U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address was “very troubling” and that the annual speech to Congress has “degenerated into a political pep rally.”Responding to a University of Alabama law student’s question about the Senate’s method of confirming justices, Roberts said senators improperly try to make political points by asking questions they know nominees can’t answer because of judicial ethics rules.

“I think the process is broken down,” he said. Obama chided the court for its campaign finance decision during the January address, with six of the court’s nine justices seated before him in their black robes. Roberts said he wonders whether justices should attend the address.”To the extent the State of the Union has degenerated into a political pep rally, I’m not sure why we’re there,” said Roberts, a Republican nominee who joined the court in 2005.Roberts said anyone is free to criticize the court and that some have an obligation to do so because of their positions.

“So I have no problems with that,” he said. “On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum. The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court — according the requirements of protocol — has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling.”Breaking from tradition, Obama used the speech to criticize the court’s decision that allows corporations and unions to freely spend money to run political ads for or against specific candidates.

“With all due deference to the separation of powers, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests — including foreign corporations — to spend without limit in our elections,” Obama said. Justice Samuel Alito was the only justice to respond at the time, shaking his head and appearing to mouth the words “not true” as Obama continued. In response to Roberts’ remarks Tuesday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs focused on the court’s decision and not the chief justice’s point about the time and place for criticism of the court.

“What is troubling is that this decision opened the floodgates for corporations and special interests to pour money into elections — drowning out the voices of average Americans,” Gibbs said. “The president has long been committed to reducing the undue influence of special interests and their lobbyists over government. That is why he spoke out to condemn the decision and is working with Congress on a legislative response.”

Justice Antonin Scalia once said he no longer goes to the annual speech because the justices “sit there like bumps on a log” in an otherwise highly partisan atmosphere. Roberts opened his appearance in Alabama with a 30-minute lecture on the history of the Supreme Court and became animated as he answered students’ questions. He joked about a recent rumor that he was stepping down from the court and said he didn’t know he wanted to be a lawyer until he was in law school.

While Associate Justice Clarence Thomas told students at Alabama last fall he saw little value in oral arguments before the court, Roberts disagreed.”Maybe it’s because I participated in it a lot as a lawyer,” Roberts said. “I’d hate to think it didn’t matter.”

Lindsey Vonn finished second to Maria Riesch of Germany in the final downhill of the season Wednesday, failing to clinch the World Cup overall title but maintaining a huge lead with three races to go. Vonn finished nearly a half-second behind Riesch, but the Olympic downhill champion holds a commanding 225-point lead over her friend and rival. Vonn would have clinched the title with a win, which is worth 100 points.

“I haven’t won it yet,” said Vonn, who already clinched the downhill title. “It’s not finished yet. It’s still possible (for Riesch to win), it’s unlikely but it’s not finished.”Riesch claimed the win over her home course with a dominating performance.

“When I crossed the line I did not look at the board immediately but when I saw that I was more than a second ahead, I thought I could win this race,” Riesch said after her 14th career victory and fourth downhill win. “If Lindsey is half a second behind, I must have had a really good race.”

Riesch won slalom and combined gold medals at the Vancouver Olympics. Anja Paerson of Sweden was third, more than a second behind Riesch. Although Riesch cut Vonn’s overall lead by 20 points, the German said she had given up hope of collecting that title.

“I am still 200 points behind, I don’t think it’s possible,” Riesch said. “The pressure is off. I am proud of today’s win, this is the course for next year’s World Championship and it’s good to know that I can be fast on it.”Riesch came down the sun-drenched 2,920-meter Kandahar course in 1 minute, 34.82 seconds. Vonn was .48 seconds behind and Paerson 1.13 seconds back.

Olympic silver medalist Julia Mancuso finished fifth, while bronze medalist Elisabeth Goergl of Austria was the only racer to crash but appeared unhurt. Vonn clinched the downhill title last Saturday in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which was her sixth downhill win of the season. She won all but two races. The American is also sure of the super-G title .

Vonn is still nursing a sore right shin and a broken little finger on her right hand. She bruised the shin before the Olympics and broke the finger in a spill in the Olympic giant slalom. Vonn can become the American with the most World Cup wins this weekend. She is tied with Bode Miller with 32.Miller ended his season early to rest a sore right ankle and is not competing at the World Cup finals.The next women’s race is Thursday’s giant slalom.

