Summer of Centennials: Buick, Vauxhall, Ford and More; GM Ramps Up Incentives; Turbos Transform Tomorrow's Cars; Spy Shots of '05 Mercedes CLE 4-Door Coupe; And Testing the Ultimate Luxury Cars: Audi's A8L and BMW's 760Li on TheCarConnection.com

DETROIT, May 19, 2003 -- Call it centennial Summer. You've undoubtedly heard a lot about Ford's upcoming birthday celebrations. But Buick's about to put 100 candles in its birthday cake, as well.

This week's edition of TheCarConnection takes a look at Buick past, present and future. See how the General Motors division became the ultimate "doctor's car," then lost its way -- and how it is using more than a reborn Harley Earl to prepare for its second century.

Speaking of GM, it's been leading the incentives war and as sales continue to cool, its ready to offer everything but the kitchen sink. Get the word on the latest deals on TCC this week.

It's got 12 cylinders, 438 horsepower -- and two iDrives. Is the BMW 760Li the ultimate luxury car? Or does that mantle belong to Audi's all-new, all-aluminum A8L? TheCarConnection tests two supreme machines.

Then see what our spies have reeled in. Get a first look at the unique, '05 Mercedes-Benz CLE. It's got four doors, but a coupe's softer silhouette.

In business news, the shrinking dollar may be bad for tourists, but it's great for Detroit's automakers. Who will benefit? Read TCC. In the World Report, Vauxhall's also turning 100, and the French take two.

Curmudgeon-at-large Jerry Flint says that in the war over fuel economy, the public relations battle is just as important as any real improvements.

Need a boost? A new generation of turbochargers could help manufacturers deliver better performance -- and increased mileage, all at the same time.

This week's TCC Tip presents some exhausting choices. Make sense of emissions standards, and buy green.

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Find Kelley Blue Book pricing, weekly racing results and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority, TheCarConnection.com .

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