Some motorists think of adventure when they see a sport utility vehicle, while others consider them monstrous gas guzzlers. We tested two models that set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd. The Lexus 450h is equipped with an electric engine which operates on its own at speeds up to 40 kilometers per hour. The Porsche Cayenne has a fuel-efficient diesel under the hood. The 240 horsepower Cayenne Diesel starts at 56,859 euros in Germany. The Lexus 450h generates 299 horsepower and starts at 59,690 euros.

• 11/21/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The Alfa 8C Spider: Sound evokes emotion, at least when it comes to the unique sounds of an Alfa Romeo 8C Spider making its mark on the road. This Spider can rocket to 100 Kilometers per hour in a mere 4.4 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 295. Only 500 8C Spiders are to be produced. admire it!present it! The Volkswagen T5 Gets a FaceliftThe Volkswagen van has been popular for decades. Volkswagen has just given the fifth generation T5 a makeover. The front end looks fresher and more stylish. The interior also surprises with some innovative details, such as integrated child seats and electronically controlled sliding doors on both sides. The latest VW bus without any bells and whistles starts at 29,950 euros in Germany.compare it! The Porsche Cayenne Diesel vs. the Lexus 450 h HybridSome motorists think of adventure when they see a sport utility vehicle, while others consider them monstrous gas guzzlers. We tested two models that set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd. The Lexus 450h is equipped with an electric engine which operates on its own at speeds up to 40 kilometers per hour. The Porsche Cayenne has a fuel-efficient diesel under the hood. The 240 horsepower Cayenne Diesel starts at 56,859 euros in Germany. The Lexus 450h generates 299 horsepower and starts at 59,690 euros.spot it! The Harley Quad For twenty years Sandy Poglavec has been repairing, restoring and selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The most popular models were not enough for Sandy, so he fulfilled his dream by converting one of his Harleys into a quad. The self-taught mechanic called his invention the Q4. It took him 5 years to develop the Q4, but his efforts have certainly paid off. To get an honest opinion of the result, a long-time Harley fan and an enthusiastic quad driver took the Q4 for a spin.admire it! Alfa 8C Spider Sound evokes emotion, at least when it comes to the unique sounds of an Alfa Romeo 8C Spider making its mark on the road. Its Maranello V8 engine has a bit more displacement in the Spider than it does in the Ferrari, and with 4.7 liters generating 450 horsepower, this Spider can rocket to 100 kilometers per hour in a mere 4.4 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 295. Only 500 8C Spiders are to be produced.vintage! The Opel Rekord: Steffi Takes a Journey Back in Time For 33 years the Opel Rekord was manufactured in Germany. Over 10 million units were sold. When it was launched in 1953, it was called the Rekord Olympia. From 1971 to 1977 the Opel Rekord D was assembled. Reporter Stefanie Tücking decided to drive one to Heidelberg. It did not take long for her blue 1975 model to attract the attention of passers-by. Many were delighted to reminisce about their experiences with the classic car.

• 11/21/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Since its introduction, the Smart fortwo has been the undisputed winner in the smallest car category. Loved or hated, no one could deny that the Smart showed how small a small car could be. In 2009, the Smart finally got some serious competition. Toyota's tiny IQ is a shade larger than the Smart, but seats four people instead of just two. drive it! tester Mathis Kurrat put the two minis side-by-side to see how they compare.

• 11/16/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

BMW has unveiled the X1, the newest member of its X-family of off-road fleet. Immediately recognizable as a BMW, the X1 comes with either a gasoline engine or one of three diesels and in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. Fuel-saving features like automatic stop-start, shifting cues and regenerative braking help make the X1 especially efficient. The smallest diesel needs just 5.2 liters for 100 kilometers. Prices in Germany start at 27,200 euros.

