MotorMouths

Having improved performance slightly and fuel economy dramatically, AMG engineers can congratulate themselves on a job well done.

The Bentley Flying Spur’s speed gathers menacingly and cornering remains amazingly flat. Pretty amazing stuff for a car that looks like it should be trundling along with Her Majesty’s patented wave just peeking through a cracked rear window.

There are any number of cars that can thrill in perfect circumstances. Far fewer are those that can be driven any time, anywhere. That is the true beauty of the Porsche 911 Turbo. One minute, it’s challenging a Ferrari on a race track, and the next it’s following a Suburban up a snowy road.

The California is just so drivable. The steering is amazingly light. On the other hand, it is a Ferrari. So, when you start paddle-shifting that Getrag sourced gearbox, the shifts are very quick, just the thing to keep up with an engine that seems to rev to eight grand at the blink of an eye.

Aside for a few shortcomings endemic to the breed – a high step-up height and a fairly portly curb weight – the big sport-brute is as luxurious as virtually any premium sedan, all the while retaining its famed Tuktoyaktuk-to-Tierra-del-Fuego escapism.

The 911 GT2 RS is the most powerful and fastest production Porsche of all time (including the Carrera GT). But, for everyday riding and eve on twisty backroads, the Turbo S is easier, more fun and, in most people’s hands, probably also quicker. It also costs about $100K less.

What can you expect from something that, at $245,000, is probably the least expensive Roller ever sold? The Ghost continues Rolls-Royce’s lineage with all the panache, presence and performance of its storied predecessors.

The Audi R8 Spyder offers most of the performance of the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari 458, the livability of the Porsche 911 Turbo and panache equal to all three. And it’s far less expensive than either Italian alternative.

I’ll stand behind my choice of the 135i over an M3. The 135i is all the sporting car this probably-sillier-than-most scofflaw needs. It costs half as much, is easier to live with and is, as far as I am concerned, the best car BMW makes.

The new 2011 Sonata retains Hyundai’s core principles — build quality, value — with a couple of new ones thrown in — superior handling and sophisticated styling.

For most — nay, virtually all — street-going needs, the Audi S5’s combination of suspension firmness, sensational grip from the performance radials and all-wheel-drive versatility will more than suffice.

The 2010 Audi Q7 TDI delivers on its promise of performance and fuel economy. It’s also the most worthwhile of the Q7 engine options.