Photos: New luxury rides

The TT, radically redesigned for 2008, has its convertible version shown off at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Like its hardtop sibling, the TT has a retractable spoiler that automatically comes out at 75mph. The TT Roadster comes in a Quattro version with a 3.2-liter engine or with a turbocharged 2-liter engine.

The TT Roadster makes room for luxury tech appointments, such as Audi's Multimedia Interface for controlling navigation and the stereo. The 3.2-liter version comes with a six-speed manual, while the 2.0-liter comes with Audi's S tronic automated manual transmission.

Audi's big SUV gets to be an ambassador for diesel to the United States. Audi and parent company Volkswagen are pushing low-emission Bluetec TDI engines in a variety of models. The Q7 is a natural for the 3-liter turbo-diesel engine, with its low-end torque. The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI will be available in late 2008.

The massive Infiniti QX56 gets restyled for the 2008 model year, with cosmetic changes to the front and rear. This big SUV gets 20-inch chrome wheels and a very necessary rearview camera, not to mention parking sensors. It's powered by a 5.6-liter V-8.

A number of nice tech options are available for the QX56, most notably navigation with live traffic via XM and a 9.5GB music storage system. The stereo also includes a CompactFlash slot for loading MP3 files, the first time we've seen this media used for in-car music storage.

Cadillac continues to rebuild its brand, offering this latest version of the CTS. The headlamps have been redesigned to use xenon lamps that swivel with the steering and a border of LEDs to provide a unique look. The car is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 employing direct injection to get around 300 horsepower.

The new CTS gets a Bose 5.1 stereo system and has a USB jack in the center console. You can plug in an MP3 player and control through the car's stereo controls. The CTS is available with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

While it hasn't been a secret that Rolls-Royce has been working on a convertible, nobody could have predicted the final product. Based on the Phantom platform, Rolls-Royce designed a whole new body for this extravagant coupe convertible. A brushed-steel hood makes a nice two-tone effect, and it covers a BMW-sourced 6.7-liter V-12 engine.

Rolls-Royce used coach-style doors to allow easy egress from the rear seats. Teak decking covers over the convertible top when it's stowed, giving the car a very unique look. The top itself is made of five layers of material for excellent sound insulation.

Although the dashboard appears classic, it hides all sorts of gadgets. The clock panel folds over to reveal an LCD, which shows navigation or the car's split-view front camera. All wood surfaces are cut from the same tree to make sure the grain matches.

Porsche offers the first update to its SUV, with redesigned exteriors and new engines for its Cayenne, Cayenne S, and Cayenne Turbo. The base model gets a direct-injection, 3.6-liter V-6 and the S model a direct-injection 4.8-liter V-8, while the Turbo model adds twin turbochargers to the latter engine.

The base model gets a six-speed manual gearbox, with an option for a six-speed automatic. The automatic is standard on the S and Turbo models. All models have a Sport button in the cabin, which lets you make the engine more responsive.

BMW showed off the convertible version of its already impressive 335i. The car uses twin turbochargers to enhance the power of its inline six-cylinder engine. The convertible version has a three-piece steel retractable top, which folds down in 22 seconds.

Lexus continues to shake off its image as a stodgy luxury carmaker, unveiling a sport-tuned version of its IS model with a new F sport designation. The IS-F is lowered and features a massive air intake below the bumper.

The rear spoiler is raised, and stacked pipes exhaust the 5-liter V-8 under the hood. This engine puts out more than 400 horsepower and 350 ft-lbs of torque. Lexus claims a zero-to-60mph time of less than 4.9 seconds.

When the new 2006 IS 350 came out, it was criticized for lacking a manual transmission option. Lexus keeps to its guns with the IS-F, giving this one an eight-speed automatic with a manual shift mode.