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We have just had a handful of laps on a damp racetrack in the new BMW 335is, but it only takes one trip around the Estoril circuit in Portugal to recognize that this car is no poseur in the shadow of the grandstands. The "s" that's been appended to the 335i tag stands for sport, and BMW has made adjustments to the powertrain and suspension to back that up. With the 414-hp M3 and the dynamic 335i already in BMW's lineup, though, the 335is certainly needs to make a case for itself since it's bracketed by such capable cars.inline_mediumwraptextright27864952/reviews/driven/1001_2011_bmw_335is1001_03_z+2011_bMW_335is+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

The CX-9 is a nice vehicle, but it's hardly a Mazda. The entire package feels like it could be another one of the General Motors Acadia/Enclave/Traverse crossover trio from the size, to the driving dynamics, to the styling. That's not really a slam; the GM crossovers are fine vehicles-it's just that I expect more character from a Mazda.inline_mediumwraptextright31948248/reviews/editors_notebook/1001_2010_mazda_cx9_grand_touring1001_06_z+2010_mazda_cX-9_grand_touring+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

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

We've had two different Audi S5 models in the office this month: this V-8 coupe and also an S5 Cabriolet with Audi's fabulous new supercharged V-6 engine. Whereas the supercharged V-6 makes 333 hp, the V-8 surpasses it with 354; torque figures are identical: 325 lb-ft, but the V-6 delivers it starting lower down in the rev range.inline_mediumwraptextright2010 Audi S5 Coupe31941081/reviews/editors_notebook/1001_2010_audi_s5_coupe1001_02_z+2010_audi_s5_coupe+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

The Honda Element's dog package is a win-win for both Honda and dog owners. For Honda, it's a way to attract some attention and customers to an appealing but aging model with minimal engineering investment. For dog owners, the affordable $995 package offers both the whimsical and the practical. For instance, the heavy-duty rubber floor mats with the dog-bone pattern are both fun and useful. The seat upholstery now has subtle drawings of dogs woven into it (don't worry, it looks cool and you'd hardly notice it). Most important, there's a comfortable and safe fabric kennel for your pooch that sits on a raised platform in the rear cargo area, and there's a slide-out ramp so that small or old dogs can prance right on up into the kennel (which is like a tent) and plop themselves down onto the cushy bed. A built-in, spill-resistant water bowl and an electric fan offer relief during hot weather.inline_mediumwraptextright26594423/reviews/editors_notebook/1001_2010_honda_element_ex_4wd1001_06_z+2010_honda_element_eX_4WD+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Like most people my age, I absolutely love not paying for stuff, especially when that stuff comes from my parents. So when the folks said they were visiting Illinois to check on the house they have for sale (a nearly new, five-bedroom, brick-front home in Arlington Heights that's recently been reduced - you're welcome, Dad) I saw an opportunity to literally clean house.inline_mediumwraptextright32017134/reviews/editors_notebook/1001_2010_ford_transit_connect_xlt_van1001_04_z+2010_ford_transit_connect_xLT_van+storage.jpgTrue

Chronologically and alphabetically, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a direct follow-up to the SLR, the supercar that was the offspring of a seven-year fling between Mercedes and McLaren. In reality, however, the SLS is the Mercedes that's supposed to make you forget about the SLR and hark back five decades to the magical 300SL Gullwing. One look - from any angle - at an SLS with the doors ajar is akin to being slipped a dose of Rohypnol. Memories of the SLR simply fade away.inline_mediumwraptextright32006289/reviews/driven/1002_2011_mercedes_benz_sls_amg1002_12_z+2011_mercedes-Benz_sLS_aMG+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