• 11/16/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The new Renault Kangoo be bop: With a bold design and clever features, it’s full of surprisespresent it! BMW X1BMW has unveiled the X1, the newest member of its X-family of off-road fleet. Immediately recognizable as a BMW, the X1 comes with either a gasoline engine or one of three diesels and in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. Fuel-saving features like automatic stop-start, shifting cues and regenerative braking help make the X1 especially efficient. The smallest diesel needs just 5.2 liters for 100 kilometers. Prices in Germany start at 27,200 euros.compare it! Smart - Toyota IQSince its introduction, the Smart fortwo has been the undisputed winner in the smallest car category. Loved or hated, no one could deny that the Smart showed how small a small car could be. In 2009, the Smart finally got some serious competition. Toyota's tiny IQ is a shade larger than the Smart, but seats four people instead of just two. drive it! tester Mathis Kurrat put the two minis side-by-side to see how they compare.spot it! Amphicar in VeniceEveryone knows you cannot drive a car in Venice, Italy. Unless you're Berndt Weise and have a 1963 Amphicar. Only a couple hundred of the rare German-made boatable cars are still in operation worldwide. When Venice city officials made a special exception to allow Weise to tour the city of canals and bridges with his odd little car, he jumped at the chance. drive it! went along for the ride, to see how the rare amphibious car with its 38 horsepower engine would handle the crowded canals.inside it! Sign RecognitionGermany's roads are not the only ones with information overload. There are traffic signs wherever you look, sometimes making it difficult for motorists to stay on top of things. In response, some carmakers now offer sign recognition systems. For the first time, they are now available in mid-size models, such as the Mercedes E Class and the Opel Insignia. Cars can also be retrofitted. Opel's system only works at speeds above 55 kilometers per hour and the Blaupunkt TravelPilot 700 is even functional at low speeds, for example in city driving.admire it! The ABT Audi RS6White and innocent, like a wolf in sheep's clothing. At first glance this Audi looks like a usual A6 Avant, but upon closer inspection you will discover the RS 6 lettering, which reveals that it is a fast Audi. The ABT lettering makes it clear that this is an über-Audi. Its 700 horsepower allows the family station wagon to explode from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.4 seconds. Thanks to chip tuning it reaches a maximum speed of 340. Audi's incognito race car costs just under 107,000 euros.vintage! The Ford Capri - Steffi's Journey Back in TimeThe Ford Capri was considered the little man's sports car when it was introduced in the late 1960s. In Germany it was nicknamed the bricklayer's Porsche due to its affordability. Forty years later the Ford Capri has not been forgotten. Steffi Tücking takes a yellow Capri sports version for a ride and quickly comes across some former Capri owners who share their fond memories.

• 11/16/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

A sports car that guarantees an adrenaline rush, the new Porsche Turbo! The top model in the 911 range is an explosive power pack for the adventurous. Which estate car is better off-road? We compare the Volvo XC70 with the Audi A6 Allroad. present it! Porsche Turbo Porsche's new Turbo is the flagship of the sports car maker's 911 series. The seventh-generation 911 Turbo is powered by a completely new 3.8 liter flat-six that produces 500 horsepower. For the first time, Porsche is also offering a 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox. With the Sport-Chrono package and twin-clutch gearbox, the 911 can shoot from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 312 km/h. That kind of performance doesn't come cheaply. The turbo costs €145,871 in Germany.compare it! Volvo XC70 and Audi A6 Allroad Auto manufacturers have understood there's a market for station wagons that can do more than just carry lots of gear. This week drive it! compares two wagons that can also handle off-road terrain. The Audi A6 Allroad and the Volvo XC70 come with increased road clearance and sturdier front and rear bodywork to protect the car from off-road hazards. We tested the 240-hp 3.0 TDI version of the A6 and the 205-hp Volvo D5. Both come with all-wheel drive and perform well when the going gets tough.test it! Fiat 500 Cabrio The original Fiat Cinquequento came with a fabric sliding roof as a standard feature. Now Fiat has introduced it on its popular new Fiat 500. In just 16 seconds, the roof slides out of the way to open up the sky and let the sunshine in. Round and curved shapes dominate the little car's design, both inside and out. Power is provided by one of three engines that meet Euro-5 emissions norms. drive it! tested the Fiat 500C with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine that delivers 100 horsepower and costs 15,800 euros. Prices for the base version with 69 horsepower start at 13,800 euros.picture it! VW Lupo plastic burner Peter Eckhoff, an inventor from the town of Lohne in Lower Saxony, has figured out a way to reduce his fuel costs and at the same time save on trash disposal. He and another inventor equipped a 13-year old VW Lupo with a gasification reactor that runs on plastic trash. The car still uses gasoline, but heat from the engine melts the plastic trash, releasing gasses that are fed to the engine. The result is that the car burns 30 percent less fuel and delivers better performance. Peter Eckhoff got the idea while having a beer with some friends. Now he's seeking a patent for his invention.vintage! Eifel Rennen 2009The Eifelrennen, or Eifel races, is a traditional classic car and race event that's been held, with interruptions, since 1922. This year an estimated 32,000 visitors came to the famous Nürburgring race course in the Eifel Mountains of western Germany to admire classic cars and see them race on the track's legendary north loop. Organizers brought together not just a great collection of classic automobiles, but famous racers from decades of German auto-racing history. drive it! gathered some impressions and talked with some of the participants.

