Though hugely functional, German automotive design can sometimes lean toward the antiseptic. Fortunately, Germany's close proximity to Italy has offered access to the best stylemeisters in the world. Names like Giugiaro, Bertone and Micholotti have lent their skilled hands to their northern neighbors with impressive results.inline_mediumwraptextright31043673/features/epcp_0912_rd_sport_rs46_bmw_m3epcp_0912_02_o+rs46_bmw_m3+rear_view.jpgTrue

"Get up off your knees!" comes the command from the bullhorn.

Usually they're telling me to get down on them, I think as the Long Beach patrolman proceeds to run our IDs. Our crime? Photographing this 911 Turbo on a watercraft loading dock.inline_mediumwraptextright26877814/features/epcp_0912_vorsteiner_v_rt_porsche_911epcp_0912_02_o+porsche_vorsteiner+rear_view.jpgTrue

Almost any Volvo makes a good used-car buy. Volvo wagons in particular have gained a reputation for being great family cars. But they were never seen as anything more until something strange happened to them in the 1990s: they became fun in the form of the 850T. The idea culminated in the Volvo V70 R, which began production in 1997 and went into two generations (the V70 is now in its third generation, but there is no current R model).inline_mediumwraptextright31354995/features/epcp_0912_volvo_v70_r_wagonepcp_0912_01_o+volvo_70r+front.jpgTrue

It seems lately the title of "tuner" has become confused with what we'll call an "automotive specialist." A specialist is a shop that can install a few aftermarket parts or perhaps even make a shift knob or exhaust.inline_mediumwraptextright26818414/features/epcp_0912_neuspeed_k04_tuned_audi_ttepcp_0912_14_o+audi_tt+side_view.jpgTrue

2009 December's table of contents. - European Car Magazine

Leicestershire – Lee Noble, the maverick designer and engineer who has defined the British low volume sports car market in recent years, is back in the hot seat of an all-new company, Fenix Automotive Limited, and is due to launch one of the most dramatic supercars of the century next year.inline_mediumwraptextright26012666/firstlook/epcp_0912_2010_lee_noble_supercarepcp_0912_03_o+lee_noble_supercar+front_shot.jpgTrue

Epic journey
I'm now back at school, but my summer was far from boring. I went backpacking through Europe for five weeks, spanning over a dozen cities and seven countries, starting in Holland and ending in Paris. Needless to say, I saw plenty of car porn, from a matte black Bentley GT in Prague to Wiesmanns in Dusseldorf. Being the avid young gearhead that I am, a trip to Stuttgart was in order. Unfortunately, I was only in the city for two days, and both the Porsche and Mercedes museums were closed. I, however, would not be denied. Thanks to you guys, I was aware of a small tuning "haus" by the name of TechArt in neighboring Leonberg. We got off the train stop quite literally in the middle of nowhere. After wandering through the picturesque German countryside, we happened across a lady kind enough to show us the way. One hour and two miles later, we arrived. I entered sweaty and exhausted; a smartly clad German approached me. I spoke first: "I'm from America, and I came to see TechArt." Seeing that I was the real deal, he quickly shot back: "I'll send my manager right out for you, he'll give you a full tour." From the interior workshop to the cutting-edge tuning facility, the entire building oozed world-class tech and superior quality. We ended the tour with a quick round in the TechArt Magnum, a Cayenne with serious go-juice. With a turn of the key, the bi-turbo V8 boomed to life and shook me like an airstrike on a balmy spring morning. And so began the most impressive ride of my life, in a German panzer that could run with those snooty Italian "superleggeras" and the like. And so I thank you, ec, for sating my ravenous hunger for all things Auto, and for making my already unforgettable journey so much more satisfying.
Danny B.
Boston, MAinline_mediumwraptextright25990142/features/epcp_0912_lamborghini_gallardoepcp_0912_02_o+lamborghini_gallardo+rear_view.jpgTrue

Porsche is inviting enthusiasts to test their knowledge of the marque and identify specific Porsche 911 sports cars purely by their distinctive engine sounds.inline_mediumwraptextright31309170/news/epcp_0911_porsche_911_evolution_competitionepcp_0911_01_z+porsche_911_evolution_competition+different_porsches.jpgTrue

(11 November 2009. Crewe, England) Bentley Motors has launched a new collection of accessories highlighting the British company’s design and craftsmanship skills. Whether purely functional or created to further accentuate and personalize the appearance of a customer’s car, each accessory reflects the attention to detail at which Crewe’s stylists and engineers excel.inline_mediumwraptextright27098389/news/epcp_0911_designed_bentley_exclusively_accessoriesepcp_0911_01_z+bentley+car_cover.jpgTrue

“The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel,” says Stephen Odell, President and CEO at Volvo Cars.inline_mediumwraptextright27084241/news/epcp_0911_2010_volvo_s60epcp_0911_02_z+2010_volvo_s60+front_passenger_side.jpgTrue

Renault Revives Gordini
The little blue bombshells with two white stripes are back. The famous Gordini name was a symbol of French success that thrilled several generations of motorists who were thirsty for sporty sensations at the wheel of a fun car. The French blue, white stripes and front panel inset with four round headlights all contributed to an eternal identity that is an important part of Renault's sporting heritage.inline_mediumwraptextright27084313/news/epcp_0911_renault_gordini_labelepcp_1001_01_z+renault_gordini_label+main_shot.jpgTrue

Volkswagen will field five Race Touaregs as the team bids to defend one of the most challenging international motorsport events, the Dakar Rally.inline_mediumwraptextright27047197/news/epcp_0911_volkswagen_race_touareg_dakar_rallyepcp_0911_01_o+volkwagen_race_touareg_dakar_rally+hill_descent.jpgTrue

The Cafe Racer Phenomenon (Those were the days … series)

By Alastair Walker
The Cafe Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the 50s. This new book is a look back at the glory days of the Cafe Racer, from Friday night dices on London's North Circular road, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival.

