THE GOOD 12 - PART 1

AUDI TT Coupe

One of three Audi 'coupes' now available, the TT remains a design icon even if the second generation isn't revolutionary like the first. The latest TT is available with turbo four power or as a V6. Though it may sound strange, it's recommended by GoodCarBadCar and many others that buyers seek out the 4-cylinder model. Power is plentiful, the MSRP is an easier pill to swallow, and the balance of the vehicle as a whole is more suitable for a sporting car. Speaking of which, 'sporting nature' is where the new TT outdoes the old; and soundly. Audi doesn't sell a Porsche Boxster yet, and the TT is no R8, but driving enjoyment is present and accounted for. In addition to the consistent ability to positively affect the eyes.

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Engines: 200 or 250 horsepower, 207 or 236 lb-ft of torque from 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or 3.2LV6.

Mileage: City high = 23mpg. City low = 17mpg.

Base USD Price: $34,800

Anything Else? Audi builds a TT roadster as well, where weight is gained and beauty is lost.

WARD'S 10 BEST ENGINES

Ward's has once again named its Ten Best Engines. It seems as though Ward's Auto has staked out a claim on this category of engine ranking and is rather respected and trusted now. 2007's best engines come from four different Japanese manufacturers, the German big three, as well as Ford and GM.

Audi's 2.0L turbocharged inline-four makes 200bhp and 207 lb-ft of torque. BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six produces 300bhp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0L V6 turbodiesel in Mercedes-Benz's E-class produces 208bhp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Ironically, the three German companies infiltrated Ward's 10 Best list with four turbochargers divided amongst the three engines.

Ford's 4.6L V8 is capable of more than 300bhp in the Bullitt and Shelby GT. The 6.0L V8 in hybridized form that we've seen in the Yukon/Tahoe hybrids and GM's 3.6L V6 from the Cadillac CTS form the American contigent.

Honda's smooth and powerful 3.5L V6 from the new Accord is one of two three-and-a-half litre engines on the list. The V6 from Lexus' IS350 is another formidable powerplant. 3.7 litres equals V8-style power in the Infiniti G37, too. Finally, Mazda's 2.3L turbocharged inline-four ends the list as the fourth turbocharged model, as well as the second with just four-cylinders.

TRUE CAR COST

Consulting firm Runzheimer International has released a study that suggests purchasing and operating a Toyota Corolla wouldn't cost much more than simply operating a Cadillac STS.

The STS topped the passenger-car list of most expensive vehicles to operate, followed closely by the Lexus LS460 and Audi S4. Considering fast-rising fuel prices, V8 sedans are obvious per/mile abusers of your wallet. (Assume the exemption of $200K, 10mpg Bentley's and their ilk.)

The Corolla CE is the least expensive to operate, followed by the GLS model of Hyundai's Accent and the Chevrolet Cobalt LT. The Corolla's estimated yearly operating costs of $7,933 - based on fuel economy, insurance, depreciation, taxes, and maintenance over 15,000 miles - are $11,604 lower than that of the big Caddy. There wasn't even a truck or heavy ute that approached the STS' frightening numbers.

Should we expect the smart fortwo to make a dint in next year's most inexpensive operators? With an $11,590 base price, the obvious fuel efficiency advantage, and apparently high demand (protecting second-hand values), the money-losing brand might just provide you with a money-saving option.

$$$$$ - Your's

CDN COTY

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has named their many cars of the year. AJAC doesn't like to herald the advent of one new vehicle more than another, it seems, and so the awards are split amongst mutliple - specific - categories. The category names do not remain stagnant. For more about the proceedings, visit this link. The various winners are below. Remember, The Good 12 debuts December 20th here at GoodCarBadCar.net and carries through until the end of 2007.

Saturn Astra, Honda Accord EX sedan, Mercedes-Benz C-class, Audi R8, Mini Cooper S, Audi S5, BMW 335i convertible, Hyundai Entourage, Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue, Buick Enclave.

NEVER FOLLOW CLIP

Having just mentioned Audi's "Never Follow" campaign, GoodCarBadCar figured you might as well have a closer understanding of Audi's philosopy.

DI PRET AU TTY

Mix and match those syllables, folks. The truth you will find is almost without exception. It is difficult to find a modern ugly Audi. But the next PRET TY AU DI is always on the horizon.