• 11/13/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The 5008 is Peugeot's new people carrier. Its variable seating configuration is perfect for young families. The second row has plenty of room for three adults, and there's the additional option of two full seats that pop up out of the cargo area. Curtain airbags are also provided, while a head-up display relays important information for the driver onto the windscreen. Prices for the new compact MPF from France start at €21,500 (in Germany).

• 11/13/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The Eifelrennen, or Eifel races, is a traditional classic car and race event that's been held, with interruptions, since 1922. This year an estimated 32,000 visitors came to the famous Nürburgring race course in the Eifel Mountains of western Germany to admire classic cars and see them race on the track's legendary north loop. Organizers brought together not just a great collection of classic automobiles, but famous racers from decades of German auto-racing history. drive it! gathered some impressions and talked with some of the participants.

• 11/13/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The great station wagon showdown: The VW Passat - The Ford Mondeo - The Mazda 6 - The Toyota Avensis Peugeot expands it line-up The new compact van 5008! A multifaceted spaceship.compare it! VW Passat - Mazda 6 - Ford Mondeo - Toyota Avensis Station wagons are popular the world over, so we take a look at four best-selling models: the Mazda 6, Ford Mondeo, VW Passat and Toyota Avensis. The Mazda's 185 horsepower make it the most powerful of the quartet, although the pace is used more for acceleration than top speed. The Mondeo boasts precise and snappy steering. The VW Passat shows how to deliver a peak speed of 220 kph from 170 horsepower, while Toyota Avensis has power controls for practically everything. But which one wins in the overall standings? Tune in to find out.present it! The Peugeot 5008The 5008 is Peugeot's new people carrier. Its variable seating configuration is perfect for young families. The second row has plenty of room for three adults, and there's the additional option of two full seats that pop up out of the cargo area. Curtain airbags are also provided, while a head-up display relays important information for the driver onto the windscreen. Prices for the new compact MPF from France start at €21,500 (in Germany).picture it! Brake Energy Recovery Brake energy can be recovered by electric motors in order to increase efficiency. The motors are effectively generators that store the energy in capacitors or batteries. Drive It! shows where this technology is being deployed what new concepts and insights research in motor sports and industry is delivering. Repeated acceleration and braking is not just a Formula 1 phenomenon. Urban buses and garbage disposal trucks also stand a lot to gain from brake energy recovery.Vintage: The Bond Bug The Bond Bug is the name of a cute three-wheeler made in Britain, with one wheel at the front and two at the back. It looks like a road-going wedge of cheese. It was designed in the early 1970s by Tom Karren. The reinforced-polyester-clad car came in one color only: bright orange. Torsten Schmidt has had a Bond Bug for years, and insists that "three wheels are all you need"! To this day they remain very conspicuous head-turners.examine it! Getting Your Headlights Right Headlights are a crucial safety factor, and ensuring they are correctly set is very important. All you need is a measuring stick and some sticky tape. The car is parked 10 meters away from a wall, on which you mark the height of the headlights off the ground. The preset inclination is engraved into the headlight. Assuming a figure of 1.2%, you mark a point 12 centimeters below the first measurement. If the beam hits the lower marking on the wall, then the headlight has the correct setting.admire it! The 599 GTB Fiorano Ferrari The 599 GTB Fiorano is Ferrari's new flagship. Like all Ferraris, the marque's most powerful road-going model does without flamboyant spoilers. There's aerodynamic styling from front to back, with function rather than flair the priority. But don't let the graceful contours deceive you - under the hood is a 12-cylinder engine boasting 620 horsepower and 608 Newton meters of torque. The built-in launch control catapults the red-clad speedster from zero to a hundred kilometers an hour in 3.76 seconds, although chief test driver Dario Benuzzi has apparently bettered that mark by two tenths of a second - without launch control, of course.

