Top limousines and SUVs put to the test: drive it! has the latest from the car industry
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compare it! Audi A6 Allroad - Volvo XC 70
The days are gone where a station wagon was just a family car. Today's station wagons are for all sorts of situations. A lot of technology has gone into the new models, which are also designed for off road driving.
We compare the Audi A6 allroad quattro and the Volvo XC70. The XC70 comes with a turbo charged engine. It is a shame though that the top speed is limited to 205 kilometers an hour. The three liter Audi with its 240 horsepower manages 233 kilometers an hour. The Volvo wins on price. It is almost ten thousand Euros cheaper as the Audi.
test it! The Alfa Romeo Spider
Some cars are built for thrills. The Alfa Romeo Spider is without doubt in this category. But while performance is a priority, the classic car has undergone some downsizing. This translates into small engines that despite their lower displacement provide the same level of power.
drive it! tests out the entry-level engine version, which beats its predecessor on all fronts thanks to supercharging and modern direct fuel injection. It’s a full second faster over the dash to 100 km/h (7.8 seconds). And instead of 224 km/h the current model has a top speed of 235. drive it! checks out the thrill factor.
examine it! Aquaplaning
Cloudbursts and torrential rain lead to a cushion of water forming under car tires, which lose direct contact to the road. As the engine power fails to take effect, the vehicle goes out of control.
The phenomenon is known to regular car drivers and motorsports professional alike. Aquaplaning is especially dangerous when high speeds are involved. Tire developers are on a permanent mission to minimize the hazards of aquaplaning situations. Successful advances in racetrack tire technology ultimately benefit regular car drivers as well.
vintage! Mercedes 170 flatbed truck, year: 1948
Under the toughest of circumstances, Daimler Benz took up production again after the war in 1946. Above all, transport vehicles were in demand. To that end the Mercedes 170 V flatbed truck was similar to the 1936 pre-war model.
This could seat up to six people on the benches. The four cylinder engine with a capacity of 1.7 liters produced a gentle 38 horse power from 3600 revs. From 1949 there was also a diesel engine of the same size and strength. Soon after, the 170 Mercedes was also available as a box van, limousine and cabriolet. drive it! takes a look at a real piece of post-war automobile history.
present it! VW Phaeton
VW's plans to introduce a top of the range luxury sedan were met with a lot of skepticism. But those times are long gone. Now the firm has released the latest generation of the Phaeton.
Because it sells so well outside of Germany the new flagship was presented in China. And there is a good reason for that. VW is hoping to profit from the booming Chinese market for cars. Drive it presents the new Phaeton with its numerous technical improvements. The luxury model sells starts at 66 thousand 500 Euros in Germany.
