Hot Wheels

Aston Martin DB9
A design started by Ian Callum (now at Jaguar) and finished by Henrik Fisker (now at Fisker), the aluminum-chassis DB9 set the tone of every other Aston Martin that would come out this decade—a long, sleek hood that houses a big, powerful engine (in this case a 470 hp, 6 liter V12), muscular haunches, and an elegant yet sporty style. In other words, everything a guy would want in a car.

Bentley Continental GT
The Continental GT marked Bentley's return to its performance roots after being bought from Rolls Royce by Volkswagen in the late-'90s. With a twin turbocharged W12 and a big, brawny stance that's like a linebacker in a exquisitely tailored suit, there are still few things on the road that combine speed, power, and luxury so elegantly.

Mercedes Benz CLS
In addition to the crossover, the '00s also brought along the four-door coupe. Technically, a coupe has two doors, but all that was ignored once people laid eyes on the first four-door coupe of the decade—the Benz CLS. An immediate success, luxury car makers from BMW to Porsche to Bugatti soon released their own sedans with coupe styling, but none look as fresh as the CLS, even six years after its debut.

Audi A5/S5
Yes, we know all about the Audi R8. But anyone can make a sexy supercar. To make a midsized coupe with emotion—well, that's much more difficult, which is why the A5 (and the S5 pictured) is our favorite Audi of the decade. Even the car's designer, Walter de'Silva, head of VW Group design, thinks it's the most beautiful car he's ever created—including the R8.

BMW 645 Ci
The 6 Series is perhaps the only BMW designed by Chris Bangle's team that was universally liked. Even the squarish rear-deck, dubbed "the Bangle Butt" when it first appeared on the 7 Series, looks totally appropriate here. We like to think that this is what Bangle was after the whole time—a car that combines classic coupe proportions with modern design touches like flamed surfaces.