10.) Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hardtop

There's no better way to view the fall foliage than through an open top, but the threat of a cold day means most people keep their convertibles in the garage. The Mazda MX-5 now comes with a hard-top convertible version offering all the fun of a cheap, quick car — only now with a hardtop to protect you and your occupants from the elements.
MSRP: $24,465
Best Fun Feature: Zippy acceleration
Best Fall Feature: Retractable hard top
Best Fall Trip: Drive to a B&B at the end of a road filled with winding curves and have just as much fun driving back.

9.) Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

As much fun as a Jeep is for a weekend on the beach, traveling in the fall means packing more gear. In that case, the much larger Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a great autumn choice. Plus, the add-on hardtop option will make life all the warmer.
MSRP: $21,985
Best Fun Feature: Folding windshield and removable doors
Best Fall Feature: Trail-rated 4x4 capability and an optional hardtop.
Best Fall Trip: Take a rugged path for a weekend of camping and hiking.

8.) Maserati GranTurismo S

The Maserati GranTurismo S is a fast, gorgeous and luxurious grand tourer in the classic style. Despite its sports car look, the GranTurismo has ample room for a weekend's worth of gear.
MSRP: $138,600
Best Fun Feature: 433-horsepower Italian V8
Best Fall Feature: Smooth, predictable ride with lots of room
Best Fall Trip: Try a long drive through the wine country and have room to take home a few bottles.

7.) Volkswagen Tiguan

The new Volkswagen Tiguan CUV offers the practicality of a larger vehicle with the fun driving characteristics of a smaller car.
MSRP: $23,200
Best Fun Feature: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine
Best Fall Feature: Fold-flat rear seats
Best Fall Trip: If your living space is looking a bit empty the Tiguan is an ideal companion for a weekend bouncing from antique shop to garage sale in search of that perfect armoire.

6.) Mini Cooper Clubman

The Mini Cooper has always been a fun, efficient way to get away for the weekend. Throw in an extra set of doors and a bit more room and you have the fall-ready Mini Clubman wagon.
MSRP: $20,850
Best Fun Feature: Fun to drive but also efficient (37 mpg highway)
Best Fall Feature: The rear doors are hinged, allowing for easy loading of large objects and luggage
Best Fall Trip: Autumn is a time of harvest and what better way to enjoy that then hitting the road and visiting local farms to load the back of the Clubman up with a bounty of pumpkins and squash!

5.) Ford Ranger FX4

Before winter's frost brings snow and ice, cold fronts move through bringing chilly rains that leave muddy trails, perfect for a weekend of mudding in the off-road version of Ford's compact Ford Ranger. The FX4 is light, simple and extremely competant over challening road conditions.
MSRP: $22,850
Best Fun Feature: Heavy duty schocks
Best Fall Feature: Off-road ability
Best Fall Trip: Tread lightly and carry a big truck through the backwoods with a friend, just make sure to bring some good boots.

4.) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

When it comes to bang-for-buck it is hard to top the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR, which offers the space of a sedan and the road-hugging ability of an AWD sports cars.
MSRP: $32,990
Best Fun Feature: Twin Clutch SST Automated Manual Transmission
Best Fall Feature: Super All-Wheel Control
Best Fall Trip: Nothing says a fun weekend like hitting the track or, if it is rainy, the rally stage.

3.) BMW X6

Instead of dusting off the boring old SUV for fall, consider the BMW X6 "Sports Activity Coupe" for a long weekend in the country. It's as fast as many sports cars and capable on or, as our road test editor claims, off road.
MSRP: $53,275
Best Fun Feature: An athletic design that hides the hatch
Best Fall Feature: Dynamic Performance Control, which keeps the Bimmer planted to any road
Best Fall Trip: With Thanksgiving around the corner you've got enough room for kids and enough zoom to make you forget your Uncle Jake's prison stories.

2.) Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited

The Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon offers poise, comfort, drivability and most importantly: space.
MSRP: $31,595
Best Fun Feature: 440-watt, 9-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo
Best Fall Feature: Continuous All-Wheel Drive
Best Fall Trip: Football season is here and the roomy Outback will not only get you to the game, it has the room for tailgating gear. Bratwurst anyone?

