with a playful 320 horses. A five-speed automatic gearbox includes a manual-shift mode, while the car's available Magnetic Ride Control allows motorists to choose between performance and comfort suspension settings. Optional amenities include a four-color "head-up" display projected on to the windshield in the driver's field of vision.
Cadillac: 800-458-8006 www.cadillac.com MSRP: $40,925.