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Test Drive: 2008 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 Quattro

With that, the 2008 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 Quattro has been transformed
from a mild-mannered cute coupe into an honest-to-Gott German sports
car. Heading into the first corner, the typically light Audi steering
transmits the contours of the aged mountain-road pavement into the
driver's hands. Through the corner, the TT stays well planted, with
body roll kept at nil. The difference between the surprisingly adept
regular suspension tuning and the firmer magnetic setting isn't readily
apparent until you realize the latter is allowing the TT to cut through
such roads much faster. As the corner disappears into the auto-dimming
mirror, another click brings up 4th gear with lightning speed as the
sensuous sound of the 250-horsepower V6 builds into a smile-forming
crescendo.

Hyundai Sonata Limited

Performance

Obviously, Hyundai doesn't intend for the Sonata to be used for
much high-performance driving, but this sedan still manages to obey
aggressive driver commands without drama or surprises. Body roll is
pronounced enough to make nautical references, and under heavy braking,
nosedive is so exaggerated, it's almost cartoonlike. Brake feel is soft
throughout a long pedal arc, but reasonable in normal conditions.
Braking distance from 60 mph is about average for the class at 127 feet
with noticeable fade after several runs — though it's doubtful drivers
would ever flog the Sonata hard enough to experience this.

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:
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR test drive

The Lancer Evolution is the hot-rod version of Mitsubishi's compact
Lancer sedan. And when I say "hot rod", what I really mean is "holy
[expletive deleted]" -- because in place of the front-wheel-drive
Lancer's 152 horsepower engine, the Evolution gets a 291 hp
turbocharged fire-breather driving all four wheels. 2008 sees the first
all-new Evolution since the car was introduced to the US market in
2003, and the MR is the first to offer a self-shifting transmission.
How does it work on the streets? Read on. $33,665 base, $38,965 as
tested, EPA fuel economy estimates 16-17 MPG city, 22 MPG highway.

Lexus RX 400h: Function

Although the climate controls are split between hard buttons on the
center stack and some on the touchscreen, they're easy to, umm,
acclimate to. That multipurpose screen also displays the propulsion
source being used at any given moment, the status of the battery pack
and fuel economy information. The available heated seats offer a wide
range of adjustment via twist knobs, as opposed to the two or three
settings of most rivals.

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