German Car Zone

Bartek Sikorski · 07-03-2007, 09:48 AM

These pair-ups of super desirable coupes extend from the mid-$20Ks to $190-Large!
A coupe is a car you want, rather than a car you need. Certain tradeoffs are inherent in their design. That rakishly sloping roofline may squeeze the rear-seat occupants into the fetal position, if they can clamber back there at all. That fetchingly tapered trunk, whose contours catch the light just so, may accept only a couple of duffel bags or small suitcases — and a golf bag only after a prolonged and messy fight. And those artful pillars that so seamlessly meld roof with rear deck will often create blind spots that will swallow an Escalade whole.
But car enthusiasts continue voting with their checkbooks, and it’s a body style that simply won’t go away. A certain hardcore element of the car-buying public values coupe aesthetics over practicality; cleanness of line over day-to-day utility. If you’re in love with the shape, it’s impossible to put a price tag on that over-the-shoulder glance — you know, the look back from 30 feet away to see the car in its entirety — that their 4-door counterparts just can’t seem to elicit. You rationalize… “The kids will be really comfortable back there.” And when the kids revolt (or become gangly teenagers), you’ve got a couple of very nicely upholstered storage shelves to augment the small trunk. It’s all too clear in your mind.
So embrace that inner selfishness and celebrate style with our head-to-head comparisons of four pairs of coupes in four different price ranges. Because practicality is highly overrated.

Infiniti G375S

BMW 335i

Bentley Continental GT

Mercedes-Benz CL600

Nissan Altima 3.5 SE

Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

Jaguar XKR

Cadillac XLR-V
ROADandTRACK.com -- Road Tests - Eight Hot Coupes Face Off! (8/2007)