1.) Porsche 911 Targa 4

A Porsche 911 is fun year-round, but the Porsche 911 Targa 4 is the perfect sports car for Fall. When the weather is nice the glass roof and hatch allow all inside a chance to see the sights. When the weather turns rough the Targa 4 comes equipped with all-wheel drive.
MSRP: $89,500
Best Fun Feature: Glass roof
Best Fall Feature: All-wheel-drive
Best Fall Trip: Pick a sunny weekend and drive to the coast where you can marvel at the beauty through the glass.

Much as we still have faith in democracy, we're also skeptical as to whether or not these particular vehicles are M-prototypes — or if M-badged trucks are coming at all. For instance, you'd think that they'd fit an M-model with bigger wheels, and maybe even remove the roof rack, but then they are just prototypes. All enthusiasts should hope these are just sport editions — if they are full-blown M-models, there really is nothing sacred left. [palbay]

AC Schnitzer presents the new styling and performance package for the BMW X6

The new BMW X6 exerts a particular form of magnetism: not only does its chassis sit perfectly on the road, it also magically attracts attention. Now it appears there is only one place where the fascination, dynamism and presence of the first Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) can be enhanced: in the workshops of AC Schnitzer in Aachen. The result is a visual and technical masterpiece which further magnifies the core qualities of the X6.

In the X6 by AC Schnitzer, the front skirt with its diagonal air intakes and repositioned fog lights are exposed. The drive-under protection has been removed in favour of a more dynamic contour of the spoiler edge. The rear carries a massive skirt with framed edges. In contrast to the original, all components are painted body-colour throughout, so the body appears downstretched and hence more dominant. Instead of the drive-under protection originally fitted here, AC Schnitzer Designer Michele Viandante has opted for a rear diffuser.

Another eyecatcher is the chromed tailpipes of the dual-flow exhaust system in AC Schnitzer Racing Design. The BMW X6 is not the only SAC in the world, but it is one of the first vehicles to be fitted with the multipiece AC Schnitzer alloy wheels Type Vll. With their black paint and tightly arranged spokes, the 22" rims present a challenging stance. The changing angles of the web pairs give an air of sophistication.

Typical AC Schnitzer: The vehicle's appearance is not misleading, but simply a reflection of its inner values. The renowned BMW tuner has developed a real firecracker under the bonnet of the diesel versions 3.0dX and 3.5dX with a new Motor Control Unit. Precise performance data will be released shortly. Of course, sheer engine power is not the only ingredient in sporting performance. So Manfred Wollgarten, Technical Director of AC Schnitzer, has developed a unique suspension spring kit for the X6 on the North Loop of the Nürburgring.

One thing can be disclosed: Despite its high body, the X6 by AC Schnitzer in this configuration will show a clean pair of heels to many sports saloons. Perfect handling with corresponding Look and Feel is ensured by the "EVO" 3-spoke Sport Airbag steering wheel. With AC Schnitzer, you hold the road firmly in almost any position. The X6 by AC Schnitzer takes control on public roads as willingly as on changing terrain with varying up and down gradients!

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

How did we get to this point? It started with innocent "flame-surfacing" resulting from a bored designer, and before you know it, we've got people styling SUVs like a monstrosity that would make Mark Hamill's ride from Corvette Summer blush. The only thing we can take comfort in, is that it's just a custom. But when something like this shows up on the dealer lots in 2015, don't say we didn't warn you.
[VWvortex]

In addition to barely reduced fuel consumption, expect the production ActiveHybrid to share the concept's bizarre hood bulge, as evidenced in these photos. While we don't know exactly when it will be released, this will be BMW's first hybrid and we're putting our money on a 2010 on-sale date.

While it's tempting to mock BMW for selling such a blatantly hypocritical vehicle, the rest of the BMW EfficientDynamics range actually does accomplish reasonable fuel efficiency, so we think they're just playing it smart by selling efficient diesels to people who actually care about reducing fuel consumption while charging a premium to those who merely want to be seen to be doing so.