In anticipation of their UFC 111 main-event fight, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and challenger Dan Hardy will be featured in “UFC Primetime,” a three-part special that airs on Spike TV.The first episode debuts on Spike TV tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT, while parts two and three will air in the same timeslot on March 17 and March 24, respectively.UFC 111 takes place March 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and airs on pay-per-view.

Different from the UFC’s traditional “Countdown” shows, “UFC Primetime” goes more in depth and focuses on some of the biggest fights of the year. One popular “Primetime” special, for example, focused on the highly anticipated second meeting between St-Pierre and B.J. Penn, which took place at UFC 94 in January 2009.The UFC 111 special follows Hardy as he prepares for his bout in his home country of England. The cameras also focus on St-Pierre has he holds his fight camp in Canada and the U.S.

In addition to the in-depth look at St-Pierre and Hardy, Spike TV will also air the UFC’s traditional “Countdown” special.”Countdown to UFC 111,” which previews additional bouts on the main card, debuts Wednesday, March 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on the UFC’s longtime cable home. Replays are set for March 25 (2 a.m. ET/PT), March 26 (12:30 a.m. ET/PT and 6:30 p.m. ET/PT) and March 27 (2:30 p.m. ET/PT).

St-Pierre (19-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC), widely regarded as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters, carries a six-fight winning streak into the upcoming contest. By March, the Canadian will have been on the shelf for eight months while recovering from a groin injury suffered in a July title defense over Thiago Alves. Hardy (23-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC), meanwhile, owns a seven-fight win streak that includes a perfect 4-0 mark in the UFC. The British slugger defeated Mike Swick in November at UFC 105 to earn his title shot.

On the other hand Stephan Bonnar has lost an appeal to change the result of his UFC 110 loss to Krzystztof Soszynski. The Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales, which was tasked with regulating the February event in Sydeny, Australia, ruled this past Tuesday that the official result ruling the fight a TKO win in favor of Soszynski stands.

“A review was held … and the Combat Sports Authority of NSW did not seek to interfere with the referee’s decision,” wrote Craig Waller, Executive Director of the Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales, in an email sent to MMAjunkie late Tuesday night.

The light heavyweight bout came to a halt early in the third round when an accidental clash of heads opened a huge cut on Bonnar’s forehead. With a little less than four minutes remaining in the fight, the cageside doctor examined the bloody cut and recommended the bout be stopped. The referee subsequently called the fight in Soszynski’s favor.

Bonnar (11-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) immediately protested the decision and said the bout should be ruled a no contest. Shortly afterward, the original “Ultimate Fighter” veteran filed his appeal with the Australian commission and angled for a rematch with Soszynski (19-9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC).According to multiple reports, Bonnar will get his wish when the two meet for a second time at “The Ultimate Fighter 11″ finale on June 19 in Las Vegas.

Bonnar said he is disappointed by the ruling but is moving on. He did not explicitly confirm the rumored rematch.”It was obviously a battle between me and [the NSW commission], but as far as the fight, Dana White’s a fair guy, and I’m pretty confident we’ll have that rematch soon,” Bonnar told MMAjunkie. Soszynski was unavailable for comment at the time of his writing.

The 2010 Porsche Boxster ranks 4 out of 9 Luxury Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 66 published reviews and test drives of the Porsche Boxster, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.”It’s impossible for any sun lover to drive the Porsche Boxster without a smile extended ear to ear. …  Top-down driving works because it becomes an event, a kind of short vacation with a luxury factor of ten on a ten-point scale.” — Road & Travel Magazine

The 2010 Porsche Boxster bridges the gaps between luxury, utility and hardcore sports performance like few cars can. Not surprisingly, auto critics find little to complain about.At this Porsche’s lofty price point, there are always substitutes. Still, even in its jaw-dropping 10th year of production, the Boxster S remains one of the purest and most satisfying sports cars on the planet, and PDK’s impeccable performance may well seal the deal for those who aren’t sold on shifting for themselves.” — Edmunds

Boxster drivers can rest assured knowing that they own the full package. Its powerful engine options and masterfully engineered handling components provide for a thrilling, yet comfortable, ride. Its exterior design is sleek, eye-catching and available with a removable hardtop. Its interior cabin features luxurious and comfortable accommodations for two. And its two cargo holds provide enough trunk space to haul most anything a normal person would want to carry in a Porsche. “Al fresco motoring simply doesn’t get better than this for the price, so don’t torture yourself with a test drive unless you’re ready and able to do the deal,” writes Motor Trend.