The latest A4, introduced to be a 2009 model, is growing. Almost too much - let's hope the weight is kept under control. The greatest achievements Audi will want to talk to you about in terms of the next A4 are related to weight distribution and the positioning of the engine and the differential.


That diff is right behind the engine now, as in platform-mate A5, and ahead of the torque converter. This necessitates, or at least opens the possibility, of an extended wheelbase. Indeed, the A4's wheelbase is six inches longer than it used to be and just 1.6 inches shorter than that of big brother A6. All in all, that makes the wheelbase of the new A4 2 full inches longer than that of the previous-generation A6. Why're we talking about such small figures?

Well, because the profile shot of the new A4 shows some awfully gorgeous proportions. With the engine sitting a smidgen further back in the chassis, the front overhang is less noticeable, while that wheels-at-corners design creates a sporty kick-up at the rear-end from wheel to exhaust pipe. It's very athletic.

With these weight distribution changes (in addition to a new 40/60 front/rear Quattro split) comes added beautification, then. It's a wonderful thing when neither form or function follow. Just as Audi's advertisements say: 'Never Follow'.

BREAKING NEWS - TOYOTA, LEXUS, AUDI & MERCEDES-BENZ, MINI POSTING RECORD SALES IN CANADA

Ironically, on a day when Canada's figurehead Governor General, Michaelle Jean, will fly home from Europe to deal with a political crisis that was precipitated to some degree by a lack of extra funding to the automotive manufacturing sector, Toyota says that its best ever year (and it's only December 2nd) comes as a result of Canadian-built models. Excuse the long sentence - The Good Car Guy gets excited over irony.

Not only has Toyota already surpassed 2007's record-setting sales total through just eleven months, but Audi has done so, as well. Lexus and Mercedes-Benz both posted their best-ever Novembers, too.

Details will be forthcoming over the next day or so regarding both American auto sales for November as well as Canadian sales figures. For now, consider that Toyota Canada sold more than 200,000 cars in one year for the first time ever and did so in just eleven months. Lexus Canada sold at a record-setting pace for the 8th consecutive month. Audi Canada set an annual record for the third straight year but did so this year in just eleven months. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz's year-to-date growth stands at 27.7% through November.

Toyota's Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4 along with the Lexus RX350 all posted huge sales gains and are all built in Canada.

UPDATE: Mini has joined the flock of best-ever folk with its eighth-consecutive month of record sales and a best-ever November. Chrysler, Honda, Acura BMW, and Volkswagen are all down - some by large margins - but Jetta sales are waaaaaay up because of new Clean Diesel TDI availability

CAR PCOTY

British car magazine, CAR, whose editors proclaim on the cover that they offer the definitive view, has named their Performance Car of the Year.

If you're looking for consistently sound opinion, CAR may not be the place for you. Once known and perhaps even renowned for a magazine that centred on dynamic peformance, CAR has evolved into what seems to be a car-as-a-conversation-piece style magazine, with none other than Piers Morgan contributing.

Nevertheless, the PCOTY feature is certainly suggested reading. The Audi R8 was joined in the final three by the BMW M3 and Honda's Civic Type R. The Audi overcame some high-strung group members (Caterham 7 R400, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Porsche 911 GT3 RS) and the M3 and Civic didn't put up enough of a challenge.

Having already battled the Renault Clio F1 Team R27, Vauxhall Corsa VXR, and a Mini Cooper with Works package, the CTR was relegated in the final round despite obvious credentials. "A great hot hatch.... but not quite torquey or communicative enough to feel really special in this company," said the judges.

And the M3? CAR says: "Because, as good as it is, it doesn't move the M3 game on massively. Yes, it's quicker than the old car, more refined, practical and as sideways as ever, but we expect all those things from the M3."

So the R8 takes the crown. One paragraph by Chris Chilton makes very clear the overall reasoning for Audi's win. "And then I pointed the R8 home and knew we picked the right car..... The icy white markings on the dials glowed back from the dash, the Bang and Olufsen hi-fi murmured quietly, and I tried to figure out how this car costs only £76,000. It's still a lot of money in anyone's reckoning, but not for a car of this calibre. In the context of an M3 that costs £50K, a Lamborghini that shares many of the R8's parts and costs over three times as much, and a Porsche that costs £94K but can't be driven in the rain, the R8 easily cements its place as a worthy winner."

