There's been a lot buzz around the VW up! Now it's time to see if Volkswagen's smallest offering lives up to the hype. We pit the VW up! against the Ford Ka Titanium and the Peugeot 107 Filou. Which one has the "wow" factor? Which is more fun to drive? drive it! puts all three to the test

• 1/11/12
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If you like your Audis on the sporty side, just swap the A for an S.That mantra holds true for Audi's flagship sedan, the A8. The new S8 packs a V8 motor but uses just 10.2 liters of fuel per 100km. Audi delivers that economy with its "Cylinder on Demand" technology. Before the S8’s launch this summer, we push Audi's luxury sportster to its limit.

• 1/11/12
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Beefy, gas-guzzling SUVs are on the way out. The trend is toward sportier, more economical off-roaders like the new Range Rover Evoque. The design is a big step for the British carmaker.It's not only the smallest, lightest and most economical of any model in their range, it also diverges radically from the brand’s classic look. It's flat, streamlined design is more reminiscent of a Jaguar than a Range Rover. And the price is also a surprise. The basic version of the Evoque costs just €33,000 in Germany.

• 1/10/12
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This week on drive it! All the latest news from the LA Auto Show. The Audi Q3 put through its paces in China. And a look back at a vintage van, the Citroen HY.examine it! LA Auto ShowIt's the second biggest auto show in the US. And this year it didn't disappoint with dozens of new vehicles unveiled at the Convention Centre in Los Angeles. European carmakers were also there. VW showcased its revamped Passat CC. Mercedes presented the ML 63 AMG. And Porsche lifted the covers on a long-awaited high-performance sports car.examine it! The 2011 Audi Q3 Trans-China TourThe course stretched 5,700 km across China. 20 Audi Q3s set out to see if the compact SUV could master the challenges of the big cities and off-road rural tracks. Among the participants, racing driver and Le Mans winner André Lotterer. The city roads are clogged up and the rural roads are in a poor state. Will the Q3 cope?compare it! VW Touran vs. Chevrolet OrlandoAcross Europe, the VW Touran ranks as one of the top five MPVs in its class. More than a million have been sold around the world. The Touran has been around since 2003, but underwent a major facelift last year.Now Chevrolet is hoping its Orlando can grab some of Volkswagen's market share. The American carmaker launched the Orlando in Europe earlier this year. Its design is unusual: half minivan, half crossover with flared wheel arches. And the Chevy's starting price is significantly lower than the Touran's. But will that be enough to overtake the VW? drive it! puts both MPVs through their paces. test it! Opel Astra Sports TourerStation wagons are very popular in Germany and Opel's Astra is no exception. In Germany, half of all Astra models sold are Sports Tourers, the moniker Opel gives to its station wagons. But can an elongated compact really hold much cargo?The trunk's flat cargo bed and side walls make for easy loading. When the back seats are folded down, cargo space increases from 500 to as much as 1550 liters. But how much room is there for passengers in this compact station wagon? drive it! puts the Astra Sports Tourer to the test. vintage! Citroen HY - A tin shed on wheelsAt first glance, the Citroen HY looks like a rolling garden shed from a bygone era. The sturdy delivery van was built by the French carmaker from 1947 until 1981. With a drive train under the hood, many different models could be built, all suited to purpose.From bread to watermelons, everything was delivered in it, or sold directly from the HY itself. Owners of the van love it, but they put it to the test too. It's a real piece of commercial motoring history. drive it! found someone who owns one, and he tells the story of his HY.

• 1/10/12
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Forget for a moment about climate change and CO2 emissions. Let's talk about power, performance and handling.drive it! Takes the Aston Martin Virage, Jaguar XKR, Audi R8 GT and Mercedes SLS AMG up into the Alps to see how they perform when challenged by some of the world's most demanding mountain passes.

