Look at the underside of a mushroom. Each one of those little paper-thin ribs is called a lamella (presumably, the plural is lamellae). In the world of Mercedes-Benz, this particular L-word is associated with the context of sunroofs: the kind with slats that bunch up when the roof opens.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Modern Romance – European Car Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Modern Romance – European Car Magazine

Four years down the line, Audi’s very successful A4 (B8 series) benefits from a mid-cycle refresh. But while the subtle changes to the car’s exterior make it look sharper and fresher, the big news is under the hood of the four-cylinder models where an all-new turbocharged motor lives.

Photo Gallery: Audi A4: 2012 – European Car Magazine

Photo Gallery: Audi A4: 2012 – European Car Magazine

Hard to believe, then, that this car has been around for so long and held on to remain so successful for so many years on end. With the 2012 model year, it’s 37 and counting. In automotive terms, in an industry where fads—whether mechanical, aesthetic or otherwise—come and go like the autumn leaves, 37 years seems an eternity.

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 328i – F30 BMW 3 Series – European Car Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 328i – F30 BMW 3 Series – European Car Magazine

Every time I get in and drive a Volkswagen GTI it brings me back to my European car enthusiast roots. Perhaps there is something magical in them that transports me back to simpler times, allowing me to relive the fun and carefree lifestyle of my youth. However, it is more likely that the sixth-generation GTI is so much of a blast to drive that this is quite frankly a natural response.

A few years back, there was a Guinness ad on TV that ended with the tagline “Perfection just takes a little longer.” This phrase came back to me as I drove the latest Bentley GTC along some of the most challenging country roads in Croatia.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Bentley Continental GTC – European Car Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Bentley Continental GTC – European Car Magazine

It’s morning. Everything is perfect. The sun has crested. It’s pleasantly warm, and I’ve just climbed behind the wheel of a Ferrari. Could it possibly get any better? Yes, when said Ferrari is a 458 Spider with miles of Italian mountain roads and open highways ahead of me.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider – European Car Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider – European Car Magazine

Comparison and analogy are effective methods to differentiate one thing from another. In regards to Volvo’s S60, those tools are ineffective. There’s simply nothing else like it.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volvo S60R T6 – European Car Magazine