As the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released their honorable list of the Top Safety Picks for 2008, Subaru Impreza was the first small car to be on the praiseworthy line-up.

The 34 vehicles on the list were those who best protects their passengers in front, side and rear crashes based on the IIHS’ test course. All the winners were also equipped with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System as it also reduce potential crashes.

"With a small car, you have less room to crush up in the front of the vehicle, in the frontal impact, so that's going to make it more difficult for it to perform well," Oesch said from Washington.

"But the Subaru Imprezza did well on our front tests, our side tests and our rear impact test, and when it's equipped with optional stability control, it is one of our top safety picks."

Also according to Oesch, Toyota’s Tundra was the first pick-up truck to make it on the list meeting IIHS’ requirements.

"Up until now there have been very few pickups that have had the side-impact air bags that provide protection in a side impact and the Toyota Tundra is one of the first pickups to include those," he said.

"In addition, it has electronic stability control, which is going to help you in an emergency situation to keep the vehicle under control."

The Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona and the Hyundai entourage were the minivan winners. For the large cars segment, the Audi A6 and the Volvo S80 were the champs. In the small SUV category, the Honda CRV and the Subaru Forester also made it.

The large SUV category was filled with 15 vehicles, making it the category with the majority winners including BMW’s X3 and X5 and the Toyota Highlander.
"SUVs are certainly big sellers now and fortunately we're seeing a lot of manufacturers are paying attention to designing them correctly so that they're going to provide protection in a frontal, side or rear impact," Oesch said.

"And fortunately more of them are being equipped with electronic stability control, which is going to help you keep your vehicle under control in an emergency situation."

The 2008 list is a proof that all automakers are exerting efforts to produce safer and safer cars. According to IIHS, the number of vehicles that made it on the list doubled or easier to say that the Top Safety Picks for 2008 have the most models than ever before.

"At the beginning of the 2007 model year, 13 models qualified, but as manufacturers have made changes and introduced new and safer vehicle designs, 10 additional vehicles qualified during the year. Now another 11 vehicles are being added for 2008," states a news release from the organization.

A list of all the winners:
Large Cars:
• Audi A6
• Ford Taurus with optional ESC
• Mercury Sable with optional ESC
• Volvo S80
Midsize Cars
• Audi A3, A4
• Honda Accord
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy with optional ESC
Midsize Convertibles
• Saab 9-3
• Volvo C70
Small Car
• Subaru Impreza with optional ESC
Minivans
• Honda Odyssey
• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona
Midsize SUVs
• Acura MDX, RDX
• BMW X3, X5
• Ford Edge, Taurus X
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Veracruz (built after Aug. 2007)
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class
• Saturn VUE (built after Dec. 2007)
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander
• Volvo XC90
• Small SUVs
• Honda CR-V, Element
• Subaru Forester with optional ESC
Large Pickup
• Toyota Tundra
As for automakers, no vehicle from Chrysler LL made it to the list with its Dodge, Jeep (all with Jeep hard top hoist) and Chrysler brands.

Automobile Magazine already announced the winning vehicles for their 2008 All-Star Awards. Ten vehicles have been delivered on the summit of their kind.

“This year’s list includes a number of stalwart All-Stars winners, namely the iconic BMW 3-series, as well as new entries, such as Chevy's impressive new Malibu and the sexy Volvo C30," said Jean Jennings, editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. “These ten cars are the year's most exciting cars, our picks for the vehicles we'd most like to personally own in our dream garage."
AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s list of 2008 All-Stars, with editorial assessments, includes:

Chevrolet Malibu – The best Chevrolet family sedan AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s staff has ever driven. Smooth, quiet, well-finished and more than able to keep up with more powerful cars, it represents a true sea change in what GM is offering the public. This is the kind of car Americans have wanted from Detroit for years.

Infiniti G37/G35 – The yin to the BMW 3-series’ yang. Picking a winner between them—which is to say, choosing the best sport coupe/sedan in the world—is less about what the cars can do than it is about what their drivers want. The interior of the Infiniti is a pleasure dome, but the car’s power is obvious the instant you punch the push-button starter and hear the feral growl of the engine.

