Mercedes CLA 45 AMG, First Time Test

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG front - The cooling system takes elements from the SLS and has an additional radiator in a wheel arch.

Test Toyota Auris Hybrid 136h Style - The Green Compact

Safe and effective, the chassis of the Toyota Auris 2
reveals a good mood

The best-selling new Auris, it should be her, Hybrid versions. This makes sense: sober, very pleasant city and bonus deducted cheaper than diesel, the Japanese compact appears particularly successful than its batteries not reduce the volume of the trunk.

The Prius has changed so much that the image of Toyota, now the Japanese automaker made its butter with hybrid models.

Test Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon: Sainte-Hypocrite

With 564 hp and a six-speed manual ... break
the Cadillac CTS-V has no equivalent

With air break of good family and pristine dress, he would be given the right without confession. Yet it is a devil of acceleration, with 0-100km / h in 4 seconds.

Apart from the steering wheel back and skin enveloping seats, there is no sharp break imagine that hides under the hood a 6.2 V8 supercharged 564 hp, derived from that which drives the Corvette ZR1 (647 hp).

Test Cadillac STS 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury - Run Different

Comfortable, but not agile, it also suffers from a
Cadillac perfectible traction on this version 4.6 V8

The STS large sedan at Cadillac features the typical baroque style of the brand. But the lack of diesel condemns confidentiality.

When we called Cadillac, one attached to her "Yankee" origins brand a strong visual identity is important. That said, if the STS proudly carries the style of the brand, in traffic, it can easily be confused with its sister, the CTS.

Cadillac BLS Wagon 1.9 D 150hp Elegance Against Mercedes C 200 CDI Break Classic - Authentic or Cosmopolitan?

Very bourgeois Mercedes C-Class and Cadillac
BLS themselves as worldly utilities ... as it should

For the sake of elegance, modern breaks often tend to overlook the practical aspects. They took refuge behind high-sounding names to justify their lack of safety. Without taking for movers, Cadillac BLS Wagon and Mercedes C-Class Estate exception to this mode.

No convoluted name in Cadillac or Mercedes: there is no shame in treating a vehicle break or wagon for the U.S.

Test Cadillac XLR-V - An Exclusive Recital

Exotic, unusual, Cadillac XLR challenges passersby.
Especially in this "V", and even rarer
performance version

Not exotic enough XLR? So here is the "V" doped compressor. A gentle monster 448 hp, which sends you into the stratosphere with delight ... and you debt over twenty years.

Cross XLR, this original roadster, rival the Mercedes SL and other Lexus SC430 is a rare occurrence.

Test Aston Martin DB9 - Just a Cloud

Against all odds, the DB9 evolves smoothly, without
resorting to technology that its competitors are full
to their customers dream

Replace a classic, it's like touching the tea ceremony. Beware of bad taste. But for this new cup DB9, Aston has not released the miracle ingredient: discrete sprinklings not distill the strong aroma of novelty that sharpens the taste buds.

In the automotive aristocracy, Aston Martin has a unique position. James Bond has understood, who, after many infidelities, reunites with his DB5 in Skyfall, the latest installment.

Test Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDm 170 TCT Exclusive

The Giulietta has a performance chassis, the high
adhesion despite suspensions maintaining good comfort

An attractive plastic, a muscular and sober diesel, and a dual-clutch transmission: the Giulietta seems to have the student model. Ah, if only its transmission had better learned the sweetness ...

In the Fiat group, the dual-clutch gearbox is not reserved only for Ferrari. We also find this technology from Alfa Romeo, as the "TCT".

Test Alpina D3 Biturbo Coupe BVA - Shy Return

BMW 3 Series Coupe? No: you're looking at a Alpina
D3,  revised by the famous "mechanical wizard" German

Always keen to offer BMW "improved" Alpina is back in France with a range. Including the D3 Biturbo diesel ... little endearing.

In Germany, we love the "mechanics-magicians" talented. As Alpina, which from 1961 has been constantly offering his BMW spiced sauce. Among imported into our market since late 2010 models, the D3 Biturbo is a 3 Series diesel "boosted".

Test Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport: Special Carousel Large

Even for an automotive journalist, a Bugatti is
a rare moment ... a special ride around great

The Big Dipper? Boring. The roller coaster? Soporific. To the adrenaline, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport has no equivalent. This variant of the Alsatian discoverable supercar breath away like a jet.

Rain, no rain? In MY day driving the Grand Sport, the "targa" version of Veyron coupe, the sky can not do this to me ...

Test Bentley Continental GTC V8 - Noise and Smooth

By adopting the V8, Bentley Continental GTC
discovers a temperament that did not know him,
without departing from its legendary softness

The noble English sees its range complemented by a V8 version of the highly developed body. A good excuse to redo a chat with Miss Bentley, who has lost none of its charm. And left to choose from, so enjoy his new hair tessitura wind with cabriolet GTC.

