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It would have been the perfect birthday bash: Audi celebrates its July 16, 2009, centenary with the rebirth of an icon - the original 1980 Coupe Quattro. But it wasn't to be. Although the concept car was almost complete, the board pulled the handbrake at the eleventh hour. What happened? All of a sudden, the brand chiefs decided that Audi should present itself in a less aggressive and more eco-friendly manner.

The SLK has been a solid success since its launch in 1996. In early 2011, we'll see the third generation of the roadster, which wants to be more aggressive in appearance and character. Despite a slightly longer front end (to comply with European pedestrian-protection rules), a mildly extended trunk (which holds 11.2 cubic feet instead of 9.8), and a longer wheelbase (for improved stability), the target weight is reduced by more than 200 pounds. The cabin adopts certain E-class elements, but the design theme is much sportier and less ornamental. Options include a two-speed neck-and-back warmer, heated and ventilated seats with massage, night vision, lane-departure warning, and active cruise control. The chassis will be tuned for more grip and quicker responses; new items include adjustable dampers, eighteen-inch wheels, bigger brakes, and variable-ratio steering. A direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 will be available at launch; later, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 (in two versions, producing about 300 hp and 350 hp, respectively) steps in. The AMG model starts out with the 6.2-liter V-8 that's familiar to most of the AMG lineup but is significantly hotter than the current SLK55 AMG's aged powerplant. The 6.2-liter will eventually give way to a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V-8, which matches its power and torque while substantially bettering its mileage and lowering emissions. Mercedes-Benz's Blue Efficiency effort could add hybrid elements after 2010 and even a plug-in hybrid in 2013.

Where Ferrari and Lamborghini are concerned, the rivalry is so perfect that, if it didn't exist, some Hollywood screenwriter would have to invent it.

With the arrival of the CTS Sport Wagon and a coupe model in the near future, Cadillac is setting the stage for a product lineup much more closely mimicking that of BMW's 3 Series. For decades, BMW has spread its engineering costs over several 3 Series body styles and capitalized on the recognition and reputation of the mainstream sedan. The wagons, convertibles, and coupes may not sell in the same volumes as the 3 Series sedan, but each one certainly plays a role in BMW's business. We drove a 2009 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon to see how the golden standard of the sport sedan world translated into a wagon.