Mini Cooper S Clubman Performance

The front-wheel-drive 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman is propelled by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 172 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Flooring the throttle activates a brief "overboost" function good for 192 lb-ft. Our test car was equipped with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. We recorded a 0-60-mph sprint of 7.2 seconds — expect manual-shift cars to shave a few tenths off that time. The regular Cooper S is quicker, but not by much.

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Mazda MAZDA3 Performance
On the skid pad, the Mazda3 managed an impressive 0.86g. Steering feel was very sporty, and it was easy for our driver to place the car and maintain its arc. The 3 was a superstar on the slalom, cresting a stellar-for-its-class 65 mph and offering the sort of responsiveness, agility and performance that places it head and shoulders above the norm in the economy sedan category. The car's superlative grip and balance make it fun to run through the cones. The 3 nabbed a "Very Good" rating from our evaluators in the area of skid pad and slalom testing.

Shamansky David Blog Volkswagen Tiguan
Maybe you've seen billboards or print ads hawking the wares of H&M, a European-based department store that opened its doors in the United States a few years ago. The glossy ad campaign does a great job of conveying the retailer's formula for success: clothes with a European feel, at prices that are more Kmart than Bloomingdale's. Volkswagen, of course, has long used a similar formula, offering vehicles with Germanic personalities at prices that navigate the distance between economy and entry-level luxury. The latest example of this strategy is the company's first compact crossover SUV, the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan.

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Test Drive: 2008 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 Quattro

A Great Car That Misses Its Mark

Vehicle Tested: 2008 Audi TT 3.2 quattro 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)
Pros: Brilliant S tronic transmission, surprising handling ability, nifty adjustable suspension, anyone-friendly front seats, usable cargo space, peerless interior execution.
Cons: Palpitation-causing as-tested price, some will find the ride too rough, Oompa-Loompa-friendly backseats, horribly outdated iPod interface.

Click. The magnetic ride suspension is engaged. Clack. The S tronic transmission gearlever slides into manual mode. Click. The left paddle shifter labeled "-" is pressed. Vroom. The transmission blips the 3.2-liter V6 as it instantaneously drops itself into 3rd gear.

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Nissan GT-R: Function
Unlike some other supercars, the GT-R features a rather sizable trunk that can fit two sets of golf clubs and a standard carry-on roller suitcase. The lift-over is very high, though, and the rear transaxle and gas tank underneath can heat up your groceries.

David Shamansky News Ford Flex Limited
Performance

Weighing in at 4,828 pounds, the 2009 Ford Flex is an awfully big box — and that's when it's empty of passengers and their stuff. Still, with a respectable 262-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 aboard, our all-wheel-drive Flex Limited managed to get up from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds — which is just a hair slower than the last all-wheel-drive Saturn Outlook and Mazda CX-9 we tested. Better news can be found when going from 60 to zero mph, as the Flex bucks Ford's recent trend of horrendous braking performances with a very respectable emergency stopping distance of 128 feet.

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