Specialty Vehicles

Like almost everything else for sale these days, cars are becoming more and more specialized. Whether you're a conspicuous consumer, a wannabe racer or chain yourself to trees, there's a category of vehicle tailored to virtually every whim and desire.

2006 Toyota Prius + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

Although they still comprise only about one percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S., gas/electric hybrids are catching on as fuel prices continue to soar. There are two broad types of hybrids: the basic ones, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, which are designed with low fuel-consumption and low emissions in mind; and luxury hybrids, such as the Lexus GS 450h, which are couched as higher performance versions of standard gasoline-only models.

Manufacturers are adding new hybrids each year. Unlike the trend-setting but soon to be discontinued Honda Insight, which was the first hybrid to go on sale in the U.S. and skimped on comfort and practicality, today's green machines demand zero compromises versus conventionally powered cars. They're just as practical, stylish and fast — the Honda Accord Hybrid is even slightly faster than the Accord with the standard V6.

At the other extreme end of the car spectrum, far removed from hybrids, are the increasing number of high-performance sedans, coupes and wagons offered by manufacturers both foreign and domestic. Virtually every Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz model, from petite coupes to stretched-out sedans, is offered in a spruced-up, high-output version with enough power to satisfy the most devilish of speed demons. Dodge and Chrysler have added their own special models and stamped them with a "Street Racing Technology" label.

2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

These extreme machines usually don't differ that much visually from their conventional counterparts, which can be a boon for those who like to do their speeding incognito. Pick any Audi starting with "S," any BMW starting with "M", any Dodge or Chrysler with "SRT" in the name or any "AMG" Mercedes-Benz and you'll be able to stalk Porsche 911 and Corvettes. The significant downside to driving one of these fast and furious cars (besides their considerable price premium) is that most are pretty harsh on rough roads due to their low-profile tires and stiff suspensions.

For those who'd rather be chauffeured in mind-numbing luxury than thrash a sport sedan through twisty back roads, the ultra-luxury category offers virtual palaces on wheels. It's comprised of the most exclusive and expensive sedans, coupes and convertibles in the world, including Bentleys, Maybachs and the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Only millionaires can (legally) afford these six-figure sedans and many are driven by chauffeurs. This segment will see several more models in the next few years, including a tantatilizing convertible from Rolls-Royce.