• 1/10/12
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Opel recently launched a third generation of the Zafira Tourer that looks and feels different than its predecessor. The interior has become much more flexible and versatile.The second row of seats in the seven-seater compact van can now be turned into armrests, making the outer two in the row loungers. A new extender element on the carmaker's trademarked bike-rack system also allows you to carry four bicycles instead of two. Drive it! takes a close look at the new Opel Zafira.

• 1/10/12
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From racing models to electric mobility, drive it! presents new sports cars with a long tradition and workhorses for tomorrow's everyday driving.present it! The BMW M5Normally, business class sedans are kept on a short leash. They diligently fulfil their duties, bringing their drivers and passengers from point A to B. But some models just don't fit in. Like the BMW M5.Since 1984 it's been one of the leading high performance sedans in the premium class. Now the Bavarians have unveiled the fifth generation of this super-sports car. The high-revving 4.4 liter V8 engine with M TwinPower turbo technology puts out a staggering 412 kilowatts of power. drive it! unleashed this animal on the race track. picture it! MIA - The Electric Citymobile for AllMIA is a SHE. That's according to her creator, the former VW chief designer Murat Günak. She's more than an electric car. She's a whole new brand and, if Günak gets his way, a revolution in mobility. Several versions go into mass production in 2012.They include a three-seater, a four-seater and a kind of van for cargo transport. The basic model with the smallest battery costs 23,500 euros - and will last for 80 kilometers between chargings. Some 10 thousand units are to be built next year in France. test it! The VW SharanIn Volkswagen's European model spectrum, the 5-, 6- or 7-seater Sharan is the bridge between the Touran minivan and the big Multivan. Its second generation has been on the market for a year now.It's 22 cm longer yet 30 kg lighter than its predecessor. The new Sharan sports sliding doors on both sides built to improve access to the second and third seating rows. After all, it's the variable seating that has made this model so attractive to families. drive it! put the new Sharan through its paces. How much space is there really for passengers and luggage? examine it! Headlight HeadacheOne look under the hood and that's enough to frighten off many motorists. The headlights on modern cars are well hidden among the car's inner workings so getting to them often demands blood, sweat and tears.That means changing headlight bulbs is a staple job for many mechanics, and now more so than ever. Today's generation of cars are designed in a way that drastically reduces the lifespan of headlight bulbs. vintage: The Farmyard Do-it-yourselfer87-year old Willi Hoffmann always dreamed of working on airplanes. That boyhood dream never worked out, but the farmer's fascination with mechanical contraptions is still as strong as ever. He's transformed his barns into shrines to cars, tractors and farmyard equipment from bygone times, and everything in them works like new.The centerpiece of Willi's collection is an old Opel Olympia from 1938, which runs on firewood!

• 1/10/12
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In this edition: Miraculously spacious - the third generation of the Opel Zafira Tourer. Dream cars - we hit the Alps with the Aston Martin Virage, Jaguar XKR, Audi R8 GT, and Mercedes SLS AMG. Stylish - Range Rover's new Evoque model strikes out in a whole new direction. present it!: The Opel Zafira TourerOpel recently launched a third generation of the Zafira Tourer that looks and feels different than its predecessor. The interior has become much more flexible and versatile.The second row of seats in the seven-seater compact van can now be turned into armrests, making the outer two in the row loungers. A new extender element on the carmaker's trademarked bike-rack system also allows you to carry four bicycles instead of two. Drive it! takes a close look at the new Opel Zafira. compare it! Dream cars on dream streets: Aston Martin Virage -Jaguar XK - Audi R8 - Mercedes SLS AMGForget for a moment about climate change and CO2 emissions. Let's talk about power, performance and handling.drive it! Takes the Aston Martin Virage, Jaguar XKR, Audi R8 GT and Mercedes SLS AMG up into the Alps to see how they perform when challenged by some of the world's most demanding mountain passes. taste it!: The Land Rover Range Rover EvoqueBeefy, gas-guzzling SUVs are on the way out. The trend is toward sportier, more economical off-roaders like the new Range Rover Evoque. The design is a big step for the British carmaker.It's not only the smallest, lightest and most economical of any model in their range, it also diverges radically from the brand’s classic look. It's flat, streamlined design is more reminiscent of a Jaguar than a Range Rover. And the price is also a surprise. The basic version of the Evoque costs just €33,000 in Germany. vintage: Around the world in twenty yearsA single glance is enough to tell you that this 2CV - and its owner - have been through their fair share of adventures. Drive it! car tester Stefanie Tücking headed up to the far north of Germany to get to know Manni Müller and his car 'Difty'.Together, the two completed a journey that took them through 83 countries, clocking up 350,000 kilometers along the way. Manni and Difty were on the road for 20 years, a feat that won them a listing in the Guinness Book of World Records - and a lifetime of stories.

