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More than any other BMW product, the 5-series must walk a fine tightrope to balance the company’s reputation for sport sedans and luxury cruisers. That responsibility, to be all things to all people, is a particularly tough job for the 5-series, but with new engines, a fresh look, and refined adaptive dynamics, the new 2011 BMW 5-series is eager to battle the diverse competition in the mid-size class from Lexus and Mercedes-Benz to Infiniti and Audi.inline_mediumwraptextright27841597/reviews/driven/1001_2011_bmw_5_series1001_03_z+2011_bMW_5-Series+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

The history books would have you believe that the West was once a wild place. But if you're braving the sweltering California desert and happen upon a little town called Palm Springs, you'd never know it. The dusty bandits, merciless bounty hunters, and untamed renegades are long gone, replaced by air-conditioned cafés, opulent galleries, and swanky day spas. The only weapons in use are those rumbling under the hoods of the many exotic and classic cars cruising the boulevard. The desert people clearly favor Cadillacs over Caterhams, though - luxury rules the West now.inline_mediumwraptextright31921479/reviews/driven/1001_2010_bmw_760li_mercedes_benz_s63_amg_porsche_panamera_turbo_video1002_02_z+2010_mercedes-Benz_s63_aMG_bMW_760Li+porsche_panamera_turbo.jpgTrue

The history books would have you believe that the West was once a wild place. But if you're braving the sweltering California desert and happen upon a little town called Palm Springs, you'd never know it. The dusty bandits, merciless bounty hunters, and untamed renegades are long gone, replaced by air-conditioned cafés, opulent galleries, and swanky day spas. The only weapons in use are those rumbling under the hoods of the many exotic and classic cars cruising the boulevard. The desert people clearly favor Cadillacs over Caterhams, though - luxury rules the West now.inline_mediumwraptextright27714478/reviews/driven/1002_2010_bmw_760li_mercedes_benz_s63_amg_porsche_panamera_turbo_comparison1002_01_z+2010_mercedes-Benz_s63_aMG_bMW_760Li+porsche_panamera_turbo.jpgTrue

The Ralliart is a car that cuts about 25 percent from the Evo's price while only losing about 5 percent of the fun. There's still plenty of power from the boosted four-cylinder and the six-speed dual-clutch transmission is a pro at rev-matching downshifts. With a light dusting of snow on the ground, the Sportback Ralliart happily slides its rear around corners at the direction of your right foot, but the all-wheel drive is always ready to pull things back into line.inline_mediumwraptextright26525369/reviews/editors_notebook/1001_2010_mitsubishi_lancer_sportback_ralliart1001_05_z+2010_mitsubishi_lancer_sportback_ralliart+side_view.jpgTrue