Perfect Ride

2014 sees the launch of the new Audi A3 convertible. For the first time ever, the open model isn't based on the hatchback, but on the sedan. Perfect Ride discusses the differences between the generations as well as the ad- and disadvantages of the new A3 convertible. Plus: The Jaguar F-Type is the latest sports car from the UK. The big cat poaches in the territory of the Porsche 911 Carrera.

With the creation of the Panamera S Hybrid, Porsche wanted to get rid of the Panamera's image as a giant gas guzzler. And it's indeed a fuel-saving miracle in its class. The sports car comes with an output of 380 HP and an average fuel consumption of just 6.8 liter. But the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is not the only eco-friendly car. The Audi A3 g-tron is a natural gas car that's CO2-neutral.

The International Motor Show Germany in Frankfurt is the world's biggest and most important automobile exhibition. Perfect Ride takes a look at the 2013 edition of the motor show and reveals all the automotive novelties and surprises that car manufacturers around the world have in store for visitors. Electric mobility and alternative drives play an important role.

The 1930s saw the introduction of diesel engines in passenger cars. Back then people dismissed them as truck engines and scorned them as dirty. But those times are finally over. Diesel engines have been established for ages and even arrived in motorsports. Audi dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its diesel-hybrid R18 e-tron quattro and uses this experience for future road vehicles.

They offer less space than a station wagon, they are more expensive than a sedan and they are still beststellers: coupes. They used to have just two doors and a sporty styling, but since then the definition of this competitive segment was broadened. With the Audi RS7, there is a new a rival for the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG and BMW M6 Gran Coupe and it comes with the performance of a sports car.

Audi A3, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes CLS have been bestsellers for years. In order to attract even more buyers and close the niches between the different vehicle classes, manufacturers extend their model series every so often: Proven technology under the bonnet, but a redesigned body. The results are cars between two worlds such as A3 Sedan, 5 Series Gran Turismo and CLS Shooting Brake.

The 2012 Mercedes A-Class managed to shake off its image as a vehicle for retired people. But AMG tops it all and presents the hottest A-Class ever. Its impressive 360-hp engine is the most powerful production four-cylinder in the world. Plus: Musketier Tuning turns the Citroen DS 3 into a defening driving machine. Perfect Ride discusses the differences between the tuned and the production model.

For many people, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini offer unaffordable dream cars. But you don't need to spend your annual salary on these brands, if you're looking for a powerful car with high performance and a full sounding engine. For example, the Nissan 370 Z by Nismo is just half the price of a Porsche 911, rarer and with 344 HP as powerful as the German flagship sports car.

The BMW X5 is the best selling SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) in the world. Since the introduction of this model, which also founded its segment, the X5 was sold more than 1.2 million times. It combines dynamics with luxury and thanks to xDrive, the BMW's all-wheel drive, it always offers best traction. Perfect Ride reviews the recent third generation of the BMW X5 and reveals, where it improved.

The Tesla Model S is the car of the 21st century. It teaches the major automobile companies, what is possible when you believe in your own idea. It is one of the most exceptional cars one can buy. It offers an electric range of up to 500 kilometers and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4 seconds. In addition to that, Tesla promises that every buyer can charge its car for free forever.

The Skoda Octavia is a mousy car, a transport facility for families, a utility vehicle. But just two letters shed a different light on the model: RS. The RS is the fastest Octavia of all times. 220 HP, a sporty interior and a powerful engine sound promise racing feeling for the whole family. Perfect Ride finds out if the Skoda Octavia RS delivers what the letters R and S promise.

In 2007 Fiat jumped onto the retro bandwagon and introduced its newly created und highly successful Fiat 500. Now the Italian car manufacturer elongates its bestseller by a meter and presents the Fiat 500L Trekking. The model looks different from the regular one, which was especially popular with female drivers. Perfect Ride reviews the front-engined car and checks if it holds its ground off-road.