• 1/10/12
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This week: the latest BMW, an Opel from the past, and a Mercedes from the future. drive it! takes a journey through time in the world of the automobile.present it!: The BMW 3 SeriesThe BMW 3 series is one of the most sold premium vehicles in the world--successful in 132 countries. Now BMW is bringing the sixth generation of the 3 Series on the market. The Bavarians are starting with the sedan model which has grown in its dimensions. The wider carriage is especially noticeable on the road.The flatter layout is reinforced with the new BMW grill and an overall sportier appearance. drive it! takes the new BMW for a spin on a racetrack. compare it!: Peugeot 207 - Daihatsu SirionThe Peugeot 207 has been a "small" success story for the French carmaker--since 2006. Since then the compact has been redesigned several times. But France is not the only country where compacts are made, many also come from Japan. The Sirion for example, from the Toyota subsidiary, Daihatsu. drive it! compares the two affordable compacts to find out which offers better value for money.test it!: Jeep CompassTwo years ago production of the Jeep Compass was halted. Now it's back, completely redesigned - made possible by the integration of Jeep models into Italian carmaker, Fiat. It looks new and has new engines - the compact SUV has returned - looking a lot like its bigger cousin the Jeep Grand Cherokee. drive it! tests the Compass 2.2 Liter Diesel with 120 kilowatts of power.picture it!: Mercedes F 125 Research VehicleThe Mercedes F 125 made its world premiere at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show. Its the latest research vehicle from Mercedes Benz. Tomorrow's technology in the car is completely functional and built to drive.But we wanted to know what's behind Mercedes future luxury sedans. Will we be able to push the pedal to the metal without having a guilty environmental conscience? After all the F 125 comes with a hydrogen-electric hybrid engine aimed towards the vision of driving with zero emissions. drive it! takes a look behind the scenes at Daimler's Research Labs. vintage! the Opel MantaPeter Frühauf got his first Opel Manta in the '70s as a present from his grandmother. It marked the beginning of a love affair that has lasted to this day. He owns what is possibly Germany's most famous Manta, a model that appeared in the German movie "Manta, Manta" at the beginning of the 1990s. The car is still recognized on the road by other drivers thanks to its unique styling in brash colors.

• 1/10/12
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Normally, business class sedans are kept on a short leash. They diligently fulfil their duties, bringing their drivers and passengers from point A to B. But some models just don't fit in. Like the BMW M5.Since 1984 it's been one of the leading high performance sedans in the premium class. Now the Bavarians have unveiled the fifth generation of this super-sports car. The high-revving 4.4 liter V8 engine with M TwinPower turbo technology puts out a staggering 412 kilowatts of power. drive it! unleashed this animal on the race track.

• 1/10/12
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The Essen Motor Show isn't just any German car fair. It puts the focus on individuality and novelty. This year some 500 exhibitors have filled 18 halls with products aimed at the customizing market. But it's not just alloy wheels, performance tires and other accessories.Brabus presents its 235-kilowatt all-electric Mercedes E-class sedan, while Peugeot brings out the EX1 - the world's fastest electric car which can leap from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.

