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Finer Things
Mercedes, Land Rover and Audi Three Names with $ Symbols
By Rita Cook
Three big names that come with dollar symbols, these cars are certain to turn even the most jaded of heads. From the Mercedes Benz ML320 Bluetec (good for the environment) to the Land Rover LR2 (good for those days you feel like playing rough) to the Audi R8 (just good for those days when you want to look good) we've got you covered no matter what you are looking for.
Mercedes Benz ML320 Bluetec
Cost: $55,000 and up.
Miles Per Gallon: Both city and highway driving comes in around 23 miles per gallon.
What's New: It's a diesel true, but that is a good thing when it comes to clean diesel and being good to the environment. This one saves on gas too. Other than that one of the biggest changes you will see on the Mercedes Benz ML320 is under the hood with the Bluetec diesel technology - you get a great low emissions rating, which means you are doing your part for the environment and driving in style. Exterior changes include a new grille look and also a change to the front and rear fascias as well as some other more subtle design changes. Check out the upgraded navigation system for the ride home as you take it easy in the quiet and comfortable ride. Good passing speed with no problems and a new seat design with upgraded leather.
The Least you Need to Know: It's a 3.0-liter, V-6 turbo and of course, all-wheel drive. To get the all-state certification making Bluetec so clean, Mercedes-Benz has added a urea tank component to their system and that means cleaner air. And, last but not least, those 60/40 folding split seats also come in handy for long rides.
Land Rover LH2 HSE
Cost: Pretty low at around $41,500.
Miles Per Gallon: Gas mileage comes 15 miles in the city and 22 miles for highway.
What's New: Sure it's good for off-road, but Land Rover is also a good on-road choice. This small, luxury SUV gives performance and comfort a run for the money with a tough side too. There is SE and HSE trim so take your pick. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-panel sunroof, leather seating, power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a nine-speaker Alpine stereo, push-button ignition, automatic headlights and wipers and rear parking sensors.
The Least you Need to Know: Big time all-terrain, check as well as lots of room. The engine is a 3.2-liter, 230 horsepower with 234 pound-feet of torque machine. There is about 8.3 inches of ground clearance and it's a standard all-wheel drive. The Land Rover's Terrain Response system is a great feature offering four driver-selectable modes tailored for varying terrain. Safety first too, with side airbags for the driver and front passenger, side curtain airbags and a driver's knee bag. Add to that antilock brakes, traction control and stability control and even a rollover sensor.
Audi R8
Cost: Around $112,500
Miles Per Gallon: 12 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway.
What's New: Meet the Audi brand's first mid-engine sports car. It's an aluminum body structure that will take you from zero to 60 in about 4.4 seconds with top speeds coming in around 187 miles per hour. The 19-inch wheels, a retractable rear spoiler, xenon headlights, LED brake lights and turn signals, leather-and-Alcantara suede power-adjustable sport seats, aluminum trim, automatic climate control and a seven-speaker CD stereo means you can't beat it.
The Least you Need to Know: The Audi R8 offers a 420-horsepower, V-8 engine with all-wheel-drive. This one gives the driver a roomy cockpit with high-tech suspension and an upscale design. It's a six-speed manual or "R tronic" transmission (that means clutchless manual) and you are going to look good driving it. As for safety, this car offers seat-mounted side airbags and knee-protecting airbags add to that the antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control.