In order of their lap times around the Cadwell Park circuit (as driven by British Touring car great Matt Neal), here are CAR's candidates and a brief summary by CAR and the inevitable GoodCarBadCar take as well.

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PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS: "Even Neal thought it was too hot to handle; naturally we wanted to marry it." GCBC says: "A regular GT3 is enough 911+, the RS adds way too much cost for way too little improvement."

CATERHAM 7 R400: "Like being hardwired into the tarmac; if lapping circuits is your thing, nothing beats it." GCBC says: "Proof that a little less weight will do you good."

LAMBORGHINI SUPERLEGGERA: "Couldn't beat the GT3 on the road but was even more exciting on track." GCBC says: "Amazing that extreme examples of extreme cars can face such competition now, such as the GT3 RS, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and 911 GT2."

AUDI R8: As happy chasing Lambo's on the track as tailing eVextra's on the M25. Brilliant." GCBC says: "Audi now has more than power, looks, and Quattro on its side; the R8 is a pure driving experience."

BMW M3: "We still don't like the steering but what fun - and what an engine!" GCBC says: "The original M3 had a four fewer cylinders and a lot less luxury....."

SUBARU IMPREZA RB320: "Last of the saloon Impreza's divided opinion. Mighty fast but hard work." GCBC says: "Showcasing passion that may never be revealed on the new WRX's or STi's."

NISSAN 350Z: "Quick, but far from the sideways here at Cadwell its roundabout antics suggest." GCBC says: "The Z, as usual, laps with the big dogs for a substantially smaller cash outlay and looks good doing it."

AUDI S5: "Old style Audi - safe and competent but not fun on track; A5 TDI better on road." GCBC says: "Not fun on track, true. But stinking fast and heart-wrenchingly beautiful."

VAUXHALL VXR8: "Bargain V8 saloon better on road than on track." GCBC says: "What was CAR expecting? I'm expecting the Pontiac G8 to be very good indeed."


HONDA CIVIC TYPE R: "Almost racer-like in its responses but amazing VTEC engine needs another 40 bhp." GCBC says: "Needs a communicative chassis and steering before it needs another 40 horsepower, but it looks sweet."

RENAULT CLIO 197 F1 TEAM R27: "A proper oldschool hot hatch and great at Cadwell; but hardwork on the road." GCBC says: "If the weight remained equal to that of the old Clio, then the long-titled new Clio would be in with a shout."

MINI COOPER S WORKS: "Great to look at but minimal power increase from Works kit and poor under braking." GCBC says: "Pray the Mini brand doesn't go soft. It hasn't... yet."

VAUXHALL CORSA VXR: "Torquey engine and smooth ride great on road but VXR outclassed on circuit." GCBC says: "Have you seen this little sucker go 'round the Nurburgring?"

NEW AUDI LE MANS VIDEO IS HONEST

Audi's latest 35-second clip profiling their Le Mans efforts says quite truthfully that, "You win Indy" and that, "You win Monaco",  but "You survice Le Mans". The gruelling 24 hour race has been owned by Audi in this century and you can't deny that the Volkswagen subsidiary knows what it takes: straight-up perserverance.

Check out the clip below to see Audi's terrifying humour at the end of the video.

CAR DESIGN PART II

In Car Design Part I (recommended reading), The Good Car guy asked the following questions: Where has design evolved the most? Where has modernity struck heaviest? Who designs with cookie cutters? Which design group resides 'in the box'? Does anybody?

INEXPENSIVE FAMILY VEHICLES

MID-ENGINED SPORTS CARS

From the top: Chevrolet Malibu, Volvo S40, Mazda 5, Audi R8, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Lotus Europa, Porsche Cayman

BEST WINTER CARS PART II

BusinessWeek's automotive section recently showcased winter's best automobiles. Along with the vehicles brandished ↓ and in Part I, BusinessWeek provided some interesting statistics.


SUBARU OUTBACK: BW says: "The Outback has as much ground clearance as the taller Tribeca SUV (which is based on the same platform), and like all Subarus, the Outback has permanent all-wheel drive as standard equipment." TGCG says: "The Outback is an obvious choice and obviously good."


