MARIUS VATAVU
Test Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Prototype All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Refuel Vehicle Tested: 2008 Chevrolet Equinox LT 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 5A) Pros: Peppy performance, seamless power delivery, petroleum-free fuel, zero emissions. Cons: Lack of hydrogen filling stations makes mass production unlikely, 180-mile range trails traditional gas-powered vehicles. Other than the "Fuel Cell" decals and opalescent paint job, the hydrogen-powered 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Prototype seems like your garden-variety compact SUV — until you turn the key. The futuristic soundtrack that ensues is a cross between Doc Brown's DeLorean and an industrial-grade freezer. It crackles and fizzes like the Flux Capacitor while "STARTING, PLEASE WAIT" appears in the gauge cluster, then settles into a vibrant hum reminiscent of the ice cream aisle. Turn it off and you're treated to a great hissing sigh, followed by more whirring and popping noises. OK, so this Equinox is a little different. But if you believe the folks at GM, it might amount to a sneak preview of the post-petroleum future. Hydrogen is plentiful, renewable and non-polluting — and as the Equinox Fuel Cell's sprightly and ultra-smooth performance demonstrates, this ubiquitou
MARIUS VATAVU
Test Drive: 2008 BMW 328i The Ultimate Entry-Level Sport Sedan By: Josh Sadlier , Associate Editor Vehicle Tested: 2008 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M) Pros: Sublime synthesis of performance and comfort, frugal fuel consumption at highway speeds, superb base stereo, rich interior materials. Cons: Cramped rear seat, excessive wind noise, less-than-intuitive stereo and climate controls, polarized sunglasses wash out stereo display. It's hard to make a name for yourself when your big brother's always the center of attention. Just ask the 2008 BMW 328i sedan, which seems doomed to toil in relative obscurity while its steroidal 335i sibling gets all the press. That's a shame, because the 328i is an unequivocal pleasure to drive. It's also roughly $6,000 cheaper than a comparably equipped 335i. Rather than dismissing the 328i as BMW's entry-level sport sedan, it's best to think of it as a 335i with less motor. These Bavarian brothers are essentially the same everywhere except under the hood. Is the 328i good enough to make you forget about the 335i's extra 70 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque? Not a chance. But it's still a world-class sport sedan in its own right, and its buttery-smooth 230-hp inline six-cylinder engine provides enough power for all but the most demanding drivers.