pontiac solstice

The Audi A3 is the first premium hatchback to get it right, meshing utility, performance and smart styling. Perfect for carting a small family, the nimble 2.0-liter turbocharged model with a six-speed manual has plenty of power, but opt for the six-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG), and the A3 is a veritable sports car. DSG is a semi-automatic transmission with the guts of a manual, using a pair of alternating clutches to produce lightning-quick shifts (two tenths of a second) with no interruption in torque flow. It helps shoot this pocket Audi to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. $24,700 - $26,220

BMW's M-cars have always thrilled drivers, but the new M6 is one of the best ever. Its 5.0-liter V10 pumps out a none-too-shabby 394 horsepower during relaxed driving, but hit the power button-an automotive first-and it will light up the rear tires with 500 horses. To squeeze out even more performance, BMW added variable valve timing and pushed the redline up to 8,250 rpm, then matched the engine to a seven-speed, paddle-operated sequential manual gearbox. It's 4.6 seconds to 60 mph, but sadly, the car is electronically governed to 155 mph. $100,000 (estimated)

Sunny Solstice
At the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, General Motors debuted the Pontiac Solstice concept car, promising an open-air thrill ride on a budget. The 2006 Solstice is on its way, and it looks like the General will deliver on its promise.

The heart of the Solstice is GM’s Kappa platform, which engineers created to develop a family of compact, rear-wheel-drive sports cars that would marry function—power and stability—with form, to create a vehicle that would handle well and please both the beholder and the budget.