2008 M3 coupe
(Credit: BMW NA)As a fan of the predecessor to this current M3, the e46, I was skeptical about driving what some called a heavy, underpowered car that didn't quite live up to its ancestors' legacy. A few die-hard enthusiasts, amid cracking tired Bangle jokes that are oh-so-five-years-ago, called it the MPIG, bemoaning the addition of more sensors and high-tech gadgets that added weight and deterred DIYers. And I almost bought into it.
Sure, I'll never love the look of the car like I love the e46. But the new M3 is, for better or worse, one of those cars you have to drive to truly appreciate.
On a recent press trip in Monterey, we had the opportunity to drive the M3 as it should be driven: On empty, windy roads. And later, even better: Madza Raceway Laguna Seca.
The 2008 M3 is powered by an all-new, 4.0-liter V8 engine. This is a drastic departure from the inline six used on the previous generation of the 3 Series cars. The bigger motor catapults the output to 414 horsepower at 8300 rpm, with 295 pound-feet of torque. But the sound of the car remains refined. The engine sounds big, but still reminiscent of M3s past. Sure, there are bigger engines out there, but the M3 is powerful without being raucous. Acceleration is still plenty fast, and the engine revs so high, you could drive around town without changing gears -- if you really wanted to.
On the road portion of our drive, my driving partner and I were amazed at how soft the ride was while driving over uneven pavement. This was due to an optional Electronic Dampening Control (EDC) feature on our car which has three suspension settings: comfort, normal, and sport. But even in "comfort" mode, softness didn't equate to mushiness. The car still felt dynamic and responsive, even while going over potholes and railroad tracks.
The steering was about as tight as I'd ever felt on any BMW. Although faced with a slew of considerably sharp turns as we wound our way through the hillsides, I never had to take my hands off the three-and-nine position. And the nice thick M wheel was comfortable and pleasurable to grip.
At the track, it was time to take it to a whole other level. My manual coupe really let it rip when I got on the throttle, and the brakes bit down hard and fast before the turns. Even though I was only on stock Michelin Pilot Sport tires, the car stuck like glue through the apexes, and the car's back end came around nicely as I gave it more gas out of the turns. Only a few times did I push it hard enough to get those tires to "sing," but I never felt out of control. Admittedly, I did the whole track in third gear, but even so I never lacked for power or torque.
That said, the 2008 M3 is not a "track car" in the true sense of the word. But that's not the point. The beauty of the e92 M3 is that it can be a sensible, dignified daily driver, and still tear it up on track days. And although I am coupe-biased, I think the re-introduction of the M3 sedan will even further the M3's image of an all-around car that can serve many purposes and still be a thrill to drive.
Oh, and about that heaviness thing; BMW lightened the new chassis up quite a bit to compensate for the weight increase. An aluminum hood and suspension, as well as a carbon-fiber roof, shave some weight off, although the "unladen" weight of the coupe is still 3704 pounds, with the sedan weighing in a tad heavier at 3726 pounds. By comparison, the e46 M3 coupe is 3415 pounds. So just imagine the kind of horsepower boost the 2008 M3 could get if it were 300 pounds lighter. But if you're the kind of person who's bothered by that kind of heft, you're probably better off buying an old M3 and ripping all the seats out.
2008 smart fortwo
(Credit: smart USA)Pricing is out for the new, admittedly odd-looking smart fortwo. The compact vehicle, manufactured by Mercedes, features a 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine that puts out a maximum of 71 horsepower. Cars are expected to ship the first quarter of 2008.
The base model starts at $11,590 and includes a 5-speed transmission that switches from automatic to manual mode with the touch of a button. The "passion coupe," which includes features found in more expensive luxury cars like a panorama roof, alloy wheels, paddle shifters and heated side mirrors, starts at $13,590. The convertible will be $16,590 and up, with an optional premium sound system that includes an in-dash MP3 compatible 6-CD changer. Smart claims its cabriolet will be the lowest priced convertible offered in the U.S.
Smart is hinging much of its sales on fuel efficiency numbers. The fortwos can achieve more than 40 miles per gallon under normal driving conditions.
Smart executives earlier this year hinted at plans to open several smart car dealerships across the country; many will be attached to Mercedes-Benz dealerships, much the way Mini Coopers are sold at dealerships alongside BMWs. The smart dealer network will be officially announced this fall. Smart cars are currently sold in 36 countries, and more than 800,000 smart fortwos have been sold since 1998.
2008 Honda Accord sedan
(Credit: Honda)During a time when many car manufacturers are scaling down to offer smaller cars with improved fuel economy, the new 2008 Honda Accord is hitting the market with a "bigger is better" philosophy.
Besides having an obviously new look, the new Accord is larger in all interior and exterior dimensions. It's longer, wider, and taller on the outside, and roomier on the inside. In fact, the 3.3 cubic feet of additional interior space was enough to bump it into the EPAs "large car" category, although Honda says the car will still compete in the midsize segment.
Aside from the change in the physical appearance, other additions include a larger, 18.5-gallon fuel tank, the first use of Honda's active noise cancellation technology in a non-hybrid car, and variable gear ratio steering. In addition, several features will come standard on all Accord trim levels for the first time, including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), audio control buttons on the steering wheel, and 100 percent use of four-wheel disc brakes.
2008 Honda Accord coupe
(Credit: Honda)The 2008 Accord is available with four engine options. The base sedan includes a 2.4-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, which puts out 177 horsepower at 6500 rpm and delivers 161 lb-ft of torque at 4300 rpm, and is available with a 5-speed automatic or manual transmission. A more powerful 4-cylinder engine, along with a high-flow exhaust system, puts out 190 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm.
The Accord's i-VTEC V-6 engine puts out 268 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 248 lb-ft. or torque at 5000 rpm. The 5-speed automatic transmission features Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology, which allows the car to operate on either three, four, or all six cylinders, depending on driving conditions, to conserve fuel when possible (but still provide plenty of power when needed). The top-of-the-line Accord coupe is also available with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
Interior with navigation
(Credit: Honda)The interior is filled with plenty of bells and whistles. All models include a power driver's seat, cruise control, and a MP3/WMA auxiliary jack. Some options, depending on the trim level, include a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, heated front seats, a premium 270-watt sound system with XM satellite radio, and dual-zone climate control. Navigation and Bluetooth hands-free system is also available on the higher-end sedans and coupes.
Despite the increase in size and performance, the 2008 Accord's fuel economy numbers remain reasonable. The 4-cylinder models with the 5-speed manual transmission yield 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon highway. The automatic transmission gets 21 miles per gallon in the city, with the same highway performance. The V-6 sedans get 19 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway. The EX-L trim level on the Accord coupe with the automatic transmission gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. The manual 6-speed is the worst performer, with 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. All mileage estimates are based on new 2008 EPA ratings standards.
The 2008 Honda Accord sedan is expected to go on sale in mid-September, with the coupe following a few days behind. Pricing has not been announced, but Honda reps say the cars will fall between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on the trim level.
- prev
- 1
- next