VOLVO XC70: BW says: "Ground clearance is almost three inches higher than the V70 wagon, and only a fraction of an inch less than the more imposing Volvo XC90 SUV." TGCG says: "The previous XC70 was the most comfortable vehicle I've ever spent a weekend in, a weekend with snow and sun. I expect nothing less from the new Cross Country."

AUDI A6 AVANT: BW says: "Besides Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the A6 Avant has headlight washers. Standard equipment includes heated front seats and heated exterior mirrors. A cold-weather package of options ($600) includes heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a removable ski sack to keep melted snow from dripping in the rear cargo area." TGCG says: "Much as I love the headlight washers, I stick to the imposing appearance and impressive capabilities as reasons for making wintry use of an A6 wagon."

TOYOTA SIENNA: BW says: "The Sienna is rare among minivans in that it has all-wheel drive in its highest trim and equipment levels." TGCG says: "You and your's and their's and their stuff will fit comfortably and possibly unaware of the peril outside."

HONDA RIDGELINE: BW says: "The oddly styled Honda Ridgeline gets good marks for off-road performance in slippery conditions, with a driver-friendly combination of all-wheel drive, traction control, antilock brakes, stability control, and a five-speed automatic transmission that helps take care of most slippery situations automatically." TGCG says: "It may look funny, but the Ridgeline is capability personified."

TOYOTA FJ CRUISER: BW says: "Toyota says the FJ Cruiser is the most capable off-road SUV in the Toyota lineup." TGCG says: "That lineup is freakin' full of SUV's, too. Put a plow on the front and take care of every driveway in the neighbourhood. So cool."

HUMMER H2: BW says: "Features aimed more specifically at Old Man Winter include heated front and rear seats, heated outside mirrors, and remote starting." TGCG says: "Read my review."

RANGE ROVER: BW says: "With a single knob, the driver can select one of five modes, depending on the road (or off-road) surface: general, for everyday pavement; grass/gravel/snow, for slippery conditions; sand; mud and ruts; and "rock crawl." The system governs throttle response, automatic transmission operation, electronic differentials, antilock brakes, the air suspension, traction control, and hill descent control." TGCG says: "It may be the world's most impressive all-around vehicle... the Queen seems to think so."

SATURN VUE: BW says: "The front-drive version, with a four-cylinder engine sitting over the driving wheels, probably provides enough winter traction for most people, coupled with antilock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control, all standard—plus winter tires, which cost extra." TGCG says: "The Vue is almost cool now, but not if the badge lacks the V6 and AWD alphanumerics."

TOYOTA TUNDRA: BW says: "Something called the Tundra better be able to go (and stop) in the snow, and with optional all-wheel drive this pickup certainly has the right equipment, subject to proper tires." TGCG says: "The Tundra is fast, and will accelerate almost as quickly in slippery conditions when badged 4x4. But be careful, you've many thousands of pounds to slow down."

evo SUMMARIES - ATP

British car mag evo, whose thrust is 'The Thrill of Driving', recently wrote the following regarding the subjects ↓ and GoodCarBadCar showcases them in this special Across The Pond:

(Fiat) Abarth Grande Punto: ".... But now there is a road car, the Abarth Grande Punto, and it's being displayed in this flagship showroom where we're also about to settle down for the press conference. Although clearly based on a Fiat Grande Punto, you won't find a single Fiat badge on it. There are scorpions on the wheels, a shield on the bonnet, a shield and tricolour lightning bolt on each flank, more shields inside, but not a single four-letter word beginning with 'F'...... the engine is much better than you'd expect a 1.4 to be. It's remarkably unturbo-like and, whilst it needs to be kept on the boil, it sounds good and pulls strongly between three- and five-thousand rpm." - Henry Catchpole


Mini One: "With all the brouhaha surrounding the Minis in the upper echelons of the range it's easy to forget about the One, the 1.4L entry-level model..... When it's all said and done, it's hard to knock the One. It's an honest, no-frills tool that delivers on all levels. So unless you're after a full-blown hot-hatch, our advice is to keep it cheap and keep it cheerful. After all, it's the way Minis used to be." - Roger Green


Audi A4 3.2 Quattro S-Line: "The tuneful V6 makes short work of straights and slow-moving traffic, while high grip levels and tight body control make for impressive composure when you up the pace.... For all its talents, though, the A4 feels slightly inert from behind the wheel. It;s undeniably capable, combining agility and pace, but the whole experience is very businesslike..... Don't despair though, because it's an improvement on the old car across the board, which means the legend of the RS4 is in safe hands." - Ross Pinnock

External links:
Punto
Mini
New A4

3 GERMANS

Mercedes-Benz has been building high-powered bruisers for quite a few years, not only through their in-house AMG tuner, but in the main part of their showrooms, too. Even run-of-the-mill E-classes are sometimes more powerful than recent AMG products.