• 11/13/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Luxurious, exclusive and very, very limited. It's rare to see these four beauties on any public street. Seeing one is a pinch-me moment.These cars cost about 2.5 million euros new, but used, they're even more expensive. That's because you can't buy them any more. With race driver Marc Basseng, we compare the four on the Nürburgring race track and find out which of the super-sports cars is the fastest.

• 10/29/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Volkswagen introduces its new 3 door Polo. You might be forgiven for not noticing, at first glance, much of a difference between this little Troika model and its 5-door brother. But look again.New cuts and lines freshen up the sporty look of this 3 door, and you'll take note of the differences once again when you get out onto the road where the newer Polo's tight suspension sets it apart from the 5-door version. Prices start in Germany at 12,150 euros. Come see how a car can lose a few doors, but gain a few nice features.

• 10/29/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The Polo family gets in gear! The new 3-door VW debuts as the most energy efficient car in its class. The Pagani Zonda, the Ferrari Enzo Ferrari, the Porsche Carrera GT and the Maserati MC 12. Which one has the most power under the hood? present it!: VW Polo 3 DoorVolkswagen introduces its new 3 door Polo. You might be forgiven for not noticing, at first glance, much of a difference between this little Troika model and its 5-door brother. But look again.New cuts and lines freshen up the sporty look of this 3 door, and you'll take note of the differences once again when you get out onto the road where the newer Polo's tight suspension sets it apart from the 5-door version. Prices start in Germany at 12,150 euros. Come see how a car can lose a few doors, but gain a few nice features.compare it!: Pagani Zonda, Ferrari Enzo Ferrari, Porsche Carrera GT and Maserati MC 12Luxurious, exclusive and very, very limited. It's rare to see these four beauties on any public street. Seeing one is a pinch-me moment.These cars cost about 2.5 million euros new, but used, they're even more expensive. That's because you can't buy them any more. With race driver Marc Basseng, we compare the four on the Nürburgring race track and find out which of the super-sports cars is the fastest.spot it!: The Ferrari DuckIf it looks like a duck, then it must be a… stop right there. Imagine what would happen if a couple of innovative Italian guys took an old Citroen Duck and an accident damaged Ferrari and combined the two to make what could be called nothing less than a “Super Duck”.You’ve got to see it to believe it and we’re here to show it to you. You may also want to know what it would cost you to get 395 horsepower under the hood of a Duck. How does 180,000 euros sound? These Italian car freaks put in 1,500 hours of work to dress down this Ferrari… or did they soup up that Duck? Maybe both. You decide when you join us for a look at the Super Duck!picture it!: Diesel and Water in the Fuel TankWe’ve all heard of new initiatives to make cars more environmentally friendly. There are electric cars, hybrids and a number of other prototypes on their way. What you may not have heard about is Günther Kramb’s endeavor to get drivers into cars fueled by a diesel and water mixture.And this is one idea that works, at least that’s what researchers at the University of Cologne are saying. According to their tests, it appears that a tank filled with diesel and up to 27% water can go a long, long way in reducing polluting exhaust emissions. What’s more, you can increase fuel consumption, too!vintage: The NSU PrinzSteffani Tücking is at it again. This time she’s off to the home of NSU in Neckarsulm. It’s just a short drive from there to Mosbach, where Steffi meets with a special group of NSU Prinz fans, some of them with their own Prinz in toe.The first post-war Prinz car came off the line in 1958 and remained in production for years, picking up the hearts and enthusiasm of Prinz fans along the way. Come take a closer look at this stylish car from yesteryear.

