What Is The Most Prestigious Brand?

This is a touchy subject among car enthusiasts but we felt that we might as well bring it up since it always brings a lot of sub-topics to the table, and rightfully so.

From Ultra-luxury brands like Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Maybach to premium-luxury brands such as Audi, BMW, Jaguar, & Mercedes to modest luxury brands such as Acura, Cadillac, Infiniti, & Lexus all of these have the right to be prestigious in their own rights.

We randomly asked 30 people on the street to do a survey and that is why we have a 3 tier grouping system. It came to our surprise that Lexus wasn't mentioned in the same sentence as Audi, BMW, Jaguar, & Mercedes because they are such a powerhouse here in North America. However, that doesn't mean Lexus isn't prestigious.

Tier 1
Rolls Royce: beautifully sculpted body and ultra luxury amenities make this car one of the most desired barges to get around in. The perfect car for the ultra wealthy.

Bentley: they differs than the Rolls Royce in the type of consumers they attract. Rolls Royce is old money whereas Bentley owners seem to be born after the baby boomers. Cars like the Bentley GT coupe really gave the company new life.

Maybach: it's been called the private jet on wheels to other names like it. It's as luxurious as the two automakers just mentioned. It has even more amenities than it's competition and more room in the back seat. It's for the elite who don't want flash like a Rolls Royce but yet still desire the pampering cushioned ride of a Rolls Royce.

Tier 2
Audi: as VW's luxury division, Audi has become very well respected world wide. It's contemporary and modest design philosophy really grabs the attention of the buyers who want a fine built German saloon without the glitter and flash of a Mercedes-Benz.


BMW: the "Ultimate Driving Machine" as they call it and rightfully so. The 3-series BMW saloon and coupe have been the benchmark in it's segment for years for handling and comfort all in one package. It's definitely more sporty than an Audi or a Mercedes but it caters to those who want luxury but also those who love to drive.


Jaguar: It's safe to say people who buy Jaguar are those who look for traditional British luxury. It's the next best thing next to Rolls Royce and Bentley (even though they are owned by Germans). Jaguar new XF models differs from traditional Jaguar so perhaps that may draw interest from consumers who typically turn to Mercedes as the luxury brand to own. They are very prestigious (especially the high end XJ's)


Mercedes: Not much mentioning is needed for this marque brand. It's been the definition of luxury in a global scale for any person looking for a luxury car. Their innovative technology has benchmarked themselves as the most recognized brand in the world. They cater more to luxury seekers than consumers looking for a sporty ride. Mind you they have a great AMG division which makes adrenaline pumping, gas guzzling, acceleration a must-have.


Tier 3

Acura: some call them overpriced Honda's but in reality they differ much from the parent company. We find that Acura's have more care put into their fine finishing. Acura's proposition seems to be more solid than their Honda counterparts. We feel that they are the most understated and under-rated luxury brand in North America. They bring well equipped and well priced luxury vehicles to the table which is a great alternative to the slightly more expensive Infiniti's & various Lexus models. As for it's prestige it lacks the luster of even a Lexus but does its job well and based from our studies, their customers are taken care of very well.

Cadillac: the only American luxury brand maker that made our list. They make heavy comfortable cars and is the best domestic luxury brand in North America. They put Chrysler and Lincoln to shame. Their levels of quality is considered high compared to Chrysler's cheap plastic and Lincoln's inability to keep their door sills lined up with the set on the rear door. Cadillac has prestige and in country's such as China and among others in Asia, they are perceived as very respectable cars. In a world where there are many millionaires and billionaires these cars are a favorite.

Infiniti: has made themselves known for performance luxury vehicles. Their level of prestige is no where close to a Lexus but in our opinion their at the same level until you reach past the M35/M45 price range. They are probably the closest competitor to Acura since both brands don't exactly have a "flagship" vehicle. Not yet at least. So does this Infiniti brand have any prestige? of course! otherwise they wouldn't be considered a luxury brand. They just don't have the reputation of a Lexus. Not yet...



Lexus: has hired the best of the best marketers to promote their brand. They have separated themselves from their Japanese rivals enough that they can contend with the European brands. Some call them glorified Toyota's or expensive Toyota's. In fact, they do share similar components to this day despite them claiming their completely separate entities. Their marketers have built an image for their brand of cars to a level of prestige that their Japanese rivals only wish they could have.

SPIED: Mercedes C63 AMG

Here are the latest spied photos of the next C-Class AMG model the C63. These photos show a very sporty looking C-Class with very a aggressive 4 tail pipe setup.

