2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionReview

The all-new 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution is bigger and more refined than its predecessor. Rally fans may regret the Evo has moved away from its roots in World Rally Championship competition, but it's faster than its predecessor by almost every measure, now more like an affordable BMW M3.

The Evo is the sports edition of the Lancer sedan. Mitsubishi doesn't bring out a new version of the Evo every year. Although the first of the Evolution models appeared 16 years ago, this all-new Evo X, as it is affectionately called by fans, is only the 10th edition. Referred to by its fans with the Roman numeral X, the Evo X follows the Evo IX by two years.

Over those two years, some radical changes have been made. The Evo X is heavier, by some 300 pounds, than the IX. But it's more powerful, too, by five horsepower and 11 pound-feet of torque, so it forfeits little if anything in sheer performance.

Price - $32,990 ++

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Saab 9-3 Turbo X Review

Volvo did it. Acura still does it. Audi has been doing it for a long time. And now Saab is giving it a shot: start with a front-wheel-drive platform, add a powerful engine and an all-wheel-drive system (hopefully with a few tricks up its sleeve), and then try to pass the nose-heavy result off as a viable alternative to a balanced rear-wheel-drive BMW. To wit: the limited edition 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X, in sedan or wagon SportCombi form. Success? Not so much.

Imagine a Saab 9-3 with a coat of black metallic paint, prominent stylized dual exhaust tips and 18� alloys that recall the tri-spoke rims that distinguished the brand�s iconic 900 SPG. That�s the Turbo X. The 9-3 has never been distinctive enough to be interesting or beautiful enough to be, well, beautiful. At best, these tweaks render it mildly sinister.

Price range - $29,774 to $36,924

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2009 Nissan Murano Review

Nissan's recent history is for the most part a success story, and part of that success comes from designing one set of parts into a platform and then stretching that platform's length, width, and strength to do other jobs under other kinds of vehicles. Nissan does this better than most manufacturers, and has done it successfully once again with the 2009 Murano, using basically the same kit of parts that goes under the Altima coupe and sedan for a much larger, heavier and more complex crossover SUV. Murano is named after two different luxury items from two very different parts of the world, Murano art glass from Italy and Murano pearls from Japan, which is a good thing, considering it's sold in more than 130 countries.

The outgoing Murano has been one of the most successful models in Nissan's recent history, with sales rising every year since its introduction in 2003, and a loyalty rate upwards of 30 percent. With sales up more than 70 percent, they've stopped production on the original Murano and given us this brand new second-generation version to consider.

Price - Range: $26,870 - $36,450

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2008 Audi A5 Review

"Nice Audi." Every time I rolled up in the glossy red A5, I heard the same refrain. Young, old, rich, poor� if the onlooker had a tongue, they wagged it at me and my Audi. And there you have it. The people have spoken. I find this curious for two reasons. First, das volk haven't driven it. Second, the A5 is a two-door variant of the new A4. Has anyone other than a nurse or desperate housewife looked at an A4 and exclaimed, "Nice Audi?" Perhaps so, but the ad hoc A5 admiration society still raises an important question: is it a nice Audi?

It sure it is gorgeous. I understand Audi's decision to graft goatees onto the front of their cars� the big mouth bass look differentiates their vehicles from Bimmers� but that doesn't mean I've ever liked it. Until the A5. Fine, the corporate snout looks pretty slick on the A8, too. But the A5's gaping maw is, finally, perfectly balanced with the flanking headlights and air intakes. It's also the coupe's least sexy bit. The tail is double-take eye candy, with muscular haunches that [should] haunt Jag designer's dreams.

Price - $48,825 ++

Source - www.thetruthaboutcars.com

Proton GEN-2 Hatchback

Performance

Two petrol engines are available: a 74bhp 1.3-litre and a 110bhp 1.6-litre. Both come with a five-speed manual �box as standard; the 1.6 has an option of an automatic gearbox. The manual 1.6 supplies enough pace for most drivers. There�s decent urge at any speed, but it is best at higher revs.

Ride & handling

Proton-owned Lotus had a hand in developing the Gen-2�s chassis. The benefits are there in a decent drive, with suspension that strikes a good balance between ride comfort and cornering composure. Grip is good, but while the steering is quick to react to inputs, it can�t match the class leaders for feel.

Refinement

Engine noise plagues the Gen-2�s cabin. There�s a constant drone around town, while even gentle throttle pressure brings with it a coarse, insistent tone. Road noise is present on most surfaces above an urban crawl and gets worse as speeds rise. Wind noise is present, but not excessive, at motorway speeds.

PRICE: �8,995 - �10,995

TARGET PRICE: �8,401 - �10,268

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Honda Accord Saloon

Performance

There are three engines to choose from - a 154bhp 2.0-litre petrol, a 198bhp 2.4-litre petrol and a 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel. All are smooth and strong. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, and the petrols offer the option of a five-speed automatic, which saps performance.

Ride & handling

Honda reckons Accord owners will do long shifts on motorways, so it has set the suspension for comfort rather than sharpness. The ride is a little jittery around town, but it's quiet and compliant otherwise. Push the car hard through bends and it will start to run wide, but it generally holds on well. The steering, with electronic power assistance, can be numb, although it weights up (artifically) once you start to turn.

PRICE: �19,260 - �26,660

TARGET PRICE: �18,292 - �25,301

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Mazda 5 MPV

The 5 is available with 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol engines, and a pair of 2.0-litre diesels that produce either 108 or 141bhp. If you regularly carry a full load of passengers, the smaller petrol engine may struggle, but the other motors deliver more than enough go.

The 5 has the handling to match its sporty looks, with strong grip and competent suppression of body lean. The steering is light and easy around town, yet still offers sharp reactions to help the car turn briskly into corners. A bouncy high-speed ride makes the car feel unsettled on the motorway, though, and more vicious bumps thud into the cabin.

PRICE: �15,795 - �21,345

TARGET PRICE: �15,795 - �21,345

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