Volvo C30 – A perfect example of smoothly chic, Scandinavian cool. The C30 is whisper-quiet, perfectly composed and has a six-speed manual that you could teach your grandma to row flawlessly in fifteen minutes. The car embodies the one perfect criterion for All-Stardom: anyone would have it.

Chevrolet Corvette – Evolutionary improvements keep the Vette in a class of its own. The revised 2008 edition does the 0-to-60-mph sprint in 4.3 seconds—with an automatic transmission. There are faster new cars than the Corvette, but all of them cost a lot more.

Mazda CX-9 – Trucks and sport utilities seldom earn a berth on the All-Stars list, but when was the last time you could call such a vehicle’s engine charming, or its transmission silky? The CX-9 ventures beyond the obligatory nine-to-five routine to play party animal in the off-hours.

Volkswagen GTI – The GTI is magic. What else do you call a hatchback that can shame supercars? The GTI eclipses the class-clown Mini Cooper for spark and verve, and makes sense for real people who actually have to lead real lives. Fast, fun, cheap, and German. If you don’t like it, you’re probably dead.

BMW 3-series – Maybe we should give it a lifetime achievement award. We didn’t set out hoping to give the 3-series another All-Star award—this is the car’s thirteenth—but then we got in the car and started driving. BMW still does chassis tuning like no other carmaker. The 3-Series is the car that instantly makes any mope who slides behind its wheel a better driver.

Mercedes-Benz S-class – This year, Mercedes got it just right. The car drips with luxury accoutrements and high-tech accessories, but the S-class is more than just the sum of its equipment list. Rides and handles in a way that belies its size, and comes with a quartet of engines that range from supremely competent to mind-blowing.

Lotus Elise – The mid-engine sportster is a bravura engineering performance that reprises the truest Lotus virtues, namely light weight and fealty to handling excellence. The best-handling sports car we know—an audacious-looking thing that goes from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds.

Porsche Boxster/Cayman – If you’re afraid people will think you bought a Cayman because you can’t afford a 911, we hereby inform you that those people are fools. The Boxster and the Cayman are exquisite to drive, with steering so communicative you’ll feel more of the road’s surface only if you crawl along it on your hands and knees. Few cars are as entertaining to drive at school-zone speeds.

Most vehicles on the list are Americans, from Ford and General Motors. No Chrysler (sells Jeep Cherokee parts) vehicle was included.The honorific list will be featured in the January 2008 edition of Automobile magazine, America’s leading automotive lifestyle publication. It will be available in your nearest newsstands on December 4, 2007.

The search for the 2008 Car of the year in Canada is already on the go. Auto journalists of the country gathered in the test track in Niagara recently for testing of the contenders, several multi-million worth of vehicles in various segments. The winners, cars, trucks and SUVs will be announced on December 4, 2007 and the overall Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s Canadian Car of the Year will be announced at the Toronto Auto Show in February.

The challengers for their categories are as follows.

Best New Small Car
Ford Focus SE, Mitsubishi Lancer GTS, Saturn Astra XE, Subaru Impreza Sedan, Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Best New Family Car
Chevrolet Malibu 2LT, Dodge Avenger R/T, Honda Accord EX, Kia Rondo EX-V6 Luxury, Saturn Aura Green Line, Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport

Best New Luxury Car
Cadillac CTS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Volvo S80

Best New Technology
Audi TT Space Frame, Chrysler MyGIG, Chrysler Swivel ‘N Go, Ford Sync, Lexus Advanced Pre-collision System, Volvo Dual-stage Integrated Booster Cushion

Best SUV/CUV $35,000-$60,000
GMC Acadia SLT, Hyundai Veracruz, Infiniti EX, Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel, Land Rover LR2, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Saturn Vue, Subaru Tribeca, Toyota Highlander, Volvo XC70

Best SUV/CUV Under $35,000
Ford Escape Hybrid, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Patriot, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Outlook, Saturn Vue Green Line

Best SUV/CUV Over $60,000
BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Mercedes-Benz GL Class, Mercedes-Benz M-Class (with
Mercedes Benz oxygen sensor)

Best Pickup
Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Dakota, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra

Best Minivan
Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Hyundai Entourage

