Of course there are plenty of other private race tracks like this one (there is one close to us in Cresson, TX), but this one is perfectly slated to be the playground for Manhattan residents who want to get out of the daily traffic jams and have some fun on the road.

Read more about the track on the CNN site.

www.europartsdepot.com

To achieve success in North America, BMW has designed the new 1-series coupe to suit us all. Though I have driven other BMW cars, I found this 135i coupe to render adequate comfort, for two adults in the back seat with its 60/40split seats. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0litre engine with six inline cylinders, this is something that fits in the slot of a Powerhouse. This engine is around 100 pounds lighter than its siblings- the 3 Series. Pumping 300-horse power, this powerhouse twirls up 7000 rpm with 300-pound-foot punch in 1400 to 5000 rpm. Yet, I found the throttle to respond as spontaneous as other ordinary engines. With a top speed of 155 mph, I made this Powerhouse-135i shoot 60 mph in 5.3 seconds from standstill. The 6-speed manual gearbox is smooth and responses more evenly than any other cars in its segment. Though automatic transmission will be available in the US market, I personally prefer driving the manual one to enjoy the sure pleasures of driving. Fuel economy is what I always look at every time. I found the direct fuel injection is the key to reduce fuel consumption with a proper performance of the engine, at the same time. The fuel injectors are placed just next to the spark plug over here. This allows an accurate measurement of the fuel injected. BMW has even placed an indicator in the instrument cluster, suggesting the right gear to be at to maximize the fuel economy.

The strong, yet easy to control brake system delivers an added confidence in driving this coupe. The wide rear tyres are well contrasted with the front, emphasizing on more safety and stability in its performance. The position of the steering wheel made my drive a more pleasing one with the delicious noise of the engine, in short, worth the money. I find this car to be a sporty coupe; yet can be driven all the weeklong. This 135i is fast with a lot of road grip, and I find that this is built for comfort as well as for mastering prowess. This has a class of its own, and I’m sure that you will recognize it easily at its launch in February. Priced around $30,000, I expect this Powerhouse to be worth the money I will be putting in.

This new ‘sports machine’- The 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS even stands out from others in grounds of handling. The Active Suspension Management System with steel springs, and not air suspension blends evenly with the All Wheel Drive mechanism of the SUV. I also feel that it’s the wide radial tires that contributes to the whole thing; not that I am discriminating the independent suspensions. And of course; I do not want to be marked as a heretic and would also like to give the credits to the 38.4 inches steering wheel diameter.

Nevertheless, I found the 0.79-inch-lower stance three-mode electronic shock controls and the 21-inch running gear to deliver quality performance. Though the twin roof spoiler is for no technical improvements to its aerodynamic shape, still it looks good, the way it should like. The drag quotient of 0.36 and a curb weight of 4950 pounds make me feel this car to be always thirsty, ready to drink to a few barrels of gasoline. Even so, the low mileage is worth its overall performance.

With a height of 66.9 inches and a length of 188.9 inches, the SUV throws a sporty look, both in the exteriors and the interiors. The standard leather upholstery just made me relax back comfortably, with no lack of any pleasantness. The 12-way adjustable front bucket seats made me ease the strain of the rugged roads. The rear seats are well fitted to accommodate two adults. The positioning of all the control buttons renders the essence of a well-equipped cockpit. I was more or less confused to operate the too many gadgets inside. I think I need to take a glace at the manual to set them in order the next time.

This $69,300 sports machine is worth buying only if you like to tame a wild beast.

As a die-hard SUV fanatic, I had faced a lot of criticism from my family; while my elder son is a chip of the old block, his mom and sister are ardent worshippers of everything – in their words – cute and cozy and cuddly and pink. Both grumbled all these years looking forward to a family car but we both are men with an outlook like – ain’t a car if not a SUV; well, we didn’t compromise - until we saw the strong and shapely and AWD Volvo XC70.  No, it’s not a SUV – you got it right – but the next best thing to one!

The Volvo XC70 underwent a lot of changes in these eleven years but kept its strong point intact i.e. it’s still the even blend between a station wagon and a SUV. The cladding is rugged; the ground clearance has been slightly elevated – perhaps, it’s the new, refined definition for the crossover market? However, if I have to give an honest opinion, the second-generation Volvo XC70 didn’t require the contemporary, new dashboard to match the plush, supportive seating; with the entire wafer-thin lower panel, it appears more gimmicky and ultra-modern than its real capabilities. The world is itself a complex one; we don’t need another round of complexity while out on a drive! But then again, it was much pleasing to find that Volvo worked hard to keep complexities on the outer side at bay; the tail lamps, no more confined to the body, now have lenses bigger than before. Translated, that’s an added safety measure.