For more than 60 years the Land Rover Defender has been crawling through slush and mud. It wasn't even afraid of the steepest mountains. Perfect Ride checks out the Defender. Plus: The Lada Taiga, which was formerly known as Lada Niva, is one of the cheapest off-road vehicles on the market. The Russian all-terrain vehicle is in production since 1977, but hasn't seen much change over the years.

1964 saw the introduction of the Ford Mustang, which is considered to be the ancestor of all pony cars. In the first year Ford sold more than 680,000 units of this car. It's a record that no other vehicle was able to break. To this day, people around the world value it for its strength, superior V8 and reasonable price. Perfect Ride reviews the Mustang, the Challenger and Camaro.

Perfect Ride takes a look behind the scenes of Wiesman, a small-volume manufacturer from Germany that produced just 1600 vehicles since its foundation in 1988. Its name stands for exclusivity, craftsmanship and pure roadster feeling. Thanks to the combination of a low weight chassis with a powerful engine, every Wiesmann model is a milestone in terms of driving dynamics.

A common prejudice against electric cars is that they are not suitable for everyday life due to their short driving range and long charging times. But statistics from Germany show that drivers don't travel more than 100 kilometers a day, so there shouldn't be a problem. Perfect Ride tests if the VW e-up! and Renault Zoe are suitable for everyday life, when radio and heater are running, too.

Some cars make a highly successful debut to the scene, so that the arrival of a second generation is inevitable. One example is the Nissan Qashqai. As one of the first crossovers it heralded a new era and has been sold more than two million times. For its second generation, Nissan has to step up their game though, because its concept inspired other like the Suzuki SX4 to follow suit.

More engine power, but less fuel consumption: That's exactly what chip tuning wants to make possible. On a 3,000 kilometer road trip from Germany on Spain Perfect Ride tests if tuning boxes fulfill their promises. Plus: Which other extensions and modifications promise to turn driving experiences into saving experiences? Perfect Ride offers the answer!

The ultimate battle between cheap and expensive is on! The Dacia Logan MCV, one of Europe's cheapest station wagons, takes on the Volkswagen Golf Variant, one of Europe's most popular station wagons. The Logan MCV from Romania is just half the price of its competitor. But what can one expect from a new car in this price range and why is it so cheap? Perfect Ride makes the comparison.

They are small, noisy and make a lot of fun: Small cars with a high engine output are very popular with drivers. That's why Audi launches an offensive and offers its A1 as a sporty S1 version. Its name gives hope for something big, because in the 1980s a S1 achieved immortality at Pikes Peak. Perfect Ride reveals if the new 231-HP Audi S1 can live up to this legacy.

Perfect Ride checks out front-wheel drive cars such as the Peugeot RCZ-R, Seat Leon Cupra SC 280 and Renault Megan TCe 265 and tests how well they transmit their power of almost 300 hp to the road. The problem is: High performance and front-wheel drive make for a very challenging mix. For example, the traction control system has a lot of work to do at times of rapid acceleration.

Every sporty vehicle needs a low center of gravity. To underline the sporty character of the new BMW 4 Series, the model got the lowest center of gravity of all BMW models. This results in a reduction of unwanted rolling movements and makes substantially higher curve speeds possible. Plus: Perfect Ride reviews the Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche Cayman S.

Compact SUVs promise more and more power while giving up some of the typical SUV characteristics in their design. Car manufacturer give in to this trend and keep pushing the performance. Audi RS Q3, Mercedes GLA 45 and Porsche Macan Turbo are setting new benchmarks in this segment. But can SUVs with a high center of gravity really and high performance really offer the Perfect Ride?

High-performing small cars become increasingly popular with buyers. The Mini Cooper S is one of the best examples for this trend. Even though the 192 hp midget from Munich is anything but a bargain, it sells exceptionally well. Perfect Ride reviews the third generation of the Mini Cooper S and reveals which rival models are its toughest competitors.