• 10/29/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Two luxury convertibles with sporty ambitions: The Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z4 in a comparison test.present it! The Peugeot 407 Coupé Power DieselThe new 240 hp 407 coupé sees Peugeot presenting the most powerful production model in its history. The four-seater is fitted with a V6 bi-turbo engine, which boasts a three-liter displacement and is also the first ever Peugeot engine to feature a braking energy capture system. The makers claim a fuel consumption of just 7.2 liters of diesel over 100 km. But the 407 Coupé is not all brawn; it's also a very elegant looking car. Prices in Germany start at 43,100 euros.compare it! Porsche Boxster vs. BMW Z4Roadsters combine the convertible feeling with superior comfort. drive it! put the Porsche Boxster and BMW's Z4 through their paces. Both feature a retractable steel roof and are certainly impressive to the eye - but are they actually as fantastic as they look? We examined how they coped with stowing away a golf bag. On the powerplant front, the Boxster had a 2.9-liter mid-engine with 255 hp, while the Z4 we tested was driven by a 3-liter unit delivering 258 hp. Their prices in Germany start at 46,500 euros and 42,900 euros respectively.collect it! A Racing Car CollectorFormula One has millions of fans across the globe. Not many of them, however, are as passionate as Jo Vonlanthen. He is a collector of cars that actually appeared in races. It's probably no coincidence that he himself used to be a racing driver between 1968 and 1976. His extensive pool includes a Ferrari 500, Ayrton Senna's 1989 Lotus and the Renault in which Spain's Fernando Alonso secured the Formula One world championship in 2005. Jo Vonlanthen has been visiting teams at circuits for over 30 years as he seeks to add to his unique collection.vintage: Fiat 500 N CabrioStefanie Tücking once more takes us on a trip down memory lane, and once again meets extraordinary people with extraordinary stories. This time it was the turn of an old open-top Fiat 500. Even if there is a modern version available, she concludes, its granddad has lost none of its old-school appeal. There are still many people with very fond memories of the car. drive it! met some of them.examine it! Paint PollutersAnyone who has parked their car under a tree in the city will be familiar with the ugly white stains that seem to appear out of thin air. Pigeon droppings are both ugly and harmful to a car's paint finish to due to their acidic content. The offending spots need to be removed as quickly as possible - but sometimes to no avail. drive it! went to a professional paint expert, who showed us with an electron microscope how corrosion is already apparent after just a few hours. But sometimes car owners are powerless to prevent damage, and carmaker warranties do not cover pigeon droppings.admire it! The Mercedes McLaren SLR Stirling MossThe Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Z199 Stirling Moss is what people call a very limited edition, with only 75 in the entire world. It's practically impossible to find one - let alone sit in one. But three members of the German soccer team had a special treat and were taken for a ride in one of these dashing racers. The supercar's 650 hp propel it from zero to 100 kph in just 3.5 seconds, and it can hit speeds of 350 kph. No other production model is this fast and at the same time so open, with neither a roof nor a windscreen separating the driver and passenger from the world outside.