Best Prestige Car Over $75,000
Audi R8, Jaguar XKR Coupe, Lexus LS 600HL, Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Best Convertible
BMW 335i Cabriolet, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Volvo C70

Best Sports/Performance Under $50,000
Dodge Caliber SRT4, Honda Accord Coupe, MiniCooper S, Nissan Altima Coupe, Subaru WRX, Volvo C30

Best Sports/Performance Over $50,000
Audi TT Coupe 2.0, Audi S5, Infiniti G37 Coupe

Saab Automobile AB based in Trollhättan, Sweden was the first automaker to give Australia the first bio-ethanol powered vehicle. The BioPower 9-5 is already on sale. Biopower cars launch extension was made last week as the 9-3 Bio-Power was offered in three trims, the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and the Convertible models.

Saab’s bio-ethanol car launches was in time as United Petroleun, Australia’s largest fuel retailer committed to build Australia’s first fuel pumps, one in Melbourne and one in Sydney.

“In six months to a year, I'm sure we will see other manufacturers introducing E85 cars to the market,” GM Premium Brands director Parveen Batish says.

"With the launch of BioPower, Saab set out to break the chicken and egg cycle that prevented Australian drivers from choosing a renewable fuel alternative," Mr Batish said.

The E85 composed of 82 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol makes fuel cheaper for motorists, almost about $1 per liter. It also decreases carbon emissions from 120-130gm per kilometer emitted by the most efficient small-capacity diesel engines (ingen cold air intake is a good replacement part) to only 40gm per kilometer also with better performance.

"Saab took the first leap and United Petroleum is taking the same bold leadership position with its commitment to make E85 commercially available to flex-fuel car drivers.

"This is a big investment by United Petroleum. We think with this support BioPower will be a success in Australia and will stimulate other manufacturers to bring their flex-fuel vehicles to this country as well. This is the tip of the iceberg," Mr Batish said.

"With a bioethanol model, a powerful and economical diesel and a carbon off-set through Greenfleet for every new car we sell, the Saab 9-3 range really does deliver on our promise of performance with responsibility."

The BioPower 9-5 before driving in Australia had already been the leadind flex-fuel segment in Sweden and the other parts of Europe.

Kia Motors in Europe announced that all 2008 model year of their Kia Sportage compact SUV assembled in their Zilina facility in Slovakia will be offered with the best vehicle warranty sold in the continent. Each Kia sportage will be offered with the 7-year/150,000 kilometer car warranty like that of the Kia cee’d. In the SUV segment, the Sportage is the first ever model to be offered together with this comprehensive warranty which is free and transferable to its next owners as long as the vehicle follows its maintenance and servicing schedule.

“Kia has taken the bold step of introducing a revolutionary warranty for the new 2008-model Sportage which will once again demonstrate to consumers in Europe our brand’s ‘Power to Surprise’ and also to delight,” enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe.

“Thanks to the high quality of vehicles coming from our new facility in Slovakia, Kia is delighted to underline its commitment to delivering maximum customer satisfaction, together with lowered costs of vehicle ownership and better residual values.”

“We view this warranty as a corporate statement and an important long-term customer relations measure. The 7-Year warranty is an endorsement of Kia’s three core brand values – quality, trustworthy, dynamic,” added SVP Lievens. The extended warranty of the Sportage since November 1, 2007 from the 3 year/Unlimited kilometer cover that goes with the previous model was due to improved quality because the Sportage started its production in the Zilina plant last August.

The seven year warranty is also “retroactive” so the customers who already bought the 2008 Kia Sportage (the interior have Auto floor mats) in Europe will also be covered by it. The new Sportage is Kia’s new sport utie with better exteriors, refined interiors and improved towing capacity.

“Since its launch in Europe during 2004, the Sportage has attracted more than 100,000 buyers and has played a key role in raising public awareness of the Kia brand across the broadest spread of European consumers,” commented Jean-Charles Lievens. “Now made in Europe, the new 2008 Kia Sportage retains all the popular attributes of the original model and offers customers an even better drive in greater comfort and refinement.”

The Holidays is also the get together and road trips time, a chance to bond with family and friends. For a road trip to be of more quality time spent with loved ones, a decent car with road trip features would be of great help. Respectable road trip cars are listed by Askmen.com, you can check them out.

