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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.

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