• 10/23/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The "Peugeot Bipper Tepee" is compact, roomy, and inexpensive - the perfect introduction to a family car! We compare two sporty convertibles - the Audi A5 versus the BMW 3 Series...present it! The Peugeot Bipper Tepee"Tepee" is the name of Peugeot's family-friendly range of MPVs. Following hot on the heels of the Expert Tepee in 2007 and the Partner Tepee in 2008 is the new Bipper Tepee. Sliding doors at the back make it a perfect family car. Buyers have a choice of a gasoline or diesel engine. Prices in Germany start at €12,910.compare it! The Audi A5 and BMW 3-Series ConvertiblesThe new Audi A5 convertible has been on the market since last spring. The successor to the A4 convertible boasts both ample legroom and a little more glamour. Our test pitted a 2-liter diesel version against BMW's 320i convertible. Both models are standard-fitted with an engine start-stop button. drive it! shows you what they have in common - and where they differ. Prices for the BMW start at just over 41 thousand euros in Germany - which will buy you a diesel version of the Audi A5.test it! Mini John Cooper WorksThe Mini has a racing heritage stretching back over four decades. Star driver Rauno Aaltonen won the 1967 Monte Carlo rally in the old Cooper S model. So who is more qualified to test its successor, the Mini John Cooper Works? For drive it!, the Flying Finn hit the track once again in a Mini that had more than twice the horsepower of his old ride, and a whole lot more electronics. Were the car's precise steering, stiff suspension and responsive brakes able to convince this most demanding of drivers?examine it! The Beetle FamilyThe VW myth still resonates for the Dahlfeld family. Lissy and Rudi have been collecting Bugs for years, and are now the proud owners of ten VW Beetles. The jewel in the crown of their collection is an original 1966 model that they received as a wedding present. Rudi says he could keep up with any mechanic on the face of the planet when it comes to his favorite car -- after all, he's been working on them for more than twenty years. drive it! went to visit the family that has Beetlemania.spot it! Confusing RadarMost countries have speed limits on all of their roads, but in Germany some stretches of the Autobahn don't. Off the highway, however, speed limits are strictly enforced through speed-activated cameras that employ radar. Some drivers do their best to confuse the cameras, turning to products advertised on the Internet that promise to trick the all-seeing eyes. With the help of the police, drive it! tried out a few of the products to see if they really lived up to what they promise.vintage: Bensberg ClassicGermany's Oldtimer Rallye, which started at the Bensberger Castle this year, included around 90 automobiles of historical significance. The rallye followed a winding, 90-kilometer route through mountainous terrain, but the exact path the cars would take remained a secret up until the first crossed the finish line. The 17 best teams all received trophies as a reminder of their participation in this impressive event.

• 10/23/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

"Tepee" is the name of Peugeot's family-friendly range of MPVs. Following hot on the heels of the Expert Tepee in 2007 and the Partner Tepee in 2008 is the new Bipper Tepee. Sliding doors at the back make it a perfect family car. Buyers have a choice of a gasoline or diesel engine. Prices in Germany start at €12,910.

• 10/23/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The new Audi A5 convertible has been on the market since last spring. The successor to the A4 convertible boasts both ample legroom and a little more glamour. Our test pitted a 2-liter diesel version against BMW's 320i convertible. Both models are standard-fitted with an engine start-stop button. drive it! shows you what they have in common - and where they differ. Prices for the BMW start at just over 41 thousand euros in Germany - which will buy you a diesel version of the Audi A5.

• 10/23/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Opel is set to launch a new model in its Eco Flex range. Tailored for envionmentally-minded drivers, the Insignia Eco Flex has an average fuel consumption of five point two litres of diesel per one e hundred kilometres and emits a moderate 136 grammes of CO2 per kilometer.Opel's new eco mobile, which is fitted with a two-litre diesel, 160 horsepower engine, comes with improved engine electonics and gear ratios, low-rolling resistance tyres and optimised aerodynamics. But does it go like a dream? Drive It! took it out for a test spin.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Volkswagen's new Polo made its debut at the Geneva car show earlier this year. Now it's hitting dealership showrooms. The fifth-generation of VW's popular subcompact shares styling cues with its big brother, the Golf. It's also larger, and lighter and more efficient, than the previous Polo and is available with a new 1.2-liter TSI engine that improves fuel efficiency by 20 percent. Prices in Germany for the new Polo start at 12,150 Euro.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

If there's one thing a four-by-four ought to be, it is robust... And while that doesn't exlude luxury, the question is, how luxurious do they really need to be?To answer that very question, Drive It! took a good look Landrover's most basic and most deluxe models. The Freelander can be had by German all-terrain drivers for a mere 29,000 euros, whereas the Range Rover comes at a starting price of 87,700 euros -- a difference which could fill many any empty tank. So what does the Ranger Rover have that its poor cousin doesn't? Sixty thousand euros worth of extra comfort and technology perchance...?