1- Cadillac CTS

Most will agree that the CTS wasn’t seriously lacking in its exterior design. Where it fell short was in the cabin and in its overall refinement. That has not only been acknowledged, but it’s been addressed, along with other tweaks to keep it a worthy alternative to import sports sedans. For your road trip, you’ll be cruising with one of the best cars to come from one of America’s most legendary automakers.

2- Infiniti M45

You can equip the M in a number of ways; we prefer the M45 Sport, with its 4.5-liter V8 and stiffer suspension. If the latter sounds like a recipe for tailbone punishment, it really isn’t. What it does is amplify an already responsive rear-wheel drive setup to give it sports car-like responsiveness -- even active steering of the rear wheels -- without greatly sacrificing comfort. A waterbed-like ride it ain’t, but you’re still more likely to road trip with a smile on your face instead of a kink in your back.

3- Volvo V70

It essentially boils down to freshening the lines, slightly expanding the dimensions and tossing another cylinder under the hood -- marking the first time a V70 has been available with an inline six. You don’t necessarily need the hotter T6 or SUV-esque XC70 for road tripping; the standard V70 does the job smoothly and confidently. The driver can choose from adjustable handling and steering settings and the kids can indulge in the multifunctional rear-seat entertainment system, which, unlike your childhood, doesn’t consist of nauseating views from the rear-facing third-row bench.

4- Hyundai Veracruz

This crossover sport-ute not only successfully markets a Mexican city in its name, but it successfully muscles its way toward the top of a heavily populated segment. Standing out against the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Suzuki XL7 isn’t easy, but the well-built and value-packed Veracruz manages. Hyundai’s marketing and some testing have even pitted the Veracruz against the Lexus RX350. That may sound ambitious, but the comparison isn’t as far-fetched as you might think. Hyundai has come a long way, and the Veracruz is a decent way to log road-trip miles.

5- Honda Fit

What may be the biggest surprise is how the Fit feels and behaves on the highway. Sure, it’s a subcompact with barely triple-digit horsepower, but it’s still a Honda (like the crx with its Honda crx performance parts). So if you don’t have to rocket from 0 to 60 mph anytime this week, your patience will be rewarded with refinement, commendable handling and fit-and-finish that’s unmatched by some cars at twice the price.

6- Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Sources suggest the Mustang is slated for a 2009 model-year facelift, plus we already know 2008 brings the Shelby GT Convertible. Nice, but the regular GT ragtop serves nicely for road trips. It’s not too butt-numbing over hundreds of miles and the V8 soundtrack is entertaining, but never intrusive. We only ask that you do your part to keep America beautiful and don’t pack any flowered shirts for the road trip.

In the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, Toyota’s Tundra Diesel Dually gave the press the impression that Toyota Motors (maker of Lexus ls400 parts) is going to plow through the heavy duty pick-up trucks segment.

The Automotive News said that Toyota’s wild tuner Tundra Diesel Dually will contend Ford Super Duty pickups, GM’s heavy duty models of the Chevrolet Silverado and Chrysler’s Dodge Ram.

PARTNERS:

Engineering by Motorsports Technical Group
Interior by Fast Ed's Interiors
Paint by Focus on Cars
Wheels by Alcoa
Power steps and fuel door by Amp Research
Sound system by Kenwood
Sound installation by Beach Auto Sound
Lighting by PIAA
Exhaust by Magnaflow
5th wheel hitch by Reese


TOYOTA TUNDRA DIESEL DUALLY PROJECT TRUCK SPECIFICATIONS

SEMA CONCEPTS
CAB TYPE CrewMax, 6'5" Bed on lengthened frame
ENGINE Hino JO8E-TB Medium Duty 6 cylinder Turbo Diesel
(intended for 35K lb truck)
DRIVETRAIN Eaton 5 speed manual transmission (medium duty application)
Hino Medium Duty rear end with Meritor Axles
Alcoa 22.5X9 Dually rear wheels and Floatation wheel fronts