2007 Brabus SV12 S Biturbo Coupe based from the CL 600

(source: apg)730 hp / 537 kW of power, 1,320 Nm of top and a top speed of 340 km/h: With the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo coupe based on the latest Mercedes CL 600 model BRABUS presents the world’s fastest and most powerful coupe.

At the heart of this exclusive automobile is the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine. It is based on the turbocharged Mercedes 600 twelve-cylinder engine and represents the most powerful street-legal V12 engine in the world. Installing a special BRABUS crankshaft with longer stroke, combined with a bigger bore and correspondingly sized forged pistons, increases displacement from 5.5 to 6.3 liters. Further engine modifications also include precision-machining the cylinder heads and fitting them with four special camshafts.

In addition the engine peripherals are also modified extensively. The modifications include special exhaust manifolds, two larger turbochargers, a high-efficiency intercooler and a high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts and low back pressure. Extensive bench tests determined the new programming for the engine electronics that not only maximizes power yield but also ensures that the engine meets stringent Euro IV emission limits.

Performance figures of the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo displacement engine speak volumes: A rated power output of 730 hp / 537 kW at 5,100 rpm is just as extraordinary as a peak torque of 1,320 Nm at just 2,100 rpm. In the car peak torque is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission. The optionally available BRABUS locking differential optimizes traction. All BRABUS drivetrain elements are operated with ARAL high-performance lubricants.

The BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo coupe is not just the most powerful; it is also the fastest street-legal of its kind. 0 – 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, 200 km/h after just 11.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 340 km/h are all without equal.

The enormous performance of the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo coupe places exceptionally high demands on the aerodynamic-enhancement parts that were developed in the wind tunnel. The sophisticated shape of the BRABUS front apron reduces lift on the front axle and improves engine and front brake cooling due to its large air inlet. Integrated fog lamps and high beams lend the car a characteristic appearance and further improve active safety by optimizing illumination of the road.

The BRABUS rocker panels optimize the airflow along the sides and feature integrated entrance lights for safe entering and exiting of the vehicle in the dark.

The BRABUS rear apron sports custom-tailored cutouts for the BRABUS quad sport exhaust. Three LED lights integrated into the apron are also activated via the keyless fob. An understated rear spoiler rounds out the sophisticated BRABUS aerodynamics concept, and reduces lift on the rear axle for further improved directional stability at high speeds.

The enormous performance of the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo coupe is kept safely in check at all times thanks to custom-tailored solutions for tires, suspension and brakes. Among them are BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels with diameters of 18, 19, 20 or 21 inches. The largest tire/wheel combination features BRABUS Monoblock VI and E wheels in sizes 9Jx21 in front and 10.5Jx21 on the rear axle. The largest corresponding tires are size 265/30 ZR 21 in front and size 295/30 ZR 21 in the rear. BRABUS recommends Pirelli and YOKOHAMA high-performance tires.

The BRABUS module for the standard ABC suspension is specifically calibrated to these high-performance tires, and lowers the ride height of the two-door by some 25 millimeters. For further optimized active safety the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo coupe can be equipped with the BRABUS high-performance brake system. Maximum fade-free stopping power is provided on the front axle by 380 x 36 millimeter discs and 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers. The rear features 355 x 28 millimeter discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers.

BRABUS also fulfills any requests imaginable when it comes to exclusive interior options. The list of products ranges from scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logo or an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel to an exclusive customized interior crafted from soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and the finest Alcantara.

Mercedes has confirmed the new GLK Sport Utility will be in production

Mercedes has confirmed the release of the 2009 GLK SUV and has announced that the first cars will appear on the market from the second half of next year. This will be the fifth SUV/Crossover model in Mercedes’ lineup, joining cars like the M-Class, R-Class, GL and the old-school G-Class SUV.

Several prototypes have been spotted cold weather testing in Scandinavia, which revealed a design similar to the bigger GL-Class SUV. This rendering, compiled with information sourced from insiders close to the project, show that the new GLK picks up the same angular design theme and ruggedness seen in the rest of the Mercedes SUV range.

A steep front with a steeper windshield will dominate the car’s looks, broad shoulders and squared off corners and edges with Mercedes’ typical character line and chunky 20in wheels complete the rugged theme.

Early reports indicated that the GLK will measure 4.5m and feature an elegant but basic interior. It’ll offer space for five passengers and will have generous trunkspace, which will be accessible over a relatively low tailgate.