Still, there are other impressive vehicles to consider. Drivers willing to sacrifice a bit of luxury for even greater sports performance should check out the Chevy Corvette. It offers up to 126 more horsepower than the Boxster and its handling capabilities are just as impressive — if not better. Plus, the Corvette coupe provides 22.4 cubic feet of cargo room, making it practical too. For those on a budget, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is also a great sports roadster, and it’s available with a retractable hardtop. Just don’t expect much luxury or utility.

The Porsche Boxster carries into the 2010 model year unchanged. It’s available in two trims, the base-level Boxster and Boxster S.”Throw in its impressive cargo space, better than average reliability and extremely strong resale value, and a Boxster S is a pretty sound purchase.” — Automobile.com

Critics rave about the 2010 Boxster’s strong powertrain options and superb handling capabilities. Though some competitors may be faster off the line, few connect as well with drivers as the Boxster.The Boxster’s smooth and powerful powertrain options leave test drivers impressed. The base-trim Boxster features a 2.9-liter six-cylinder engine that makes 255 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 214 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 – 5,500 rpm. The Boxster S, however, comes equipped with a more powerful 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 310 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. Standard on the base and S trim is a six-speed manual transmission. However, a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission is optional, and features both manual gearshift and automatic modes.

According to Porsche, the base-trim Boxster can reach a top speed of 163 mph with the manual transmission and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds with the PDK. Even faster, the Boxster S has a maximum speed of 170 mph with the manual transmission, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds with the PDK. The EPA rates the Boxster’s city/highway fuel economy as ranging from 19/26 mpg to 20/29 mpg, depending on trim and transmission.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday praised Israel for agreeing to renew the Middle East process and pledged that the United States would always “stand by those who take risks for peace.” “Historic peace will require both sides to make historically bold commitments,” said Biden during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden welcomed Netanyahu’s move this week to begin U.S.-mediated indirect talks with the Palestinians and said he hoped it would lead to direct negotiations that would produce a historic peace treaty.

Netanyahu, in pledging to work with Washington to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians, repeated a key Israeli condition that they recognize Israel as a Jewish state – a demand they have rejected.He said any peace accord must guarantee Israel’s security “for generations to come”.The vice president arrived on Monday as the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Israel since Barack Obama became president.

“There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel’s security,” Biden said as the two leaders made statements to the media following talks in Jerusalem.This was a message Biden had been widely expected to bring in person from Obama. Israeli political sources have said he is also making clear Washington does not want Israel to risk any military action against Iran while the United States is seeking a wide coalition for sanctions on Tehran.

Netanyahu said Israel’s security priorities were ensuring Iran did not build nuclear weapons and establishing peace with the Palestinians and its Arab neighbors.”I very much appreciate the efforts of President Obama and the American government to lead the international community to place tough sanctions on Iran,” he said.

“The stronger those sanctions are, the more likely it will be that the Iranian regime will have to chose between advancing its nuclear program and advancing the future of its own permanence,” added Netanyahu.For his part, Biden declared that the United States was intent on stopping Iran from being able to produce nuclear weapons.

“We’re determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and we’re working with many countries around the world to convince Tehran to meet its international obligations and cease and desist,” he said.Earlier Tuesday, Biden assured President Shimon Peres of Washington’s commitment to its security and said the agreed resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks provided a “moment of real opportunity” for peace.

His visit coincided with Palestinian and Israeli agreement, in meetings with Obama’s Middle East envoy George Mitchell this week, to resume peace talks suspended since December 2008, amid strong skepticism about their chances for success.

“I think we are at a moment of real opportunity,” Biden said at a meeting with President Shimon Peres, the first diplomatic session to be held over the course of his five-day visit. Biden plans to see Palestinian leaders in the West Bank on Wednesday.”The interests of both the Palestinians and the Israeli people, if everyone would just step back and take a deep breath, are actually very much more in line than they are in opposition,” he said.

He’s famed for his caustic put-downs on American Idol and The X Factor. But last night, Simon Cowell showed a very different side to his personality as he shared a kiss with fiancée Mezhgan Hussainy on U.S. TV. Moments after uncharacteristically blushing about their relationship, Cowell puckered up with his girlfriend on the sofa – but, rather unromantically, kept his eyes open.