EXTERIOR
Color Matte Charcoal Metallic
Trim (Theme) Satin Brushed Nickel
Grille Surround Brushed Metal
Bed Raw diamond plate lined
Wheels 22.5" Alcoa 10 hand hole forged alloy wheels
Tires Michelin Energy 295/60/22.5
Suspension Custom dual front struts with Bilstein dampers,
Deaver spring pack in rear
Fascia Restyled front bumper insert
Diamond Plate Rear Bumper
Lighting PIAA P4000 Quattro cab lights, LED clearance lights
on side and rear

INTERIOR (Fast Ed's Interiors)

Color Ginger soft touch leather with french stitching
and perforated inserts
Dash Brished satin aluminum dash panel
Shift Knob Ginger leather wrap
Steering Wheel Ginger leather wrap
Seats Rear bench seat converted to two power captain's
chairs and console
Headliner Taupe ultrasuede
Knobs Satin Brushed Nickel HVAC knobs
Door panels Fully leather wrapped in Ginger with french stitching
and perforated inserts
Door Handles Satin Brushed Nickel
Door Sills Satin Brushed Nickel
Sound System Kenwood touch panel with full Kenwood sound system
Features Navigation, dual rear seat entertainment

EXTRAS
Reese Signature Series 24K hitch
AMP Research electrically retractable step boards
AMP research billet fuel filler door
Magnaflow 4.5" Polished stainless steel exhaust

With Tom Lasorda acting as the chief negotiator for Chrysler LLC, Bob Nardelli’s voice had long been waited to be heard. Last Monday as the tentative contract was completely ratified by the union, the Chrysler Chief Executive Officer said that he is pleased with what the negotiations have come up with. Nardelli sees the new contract as money saving as it is expected to raise more cash by selling $1 billion worth of real estate and buildings the company does not need.

"The auto industry has an insatiable desire for cash,'' Nardelli said during an interview before participants in the American Magazine Conference in Boca Raton, Fla., that was broadcast live over the Internet.

Also last Monday, Chrysler confirmed the appointment of L. John Cataldo as the new vice-president for business development and merges and acquisitions. As the company seeks for overseas expansion through partnership with other automakers, Cataldo’s role is very critical. Prior to his appointment, Cataldo had been working for General Electric Co. for 13 years while Nardelli had been a GE executive and chief executive at Home Depot Inc.

The labor agreement between Chrysler and the UAW covers the almost 45,000 workers in Chrysler facilities all over America. The pact was approved by the 56 percent of the production workers and 51 percent of the skilled workers finished after the last tally on Saturday. The deal entails lower wages for new employees and a union-controlled heath care trust for the retired UAW members. To finish this year’s series of negotiations, the UAW is readying itself to deal with Ford Motor Co. ( dealer of Volvo pressure plate)

For Nardelli, the contract was “revolutionary”. The CEO also said that the retiree health care trust will give the workers confidence that their health needs will be attended to and at the same time will spare Chrysler’s time to focus on their own business.

Nardelli was appointed to the CEO post of Chrysler LLC in August after Daimler AG dropped the automaker. Prior to Nardelli’s appointment, the controlling stakes at Chrysler LLC was sold to Cerberus Capital Management LP.

Yesterday, Toyota Motors announced that it will make a $2 million donation to the American Red Cross to fund their relief efforts for the wildfires in California. According to the Red Cross, Toyota’s donation is one of the biggest that they have received. Aside from the cash, the Japanese automaker also committed to give Toyota lift trucks and palette jacks for unloading and distribution of relief goods.

"Toyota is a valued partner of the American Red Cross. We are extremely grateful for this generous donation that will enable the Red Cross to provide life-saving support to the affected communities in southern California," said Mark W. Everson, President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

"This donation will be critical in helping the Red Cross provide essential relief in the immediate aftermath of the fires." Everson added.

"It's our hope that aid may quickly reach those who fell victim to the California wildfires," said Jim Lentz, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA (its Lexus plants makes Lexus starter).

"We owe a debt of gratitude to courageous firefighters and disaster relief organizations like the American Red Cross."

