BY CSABA CSERE

Traction that finally matches the power and balanced handling.

As engine outputs have risen over the past 25 years, front-drive cars have migrated towards four-wheel-drive to give their over-burdened front tires a break. Even Saab has finally capitulated with this 9-3 Turbo X.

A Haldex 4.0 center coupling shifts as much as 90 percent of the engine’s 280-hp output to the rear wheels via electronically controlled wet clutches. Its little digital brain anticipates when power is needed in back even before the tires slip. An electronically controlled clutch pack in the rear diff prevents side-to-side slip, while the traction control takes care of the front wheels. (more…)

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BY JORDAN BROWN

Named after a boulevard in California, the latest PT is unveiled on an avenue in Michigan.

True to tradition, Chrysler unveiled its newest special-edition PT Cruiser, the Sunset Boulevard Edition, on the eve of Detroit’s famous Woodward Dream Cruise.

The automaker chose the same Detroit venue it has used for years to release models in its PT Dream Cruiser Series”and not the famed road in California, some 2300 miles away”to launch yet another limited-run variant. (more…)

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BY ALISA PRIDDLE

Front-drive Malibu was to be followed by rear-drive Impala, but those plans still are in limbo.

Dealers should start receiving the new 2008 Malibu, available in four trim levels including a hybrid version, in November.

The Malibu is the last General Motors vehicle to come from the outgoing Epsilon platform that is being replaced by the new Global Midsize Vehicle Architecture. Cars from the next-generation architecture start rolling out next year with a new European-market Opel Vectra, with a steady stream to follow. (more…)

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BY TONY SWAN, PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON KILEY

They were thinking of calling it the 501.

The elasticity of all-new gets a test here, as Ford stretches the words to surround this large front-drive sedan, known previously as the Five Hundred. Tepid sales and a new CEO led to the revival of a once-bright nameplate, even though that name had been dumped after years of sedans whose appeal seemed limited mostly to rental fleets. (more…)

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The 2007 Mazda RX-8 is a 4-door, 4-passenger sports car, available in 3 trims, ranging from the Sport to the Grand Touring.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 1.3-liter, R2 , 232-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. (more…)

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The 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a 2-door, 4-passenger family coupe, or sports coupe, available in 3 trims, ranging from the GS to the GT. (more…)

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The 2007 Honda S2000 is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in one trim only, the 6-Spd MT.

Upon introduction, the S2000 is equipped with a standard 2.2-liter, I4, 237-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. (more…)

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The 2007 Volvo XC90 is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in 3 trims, ranging from the 3.2 to the V8 Sport.

Upon introduction, the 3.2 is equipped with a standard 3.2-liter, I6, 235-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. The V8 Sport is equipped with a standard 4.4-liter, V8, 311-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2007 Volvo XC90 is freshened for 2007.

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