Lamborghini Murciélago

Lamborghini Murciélago $273,000

The newest Lamborghini has gotten some criticism of late because it's not as gonzo as the first Countach was when it debuted. Funny thing is, a lot of those critics haven't even seen a Murciélago in person. When you do, your jaw drops and then closes again, and your mouth forms a grin. And you do not criticize. This may not be as groundbreaking a design as the first shark-like Lambo, but it's still one awesome-looking machine. And you know what, there's no mistaking it for anything else. That's why the design wins for us.

As for the chassis, it's also a work of balance between extremes, with a carbon-fiber body over a mid-engine layout (behind the cockpit but in front of the rear axle) and the transmission in front of the cabin for optimal weight balance (42% front and 58% rear). The Murciélago--named, like all Lamborghinis, after a famous bull--also has all-wheel drive, which is somewhat unusual in the supercar realm but keeps maximum juice flowing to the road. In this case, that power is transferred through huge, Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires on 18-inch rims (245/35 in front, 335/30, rear).