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Porsche presents its new luxury four-door coupé, combining the sportiness of a classical Porsche with the comfort and space of a top-of-the-range family saloon.drive it! belts up in the Panamera 4S as it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5 seconds. The Panamera goes on the market in Europe, South American and parts of Asia in September, North America in October and Australia, as well as China in 2010.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The BMW 530d Touring and the Chrysler 300C Touring are a pair of top-of-the-line station wagens designed for people who want to carry big loads in comfort. Both cars are powered by 3-liter 6-cylinder diesels and are available with lots of features. drive it! compared the big German with the even larger American.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Topless Porsche driving fun can be experienced with the Boxster, Porsche's lowest-priced model, beginning at 46,506 euros in Germany.drive it! tests how well the Boxster fares as a daily companion - meaning on the autobahn with 290 Nm of torque, on country roads - and going shopping. The open-top roadster impresses not only with its accelleration and speed, but also with its trunk space.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Following the Exeo sedan, SEAT now brings the corresponding station wagon version on the market. Like its four-door counterpart, the Exeo ST is based on the Audi A4.The selection of engines has been expanded to include an entry-level diesel with 120 horsepower and a 200-horse gasoline version. Inside the Spanish designers have freshened up the technology. Radio and navigation systems have been modernized and now offer interfaces for Bluetooth, iPod, SD memory cards or USB sticks. The Exeo ST startes in Germany at 23,290 Euros.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Any BMW model bearing the tell-tale "M" badge is sure to pack a punch. The carmaker has now upgraded the cross-over models X5 and X6, making them the first "M" editions to feature four-wheel drive.drive it! puts the new X6 M through its paces and tested both its all-rounder credentials and its qualities on the race track. It comes with an all-new 4395 cc high-performance V8 engine that delivers 555 hp and propels the X6 M from zero to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Opel is following up its economy version of the Insignia OPC with a performance edition. The new Insignia OPC's 325 hp make it the most powerful sibling in the family.It comes in 3 versions: notchback, fastback and estate. All models can be turned into sportier versions with more direct acceleration and steering at the touch of a button. The Opel/Vauxhall Insignia OPC goes on sale in the fall. Prices start at 44,900 euros.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

There's nothing that can beat that wind-in-the-hair feel at the wheel during the summer. But not every convertible is actually designated as such.The Peugeot 207 CC is a officially a "coupé-convertible", while Mazda calls its newbie a "roadster-convertible". Regardless of the names, both have a retractable steel roof that can be opened and closed automatically. drive it! took the dynamic duo out for a summer spin.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

Electric scooters are the latest trend in this summer friendly vehicle. Drive it tested the InnoScooter EM2500 Litium and the E-Max 90s. Both models are electrically powered and reach speeds of 45 Km/h.The InnoScooter got the best marks for handling, but the E-Max won the price stakes. That model is available in Germany for 2,995 Euros. InnoScooters with Lithium batteries cost 3,690. But the steering and the battery are "Made in Germany"

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0

The Ennstal Classic draws its charm from a mixture of famous drivers, TV and management personality and the treasures of the museums belonging to the big car makers.This year 205 teams from 15 nations are taking part in the different race categories of this old timer rally through the Alps: Stirling Moss, Derek Bell, Jochen Mass, Rauno Aaltonen and other motorsport legends are among the big names. The cars starting the rally date from 1921 to 1972, with an estimated total value of about 70 Million euros.

• 10/17/09
• Comments: 0
• Votes: 0