The Cafe Racer Phenomenon, a new book in Veloce Publishing's Those were the days … series features a huge, global Cafe Racer community directory alongside a unique mix of personal memories, previously unpublished photos, iconic machines and chassis builders in profile. Wonderfully evocative reading for any ton-up rider of past or present.inline_mediumwraptextright31211991/news/epcp_1001_cafe_racer_phenomenonepcp_1001_02_o+cafe_racer_phenomenon+wide_shot.jpgTrue

British supercar manufacturer and challenger for the production car world land speed record, Keating, will have its 260.1mph TKR supercar on display at this year’s MPH Show featuring Top Gear Live at London’s Earls Court on 5 November.inline_mediumwraptextright31197294/news/epcp_0911_keating_tkr_fastest_carepcp_0911_01x_z+keating_tkr_fastest_car+front_passenger_side.jpgTrue

Porsche is introducing a new, lightweight version of the mid-engined Porsche Boxster roadster at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, the distinctive styling and technical specification of which represents the true, purist form of the Porsche sports car – light, powerful, open-roofed, and very efficient.inline_mediumwraptextright26988991/firstlook/epcp_0911_2010_porsche_boxster_spyderepcp_0911_03_z+2010_porsche_boxster_spyder+rear_driver_side.jpgTrue

The current economic state has created plenty of tough situations, but that doesn't mean there isn't an upside. Great cars are going for great prices. Great for the buyer, that is. Here's one such example. And with a bigger budget, it's possible to make it even more powerful than the current V8-packing M3.inline_mediumwraptextright26990947/news/epcp_0911_bmw_m3_e46epcp_0911_01_z+bmw_m3_e46+front.jpgTrue

This new book from Veloce Publishing is the first in a new World Sportscar Giants series and covers the origin and subsequent history of the 3-litre Ferrari sportscars, which the famed Italian firm designed and built to contest the various versions of the World Sportscar Championship between 1969 and 1973.inline_mediumwraptextright31165644/news/epcp_0911_ferrari_312p_312pb_bookepcp_0911_02x_z+ferrari_312p_312pb_book+cover.jpgTrue

Okayama, November 1 2009. Aston Martin Racing claimed a sensational victory in the second round of the Asian Le Mans Series in Okayama, Japan.inline_mediumwraptextright25793555/news/epcp_0911_aston_martin_racing_wins_japanepcp_0911_01_z+aston_racing+1st_place.jpgTrue

Go For A Spin
Designed to appeal to gearheads and general motoring enthusiasts, the Mikado ring by Porsche Design features a unique bearing-like outer ring with moveable polished stainless steel rods. The inner ring is shaped with contoured edges for maximum comfort. $370
porsche-design.cominline_mediumwraptextright31020198/tech/epcp_0911_porsche_mikado_ring_audi_mini_quattro_more_premiere_collectionepcp_0911_01_z+premier_products+ring.jpgTrue

Product Spotlight
Macht Schnell Anodized Battery Tray There's no arguing that street cars just keep getting heavier. So if you like to hit the track with your also-street-driven vehicle and enjoy seeing ever-increasing returns on your lap times, one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to do so is by reducing weight. Short of tearing out your back seat, there are a couple key areas you can look at to quickly shed mass and improve ETs.inline_mediumwraptextright31020048/tech/epcp_0911_macht_schnell_anodized_battery_tray_boston_acoustics_more_gearepcp_0911_01_z+battery_tray+battery.jpgTrue

Seat Time
Is the manual transmission as we know it going the way of dinosaurs and ice ages? I'll admit that I was one of those Luddites who, on the introduction of a manu-matic for the masses (VW Group's DSG), wrote dual-clutch transmission technology off as a fad, the answer to a question no one asked, the proverbial fixing what ain't broke.

I'll be a much happier camper when December 31, 2009, is finally in the record books. The symbolic passing of the year 2009 is going to do huge things for my optimism, which has been at the bottom of the toilet since last November.

I don't have what most people would call a risky job. I take pictures of cars, boats, planes and motorcycles and write stories about them. Not a very dangerous line of work.

Unfortunately besides the awesome radio, nav, and seats, the rest of the interior was somewhat lackluster. I'd like to see a bit more in a $55,000 car. The aluminum trim's finish is not uniform, the cupholders were not very user-friendly to passenger or driver, and the overhead map lights didn't have covers over the lenses; they look like they were hijacked from a GM truck. Plus, what looks like a huge police light hangs from the rearview mirror. I looked for the button to activate it so cars would get out of my way, but to no avail.

Z4 M Part 7
This is it, the grand finale. An all-out track shoot-out with three completely different, yet wisely modified modern enthusiast cars. Each fit perfectly into the "OEM Plus" category. We took our Project Cayman X51 and Project Z4 M to the track for direct comparison to an intelligently modified Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S to wrap up two exciting project car series in one wild swing.