It's a good thing horsepower isn't fattening, because I've been pigging out on 420 big ones in the Audi RS 4. This is the V-8 hot rod of the Audi A4 sedan line. That Audi can pack this compact-class platform with a 4.2-liter V-8 is testament to the body structure.   AUDI RS4 QUATTRO - The RS 4 is a staggeringly fast outlaw with all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. It's a racecar for the street, and some ... [full story]

At a press conference presented by the Midway Group and hosted by the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan, New York, the Lexus LS 460 was declared the 2007 World Car of the Year.   Lexus LS 460 The Lexus LS 460 was chosen from an initial entry list of twenty-eight (28) contenders nominated by World Car jurors from 22 countries throughout the world. Rather than being just a popularity contest, ... [full story]

Why is a traditional minivan boring to look at, but a mini minivan can be hugable? Maybe it's the way Mazda puts together its Mazda5, which is either a tall wagon with sliding doors or a mini minivan. Either way, it's a good idea at the right time. But it almost didn't happen.   MAZDA5 - The mazda5 has lots of conveniences, good styling and a multitasking fold-flat functionality. CNS Photo courtesy of Mazda. "We never intended ... [full story]

Concurrent annual Portland International Raceway (PIR) and Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center (Expo) auto swap meet events to be held Thursday-Sunday, April 12-15 Portland, Oregon -- For four days, Portland International Raceway will host thousands of visitors at its annual auto swap meet with over 900 vendors and more than two miles of automotive paraphernalia.  “Each year the crowds grow bigger and bigger and we’re looking forward to this year’s turnout being the largest to date,” ... [full story]

A striking off-road course made of 1,000 tons of dirt and 20 tons of gravel plus the presence of Toyota trucks invite no less than action pact driving adventure. Toyota will also make the test drive free of charge and get lots of excited enthusiasts.   Toyota FJ CruiserThe Toyota Motor Corp. is glad to announce that its Trucks Off Road On Site Adventure is back by popular demand. The adventure brought by Toyota will be ... [full story]

Strap me into a 600-horsepower Dodge Viper SRT10 and I'd be less tempted to break the law than I was while testing the black-and-white Dodge Charger Police Package. I am far too immature to be trusted NOT to play with the lights, the sirens and air horn. And there's something empowering about driving a car with a heavy-duty push bar on the front bumper.   DODGE THIS - The Dodge Charger Police Package has the intimidating look for ... [full story]

Goody's Headache Powder sponsors a post-race award each week during the NASCAR season that "honors" the driver with the worst luck in each event. In three of the five Nextel Cup races this season, the winner has been Tony Stewart. Stewart took the dubious honor first at the Daytona 500, where he was hit from behind by Kurt Busch while leading and finished 43rd. He also won for finishing second at Atlanta after a late ... [full story]

Safety, value, convenience set these vehicles above all others. Nine new vehicles have been added to the 2007 AAA and Parents magazine Best Cars for Families list.  The 15-vehicle list, now in its fifth year, appears with detailed reviews of each model in the April issue of Parents magazine.  By combining AAA’s auto-safety expertise with Parents’ understanding of what families want and need, the team of reviewers created a list of sedans, economy cars, vans, ... [full story]

NADAguides.com Test Drives Two Modified Mustangs, Weighs in on the Side-by-Side Comparisons Lead Auto Expert Mark Perleberg of NADAguides.com -- a leading vehicle pricing and information website -- recently test drove the 2007 Saleen S281 and the 2007 PJ/Saleen Special Edition in a week-long, side-by-side and back-to-back comparison. He weighs in on both cars' features and handling.   NADAguides.com says the New 2007 Saleen S281 "pins passengers to the back of their seats" when the supercharger ... [full story]

AutoMundo, the nation's premier Spanish-language automotive enthusiast publication, today named the all-new Volvo S80 as its 2007 Car of the Year. The prestigious accolade which appears in the magazine's April issue, follows the S80's recent debut in the U.S. marketplace and echoes what others are saying about Volvo's first V8-powered luxury sedan.   Volvo's all-new S80 has been named Automundo magazine's 2007 car of the year. It's the first Volvo to feature a powerful V8 engine ... [full story]

Bold design, technological innovation, ultra-luxury interiors and future fuels are the latest concept car trends that will be arriving at the 2007 New York International Automobile Show. The Show opens to the public on Friday, April 6th through April 15th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.   Dodge Demon    Jeep Trailhawk    Mazda Hakaze Concept cars are often radical in engine or design. Some use non-traditional, exotic, or expensive materials, ranging from paper to carbon fiber to ... [full story]

Using a whisper to get attention might have its uses in a social situation. But when muscling into a group of high-performance sedans, nothing says "Listen to me" like a 435-horsepower, V-10.   2007 AUDI S6 QUATTRO - The 435-horsepower Audi S6 V-10 has a starting price of $72,720 and with options can run $79,070. And that seems reasonable considering such competitors as the BMW M5 can push $100,000 with options and the Mercedes-Benz E62 can ... [full story]

Of all the NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers who will be racing at Bristol, Tenn., this weekend, Kurt Busch has the most to lose. A winner of five of the last 10 races at the half-mile, high-banked oval, the last thing Busch needs at Bristol is for something to change. And this weekend it will in a big way. The Car of Tomorrow becomes the Car of Today on Friday when practice begins for the Food ... [full story]