While not exactly eye-catching, I don't find the HS250h homely, as was intimated in our preview of it in the 2010 New Cars issue. Instead, I find the HS250h to be fairly innocuous. It's perfectly nice to drive if you're not interested in scorching the pavement, its interior is well put together and has all the niceties you expect in a Lexus, and its hybrid system works well, with the transition between electric and gasoline power mostly unnoticeable. All in all, a car that Lexus followers who want to own a green car will no doubt be happy to drive.inline_mediumwraptextright31947123/green/reviews/1001_2010_lexus_hs_250h_premium1001_04_z+2010_lexus_hS_250h+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

When I first learned that the LR3 would be gaining a direct-injection engine and changing its name to LR4, I thought the minor changes didn't warrant a new name. I still don't think the new name makes any sense (Does this mean that the LR2 will turn into an LR3 if it's ever refreshed? How confusing will used-vehicle shopping be then?), but I no longer feel the changes are so minor.inline_mediumwraptextright31946763/reviews/editors_notebook/1001_2010_land_rover_lr41001_05_z+2010_land_rover_lR4+side_view.jpgTrue

We liked the new Mazda 2 from the moment it was announced. The idea of sharply reducing weight and aerodynamic drag while increasing power synced perfectly with our automotive philosophy. In our November 2008 "Cars We Need Now" issue, we called the smallest Mazda "a car that ought to be available for our market." We backed up our belief in its virtues by putting an example in our Four Seasons fleet. Since it wasn't yet available in the United States (it's coming this summer), we asked Mazda Europe to loan us a 1.5-liter four-door hatchback with the sport package in France. The twin-cam four-cylinder pumps out 102 hp and, over our test period, managed a respectable 32 mpg despite most of our use being in low-speed urban traffic.inline_mediumwraptextright27600877/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1002_2008_mazda_2_wrap_up1002_07_z+2008_mazda_2+side_view.jpgTrue

Although a car's exterior frequently attracts more attention than its cabin, when it came time to style the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept -- which makes its world debut at the 2010 Detroit auto show -- designers worked from the inside out.inline_mediumwraptextright26564306/features/news/1001_cadillac_xts_concept1001_06_z+cadillac_xTS_concept+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Lincoln rolled out a new MKX crossover at the 2010 Detroit auto show. Like most refreshes these days, the MKX packs more power, new technology, and a variety of refinements. Oh, and it finally gets the corporate Lincoln nose.inline_mediumwraptextright26567840/features/news/1001_2011_lincoln_mkx_crossover1001_02_z+2011_lincoln_mKX_crossover+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Here are all the juicy details on the 2011 Honda CR-Z. we've seen this car several times in prototype and concept form, but now the real car is out and the reactions are very positive.inline_mediumwraptextright31981836/green/news/1001_2011_honda_cr_z_hybrid2011-honda-CR-z-rear-three-quarters-view.jpgTrue

Looking for a smaller Prius? Toyota officially announced the Prius sub-brand of vehicles (all powered by the Hybrid Synergy Drive system) will become a reality at the 2010 Detroit auto show. Toyota's FT CH concept will be smaller and cheaper than the current Prius if it reaches production. Though the FT CH is quite a bit smaller than the Prius, it is nearly as wide and has been designed to maximize interior volume.inline_mediumwraptextright31992180/green/news/1001_toyota_ft_ch_concept1001_03_z+toyota_fT-CH_concept+side_view.jpgTrue

With GMC being one of GM's four core brands, GM is looking at expanding its lineup by offering smaller vehicles. The GMC Granite concept is the brand's smallest vehicle ever, but retains the functionality of a larger vehicle thanks to its "industrial-inspired" design.inline_mediumwraptextright27769336/features/news/1001_gmc_granite_concept1001_06_z+gMC_granite_concept+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

To showcase its ability to meld fuel economy and fun, Volkswagen unveiled its New Compact Coupe at the 2010 Detroit auto show. The New Compact Coupe features a hybrid drivetrain that allows it to get up to 45 mpg while maintaining a fun-to-drive nature.inline_mediumwraptextright31976001/features/news/1001_volkswagen_new_compact_coupevolkswagen-compact-coupe-with-dancers.jpgTrue