I was part expecting and part hoping that the Transit Connect with rear windows and five seats would become a cult family vehicle for a small subset of the American population. Having driven the cargo version, I should have known better. The wagon variant is slightly more livable than the hauler with marginally reduced wind noise and far better visibility. But the rough ride, mediocre mechanicals, and Spartan interior mean it will only appeal to a handful of buyers outside of fleets.inline_mediumwraptextright27083642/reviews/editors_notebook/1003_2010_ford_transit_connect_xlt_wagon1003_04_z+2010_ford_transit_connect_xLT_wagon+profile.jpgTrue

This August, Alfa Romeo will celebrate its centennial at Pebble Beach, where it is a featured marque at the Concours d'Elegance. Rumor has it that the Italians will cap off the festivities by unveiling the 4C, a compact, lightweight sports car concept. Says one insider from parent company Fiat's headquarters: "The 8C has been a very successful halo car. What we need next is a more affordable follow-up model that spreads the message over a wider customer base."inline_mediumwraptextright28091446/features/news/1004_alfa_romeos_centennial_anniversary1004_02_z+alfa_romeo_4c+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

When our 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI arrived at the office back in September 2008, the timing couldn't have been better. Fresh off a two-year sabbatical during which it received a cleaner, more powerful, and more efficient engine, the diesel Jetta was ripe for time in the spotlight with a market that demanded practical, economical automobiles. Four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline, increasing fuel-economy standards, and a gasping economy were practically an advertising campaign for a car that returned 41 mpg on the highway and had a base price of less than $23,000.inline_mediumwraptextright26769299/green/reviews/1003_2009_volkswagen_jetta_tdi_wrapup1003_01_z+2009_volkswagen_jetta_tDI+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Why a hybrid?
The Volkswagen Touareg has always been a bit of an odd man out in the world of SUVs. It arrived to the party a bit late, and since it plays in a segment of the market that's not exactly luxury, but certainly not entry-level, it doesn't exactly have any direct competitors. That said, we've always enjoyed the Touareg. Now we've driven our first example of the new, second-generation Touareg, this time with VW's first hybrid powertrain.inline_mediumwraptextright2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid27063530/green/reviews/1003_2011_volkswagen_touareg_hybrid_reivew1003_01_z+2011_volkswagen_touareg_hybrid+front_three_quarters_view.jpgTrue

The engineers at Ford know there’s a lot at stake with the unveiling of their new 2011 Ford Super Duty. Last year Dodge came to market with a hugely revised Ram HD pickup with great success. Later this year, General Motors brings a new Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD to the party. And in just a few months, buyers will have three new trucks to choose from, each in a violent battle for market share in one of the most highly profitable segments in the automotive universe. To call this launch critical is a huge understatement.inline_mediumwraptextright2011 Ford Super Duty28314379/reviews/driven/1003_2011_ford_f_series_super_duty1003_01_z+2011_ford_f250_super_duty_crew_cab+front_three_quarters_view.jpgTrue

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

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.

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

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

It’s been nearly a decade since Dr. Ulrich Bez assumed the helm at Aston Martin, but instead of awarding its CEO a jewel-encrusted tie-tack, the folks at Gaydon crafted a better gift to celebrate his milestone: a special-edition DBS.inline_mediumwraptextright32469699/features/news/1003_2010_aston_martin_dbs_ub2010_special_edition1003_01_z+2010_aston_martin_dBS_uB-2010_special_edition+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue