The Lexus GS450h is proof that there is such a thing as too much torque. The hybrid system teams up with the 3.5-liter V-6 to produce V-8 levels of power to the tune of 340 horses. The problem is that the accelerator pedal is so sensitive that the torque is available at the slightest -- and I mean the slightest -- twitch of a toe. That may sound cool, but it's actually extremely annoying in this Lexus and makes the GS hybrid very difficult to drive smoothly at steady speeds. Surging to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.2 seconds (according to Toyota) is pretty impressive for a largish luxury sedan that's EPA rated at 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.inline_mediumwraptextright0033266391/green/reviews/1005_2010_lexus_gs450h1005_05+2010_lexus_gS450h+front_three_quarter_view.jpgtrue

Giulietta is an important name in the Alfa Romeo lexicon. The first one (1954-1963) brought Alfa Romeo into a price range accessible to ordinary mortals, but the car had idiosyncrasies such as twin camshafts that kept it above the then norm. It also had a well-located live rear axle and was a delight to drive, whether as a four-door sedan, a tidy wagon, or any of the dozens of coachbuilt sport models. The Giulietta Sprint coupe (examined in this column in January 2008) put Carrozzeria Bertone into the big time, and Pinin Farina's Giulietta Spider showed the world that a small sports car could do without clumsy side curtains and a leaky top and still be "pure."inline_mediumwraptextright0028860985/features/by_design/1006_alfa_romeo_giulietta_design_analysis1006_01+alfa_romeo_giulietta+front_three_quarter_view.jpgtrue