• 1/10/12
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MIA is a SHE. That's according to her creator, the former VW chief designer Murat Günak. She's more than an electric car. She's a whole new brand and, if Günak gets his way, a revolution in mobility. Several versions go into mass production in 2012.They include a three-seater, a four-seater and a kind of van for cargo transport. The basic model with the smallest battery costs 23,500 euros - and will last for 80 kilometers between chargings. Some 10 thousand units are to be built next year in France.

• 1/10/12
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The Ford Focus burst onto the market back in 1998 and has established itself as a firm favorite with families. After releasing the third-generation Focus in April this year, Ford has been hard at work on a new-look station wagon to add to the range.drive it! got behind the wheel of Ford's new technology-laden Focus station wagon and took it out for a spin. Among the gadgets on board is an ingenious system to protect the car's paintwork from any scratches or scrapes.

• 1/10/12
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The Chevrolet Camaro is a real American muscle car. It's been a mainstay on the US market since 1966. General Motors introduced it as a challenger to Ford's extremely popular Mustang, and the Camaro quickly became an iconic sports car.Now in its fifth generation, the Camaro is finally hitting the streets of Europe. To improve fuel-efficiency, the European variant allows the engine to shut down as many as four of its eight cylinders when they're not needed. drive it! went to Switzerland - the country where company founder Louis Chevrolet was born - to welcome the Camaro.

• 1/10/12
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The Hyundai i40 is a relative newcomer in Europe's station wagon market, and it faces some serious competitors. drive it's station wagon showdown lines the Hyundai up against the Mazda 6, Skoda Superb, Volvo V60, Peugeot SW 508 and VW Passat. Our testers considered engine performance, comfort and spaciousness. So how does the Hyundai fare against established European brands?

• 1/10/12
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Small and city-friendly. That's the idea behind the Mii, the new city car presented by Volkswagen subsidiary Seat. The tiny four-seater is based on VW's Up and is powered by two newly developed 3-cylinder gasoline engines producing 44 and 55 kilowatts.A natural-gas powered version will follow. The Mii goes on sale in Spain before the end of 2011. The rest of Europe will have to wait until early 2012. drive it! took the Mii for a spin in Barcelona.

• 1/10/12
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The Tokyo Motor Show boasts 26 world premieres - and we show you the most important ones. The Chevrolet Camaro - an American icon now flexing its muscles over in Europe as well. Plus: SUVs are very safe vehicles - but not for those in other cars; the alarming results of a crash test. examine it! Tokyo Motor Show 2011"Mobility can change the world" is the motto of the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show. Asia and above all China have now become one of the most important markets - if not THE most important market - for high-end German carmakers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes.Tokyo is also crucial for the Germans because Japan is home to their biggest rivals in the mass-selling small and mid-range segments. The event sees a strong emphasis on new technologies in the fields of environmental protection, safety and energy. In total the show presents 26 world premieres, and drive it! brings you all the highlights and latest trends. present it! Chevrolet CamaroThe Chevrolet Camaro is a real American muscle car. It's been a mainstay on the US market since 1966. General Motors introduced it as a challenger to Ford's extremely popular Mustang, and the Camaro quickly became an iconic sports car.Now in its fifth generation, the Camaro is finally hitting the streets of Europe. To improve fuel-efficiency, the European variant allows the engine to shut down as many as four of its eight cylinders when they're not needed. drive it! went to Switzerland - the country where company founder Louis Chevrolet was born - to welcome the Camaro. test it! Ford Focus Station WagonThe Ford Focus burst onto the market back in 1998 and has established itself as a firm favorite with families. After releasing the third-generation Focus in April this year, Ford has been hard at work on a new-look station wagon to add to the range.drive it! got behind the wheel of Ford's new technology-laden Focus station wagon and took it out for a spin. Among the gadgets on board is an ingenious system to protect the car's paintwork from any scratches or scrapes. examine it! SUVs - How Dangerous are They?Thanks to their imposing presence and jacked-up suspension, sales of sport utility vehicles have skyrocketed. There are now over 1.5 million of them in Germany alone. SUVs are over twice as big and twice as heavy as small family cars, and while that makes them comfortable to drive, they pose a big risk to other motorists.drive it! puts that to the test. What happens if an SUV and a small family car collide? The results were shocking. But the solution is relatively simple: improving the coordination of safety-relevant parts of the body. vintage! The Curiosity Collector Who Lives on an AirportFritz-Peter Müller lives in Sector D of Baden Airport. But in terms of his hobby he’s remained very much down-to-earth. His workshop is home to rare Citroën 2CVs, a single-seater he likewise put back together himself and a complete collection of old Vélo-Solex motorized bicycles.In the 1940s and 50s they were a big hit in France. He tells drive it! about a grand tour he once took on one.