Watch the C63 AMG in action

Audi has been declared by many the builder of terrific automobiles that lack a satisfactory connection with the driver. Too much weight on the nose; too much assist for steering and brakes. The RS4 and R8 sing a different song.

Watch the RS4 in action

BMW builds famous fast cars. Their followers know the cars not by model designation but by internal code name - E36, E46, E92. M, as in Motorsport, BMW's have long been regarded as the cream of the crop; in addition to their standing as the driver's choice.

Watch the M3 in action

Car&Driver compared the three latest small supersedans (the BMW is a 2-door but offers the space you need and will be available in 4-door fashion) a short time ago and came away with unsurprising end results. Audi finished third, Mercedes filled the middle, and BMW took the prize. But there's more than just the surface to see. GoodCarBadCar offers you the numbers.

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163, 161, 153: The governed top speeds for the RS4, M3, and C63, respectively. The German gentlemen's agreement to shutter top speed at 155 isn't completely working, but it's close.

3.9: Seconds required for the Mercedes to reach 60mph. This is exoticar fast, folks, and you can utilize this speed on an interstate on-ramp with your family aboard.

6: Speeds in the transmission's of both the Audi and BMW, all 6 of which must be found by you, the driver.

7: Gears in the automatic-equipped Mercedes.

451: Horsepower produced by the 6.2L AMG V8, 31 more than its closest competitor, the Audi, which is 6 stronger than the BMW.

8.6: Pounds which each BMW horse must tote, the best ratio in the test despite its comparably low power rating.

295: Pound-feet of torque at your disposal in the BMW M3's high-revving V8, 148 less than the AMG V8.

10: Miles traveled for each gallon consumed by C/D's test driver's in the Mercedes, four fewer miles than the Audi or BMW would journey.

85: Decibels produced by the M3 at full-throttle, 6 more than both the Audi and Benz. Beautiful. 4034: Pounds of metal, plastic, and cowhide needed to construct one Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, 220 more than the Audi which is 243 pounds heavier than the BMW.


51: Cubic feet of interior volume available to front passengers in the Audi and BMW, 2 more than Mercedes provides.

39: Cubic feet of interior volume available to rear passengers in the Audi and Mercedes, 2 more than the BMW provides.

17: Cubic feet of trunk volume available to Mafia victims in the Mercedes, 4 more than the Audi provides; 6 more than the BMW.

15: Inches of front discs Audi offers for your braking pleasure, the size of a base Honda Civic's wheels.

40: Profile of BMW's tires, the tallest available in the trio, although the Benz's front tires are equal.

59.5: Percentage of total vehicle weight the Audi rests on its front axle, 7.6 percentage points more than the BMW.

AUDI Q5 CROSS CABRIO

What's Audi smoking? Everyone else was making plans to see the production Q5, a sub-Q7 crossover utility, when Audi dropped this bomb. This Q5 Cross Cabriolet, a successor to the Q5 Cross Coupe, does have a few unique features. (Keep in mind, the LA auto show is not known for Geneva or Tokyo style oddball vehicles.)

Electric ride-height adjustment spans 1.6 inches, which, now that I think of it.... isn't very much of a span. The taller body style of an SUV has enabled Audi to build a double-floor which turns the convertible into a closed structure, creating a far stiffer vehicle than expected of a concept - or production - cabriolet. As has become common for European concept vehicles in North America, the Audi Q5 XCabrio is powered by a strong and economical 3.0L diesel. 369 lb-ft of torque and 240 horsepower are shuttled to four wheels by an 8-speed auto in this 32mpg Q5.

The navigation system is a Google Earth system, where simply touching the place you want to go is sufficient to beam up the directions. Monster 21-inch wheels and a copper sunset paint job are the final touches on a stunning, though slightly awkward and unexpected Audi debut. We await the genuine article.

