Devoted to the auto industry – builders to enthusiasts

Part 1

The editors and test drivers for Road & Track have hundred of new vehicles pass through their assessment radar each year. The publication's staff knows what it's doing and it's been doing it for a long time.

I don't always agree with the publication — it places a large importance on speed. But clout the publication has, and it recently picked its top-five 2008 cars — gee, about four months before the year starts.

Road & Track's top-five cars for 2008 and a brief assessment capsule of each car follows: Audi R8, BMW 1 Series, Dodge Viper SRT 10, Honda Accord, Volvo C30.

Audi R8

" . . . With its light aluminum space frame and the aid of four driven wheels, the R8 makes the most of its 4.2-liter aluminum-block V-8, delivering its 420 bhp through either a conventional gated 6-speed manual transmission or Audi's 6-speed R tronic, a paddle-shifted automated manual gearbox. With the manual, the R8 is capable of a 4.0-second blast to 60 mph.

Visually, the R8 is a stunner. Low-slung and curvaceous, the R8 shows off its engine through the rear glass, à la Ferrari F430, and sets off the air intakes aft of the doors with what Audi calls "sideblades," panels that can be finished in either body color or a contrasting hue.

Honda Accord

" . . . Although they share the same name, the coupe version of the Accord is a much sportier animal than its sedan counterpart. Part of the 2-door's unique spirit comes from its styling — it has a more powerful grille, sleeker nose and more menacing slit-like headlamps.

Engines are shared; the base model uses a 2.4-liter four making 200 bhp and is available with a choice of 5-speed manual or automatic, while the high-performance version boasts a 3.5-liter V-6 with 273 bhp on tap. Unlike in the sedan, this engine is available with an optional 6-speed manual as well as the standard 5-speed automatic. With the manual, the V-6 dispenses with cylinder deactivation, fattening up the torque curve on its way to the 250 lb.-ft. peak at 5000 rpm. When coupled with the 18-in. wheel and tire package, the V-6 Coupe raises the fun-to-drive quotient of Accord to new levels . . . "

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See Part 2