After weeks of trying to deny their engagement, the 50-year-old finally confirmed they were getting married – in a very roundabout way on the Tonight Show. When asked by Jay Leno if he was engaged, a flushed Cowell replied: ‘Are they true? Well, I do have somebody in my life now, Jay, yes. And I kinda made a decision this year to make somebody happy.’

Despite his apparent coy behaviour over his lovelife, his decision to appear on Leno with Hussainy and kiss on TV shows he’s not so averse to publicising his relationship as he would like fans to believe. Pointing out Hussainy’s huge £250,000 diamond engagement ring, Leno joked: ‘I thought she broke her arm. ‘Cowell agreed: ‘It’s quite a big one, yes.’

When the music mogul lost his cool and started turning red, Leno teased him. Cowell acknowledged: ‘I am blushing. ‘The X Factor judge was rumoured to have proposed to Hussainy, 36, on Valentine’s Day, but he refused to clarify how it took place. He said: ‘I find this very uncomfortable. I was asleep, I think. No, look, I bought her the ring in London. ‘Leno then further embarrassed Cowell when he spotted the make-up artist in the audience and invited her to join her fiancé on stage.

Pretending he had never met her, Cowell offered to shake hands with his bride-to-be, with Hussainy heard saying: ‘Nice to meet you. ‘Cowell then pointed to her, saying: ‘That’s not her… what’s your name?’After receiving a playful slap on the hand from his fiancée, Cowell pulled her towards him by her neck for a quick kiss on the lips. Contradicting reports he will wed this summer, Cowell said he wanted a wedding ‘in the next 10 years’.

He added: ‘I’m kind of torn because I’m a bit too old to have kids, but then again I think it would be important to have a lot of me’s around in the future. ‘He joked: ‘I always said if I got engaged it would be to a make-up artist. I get touched up three times a night

When the engagement rumours first appeared three weeks ago, Cowell’s publicist Max Clifford denied he was planning to wed. He said: ‘I spoke to Simon in London yesterday afternoon, just before he took his flight back to LA.’I asked him, “Look, are you engaged? Is it true?” and he said, “No! No. I’m not engaged.”

‘Yes, they are an item. Yes, they’re happy. But they’re not engaged. That’s straight from Simon’s mouth. ‘Cowell’s turnaround comes as a complete surprise after he previously criticised the idea of marriage during his seven year relationship with model Terri Seymour.

He said two years ago: ‘Marriage is the most ridiculous contract in the world. It’s just crazy. Without any legal advice you sign this binding contract and you are not sure where you are going to be in 10 years’ time. ‘Marriage is not for me. It just feels really out of date. When you’ve worked hard for your money, you’ve got to look after yourself.’

Marty Turco made 49 saves, Brad Richards had a goal and an assist, and the Dallas Stars scored three times in six shots early in the third period en route to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Capitals on Monday night, ending Washington’s club-record home winning streak at 13 games. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin snapped a season-high, six-game goal drought by scoring twice to match Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby for the league lead with 44. Ovechkin’s second goal came with 3:16 left in the third period and tied the game.

But Turco stopped Ovechkin in the opening round of the shootout, and the Stars went on to take it 2-1, with Richards and Loui Eriksson beating Semyon Varlamov. It was a topsy-turvy game: The Capitals took a 2-0 lead after two periods thanks in part to Ovechkin’s first goal. Then the Stars went ahead 3-2 before 8 minutes were gone in the third period.

And then Ovechkin – who else? – faked out defenseman Stephane Robidas and sent a shot under the crossbar, eliciting loud “M-V-P!” chants from the stands. Entering the third period, the hosts were dominating play, holding a 42-16 edge in shots, and had yet to be called for a penalty. But things changed quickly as Richards, Trevor Daley and James Neal all scored.

First, with Mike Green off for hooking, Richards connected on a slap shot from the right circle for his 18th goal of the season, 1:33 into the period. Then, with Matt Bradley in the penalty box for holding, Richards helped set up Daley’s fourth goal at the 4:46 mark. And then, a little more than 3 minutes later, Neal netted his 25th. All in all, it was quite a quick turnaround. Consider: The Capitals last lost in Washington on Dec. 28, against Carolina.

Varlamov entered the night 8-0-0 at home this season, and there were other measures of how unlikely a result this was. Since the break for the Vancouver Olympics, Washington was 3-0, Dallas was 0-3. Plus, the Stars had been outscored 17-5 in those games. But Turco hung in there after a rough start and through a game-long shotfest. Washington finished with 52 shots, twice as many as Dallas.

