OUR TAKE: We ripped out of the driveway, down a winding back road and into the morning commute, taking every opportunity to juice the throttle and run the RS4 hard. And that was in a snowstorm. Imagine how great this car would be on dry pavement, with the top down, under a sunny blue sky.

This 4.2-liter V8 is an absolute blast to throttle around, and it’s bolted to a superb manual gearbox with nice, short and precise shifts. With the sport button turned on, the V8 releases a noticeably more aggressive exhaust note and increases throttle response a smidge. Switch it off, and the engine sounds like a very subdued animal, quick still, but just not possessing the soundtrack that would surely get the attention of local law enforcement.

continue reading "2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet:"

A large hole left in our long-term fleet by the departure of the Chevrolet Suburban was plugged quite nicely, thank you, with the arrival of a dark-cherry Acura MDX late last fall (”Crossover Perfection,” AW, Jan. 14). The MDX got here just in time to handle a variety of hauling duties ideally suited for a midsize sport/ute.

We took teenagers and their luggage to the airport, half a softball team and their gear to a tournament and some furniture to a college dorm room. The MDX was also the centerpiece for a college football tailgate party. The third row of seats and the 60/40 split second row allow for plenty of options when carrying people and/or stuff.

continue reading "LONG-TERMERS: 2008 Acura MDX: Mega hauler: For moving people and stuff, Acura MDX is top choice"

OUR TAKE: Sometimes you really do get what you pay for. In this Suzuki’s case, you get a wheezy small car made worse for its optional power-sucking slushbox. Thing is, you’re better off paying even less and getting the manual transmission; working the gears yourself would at least impart the impression it’s zippier than it is.

On the handling front, though, the combination of wider 17-inch-wheels with the standard sport suspension with KYB shocks makes the SX4 a relatively impressive handler. There is a surprising amount of stick and minimal body roll when you hurl it into a turn, and you are perfectly comfortable during normal driving conditions, too.

continue reading "2008 Suzuki Sport SX4 Touring:"

A large hole left in our long-term fleet by the departure of the Chevrolet Suburban was plugged quite nicely, thank you, with the arrival of a dark-cherry Acura MDX late last fall (”Crossover Perfection,” AW, Jan. 14). The MDX got here just in time to handle a variety of hauling duties ideally suited for a midsize sport/ute.

We took teenagers and their luggage to the airport, half a softball team and their gear to a tournament and some furniture to a college dorm room. The MDX was also the centerpiece for a college football tailgate party. The third row of seats and the 60/40 split second row allow for plenty of options when carrying people and/or stuff.

continue reading "REVS: The pen is mightier than the V12: 2008 guide to auto-inspired fine writing instruments"

Former Formula One racer and Red Bull Racing Team development driver Scott Speed will drive a fourth Bill Davis Racing Toyota in select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races this season.

Red Bull, Speed’s sponsor, wants to give the American more track time in an effort to advance his stock-car career.

Speed, who returned to the United States and entered stock-car racing after he lost his Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 ride toward the end of last year, will make his Bill Davis Racing debut at Kansas Speedway on April 26, followed by entries at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (May 16), Dover (May 30), Michigan (June 14), Bristol (Aug. 20), Talladega Oct. 4), Martinsville (Oct. 18), Atlanta (Oct. 25), Texas (Oct. 31), Phoenix (Nov. 7) and Homestead-Miami (Nov. 14).

continue reading "Bill Davis hires Scott Speed for Craftsman Truck Series:"

Most people in the Indy Racing League back in 2005 saw only Ryan Briscoe’s mistakes and accidents. Tim Cindric saw possibilities, which is why Briscoe, 26, will drive one of the IndyCar Series’ most decorated machines this year.

Thanks to Penske Racing president Cindric and his boss, Roger Penske, Briscoe replaces three-time series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. in the Penske team’s No. 6 car. He’ll team with Helio Castroneves.

Cindric remembers what he saw in Briscoe in ’05, when the driver competed for Ganassi Racing in a difficult season that ended when the Australian suffered a concussion, two broken collarbones, a bruised lung and contusions to his arms and legs in a horrific crash at Chicagoland Speedway.

continue reading "INDYCAR: Ryan Briscoe lands at Penske Racing:"