AUDI A6 WILL OFFER SIMPLE-TO-CLEAN ALLOY WHEELS FROM ALCOA

Somebody needs to take this Alcoa technology and apply it to toilets. Imagine if toilets cleaned with water; and water only? 

Dura-Bright, a registered trademark of Alcoa, will be applied to Audi A6 wheels in this the 60th anniversary year of Alcoa. Aiding resale value and personal pride levels, the Dura-Bright stuff will make dirty wheels with peeling lacquer a thing of the past, at least on Audi A6s.

Click this link to watch an explanatory video at StrongWheels.com, an Alcoa site. Keep in mind, these wheels are forged, not cast, and thus weigh about 20% less; thereby reducing unsprung weight. Unsprung weight, oh Good Car Nation, is the arch-enemy of all vehicle dynamics engineers and the unknown enemy of girls across SoCal whose 17-year old boyfriend equipped his '94 Civic with 20" wheels and brakes to match.

AUDI A4 OUTSELLS THE REST OF AUDI IN CANADA DURING OCTOBER '08

Recently booted out of the European Car of the Year competition along with the BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XF, and Volkswagen Scirocco, the Audi A4 proved in Canada that it doesn't really care.

Well, the A4 is an inanimate object and therefore doesn't care about anything. But in personification terms, the A4 ignored Euro COTY and became the car of the year for hundreds of Canadians. 

In fact, tha A4 was so popular in Canada that it propelled Audi Canada sales to a level 67% higher than in the previous October. Moreoever, the A4 family was so popular in Canada that it outsold all other Audis combined. The A3 was the next-best, followed by the Q7 and A5/S5. Add up all Audis - including the TT, A8, A6, and R8 - and you still can't touch the excellent new A4 for sales.

BOOMERANG TRACKING'S TOP 5 MOST STOLEN VEHICLES IN CANADA

If you've been an active member of The Good Car Nation this morning, you already know which car sits at the top of this list. Follow that link back to learn more about Boomerang Tracking and read below to learn about the most stolen vehicles in Canada. Since GoodCarBadCar.net loves Top 5 lists and Boomerang provides the Top 10, hear ye this: the '94 Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance hatchback is likely part of the list because of its, shall we say, lack of security. Audi's 2000 TT Quattro sits at #9. The '98 Acura Integra is in the #8 spot. Numbers 7, 6, and 5 belong to variants of the '94 Dodge Caravan. 

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#4 - '94 ACURA INTEGRA: Loved by every tuner and appreciated by all for its quality, the Integra was a stellar car with multiple positive characteristics.

#3 - '04 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX & WRX STI: Early in its North American life, this turbocharged Japanese rally rocket was about as desirable a real-world car as could be found on the continent. Apparently thieves feel the same way as the rest of us.

#2 - '00 HONDA CIVIC SIR: While we joined with the Americans in naming the current Civic Si the, er... Civic Si; the previous generations were stuck with SiR north of the 49th. The good ol' Honda double wishbone front suspension with a high-revving inline-four that made VTEC a household brand was ripe for modification. This Civic was simply a very good car. So good in fact that slightly older models were ripe for thievery as well.

#1 - '99 HONDA CIVIC SIR: With prices for stock SiRs around $10,000 for a 10 year old car and not likely to budge anytime soon, one can understand - and still blame - auto thieves proclivity for jacking this Honda. 

JAPAN TRIO vs GERMAN TRIO: Altima, Camry, Accord battle A4, 3-Series, C-Class

For Canadian consumers seeking luxury and speed in one roomy package, the ability to hit up mainstream Japanese manufacturer dealerships doesn't necessarily strike you as obvious. Isn't this German territory, or at least a place where premium Japanese brands contend?

The Honda Accord, a Good 12 winner, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima can likely offer you more features than you know what to do with. Moreoever, their high horsepower levels (Accord 271; Camry 268; Altima 270) produce quite a spark underfoot when pressed, preferrably without two booster seats in the rear and a trunk full of groceries. Is the Japanese trio a partnership of sport sedans? Not at all, but that's not to say they won't shock you with their dynamic capability.