The 208-hp inline-five-cylinder powerhouse is now a straight 27 hp greater and smoother engine that measures a whole 3.2-liter in a V-6 configuration. To match with it, there’s a six-speed automatic transmission counter-balanced by an all-weather-traction system. Another additional feature is the hill-descent control; it brings the vehicle automatically to a safe speed when driving on steep grades. And my, my, I shall require plenty of that, for with a ground clearance of 8.3 inches, I have no doubts that I shall be heading the hills all the more. And that’s for $36,420; I think I’m quite happy to pay that price for something that’s a V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission and a revamped all-wheel-drive system.

As compared to the A-Class, I find the new Benz to be 43cms longer with a height of 5.2 ft, throwing a sporting aerodynamic look. The boot looks quite spacious measuring 544 liters, and the cabin is said to accommodate 5 people theoretically. However, the rear bench is seen to give room to only 2 passengers comfortably, and not three with the two singe seats separated by the armrest. However, I always search for adequate room, as I believe a lot of room takes away the driving pleasure, and the new B-Class is one of my types. Though the windscreen is much smaller I find it to give a decent flexible broad view of the road ahead. The dashboard as well as the sides is a bit smaller than its competitors. The sunroof is panoramic. The option of placing your cell phone at a holder is simply amazing. Just recline back and avail it’s hands-free advantage.

Mercedes offers DVD navigation and an Autotronic CVT gearbox to the new B-Class. This gearbox allows the engine to deliver the maximum power in a smaller time interval without any disturbance. The engine is derived from the A-Class. Though only the 115-193hp-petrol engine or the 109-140hp diesel engines will be available at the launch, I am looking to wait for some time for the 160CDI version.  The 150 (95 hp) and 160 CDI (82 hp) engines will be available a little later. The B-200 Turbocharged model is loaded with a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 280Nm of torque at 1,800 rpm. Therefore, the new “budget Benz” reaches 100kph i.e. 62mph in only 7.6 seconds from stand still.

It is safety where Mercedes always stands out. The intelligent sandwich concept of the B-Class with the engine and transmission arranged under the bonnet and the passenger compartment; makes the passengers totally secure from the front. The power train is set to divert downwards to the pedal floor panel, and not towards the passengers compartment, in case of a serious front impact. Besides, the higher sitting position in the new B-Class is an added advantage in case of sidelong impacts.
The “2 stage adaptive” airbags are set at the front, the top and thorax positions, and that I believe it to form the most important while enjoying the engine’s overall performance.

Now, while the handsome ladies and the beautiful gentlemen were going head-over-heels on the Audi’s open-top feature, a few others and I (plain-looks folks) started peeping under the hood and started planning how to spend the night under the Cabriolet Quattro. The Audi representative got the whiff somehow and with great pleasure, started explaining this two-door, four-seat 4.62 meters baby from the point where others left. What follows is a summary of all the nonsense we asked and the explanations that he delivered with great patience.

“Think this car to combine the genes of all the typical, dynamic soft-top Audi convertibles with that of the most prominent SUV-s of today. It’s muscular; it’s powerful, but it also comprises the Audi elegance to make you feel comfortable in every aspect of life, irrespective of whether you are going out for the weekend night with your friends or driving to some distant place with a Just Married poster attached to the back.”  “All right” – I interrupted – “Let’s hear about the tech stuff.” And he gave me back a frown.

“Sir, this one has a 240 bhp, longitudinally mounted six-cylinder, 3.0L TDI engine” – came the stark reply – “And we guarantee an ultra-low emission level of the EU 6 standard.” I figured out that part – something this provocative must have that as the minimum criteria - if I get to find myself a place behind the steering wheel, God knows who shall wear out whom. “But anyway, I have to install something that cuts the emissions out furthermore” – I thought – “I hate getting the tickets.”  Only if I knew what awaits.

“Now, Sir, the new Audi comprises a permanent four-wheel-drive system” and I immediately remembered the Just Married part. “Shall extra wide tires increase the traction for an extra safety?” – That was my immediate question and I was so pleased that everyone took a note of that (one of the mesmerized complimented me later).  “The chassis has been built by incorporating a new technology using an electric ride-height adjustment. If you prefer the off-roads, then this is your passport to every terrain and curve-radius that’s imaginable.”

I tried to recall if I’ve heard about this engine before. “Seems to be a new one” – I thought before asking for the torque. “Only 500 Nm” – came the prompt reply “but it shall take you at least a hundred kilometers on 7 liters of diesel. This is where our current emissions reduction system comes into play” – he continued as if he was nosing-out – “along with the tip-tronic transmission and a common-rail direct fuel injection system.” Ok, that’s why the torque, and he considers it only. But then again, he was reading our minds; 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds can still be a lot better, especially with an eight-speed automatic transmission system.

But what came a surprise to us all is the mention of the technical breakthrough - the exhaust aftertreatment system. That means there will be less nitrogen compounds leaving the engine. “Do you still guarantee an uncompromising sports characteristics?” I never heard a more challenging but positive reply so far.