2008 Toyota Avalon

At one time the Toyota Avalon was the answer to a question only few asked – the cost increase over the Camry being the most questionable. The 2008 Avalon is a very different car from previous generations. Obviously, the finery – new front bumper, grille and headlights as well as some...

2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4

Driving towards Putnam Park race track, a regional facility about 80 kilometres west of Indianapolis, my mind is running double time – how is a front-drive car with a compliant, comfortable ride going to handle a 2.9-kilometre, 10-turn thrashing? After all, a front driver puts the bulk...

2008 Honda Accord Sedan

Today, it seems every new model comes with more – more space, more technology, more power and, in the case of the 2008 Accord, more to confuse. Walking towards the eighth generation, you spot the differences immediately. The bolder lines bring an upscale visage that moves the sedan...

2008 BMW M3

Crank the new BMW M3 to life and its bassy burble resonates with a meanness that says business. Blip the gas pedal (or the eight individual throttle butterflies to be exact), and the ensuing crescendo might have been inspired by Beethoven’s 1812 overture – it is a siren so purposeful...

2007 Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen showed the first GTI at the Frankfurt auto show in 1975, a year later it was launched in Europe. Meanwhile, Canada had to wait for the second-generation car and 1984 before finding out what the pocket-rocket (or hot-hatch) phenomenon was all about – before the GTI there...

2007 Mercedes Benz SL

Since the mid 1950’s the Mercedes SL has been an iconic benchmark – it started when the original 300 SL “Gullwing” made its world premiere at the New York auto show in 1954. Since then, there have been some memorable models, with the recently introduced 604 horsepower SL65,...

2007 Audi RS4 sedan

Give me a P. Give me an O. Give me a W. Give me an E. Give me an R. What have you got? The 2007 Audi RS4. As I was getting ready to test drive the RS4, I was told to expect some surprises. What I did not expect was the RS4’s presence, performance and the manner in which it eats...

2007 Acura TSX

The Acura TSX is the antithesis of the North American version of Honda’s latest Accord. One is keen, agile and keys on performance, the other takes comfort and roominess to heart. It speaks to the fundamental differences between the two continents. One is packed with tight twisty...