From Germany come lesser-powered alternatives with less space for your people and smaller cargo areas for your stuff. But sport sedans? Oh yes. The 230-bhp BMW 328i with a six-speed manual will light your fire on the backroad commute. Audi's recently renewed A4, in turbocharged form with 211 horsepower, is a better steed than ever before, and the Mercedes-Benz C300 with 228-bhp is a new dynamic force. In fact, BMW and Mercedes-Benz could provide you with 200 and 201 horsepower, respectively, and save you plenty of money in the process. But saving money in this climate? Who needs it? The Japanese trio below is loaded to the gunnels with equipment and flies high into a price spectrum you won't believe.

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Nissan ALtima 3.5SE: $39,938 or (est.) $44,520 with tax

BMW 328i: $39,900 or (est.) $45,087 with tax

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI: $41,200 or (est.) $46,556 with tax

Mercedes-Benz C300: $41,200 or (est.) $46,556 with tax

Toyota Camry XLE V6: $42,629 or $49,849 with tax

Honda Accord: $47,368 or $55,265 with tax

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Imagine heading to the Audi, M-B, or BMW dealership to save money when Honda and Toyota wanted to charge too much. Let's be honest, though. For the Germans to meet the equipment makeup of the three Japanese sedans, their MSRPs would skyrocket. The Accord, with every possible accessory, a back-up camera and the best wheels possible, would drive by looking like.... an Accord. Meanwhile, its occupants would be basking in amazing luxury. Meanwhile, the 3-Series on its tiny (and ugly) 16" wheels looks impoverished and awkward, but does have a blue and white propeller. 

Oh, and if you want to actually enjoy driving the car rather than being driven in the car, you know only the Germans will do the trick.

AUDI NO LONGER 4-WHEELS ONLY - THE CALAMARO CONCEPT

Beyond typical GoodCarBadCar.net means of description, we'll have to let the pictures speak for themselves. This is the Audi Calamaro concept, "inspired by the bone of the cuttlefish" - I'm not seeing it - and surprisingly, not by squid, the design was completed by a young Hungarian.

Naming processes never go the way I'd like, but surely Audi could've discovered something other than the last name of an Argentinian composer?

Absolutely useless, then, this Audi Calamaro. But boys does it look good or what?

AUDI A6 VARITIES

Variety is the spice of life. Personally, I'll add oregano to everything; basil is great, too. Dill weed is surprisingly all-around worthy.

Apologies for a horrible digression. Audi has positioned itself as a style icon, and the challenging front grille we see slapped on the front of each Audi has only enhanced consumers' opinion of the brand. Audi is on a roll and it doesn't appear that the brand famous for Quattro and four intersecting rings is slowing down any time soon.

It's interesting to look back - to the present - at Audi's ability to design. The A6 is Audi's middle sedan. Large enough; but smaller than the A8. Small enough; but larger than the A4. If Audi were Honda, the A6 would be the Accord. Although Audi has always offered plenty of engine options (V6, V8, V10 available to North America now - twin turbo V10 coming) and has always managed to keep the A6 handsome and even beautiful, you could forget the distinction that Audi is able to provide each model-within-a-model. (Europe sees plenty of diesels and four-cylinders too.)

Directly below you have the upcoming 572bhp RS6 Avant. Yowza. Above and to the right you'll see a regular A6 sedan. Except that it wasn't "regular" or run-of-the-mill. It's the Le Mans edition, 'inspired' by Audi's dominance at the French 24 hour race.



Again, below you'll see an Avant, but this time it's the A6 Allroad. With its adjustable suspension and tough bodykit, the Allroad plays the same field as Volvo's XC70/Cross Country and is an incredibly different car than the RS6. You could easily see the two parked side-by-side and be ignorant of their identical origins.



The Chinese are able to buy the A6L, which might sound familiar until you realize the L is affixed to the A8 in your country. An A6 is stretched 10 centimetres between the wheels, benefiting rear-seat passengers immensely and offering a smidgen of higher-status that China's New Money craves.


Finally, the S6 is one step below the RS6. Featuring just a simple V10 - no turbos here, folks - the S6 must propel itself with a measly 435 horsepower. Styling distinction remains, as always. One could argue that the S6 has class where the RS6 is all rippling muscles; that the S6 is understated underneath the shadow of a barking-mad RS6. Audi prices the S6 about £30,000 higher than the least expensive A6 in the UK product range. Expect the RS6 to stretch the difference.