Who says four cylinder cars have to be boring? The Audi TT roadster 2.0 is anything but. Its four-cylinder, direct injection engine produces 200 horsepower and 207 foot-pounds of torque. Turbocharging gives the car additional power without reducing fuel economy. Zero-to-sixty time is just over six seconds.

Running togs for spring and summer to help you keep a spring in your step.

In the second half of our Spring 2008 running shoe reviews, we look at a primo collection of trail and road models produced by a mix of newcomers, classic running shoe companies, and contributions from the knowledgeable world of hiking and mountaineering.

Our monthly picks of cool gear for sporty types.

Is bigger better?

For over twenty-five years, the Accord has won the hearts of American buyers by being a beacon of simplicity in a gimmick-laden world. Its large windshield and low cowl contribute to excellent forward visibility, its interior is logical and ergonomic, its four-cylinder engine fuel efficient, and all grades have a high level of standard safety. 

Of all the panthers in Jaguar's den, the bullet-shaped XKR is its most alluring animal. The supercharged version of the XK coupe packs four-hundred twenty horsepower inside an aluminum monocoque shell, atop twenty-inch rims with low-profile, Z-rated tires.

Springtime means warm rains, green grass and a fresh generation of new running shoes and updated favorites from which we can choose. This is part one of a two-part review, focusing on the classic running shoe companies and some of their latest stuff. Next month, we’ll look at some of the newer companies breaking into the running shoe market.

I have been involved in several backpacking trips all over the world and the one constant is the importance of adequate gear for the environment — regardless if we are leading a group through the Wind River Range in Wyoming or hiking the Overland Track in Tasmania,