Toyota’s gifts will be utilized by the Red Cross to sustain their relief efforts in Southern California as the area is being pestered by wildfires. The American Red Cross is providing its residents, fire fighters and volunteers with shelter, food water, clean up and comfort kits and medical and mental services. In Southern California, Red Cross have 3,000 workers and volunteers from all over America. During the whole disaster, the Red Cross provided the following services:
• Opened 24 shelters providing displaced residents with a safe place to stay
• Mobilized tens of thousands of cots, blankets, comfort kits, and clean-up supplies
• Volunteers are staffing 75 Emergency Response Vehicles, providing hot meals and snacks to residents, firefighters and first responders
• Red Cross mental health counselors are available to help residents and emergency workers in the affected areas manage the stress and fear that accompanies all disasters

The wildfires almost hit the northern edge of a Toyota Tacoma plant in Southern California. The 701 acre area employs 800 Toyota workers and 400 employees for Toyota employees.

Americans regarded hatchbacks as “cheap hatches” in the 1970s as the country then were enamored with bigger cars. Hatches are more common in Japan and Europe, but with fresh names and technologies, hatchbacks are now back in the American market with consumers chasing after them.

Riding the increasing sales of small cars of 27.9 percent in 2005 and 31.2 percent in 2006, more hatchbacks are expected to dramatically return.

Forbesautos.com listed the hottest hatchbacks that combines the elements of artistic style, sportiness, economy and fuel efficiency, here they are:

Audi A3
Audi calls it a "Sportback," but what the Audi A3 most resembles a shrunken station wagon. Built on the same platform and packing identical 2.0- and 3.2-liter engine choices, the A3 is like the GTI or R32 wearing fancier (some might say conservative) clothes.
Besides the visual differences, the A3 is more luxury-minded inside, and coddles the driver with options like Open Sky, a two-pane panoramic sunroof. With a base price of around $26,000, it is also the most expensive of the latest crop of hatches.

Mazdaspeed3
The Mazdaspeed3 is the hotted-up variant of the Mazda3 that's only available as a hatchback. The Speed3, as it's called by enthusiasts, benefits from a stiffened body, sports suspension, 263-hp turbocharged engine and six-speed transmission.
There's just one option package that makes the Mazdaspeed3 surprisingly luxurious, with Xenon lights, a premium stereo and leather seats. A navigation system is the sole standalone option. Pricing begins at $22,400 and tops out under $26,000.

Mini Cooper S
The basic Mini Cooper is entertaining to drive, but add the S's turbocharger and it becomes a 172-hp pit bull. A wide stance and tight sports suspension add to the excitement by providing razor-sharp handling.
While the interior with its manifold switches and oversized gauges can be too playful for some, the sturdy and perfectly balanced platform will make you forgive the over-exuberance while you're tossing the car around sharp corners. Pricing begins at $21,000, but the extensive menu of expensive options pushes average prices considerably closer to $30,000.

Smart Fortwo
The C30's smallest competitor, the tiny second-generation Smart Fortwo will appear in the U.S. in early 2008. If you don't need to carry more than one passenger or a few groceries, it may be the perfect car for zipping around the city.
With a 1.0-liter three cylinder engine making 71 hp, it's no speed demon, but sportiness isn't the main Smart selling point. Far more important is that it attains 53 mpg and can be parked almost anywhere, including head-on into a space meant for parallel parking. Pricing will begin at $11,590.

Volkswagen GTI
Arriving to the tune of Ronnie and the Daytonas' "Little GTO," VW helped create the hot hatch category in 1983. The legend lives on with the latest GTI, the fifth generation of what many would call the quintessential hatchback.
Available in two- and four-door versions, the GTI gets 200 hp out of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Pricing starts at $23,805.

Volkswagen R32
The R32 is the GTI's macho sibling — a 3.2-liter V6 good for 250 hp is jammed under the same hood. Helping control the power delivery is VW's semi-automatic dual-clutch DSG transmission.
The R32 has plenty of speed, but it also boasts control: VW's 4Motion four-wheel-drive system is there to make sure the power gets to the road. Starting price is $33,630.

Volvo C30
The C30 (with built-in Volvo parking brake cable) puts a 227-hp turbocharged engine into a sleek two-door body that can be customized in myriad ways. From exterior colors to interior treatments to accessories, Volvo says it's possible to create 5 million unique combinations.
Although Volvo claims the highest horsepower-to-weight ratio in the class, the C30 emphasizes style over performance. On the road, it feels less zippy than all those horses would promise. The base C30 can be had for $22,700.