Casually, miss Continental GT is no longer young. She has attained an age and other are already outdated, has-beens, even outdated, but not her.

Test Drive Bentley Arnage R - The Last of Bentley

Do not ask him handling foolproof, a bird appetite,
or even all the latest amenities. But how charming!

With its V8 biturbo 6.75 and the inlays worthy of Louis XIV, the Bentley Arnage is actually part of the representatives of a bygone era.

In the 20s, Walter Owen Bentley drove his car over 1,000 km, it was "enlightening" to drive a car when you are tired!

Test Volvo V40 D3 Cross Country Summum - Sportswear

If the chassis reassures suspensions are uncomfortable,
as in conventional V40

Swedish fashion succumbs to break the SUV. Slightly raised and equipped with diesel five-cylinder 150 hp, V40 Cross Country fishing ... but also some nuclei.

With this version Cross Country, the Swedish compact puts a stylish jogging. Protective aluminum front, rear and side skirts, roof rails, LED daytime running lights and fittings all oriented paths, so much for the hardware of the "adventurer".

Test Nissan Micra 1.2 DIG-S Acenta

Quite uncomfortable, the Micra is especially
suited for urban use

Test Nissan Micra 1.2 DIG-S: In urban fuel
Nissan has decided not to offer diesel in Europe on its fourth generation Micra. And to fill this gap by a compressed gas engine, 98 hp, CO2 emissions and very low consumption. Mission accomplished?

Diesel urban often distinguished by their very simple mechanical, but rather noisy.

Test Mercedes CLA 220 CDI 7G-DCT - Fascination

Spectacular to watch, the Mercedes CLA is much
less demonstrative driving

Even standing still, it seems to leap: with its four-door coupe profile, its curves and its worked very stern design study, CLA amazes. But his taste for the show has not only advantages despite its 4.63 m, this "baby CLS" is neither spacious ... nor cheap.

In the long undulating ribbon of asphalt south of Mont Sainte-Victoire, near Aix-en-Provence, I'm a CLA for the pleasure of seeing in motion. Despite a leisurely pace, other motorists willingly depart, impressed.

Test Subaru Forester 2.0D Premium 150 HP - Functional Foremost

On the road, the Forester displays solid skills.
Only his mixed tires limit its effectiveness

Driveability rather neat, diesel discreet and efficient all-wheel drive: the new Forester does not suffer criticism. But his style without much personality, inside and out, and a sparse network may leave anonymous. And it would be a shame.

The Forester you know? Not good huh ... But that's fifteen years Subaru has created, and rather skillfully.

Test Renault Captur Energy dCi 90 Intens - Shift

The Captur does not roll too, and retains its
effectiveness in turn, including wet,
which is rare in this category

By replacing a very conventional Modus Captur well in tune with the times, Renault acquires a small SUV rather attractive, space, dynamically managed and well positioned in price. Will attract attention, in addition to convince driving.

Between small MPV with a little disappointing sales, and attractive SUV more consumers, Renault has decided to replace its Modus this Captur, based on the platform of the Clio, so only available traction.

Super Power Porsche Cayman S PDK, Overwhelming!

With such an effective and easy to take fast frame

More powerful, more efficient, more agile, easier, more efficient, more desirable, more ... Certainly, this Porsche Cayman proves irresistible. Costs and some minor details closely.

The first Cayman S, I know him well enough to have spent a week and a few thousand miles at the wheel ... dressed as Santa Claus! If so, it was in December 2005 (see "The AM" No. 716). I really liked.

Test Renault ZOE Life - Autonomy Checked

The brilliance of the electric motor is frankly
dull past 80 km / h

Repeatedly delayed, the Zoe is finally here. Very nice city and rather comfortable on the road, it really offers 150 km of autonomy. Remains to develop a charging network to reassure potential customers.

That's it, we are: after driving about 70 km along the hilly and curvy enough of the hinterland between Lisbon and Cascais secondary network, we attack the stomping ground of electric city.

Test Mitsubishi Space Star 1.0 MIVEC Invite - Endowed with Reason

Mitsubishi Space Star has been designed to
optimize the power consumption

This "Space Star" as it's called, actually happens to offer an attractive livability compared to its size of 3.71 m. Failing to be a revolution, this Mitsubishi reason as quality.

Five doors, an average size (3.71 m long) that allows it to be inserted between a city like Renault Twingo (3.60 m) and a multi-type Peugeot 208 (3.96 m), a three- well born cylinders, ride comfort in height, good skills and a good city livability ...