• 1/10/12
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Even automobile customizers are starting to experiment with electric cars. An all-electric Mercedes E-class built by Brabus, on display at the Essen Motor Show, hints at the potential. drive it! also looks at Seat's new Mii and compares six big station wagons.present it! Seat MiiSmall and city-friendly. That's the idea behind the Mii, the new city car presented by Volkswagen subsidiary Seat. The tiny four-seater is based on VW's Up and is powered by two newly developed 3-cylinder gasoline engines producing 44 and 55 kilowatts.A natural-gas powered version will follow. The Mii goes on sale in Spain before the end of 2011. The rest of Europe will have to wait until early 2012. drive it! took the Mii for a spin in Barcelona. compare it! Big station wagons by Mazda, Skoda, Hyundai, Volvo, VW and PeugeotThe Hyundai i40 is a relative newcomer in Europe's station wagon market, and it faces some serious competitors. drive it's station wagon showdown lines the Hyundai up against the Mazda 6, Skoda Superb, Volvo V60, Peugeot SW 508 and VW Passat. Our testers considered engine performance, comfort and spaciousness. So how does the Hyundai fare against established European brands?examine it! Essen Motor Show 2011The Essen Motor Show isn't just any German car fair. It puts the focus on individuality and novelty. This year some 500 exhibitors have filled 18 halls with products aimed at the customizing market. But it's not just alloy wheels, performance tires and other accessories.Brabus presents its 235-kilowatt all-electric Mercedes E-class sedan, while Peugeot brings out the EX1 - the world's fastest electric car which can leap from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.spot it! What lights, and when?As of one year ago, all new cars sold in Germany must have daytime running lights. But what should drivers of older cars do? Does turning the parking lights on make a car more visible during daytime? And what about when a car enters a tunnel? Should interior lights by used on long nighttime drives? drive it! has the answers.admire it! Mercedes C-class AMG CoupéAMG has been building high-performance versions of Mercedes cars ever since the company was established by former Mercedes employees in 1967. Today it's part of the Mercedes brand, and builder of Mercedes racing cars for the German Touring Cars or DTM pro racing series.That experience has now been applied to the C-Class Coupe. The car is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 358 kilowatts. Former DTM champion Bernd Schneider, who helped develop the AMG C63, presents the car for drive it!

• 1/10/12
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"Mobility can change the world" is the motto of the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show. Asia and above all China have now become one of the most important markets - if not THE most important market - for high-end German carmakers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes.Tokyo is also crucial for the Germans because Japan is home to their biggest rivals in the mass-selling small and mid-range segments. The event sees a strong emphasis on new technologies in the fields of environmental protection, safety and energy. In total the show presents 26 world premieres, and drive it! brings you all the highlights and latest trends.

• 1/10/12
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We go to BMW’s Enduro Park in Bavaria to see Husqvarna present a world first: a dedicated off-road ABS system for motorbikes. What makes off-road ABS so special is that you can deactivate it for the rear wheel.That means you can carry on steering with the front wheel while locking the back. drive it! took a closer look at the device in off-road action. Its creator, Swedish motocross cycle maker Husqvarna, was acquired by BMW Motorrad in 2007 but continues to operate as an independent brand.

• 1/10/12
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The Scirocco coupe marked the dawn of a new age for Volkswagen. Around 500,000 units of the first edition were built between 1974 and 1980. It’s a modern classic, penned by Italian car designer Giorgio Giugiaro.The similarity to the Golf and Passat is unmistakable, with the classic 1970s-style Volkswagen features proudly on display. The alloy rims and abrupt drop-off at the back simply ooze sportiness. The car’s value was further boosted by a large trunk. The 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine in the Scirocco GT delivers a growling 70 horsepower. drive it! unleashes this blast from the past.

• 1/10/12
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In this edition: Porsche is synonymous with its 911 sports car. Now the eagerly anticipated latest version has arrived on the market. Who makes the fuel economic luxury sedan? Audi, BMW or Mercedes? And we also take a look at another car designed to save you money: Peugeot's 3008 diesel hybrid. present it! Porsche 911It may be nearly 50 years old, but Porsche's 911 Carrera is looking younger than ever before. The sports car maker has totally updated this icon which is now in its seventh generation. It's body is flatter and yet it has retained the distinctive Carrera shape.Its wheel base is 10 centimeters longer and its lower height combined with 20 inch wheels give it an even more pleasing look. Thanks to modern technology, the 911 uses less fuel than its predecessor. The 3.4 liter, 257 kilowatt engine consumes just 8.2 liters of fuel over 100 kilometers. compare it! Audi A6 - BMW 525d - Mercedes E250The leading three of Germany’s luxury carmakers are Mercedes, Audi and BMW, and the competition between them remains intense. Until now that has meant who can boast the better performance, comfort and power.More recently, however, fuel efficiency has become a factor. These days, their diesel-powered executive sedans can match the fuel economy of a small car. The best performer on this front is Mercedes with its four-cylinder engine. But which of the trio delivers the most convincing all-round package? test it! The Peugeot 3008 HybridEuropean carmakers have had some catching up to do as regards hybrid drive. But now Peugeot has made a quantum leap by making the world’s first diesel-electric crossover: the 3008 Hybrid4.drive it! checks out what many would assume to be an unlikely if not impossible marriage. A diesel engine is, after all, more suited to longer journeys out on the highway, whereas hybrid technology is at its most efficient in an urban scenario. So is it a match made in heaven? How much fuel does the diesel hybrid actually consume? We gave it a test. spot it! Husqvarna Off-Road Bike ABSWe go to BMW’s Enduro Park in Bavaria to see Husqvarna present a world first: a dedicated off-road ABS system for motorbikes. What makes off-road ABS so special is that you can deactivate it for the rear wheel.That means you can carry on steering with the front wheel while locking the back. drive it! took a closer look at the device in off-road action. Its creator, Swedish motocross cycle maker Husqvarna, was acquired by BMW Motorrad in 2007 but continues to operate as an independent brand.vintage! The VW SciroccoThe Scirocco coupe marked the dawn of a new age for Volkswagen. Around 500,000 units of the first edition were built between 1974 and 1980. It’s a modern classic, penned by Italian car designer Giorgio Giugiaro.The similarity to the Golf and Passat is unmistakable, with the classic 1970s-style Volkswagen features proudly on display. The alloy rims and abrupt drop-off at the back simply ooze sportiness. The car’s value was further boosted by a large trunk. The 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine in the Scirocco GT delivers a growling 70 horsepower. drive it! unleashes this blast from the past.

• 1/10/12
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The leading three of Germany’s luxury carmakers are Mercedes, Audi and BMW, and the competition between them remains intense. Until now that has meant who can boast the better performance, comfort and power.More recently, however, fuel efficiency has become a factor. These days, their diesel-powered executive sedans can match the fuel economy of a small car. The best performer on this front is Mercedes with its four-cylinder engine. But which of the trio delivers the most convincing all-round package?

• 1/10/12
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Across Europe, the VW Touran ranks as one of the top five MPVs in its class. More than a million have been sold around the world. The Touran has been around since 2003, but underwent a major facelift last year.Now Chevrolet is hoping its Orlando can grab some of Volkswagen's market share. The American carmaker launched the Orlando in Europe earlier this year. Its design is unusual: half minivan, half crossover with flared wheel arches. And the Chevy's starting price is significantly lower than the Touran's. But will that be enough to overtake the VW? drive it! puts both MPVs through their paces.