Unlike spotted owls, KGP's photographers actually managed to get close to the X6 ActiveHybrid without suffocating on its fumes. Here's what they had to say:

We spotted BMW's X6 ActiveHybrid undergoing hot-weather trials in Death Valley. We saw three X6 Hybrid cars, but one of the test vehicles showed one important difference, as its final hood design was visible for the first time on a real-world prototype. Two of the prototypes showcased enormous hood bulges, but the third prototype's hood—while still bulging more than a standard X6—looks clean with a tastefully integrated bump sculpted in near the cowl. We can now confirm that the production X6 Hybrid will take its visual inspiration from BMW's X6 ActiveHybrid concept. Whether the revised hood bulge is there to make room for some hybrid-specific hardware, or if its sole purpose is to signal one's green-leaning tendencies, is currently unknown.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: Yes
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: Yes
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: Yes
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: Yes
Soccer Moms: No
NASCAR Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also consider:
• Mercedes CLS
• Porsche Cayenne
• Range Rover Sport
• Infiniti FX50
• Mercedes G55 AMG
• Audi S6 Avant

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: BMW
• Model tested: X6 xDrive35i
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $53,275
• Price as Tested: $63,225
• Engine type: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six
• Horsepower: 300 @ 5,800-6,250 RPM
• Torque: 300 @ 1,400-5,000 RPM
• Red line: 7,000 RPM
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Curb Weight: 4,894 lbs
• LxWxH: 192.0" x 78.1" x 66.5"
• Wheelbase: 115.5"
• Tires: 315/35 ZR20 front and rear
• Drive type: AWD
• 0 - 60 mph: 6.5 seconds [estimated]
• 1/4-mile: N/A
• Top speed: 149mph
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 15/20 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating: N/A

Also see:

• BMW X6, Part One

• BMW X6, Part Two

Acceleration: ****
Both the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six and 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 move the X6 forward with real gusto. There's nothing in it below 100mph, but the V8 doesn't taper off at high speeds like the six-cylinder does. The revvy xDrive35i fits the X6's sporty character best, and weighs 264lbs less, making it noticeably more agile.

Braking: *****
Immensely powerful, the brakes haul the heavy X6 up without drama. On the track, they didn't fade and the ABS isn't over conservative, allowing drivers to fully exploit the available grip. The active dampers eliminate dive.

Ride: ****
Back off the pace a bit and the X6 is luxury car comfortable. While the big 315/20s ride firmly, the suspension always keeps things in control on everything from smooth highways to rough dirt tracks. There's less tire noise than you might think, but it's not as quiet as say a 7-series.

Handling: ****
So good you'll forget you're driving an SUV. Dynamic Performance Control is a genuine game changer, think of it as a form of stability control that gives you more control, increases grip to unimaginable levels and does both without interfering by grabbing brakes or cutting power. Other electronics eliminate dive and roll, too.

The laws of physics do eventually intervene and the X6 will understeer, but its limits are unbelievably high. We'd put the X6 up against any sports car on a tight, twisty and wet mountain road, it's just a shame the steering is devoid of feel.

Gearbox: *
The biggest flaw in the X6's driving experience is made worse by the rest of the car's competence. The plastic paddles are counterintuitive to use and provide a disappointing level of control. The automatic's electronic brain is an unpredictable master, you never know when or if it'll allow you to downshift and loves shifting up at unpredictable moments.

Audio: ****
Another journalist remarked to us that he hadn't noticed the sound that emanates from the differential under hard driving as he'd switched the radio on and spent the day in cruise-mode. We did exactly the opposite and were rewarded with two great-sounding engines and the unique mechanical noise coming from the back end. But taking a peak at the X6's options list reveals the kind of fancy audio systems you'd expect from a high-spec luxury car.

Toys: *****
We'd give the X6 five stars here if all it came with was Dynamic Performance Control, any technology that increases driver control, safety and speed at the same time makes us happy boys. It's the antithesis of traditional stability control — which we normally switch off — as it doesn't interfere with your driving. But, the X6 also comes with every other conceivable kid of gizmo, which while impressive, would make us worry about buying an X6 as a used car in a few years' time. The iDrive is better than ever as well, spend a few minutes getting used to it and you'll be rewarded with rapid, intuitive access to all the vehicle's settings.

Value: *
The X6 costs over $8,500 more than an equivalent X5. While it does drive considerably better, it offers a lot less utility. Having said that, it doesn't set out to be a practical package, more a car that people will want rather than one they'll need.

Overall: ***
Faster and better to drive than any vehicle this big, this heavy and this tall has any right to be, we'd love to be able to give it more stars, but ultimately its flaws compromise its ability to too great a degree.

Having said that, with the X6, driving is believing. Put your preconceptions and prejudices aside and take one for a spin, you'll be amazed. But fitting one into your life might prove a slightly less exciting experience.

