Anybody see the Autoweek Autofile on the Passat that said that it beat the A4Q in the slalom and both of them got beat by the CHRYSLER CIRRUS. I drive a Chrysler Cirrus once a week as a fleet car and it has impressive off-the-line acceleration,but the tires howl when I'm driving it 3/4 as hard as my H&R Springs A4FM.<p>Go Figure

I think they are trying to gain popularity with the American car companies... Well, they are in Detroit...

Tire qualities determine a large (not total) part of a cars performance in slalom, cornering, braking, and to a lesser degree, 0-60 performance. A mid-80's Yugo with SP8000's, Michelin Pilots, Pirelli PXXX, etc. could out-slalom a Corvette with the wrong rubber. Well, probably not, due to power, body roll, likely breakdown of the Yugo, and other factors, but the handling of most modern cars is getting pretty good. Put decent tires on a Cirrus, Park Avenue, Camry, or whatever, and its cornering will be pretty decent. (Although it may not feel very good doing it).