MotorMouths

The Lexus LFA delivers racecar-level thrills in a surprisingly comfortable, street-friendly car, developed in a cost-is-no-object program that lasted a decade. That, and exclusivity

But if you have that kind of money, the Italia — unlike some high-priced, half-baked exotics — is worth every penny. I declare the 458 is the best sports car I’ve ever driven, the current state of the art.

A driver might take the Mulsanne for a fast spin without coming off as that social-climbing cliché: the man who could afford the car, but not the chauffeur.

For half the Bugatti’s price, one could buy four genuine exotics that I find better looking and more rewarding: the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8 V-10 and Aston Martin DBS. That would still leave $1 million left over.

No matter your driving skills, the Cayman is always predictable and forgiving, yet fast and sophisticated enough to satisfy the experts. This Porsche also feels bulletproof.

For today’s speed eaters, the E63 AMG feels like a two-ton burrito in habanero sauce: driving it is akin to the last gas-spewing binge before the diet begins.

The Aston Martin Vantage certainly has the looks, luxury and pedigree to get away with highway robbery. More surprisingly, the Vantage gains enough performance under its lovely skin to make itself a defensible alternative to supercars from Ferrari, Porsche and others.

SLS AMG buyers will get an appealing 563-horsepower mix of ferocity and luxury, with a decidedly Germanic style that is very different from the usual Italian supercar.

The 6 Series seems at one with itself, not its driver — so relaxed and capable that its pilot seems to observe the action from a distance. You don’t have to be a silver-haired fox, or a cougar, to grasp the Bimmer’s vault-on-wheels appeal.

The new 1 Series M Coupe is a brilliant addition to the BMW line. This brawnier version of the standard 1 Series is as quick as the larger M3 coupe, handles almost as well, drinks far less fuel and costs some $13,000 less.

The redesigned BMW 5 Series is as sober as a German math professor, but it offers a luxurious feel and performance that was born on the racetrack.

The X6 M is the world’s fastest crossover. From the Infiniti FX50 to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the BMW tops them all, whether the criteria are pure speed or handling control.