Things sure seemed to be going Washington’s way, especially after Ovechkin watched his second-period wrist shot rip through traffic and into the net. He raised his stick, threw his head back and pumped both fists. It had been a month since he scored in an NHL game. The drought ate up so much of the calendar because of the break for the Olympics. His last goal for the Capitals was Feb. 7 against Pittsburgh. Defenseman Tom Poti scored in the first period for Washington.

Light heavyweight Jared Hamman (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) can laugh about it now, but prior to his octagon debut against Alexander Gustaffson at UFC 105 this past November, he was in a world of hurt. Hamman, a former University of Redlands linebacker and defensive end who faces Rodney Wallace at UFC 111 on March 27, had slept just eight hours in the three days prior to the Nov. 15 fight.

“I was miserable,” he recently told MMAjunkie. On a previous trip to Europe, he took sleeping pills every night for two-and-a-half weeks and slept for two days straight upon returning to the U.S. Glad that’s over, he thought.

“When they told me I was fighting in Manchester, I was like, ‘Oh, crap,’” Hamman said.Every day the UFC 105 fight drew closer, he got worse. He felt sluggish and out of sync. All his preparation seemed to fly out the window. It wasn’t nerves; he just couldn’t get his body clock to adjust.

UFC rules prohibited him from taking sleeping aids, so he took valerian root, an herb that’s supposed to do the same job. Instead of helping him sleep, it chewed up his stomach and stole his appetite. By weigh-ins, there was no need to shed any pounds.

He threw up in the dressing rooms and walked to the octagon with the resolve to “go out swinging.”He got no reprieve in the octagon. Gustaffson, a former European boxing champion, knocked him out with a right hand 41 seconds into the fight.

Hamman’s symptoms sound eerily similar to those described of UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell, who was forced to withdraw from his UFC 110 fight with Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic due to “traveler’s flu,” an illness ascribed to overseas travelers. But to this day, he’s not sure what happened to him.”I just didn’t feel very healthy,” Hamman said.

Hamman hadn’t fought in 15 months due to the collapse of ProElite, Inc., home of EliteXC, and he had been forced to take jobs as a substitute teacher and bouncer to make ends meet. It was not the right foot to start his UFC career on.But instead of going into a tailspin, he sucked it up and got back in the gym.

“I’ve lost a lot of times in my life – not just with MMA but other sports,” Hamman said. “If I let that weigh on me, it would ruin my next fight.”I try to deal with it the way my coaches have always taught me growing up: shut your mouth, get back to work, and start training. Don’t complain; don’t make excuses. Just get at it.”

Hamman got back to the nuts and bolts of training with former teammates and amped up his sessions with former UFC contender Vladimir Matyushenko at VMAT, the gym he’s called home since moving to Southern California several years ago.He doesn’t feel pressure to turn in a stellar performance in his next outing. He just wants another chance to compete.

“You’re never guaranteed your next fight,” he said. “In fact, you’re never guaranteed your next heartbeat when you wake up. Just the opportunity to be able to compete in battle – for me, it’s like, ‘Sweet. I get another chance.’”Hamman is at a loss as to what to expect in his upcoming fight, but he expects to fend off multiple takedowns based on Wallace’s wrestling background.

“I refer to him as ‘the little Stackhouse,’” Hamman said. “A short, muscle-bound, Sean Sherk-looking guy. I know he tried to take (down) Brian Stann the whole time, so I’m assuming that’s what he’s going to try to do to me.”And thankfully, the March 27 fight is in New Jersey, so he’s confident he will arrive healthy and without any baggage.”I know I am better than that,” Hamman said of his recent loss. “It didn’t really cut me down. I really want to do this again and go for it.”

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe ranks 2 out of 5 Affordable Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 10 published reviews and test drives of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.”Obviously, Hyundai has much to be proud of with its first rear-drive sport coupe. The value is unbeatable. The quality is tip-top. The road manners are respectable. The styling, with its unique Z-shaped character line and drop-beltline rear window, is standout. Sure, there are some details — namely, the inexact manual and the numb steering — that need some fine-tuning. But for an initial effort, in a field that it’s never played, Hyundai has delivered a solid, sexy product.” — Motor Trend

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a great value, offering rear-wheel drive sports car abilities for significantly less than the competition. Still, it lags behind rivals in sports performance.”On sale since March, the Genesis coupe is a revelation, no pun intended. It’s a genuine yardage gain for the yin-yang team and a serious kink in the law dictating that rear-drive hoots must cost big bucks.” — Car and Driver

The all-new Genesis Coupe is Hyundai’s sportiest vehicle yet. Sharing a platform with the award-winning Genesis sedan, the Coupe is consistently compared to the much desired Infiniti G37 — except it costs significantly less. In fact, most auto writers agree that while the Genesis Coupe isn’t without its flaws, it’s definitely a great value.

