I'm here to tell you that sexy is back.

Now I'm not talking about Beyonce; I'm not talking about red-carpet fashion, and I'm not talking about music.

I'm talking about cars.

Automobile makers seem to be in agreement on their goals for this year: to bring the sexy back.

Under the roof of the Palmetto Expo Center in Greenville, at the South Carolina International Auto Show Jan. 12-15, car manufacturers were producing substantive eye candy for today's consumer, from the super sleek body lines of the Cadillac XLR-V, to the near sinful interior of the Lexus LS 460L,

The next generation of vehicles are outfitted with feel-good extras like convertible hard-tops, massive fender-stretching wheels, Internet and Bluetooth connectivity, and even a place to park your iPod.

It wasn't the Detroit show, but the Greenville show was too good to pass up. For car enthusiasts in The T and D Region, it's the next best thing to the big show in Motown. Besides, have you ever been to Detroit this time of year? It's cold, freezing cold.

On the other hand, Greenville put on a show of Southern hospitality by offering perfect car viewing weather for the masses.

Exactly what is meant by saying a car is "sexy"?

Sexy is bold

When the aim is to stand out from an increasingly crowded market, nothing is over the top. At least, that's what the folks at Ford want you to believe.

The Blue Oval's exhibit at the Auto Show proved to be extremely popular with the public, largely because of the dominating presence of the F-250 Super Chief concept. This freight train of a truck was a definite show-stopper, attracting crowds of curious onlookers.

The design of the Super Chief borrows heavily from the Super Chief trains of the 1930's. In sharp contrast to most of today's aerodynamic fronts, this offering from Ford sports a frontal area that looks more likely to punch through the air rather than slip through it.

Thanks to the trick V-10 engine, the Super Chief does pack a potent punch. Under the forward-hinged hood, you will find what Ford bills as a "tri-fuel" powerplant. Which means the supercharged engine can run on E85 ethanol, hydrogen, or pump gasoline. Depending on the fuel type, the V-10 is capable of generating about 310 horsepower and up to 425 pound-ft of torque.

The interior features amenities on par with world-class luxury sedans. Swing open huge suicide doors, and you will notice auburn leather seats and accent pieces, and rich American walnut with aluminum stripping covering the floor. Not to be outdone by the passenger train of the past, or the Maybach of today, the Super Chief boasts a panoramic glass roof, reclining rear seats with automatic leg rests that rise out of the floor and the always essential humidor.

Sexy is cool

The Cruiser is cool again. Chrysler threw the compact market place for a loop when it introduced the world to the PT Cruiser. The design of the car ... truck ... wagon ... whatever ... was so innovative that everyone wanted one.

Today, it seems that everyone has one, making it commonplace and therefore, boring. But Chrysler has found the cure for the common bore.

The California Cruiser is super sheik, super hip, and very cool. The 2.4L turbo-charged concept model features a dual-tone exterior that matches flawlessly the dual-tone interior. That interior is dominated by a center console running the length of the car from the front seats past the rear seats, which limits the number of passengers to four, including driver.

A unique 8-panel roof glass provides for a closed or open-air experience. Revisiting the heritage of the Woodie, Chrysler employs satin silver body siding to complete the look of this two-door hatchback.

Sexy is surprising

Who says there's nothing new under the sun? Over at Saturn, everything old is new again.

A few years ago, this General Motors brand injected some adrenaline into its image by releasing its stable of Red Line cars and sports utility vehicles. Today, Saturn is targeting the other end of the color spectrum with it's eco-friendly Green Line, a collection of gas- and electric-powered vehicles designed to compete with the popular hybrids of Toyota and Honda.

At the South Carolina International Auto show, the turbo-powered Saturn Sky Red Line garnered all the attention. This two-person drop-top features a five-speed automatic or manual transmission mated to a turbo-charged 2.0-liter engine that kicks out 260-horsepower, which gives the Sky enough power to compete directly with the Mazda Miata M5 and Honda's S2000. Paired with its attractive come-hither looks, and liberal use of chrome on the wheels, front fascia and exhaust tips, the Sky is poised to introduce Saturn to a different breed of consumers.

Sexy is elegant

At long last, all of your hard work is paying off. The big brass upstairs have finally realized that their company would collapse like a house of cards without you. So what's your reward? A promotion for starters, a new corner office, and of course, a big fat bonus.

Looking for the best way to show your neighbors that you've arrived? Cadillac has the answer for you. The STS-V is a nicely appointed large rear-drive sedan perfectly suited to cater to an upwardly mobile young executive and his or her family.

Stand-out features include leather seats with suede inserts, wood trim, a navigation system and a cabin that keeps nearly all of the noise from the Expo Center out. Under the bulging hood and behind the wire mesh grill is where the STS-V really shines. Cadillac fitted a supercharger to its tried and true Northstar V-8, and the result is 469 horsepower coming from the 4.4-liter engine. That's enough to earn the STS-V the distinction as the most powerful production Cadillac ever.

Sexy is perfection

Lexus has longed used the slogan "The relentless pursuit of perfection."

Judging by the reaction to the all new LS 460 L, I'd say they are gaining considerable ground. The LS has always been the luxury make's flagship model, and the 460 L more than lives up to its pedigree.

The most obvious upgrade from the previous LS 430 is in the engine compartment. The 460 uses a 4.6-Liter powerplant that produces 380 horsepower. Behind the new engine is a new transmission, the first-ever eight-speed automatic transmission.

But Lexus didn't stop there -- that "L" at the end of the name is there for a reason. It denotes the long wheelbase model. Extra inches were added to the back to allow for reclining seats with optional foot rests.

Why stop there? How about a rear seat massager, a DVD player with huge flip-down screen, radio controls, power seat controls and a cooler between the rear seats? How about that! And, just to make sure you're always comfy, Lexus uses body temperature sensors that adjust the climate control automatically.

And yes, this car can actually parallel park itself.

Now excuse me, I want to be alone with the car ... in my dreams.

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