Coolest Smart Cars

With the arrival of a long-term Volkswagen GTI at 120 East Liberty Street, the Mazda 3 faces increased pressure to impress us. The GTI is our 2010 Automobile of the Year and comparisons between the two compact hatches are inevitable.inline_mediumwraptextright2009 Mazda3 Sport Five-Door27057194/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1003_2010_mazda3_s_sport_5_door_february_update1003_02_z+2009_mazda3_sport+side_view_in_snow.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: 2010 Mazda3 S Sport 5 Door – Mazda Sport Hatchback Long Term Review – Automobile Magazine

I’ve spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a V-8 Audi R8 coupe, so getting into the all-new, 2011 Audi R8 V-10 Spyder roadster created a flood of both familiar and totally new impressions. Gone is the iconic “side blade” that could be had in contrasting color or carbon fiber on the coupe; in its place is a new composite-plastic fender. But the cabin is just as gorgeous as ever, and the mix of colors and materials that are available to line the cabin are rich and enticing. Our first test car was done up in the official launch color, Teak Brown, which beautifully complemented sumptuous tan leather seats with coordinating brown stitching. The instrument panel and dash were covered in black leather with tan stitching that matched the seats. The overall effect was mesmerizing not just to me and my codriver but also to dozens of onlookers in Nice, France, where we arrived this morning to be among the very first group of journalists to drive the ragtop R8 along the beaches and on the thrilling mountain roads above the French Riviera.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder – Audi Luxury Sport Convertible Review – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2011 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder – Audi Luxury Sport Convertible Review – Automobile Magazine

Months in fleet: four
Miles to date: 12,370inline_mediumwraptextright28290352/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1003_2010_audi_q5_february_update1003_05_z+2010_audi_q5_3_2+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: 2010 Audi Q5 3.2 – Audi Luxury Crossover SUV Long Term Review – Automobile Magazine

Tom Hoover, one of the original Ramchargers and the father of the second-generation Hemi V-8 engine, enjoyed his share of excitement during his 24 years as a Chrysler engineer, but a couple of incidents stand out. During the early days of electronic engine controls, Hoover had two brushes with runaway acceleration.inline_mediumwraptextright1957 Dodge Royal Lancer27037838/features/news/1003_sudden_acceleration_the_early_years1003_01_z+1957_dodge_royal_lancer+side_view.jpgTrue

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled the company’s all-new Micra today at the 2010 Geneva motor show. Although the Micra itself will not be coming to America, it is built on an all-new global small-car platform known within Nissan as the V-platform.inline_mediumwraptextright2011 Nissan Micra27004124/features/news/1003_2011_nissan_micra1003_03_z+2011_nissan_micra+front_view.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: 2011 Nissan Micra – 2010 Geneva Auto Show Coverage, New Car Reviews, Concept Cars – Automobile Magazine

The 2011 Volkswagen Amarok mid-sized pickup, officially revealed in December, made its first stop on the auto show circuit at an event put on by the Volkswagen Auto Group the night before the start of the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, a few months before the truck’s European launch this summer.inline_mediumwraptextright28253068/features/news/1003_2011_volkswagen_amarok2011-volkswagen-amarok-front-three-quarter.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Amarok – 2010 Geneva Auto Show Coverage, New Car Reviews, Concept Cars – Automobile Magazine

If you were wondering whether Porsche’s premiere 911 Turbo S model was going to make a return in 997 guise, you can now sleep easy. Porsche has announced that it will bring back its popular ‘Turbo S’ variant for the 2010 911 range and the car will make its debut at the Geneva motor show.inline_mediumwraptextright28195153/features/news/1003_2010_porsche_911_turbo_s2010-porsche-911-turbo-s-rear.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S – 2010 Geneva Auto Show Coverage, New Car Reviews, Concept Cars – Automobile Magazine

It might be lacking the stage, the lights, and Simon Cowell’s vee-neck shirts, but the world of automobiles is strangely similar to television’s biggest show. American Idol judges are famous for pointing out that if you sing a Whitney Houston song, you had better, as the saying goes, bring it. Likewise, if you build a car to compete with the very best, it will be compared to the very best.inline_mediumwraptextright28227673/reviews/driven/1002_2011_infiniti_m1002_02_z+2011_infiniti_m37S+front_three_quarters_view.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: 2011 Infiniti M – Infiniti Luxury Sedan Review – Automobile Magazine

Miles: 6951
Months in Fleet: Twoinline_mediumwraptextright28217983/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1002_2010_volkswagen_gti_february_update1002_07_z+2010_volkswagen_gTI+rear_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Photo Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen GTI – February 2010 Four Seasons Update – Automobile Magazine