Also see:

• BMW X6, Part One

BMW calls the X6 a Sports Activity Coupe. That seems preposterous given both their constant assertion that their best selling SUVs, the X3 and X5, be referred to as SAVs and the X6's four doors, which is 2 more than the unofficial definition of a coupe allows. The BMW X6 is based on that X5, its main difference, aside from the obvious low roof, swoopy bodywork and huge ass, is firm suspension and the addition of Dynamic Performance Control.

It's the latter that makes the X6 so special. Basically the cleverest rear differential in the world, DPC apportions power to the rear wheels independently to improve agility, stability and traction at all times. This matters to you and me because it makes the X6 handle incredibly well and incredibly safely in any condition without cutting power or hitting the brakes to interfere.

Combine DPC with Adaptive Drive, which eliminates roll and dive, and two incredibly powerful engines and you have a car that performs better than even the wildest imagination allows.

The first indication of the X6's genre-creating genius came with a tearing sound from the back end. Getting on the power in the middle of a wet and foggy hairpin in the Appalachian Mountains that sound suddenly joined the twin-turbo inline-six's deep growl as the level of grip began to beggar belief. It's the sound of the rear differential working hard to keep the X6 accelerating rather than spinning. Its function is otherwise undetectable, except through the scarcely unbelievable speed with which it allowed me to attack that windy mountain road in the middle of a thunderstorm.

Eventually, the realities of physics do overcome the ability of BMW's engineers to bend them. Pushed to the limits of grip the X6 will oversteer, stepping out into a few degrees of controllable slide, but take things a step further and the end result is understeer. The aggression it takes to provoke is, however, unlikely to be encountered on anything this side of an icy road or racetrack.

Slowing down, later in the day, that performance becomes nothing but a memory as the realities of driving an X6 on the road set in. It's bigger than you think, dwarfing Ford Explorers and minivans, a full width lane barely containing its bulk. This is both good and bad. The size creates an incredibly spacious interior for its four occupants and plenty of their luggage, but it's hard to place on narrow streets and in tight corners. The svelte shape leaves plenty of room for six footers in the rear seats, but doesn't allow for rear visibility. BMW has compensated by speccing the biggest wing mirrors you'll find this side of a semi, but we don't recommend reversing without the aid of the on board camera. And while its incredibly fast and has ridiculous levels of grip, the steering is almost totally numb, so it takes time to develop faith in the chassis' ability.

For the US, the X6 will come with two engines, both have twin turbos. The xDrive35i comes with a 3.0-liter straight six while the xDrive50i come with a 4.4-liter V8. On paper, the V8 is the clear winner, delivering a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. In practice however, the inline-six is livelier, weighing down the X6's front end considerably less and not suffering from the bigger engine's turbo lag. At 6.5 seconds to 60mph and topping out at 149mph, it's far from slow as well.

The gearbox lets both engines down by being difficult to use. Override it manually with the paddles and the results are hit or miss. Sometimes you get the gear you want, sometimes you don't, making fully exploiting the X6's chassis disappointingly difficult.

Don't expect the X6 to be the last vehicle to use Dynamic Performance Control. Allegedly, it'll soon find its way into the X5 and maybe even into vehicles from the M division. Judging by what's it's capable of here, we can't wait to try it when it's not just serving to make a flawed vehicle surprisingly capable, but when it's being used to make an already good car even better.

2009 Pontiac Vibe

The name suggests vibrator, but one look at this poorly re-bodied Corolla-cousin to the Toyota Matrix is likely to prevent anyone but the most hardcore red arrow-fetishist from getting off.

2009 Toyota Venza

You know what's great about the Toyota Venza? Yeah, neither do we. As much fun as the old angled-E-pillar Camry wagons were, Toyota decided to take the concept of a Camry wagon and cross it with ugly in order to make one of those famous "crossover" vehicles. Thanks for nothing.

2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

It took a keen eye, some serious hallucinogenic substances and a love of the George Foreman Grill to make the already fugly Chrysler Sebring even less fetching. Congrats to the Chrysler team for taking a car that distinguishes itself for lackluster performance and giving it a body to match. USA! USA!

2009 VW Routan

We're not sure what the conversation was like at Volkswagen HQ when they decided to rebadge a Dodge Minivan, but we imagine it's only slightly more interesting then the conversation where they decided to give it yet another preposterous and meaningless two-syllable name. What, did someone already own the rights to Asscrap?