Still, the Genesis Coupe can’t match the performance dynamics of class rivals, like the Nissan 370Z — which has a higher starting price, but is a sexier, much more capable street machine. Before settling on a Hyundai Genesis, be sure to test drive a Z. The Mazda RX-8 is also worth a look, as it too bests the Genesis Coupe’s performance.

The Genesis Coupe 2.0T is available in base, Premium and Track trims. In addition to base and track, the 3.8 is also offered in a Grand Touring trim.”Overall, the Genesis coupe looks like a solid commuter car for those looking to spice up their daily drives. It’s enjoyable but usable. You can park it. You can maneuver it. There’s room to put (some) stuff in it. And for a starting price of $22,750 with freight, this is within reach for a lot of people. Spruce it up and you pay $31,750 for a fully loaded model, but it’s still a decent value.” — AutoWeek

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is fast, but reviewers say it can’t match the power or handling dynamics of its sportier competitors. The base Genesis Coupe 2.0T features a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that produces 210 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 223 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. However, the more powerful Genesis Coupe 3.8 comes equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that generates 306 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. While test driver report that both engines make for quick acceleration, neither is powerful enough to compete with rivals like the Ford Mustang GT or Nissan 370Z.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all models and trims, though a five-speed electronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters is optional for the 2.0T and 2.0T Premium; and a ZF six-speed electronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters is optional for the Coupe 3.8.The EPA has yet to rate the Genesis Coupe’s city/highway fuel economy. Hyundai asserts that it ranges between 17/26 mpg and 21/30 model, depending on model and transmission.

A strong earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0, hit eastern Turkey on Monday, killing at least 57 people and knocking down houses in at least six small villages, a government official says. The quake affected villages near the town of Kovancilar, toppling stone or mud-brick homes and minarets of mosques, officials and media reports said. The worst-hit area was the village of Okcular where some 17 people were reported killed and homes crumbled into piles of dirt.

The government’s crisis centre said around 100 people were also injured in the quake, which occurred at 4:32 a.m. local time Monday in Elazig province, about 550 kilometres east of the capital Ankara. It caught many people in their sleep. It was centered near the village of Basyurt, and was followed by more than 30 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 5.5, the Kandilli seismology centre said.

Emergency workers were trying to rescue four people from debris, Gov. Muammer Erol said. CNN-Turk television said the dead included four young sisters trapped in the rubble. Authorities blocked access to Okcular village to facilitate the entry and exit of ambulances and rescue teams on the village’s narrow roads. Relatives rushed to the village for news of their loved ones.”The village is totally flattened,” Okcular’s administrator Hasan Demirdag told private NTV television.

“Everything has been knocked down, there is not a stone in place,” said Yadin Apaydin, administrator for the village of Yukari Kanatli, where he said at least three villagers died. The quake was felt in the neighboring provinces of Tunceli, Bingol and Diyarbakir where residents fled to the streets in panic and spent the night outdoors.

Some of the injuries occurred during the panic, when people jumped from windows or balconies. Dogan news agency footage showed people bringing in the injured to hospitals by cars and taxis. Kandilli Observatory’s director, Mustafa Erdik, urged residents not to enter damaged homes, warning that they could topple from the aftershocks, which could last for days.

Television footage showed rescue workers and soldiers at Okcular lifting debris as villagers looked on. Rescuers could be seen digging into dirt and then removing an elderly man. The man had died and his body was quickly covered with a sheet. Two women sat on mattresses wrapped in blankets. Turkey’s Red Crescent organization began setting up tents in the region.

Earthquakes are frequent in Turkey, much of which lies on top of the North Anatolian fault. In 1999, two powerful earthquakes struck northwestern Turkey, killing about 18,000 people. In 2007, an earthquake measuring 5.7 damaged buildings in Elazig, briefly trapping a woman under debris. In 2003, an earthquake measuring 6.4 in magnitude collapsed a school dormitory in the neighboring province of Bingol province, killing 83 children. The collapse was blamed on poor construction.