2008 BMW M3 Road Test

What "progress" means is difficult to nail down in an era of whisper-quiet cars with phenomenally clean emissions and tight, quiver-free bodies. How do you make a car better when it's already very good? How do you make a Bimmer more of an ultimate driving machine?

That conundrum clearly faced BMW as it penned the fourth-generation M3, which appears on U.S. roads next spring. With a sparkling effort already on the streets, BMW's taken a traditional route in trying to improve its quintessential driving machine: they've made it more powerful, more responsive, and more attractive.

But this time around, they've leaned on some unconventional means by which it met those bogeys. For one, the new M3 is powered by a V-8 - no, not an in-line six, but a racing-derived V-8 with more than 400 horsepower. They've added more features, which has in turn boosted the weight despite a trick carbon-composite roof.

On paper it's mission accomplished. The new M3 is faster than its ancestors. But is it a better one?

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THIS WEEK'S CAR NEWS

2008 BMW M3 Road Test (8/9/2007)
Too much of a good thing?

2009 Lexus RX: Spied! (8/8/2007)
Under all the camouflage, the next-generation RX emerges.

2008 Toyota Highlander Road Test (8/6/2007)
The Camry of SUVs gets a big but subtle redo.

2008 Audi A8 Preview (8/6/2007)
A Nuvolari facelift before a total renovation.

2008 Mazda6 Preview (8/7/2007)
Mazda reveals a little before a full Frankfurt show.

2008 Toyota Avalon: What's New (8/9/2007)
Toyota bumps up the gears on its big front-driver.

2008 Toyota Sienna: What's New (8/8/2007)
More stability for a popular family van.

2008 Toyota RAV4: What's New (8/8/2007)
Crossing over into V-6 territory.

2008 Toyota Tacoma: What's New (8/8/2007)
Nothing changes but the price tag.

2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor: What's New (8/7/2007)
Mitsu stuffs more standard safety into its crossover.

2008 Mitsubishi Galant: What's New (8/7/2007)
The family sedan, done in three-part harmony.

Power VDS: Buick, Lexus in a Tie (8/9/2007)
Cadillac, Mercury, Honda round out top 5.

Buick, Lexus Tie Atop Power Survey (8/9/2007)
But is it registering in showrooms?

Nardelli, Ex-Home Depot, In At Chrysler (8/6/2007)
New CEO will take over, LaSorda president.

Hyundai Adds "Elantra Touring" For '09 (8/8/2007)
New model takes compact in "sportier" direction.

Cargirl: GM Men-in Dresses (8/7/2007)
GM guys donned drag to get the Tahoe right.

Ask A Mechanic: August 8, 2007 (8/8/2007)
Brown-outs, melting batteries, and bad gas.

It's a Long Way Down for McGregor (8/7/2007)
Actor takes north-south journey in Nissan Patrol.

Lexus Turns LS into Orchestra Piece (8/6/2007)
A dozen sedans to become touring group?

Ford Rolls Out Eco-Friendlier Paint (8/6/2007)
New tech promises to save time and money.

Car Trivia: August 9, 2007 (8/9/2007)
Lincolns , Frankie and Annette, and fiberglass sportscars.

PODCAST: Alfa Romeo: Ready for a Comeback with 8C

After a more than decade-long absence, Alfa-Romeo is ready to make its return. The Italian automaker has pulled the wraps off its 8C Competizione, TheCarConnection.com reports, the limited-edition coupe that will herald the brand's U.S. revival. Paul Eisenstein has the complete story.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The 'Vette review in today's Web edition was outstanding. Give this writer more cars to write about. He has a really appealing writing style and covers all the stuff a gearhead wants to know.

Richard Belval

Naperville, Ill.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Road Test (8/2/2007)
Summertime, when the speeding is easy.

Car Trivia: August 9, 2007

1. What was Lincoln 's first front-wheel drive model?

2. Name the talk-show host who is co-owner of a CART racing team.

3. This 1966 movie starred Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Annette Funicello in a story about racing and moonshine.

4. Name the 1954 sports car that had a fiberglass body incorporating sliding doors.

5. In what year was Peter Fonda's motorcycle-odyssey movie Easy Rider released?

6. When did Ford's F-Series pickup have its 50th birthday?

7. This model name was used on cars made by Dodge, Ferrari and
Studebaker.

8. What was the fastest and most powerful 1957 Chrysler model?

9. Name the actors who portrayed motorcycle cops Jon and Ponch in the CHiPs TV series.

10. What model did the Volkswagen Eurovan replace?