• 1/10/12
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It's the second biggest auto show in the US. And this year it didn't disappoint with dozens of new vehicles unveiled at the Convention Centre in Los Angeles. European carmakers were also there. VW showcased its revamped Passat CC. Mercedes presented the ML 63 AMG. And Porsche lifted the covers on a long-awaited high-performance sports car.

• 1/10/12
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The course stretched 5,700 km across China. 20 Audi Q3s set out to see if the compact SUV could master the challenges of the big cities and off-road rural tracks. Among the participants, racing driver and Le Mans winner André Lotterer. The city roads are clogged up and the rural roads are in a poor state. Will the Q3 cope?

• 1/10/12
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Station wagons are very popular in Germany and Opel's Astra is no exception. In Germany, half of all Astra models sold are Sports Tourers, the moniker Opel gives to its station wagons. But can an elongated compact really hold much cargo?The trunk's flat cargo bed and side walls make for easy loading. When the back seats are folded down, cargo space increases from 500 to as much as 1550 liters. But how much room is there for passengers in this compact station wagon? drive it! puts the Astra Sports Tourer to the test.

• 1/10/12
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Opel is working at top speed on its range of Astra models, and has now sent the latest version of its sporty GTC up to the starting line. Hyundai is going on the offensive with VW. After elbowing its way into the Passat class with the i40, it's now challenging the Tiguan with the launch of its ix35 SUV. We put them head-to-head. And how much is a car that was once owned by a Pope worth anyway?present it! The Opel Astra GTCThe new two-door hatchback version of Opel's Astra GTC is the carmaker's latest launch in the compact segment. The engineers sporty Rüsselsheim have designed the sporty coupé pretty much from the ground up.With a few exceptions like the antenna, door handles and shape of the side mirrors, almost nothing of the Astra has remained. The brawny design - and attractive lines in the rear - are the most striking changes compared to the car's forebears. drive it! took the new GTC out for a spin. compare it! Hyundai ix35 vs. VW TiguanWith just under 35,000 units sold between January and September of 2011, the VW Tiguan was the most popular SUV in Germany. The facelift performed in Wolfsburg this year gave it an even more quintessential Volkswagen look: unspectacular perhaps, but certainly popular.During the same period, rival Hyundai sold around 9,000 of its ix35s. It was launched at the beginning of 2011 as a successor to the Tucson, and has a much more European look than its predecessor. We took the two rivals out to see how they matched up. picture it! The Audi A6 Hybrid SedanAudi's first hybrid car was the Q5, but now the German carmaker has also launched a sedan with the environmentally-friendly drive. The A6 can hit speeds of up to 100 km/hr on electrical power alone.Driving at a constant 60 km/hr, it can cover around three kilometres powered only by its electrical system. It employs the motors in unison when the driver wants more acceleration, while a range of instruments reveals different propulsion states. The hybrid A6 won't be on the market until next spring, but drive it! got a sneak preview. examine it! Car Design - Car FacesIt used to be easy to tell cars made by different manufacturers apart, but nowadays a lot of models look like twins - at least in silhouette. drive it! stripped the badges from a number of different makes, and then went out to see how well people could still identify them.Sure enough, without the logo, most passers-by couldn't tell a difference - at least from the side. From the front, however, it was a different story. For drive it!, car designer Peter Rosenthal explained the importance of making a statement with the vehicle's 'face'. vintage! Selling a Car Once Owned by the PopeMichael Fröhlich from Düsseldorf is the owner of a very special car: a Warszawa M20 Saloon built in 1958. The interesting thing about the vehicle is that John Paul II owned it back when he was the Bishop of Warsaw.The current owner hopes that it's illustrious former owner could bring in big cash: he hopes to sell the antique for €250,000. And it's not the only special car he has on offer.

• 1/10/12
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