2009 BMW 7 Series

The 2009 BMW750i and its larger brother, the 750Li, exemplify the latest trends in automotive technology. First, there’s the smaller, more efficient engine; a twin-turbocharged V8 spools up to 400 horsepower, making the new 7 faster than the outgoing V12-powered model. Inside, the ridiculously spacious sedan is loaded. The High-Beam Assist monitors approaching cars, automatically dims the brights, and switches them back on the instant the car passes. Infrared Night Vision detects pedestrians in your path and warns you on the head-up display. Even the once-scorned iDrive gets it right, with an enormous high-res screen and effortless control of vehicle functions. Europeans get extras that may eventually float our way: full Web-surfing capability and a camera system that reads road signs and displays speed limits.

From $81,275; bmw.com