2009 BMW X6

We have yet to drive the new BMW X6 SAV (Stupid Automotive Variation), so maybe it's a revolution in automotive design. Or maybe it's a $52,000 miscalculation that offers the convenience of neither a car or an SUV. Only time will tell.

Maybach 62 Landaulet

Although a concept, it's still the perfect ride for when you want to look like a million bucks because nothing says "kidnap my children" like a stretch, convertible Maybach. Rumor is they're going to build it. Oh geez.

2008 Ford Focus

Leave it to Ford to take a car we absolutely loved when it first debuted and slowly engineer everything we like out of the car. But it's got Ford SYNC technology so... you know... victory!

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"Due to upcoming U.S. regulations in effect for Model Year 2009, we are changing some of our naming protocol. The new naming protocol will affect all products that currently have an engine displacement designation within the name—X3, X5, X6, Z4 and Z4 Coupe."

with a base of $63,000, we're going to assume you can push the options list just as far, of course that's probably not true, but it would mean a maximum MSRP above $81,000. Did you hear that cartoon like *gulp* sound we just made? That's a lot of El Caminos. Check the option sheet out below and see what kind of creative pricing you can figure out. BMW X6 xDrive 50i - $63,000 * Premium (ZPP) - $1,750 * Sport w/19″ tire package (ZSP) - $3,100 * Cold Weather Package (ZCW) - $900 * Rear Climate Package (ZRC) - $900 * Premium Sound Package (ZPS) - $2,000 * Active Ventilated Seat Package (ZAV) - $1,100

BMW X6 xDrive 35i - $52,500
* Premium (ZPP) - $1,750
* Sport w/19″ tire package (ZSP) - $3,600
* Cold Weather Package (ZCW) - $900
* Rear Climate Package (ZRC) - $900
* Premium Sound Package (ZPS) - $2,000
* Active Ventilated Seat Package (ZAV) - $2,100
* Technology Package (ZTP) - $2,000

Available Options
* Alcantara/Leather Combination - No cost
* Nappa Leather - $1,000
* Metallic Paint - No cost
* Running Boards - $300
* HD Radio - $350
* Heated Rear Seats - $350
* Rear-View Camera - $400
* Heated Front Seats - $500
* Automatic Tailgate - $500
* Satellite Radio - $595
* Soft Close Doors - $600
* BMW Assist w/Bluetooth - $750
* Sport package wheel upgrade (20″) - $950
* Comfort Access - $1,000
* Multi-contour Seats - $1,200
* Heads-Up Display - $1,200
* Active Steering - $1,400
* Rear Seat Entertainment - $1,700
* Navigation with RTTI - $1,900

I live in the Upstate area of South Carolina,home of BMW Manufacturing. I spotted this X6 a few days ago at a local Micky D's. Got out and walked around the car.Absolutely beautiful automobile. First Black X6 I've seen anywhere.This car appears to be a finished production model.Car had no camo,all badges and BMW logo's were clearly visible.This car is a take home tester for a BMW Manager. From a distance the car appears to be smaller, almost sedan sized, until you get close to the car.I'm about 5'10'' tall and the top of the X6's rear hatch hits me about mid chest. Then you realize this is a fairly large car and related to the X5.This car looks much,much better in person.The photos just don't do it justice. The car has an awesome street stance and presence.

While we were fully aware there was to be a diesel option for the almost a coupe, not quite an SUV, we didn't know what it would be, nor that there would be two options. The info shows contradictory elements though. Two different power outputs for their 3.0 liter diesel - 235 hp and 286 hp. The lower power model would be called the BMW X6 xDrive30d, and the higher power model the BMW X6 xDrive35d. The funny part is that both engines show the same capacity, thus the BMW naming convention makes no sense. Something funny going on over there.

Saw this CUV on I-75 south and I-640 east at 5 pm on Friday, 11/23. Not sure what it is, but the logo on the hatch is blacked out. South Carolina plates. Couldn't get in front of it to get that picture; the driver was moving through traffic pretty good and I was going faster than I was comfortable for the traffic level. And once the driver noticed I was taking pics, I wasn't going to catch up.

My family and I were driving back from Malibu on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway 1) on Saturday (before the fires started) when I noticed a lightly masked BMW X6 on the road in front of us. The manufacturer badges and portions of the lights were covered. My wife took these pics. Because it was twilight and both our car and the X6 were moving, the quality is poor, but it may be interesting anyway.