2010 Geneva: Canadian passports denied

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Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA–With the continuing globalization of the auto industry, the differences between cars sold from country to country is becoming smaller each year. For example, the 2012 Ford Focus is virtually the same car, whether it’s sold in Canada, China or the Canary Islands. Yet, a few automakers still keep some of their best wares from Canadian new-car buyers. And in the case of several world debuts here in Switzerland that won’t be coming to Canada (immediately, at least), patience isn’t a virtue, it’s a pain. Read more

03.09.10 | 2010, 2011, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Auto Shows, Geneva, Peugeot, Seat, Vauxhall, Volkswagen | No Comments

The Trouble with Toyotas: Are Canadians just suckers?

Story and photo by John LeBlanc

When February’s new car sales figures rolled out last week, the story on how new car buyers reacted to the Toyota recall crisis couldn’t have been more black and white on either sides of the 49^th parallel. Read more

03.09.10 | 2010, The Crank, Toyota | No Comments

Tags: Toyota

2010 Geneva: Coming to Canada

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Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA–If I had to pick a theme for this year’s Geneva Motor Show, it was the endless parade of hybrid supercars that debuted in the Palexpo halls. Debuts like the Ferrari 599 Hybrid, Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid or Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid – seemingly politically correct marriages of style, performance and promise of zero-emission driving – garnered an inappropriate amount of attention. In the real world, though, the 80th running of Switzerland’s annual auto show provided several production world debuts – some heading to Canadian new car showrooms sooner than later. Read more

03.08.10 | 2010, 2011, Auto Shows, Geneva | No Comments

Video: Aston One-77 hits the test track

By John LeBlanc

If Aston Martin’s restyled-Toyota-iQ-based-Cygnet (debuting this week at the Geneva auto show) has created any doubts of the brand’s purity, crank up your speakers and listen to the soundtrack of a prototype of its One-77 super car on track. Close your eyes, and the Aston sounds for all the world like McQueen’s Gulf-Porsche 917K from LeMans.

Priced at £1 million, or about $1,9400,00 Cdn., for each of the 77 (natch) examples, this may be as close as any of us get to the 700 hp, carbon-fibre super car.

Enjoy…

03.05.10 | 2011, Aston Martin, Stuff, videos | No Comments

2010 Geneva: Audi shocks with A1 Wankel hybrid

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Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – As predicted, Germany’s Audi went and debuted this afternoon a third E-Tron electric vehicle concept, this time based on the not-coming-to-North America premium subcompact A1 that also was unveiled here in good ol’ fashioned gas and diesel formats. With a certain Mr. Timberlake aiding the proceedings, Audi showed off the A1 E-Tron’s lithium-ion battery and single-rotor Wankel rotary gas engine hybrid combo. Read more