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JA CAMBECE LAW OFFICES
CAMBECE LAW OFFICE
LAW OFFICE JA CAMBECE
LAW FIRM CAMBECE
JA CAMBECE LAW OFFICE
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Test Drive: 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro - Performance
Although our 2009 Audi A4 was powered by a direct-injection, 3.2-liter V6 engine that makes 265 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, the car's speed and handling didn't quite live up to our expectations. We laid down a 0-60-mph time of 6.9 seconds from a standing start — 0.3 second slower than the time listed on the A4's spec sheet, and a full 1.3 seconds slower than BMW's estimated 0-60-mph time for the 335i sedan with automatic transmission. But what the A4 lacked in the way of time during testing, it made up for in smoothness, thanks in part to the six-speed Tiptronic transmission, which made gearchanges almost seamlessly.
Ride and handling vary from soft and comfortable to stiff and responsive thanks to Audi's Drive Select. Three preconfigured settings adjust the suspension, throttle response, steering and engine and transmission mapping with the push of a button: Comfort, which provides a smooth ride on long trips or over bumpy roads; Dynamic, which is tight and firm for spirited cornering; and Auto, which continuously and reactively adjusts the A4's settings depending on the terrain and driving style. Settings can be further customized in Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) menu.
CAMBECE LAW FIRM: Test Drive: 2009 Acura TSX - Soulless Sport Sedan
By: John DiPietro , Automotive Editor
Vehicle Tested: 2009 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan w/Technology Package (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
Pros: Comfortable seats, impressive standard features list, solid build quality, user-friendly high-tech features.
Cons: Mediocre braking, lifeless steering, outgunned by most V6 family sedans.
An identity crisis is never good. And though we're not psychiatrists, we can think of three types. One example may not know what personality to have — e.g., Vanilla Ice going from catchy pop star to wannabe hard-core rapper. One may not have a personality to begin with — e.g., Paris Hilton. Or perhaps the saddest of all, one may have been something with a distinct, likable personality that for some reason morphed into something rather blasé — e.g., the 2009 Acura TSX.
Previously a taut sport sedan offering enthusiasts a lively, communicative driving experience along with Acura quality, the Acura TSX has become more of a luxury sedan for 2009. Many consumers will consider the latest version of the TSX to be "nice." Enthusiasts, however, will likely consider it watered down and boring.
Test Drive: 2008 BMW 1 Series 135i Convertible
Our test car's six-speed manual gearbox was typical BMW, with a light, progressive clutch coupled to a shifter with a positive, cushioned feel. In any case, the turbo six boasts such a broad power spread that it feels like it could get by just fine with three gears instead of six. Passing on the freeway was a breeze even in top gear, though dipping down a cog or two produces a thrilling rush that made addicts of us all.
The EPA puts the 135i convertible's fuel mileage estimates at 17 mpg city/26 highway and 20 mpg combined. We averaged 17.2 mpg, a testament to our "dipping down a cog or two" tendencies.
Let loose on a twisty road, the 135i ragtop handles very well for a relatively heavy vehicle saddled with a convertible's inherently less rigid architecture. Those extra pounds were evidently put in structure-stiffening places, as the car feels solid when pushed hard in the corners or driven over rough pavement. There's plenty of grip to be had, and body lean is minimal when you're cutting a crisp line through your favorite turns.
2009 Cadillac CTS-V test drive
The CTS-V is the high-performance version of Cadillac's CTS sedan, and it's all-new for 2009. The old CTS-V packed a big 400 horsepower V8 and a manual transmission, a lot of hardware for a car its size. But the new CTS-V makes the old one pale: A bigger, supercharged V8 that pours out a whopping 556 hp, plus it's available with an automatic transmission. How does it all come together? Amazingly well, as it turns out -- read on. Pricing TBD (approx. $60,000 - $67,000, incl. destination and gas guzzler tax), EPA fuel economy TBD (approx. 13 MPG city, 19 MPG highway).
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