The Motor Magazine - 15.09.2010 | drive it

This time, drive it! has something for everyone, whether it's a racing car that goes like a rocket or a cozy three-wheeled caravan. With more than 500 horsepower and a maximum speed of over 300 kilometers an hour, the Wiesmann GT burns up the track. A test driver says it's the most challenging car he's ever driven.And motorcycling fans take part in a celebrating the birthday of the legendary BMW enduro-bike, the GS. And finally, we took it easy while checking out some unusual caravans.

admire it! The Wiesmann GT MF - 5Like its trademark gecko, the Wiesmann GT MF5 is quick. Hop in for a ride and let its 507 horsepower engine with a top speed of 310 kilometers give you that racetrack feeling. The Wiesmann brothers have been building their dream cars by hand since 1988.At their workshops near Münster, they spend 350 hours making each car, which incorporates BMW's M5 and M6 technologies. A choice of 400 different types of upholstering leathers, together with a wide range of thread, carpet and interior paints, guarantees a tailor-made interior. The no-frills MF5 model can be had for €180,000, although extras can cost much more. drive it! tested the Wiesemann where it's meant to run - on the racetrack.

present it! Volvo in 2011 - In the coming year, environmental protection will be writ large at Volvo. It's the first time a front-wheel drive model of its XC 90 SUV will be available in Europe alongside the all-wheel drive models that have been on sale up to now. That's because not everyone takes their SUV off-road.With a small diesel under the hood, fuel economy is a real feature on the front wheel drive XC 90. And it's cheaper as well, with a selling price some €5,000 lower than the all-wheel drive model. Also new in Volvo's palette is a two-liter gasoline engine that's available for Volvo's small SUV, the XC 60, and in its S80 sedan.

examine it!: The BMW GS Endurobike turns 30 - The BMW GS enduro bike has been a symbol of freedom and adventure for three decades. The secret of the motorcycle's popularity is that it perfectly blends sturdiness and off-road maneuverability with long-haul comfort. One of the GS' biggest fans is rally driver Jutta Kleinschmidt.She started her career by winning the women's race at the Dakar Rally on a GS. A visit to this year's GS meet at Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a good way to find out just how well-loved the classic motorbike is.

test it! The Lexus IS 250 The Lexus IS 250 is supposed to give the Audi A4, the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes C-class a run for their money on the European market. Lexus is using the IS 250 to succeed on the old continent, particularly in Germany. It offers a choice between diesel and gasoline engines.