First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LT Turbo

[svgallery name=”2011_Chevrolet_Cruze_hirez”] Chevy’s crucial Cruze Is Chevrolet’s latest compact a serious threat to the leading imports? By John LeBlanc TORONTO, Ont. – Contrary to its laid-back name, the new Cruze is Chevrolet’s first serious challenger in Canada’s all-important compact car segment. After decades of disappointing Vegas, Cavaliers, and Cobalts, Chevrolet thinks it finally has the […]

First Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 T6

[svgallery name=”2011_Volvo_S60_hirez”] Volvo tries to get its sexy back Does calling its new S60 a “sports sedan” make it so? By John LeBlanc PORTLAND, Oregon—You know the sexist stereotype. A supposedly shy, near-sighted librarian, who when given the chance, lets down the hair, doffs the glasses, and becomes the out-of-character “naughty” librarian. So by adding […]

First Drive: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX

[svgallery name=”2011_Subaru_WRX_sedan_hirez”] The widebody of sports compacts Updated WRX styling goes straight to its hips By John LeBlanc CALABOGIE, ONT.—The Impreza WRX and WRX STI are the kinds of cars automakers build when the times are good. Low-volume cars that build a brand’s image, are fun to drive, and (hallelujah!) have nothing to do with […]

First Drive: 2011 Subaru WRX STI

[svgallery name=”2011_Subaru_WRX_STI_hirez”] By John LeBlanc CALABOGIE MOTORSPORTS PARK, Ont.—Although the big news for Subaru’s performance flagship WRX STI is the return of a four-door sedan to the former hatchback-only lineup, the more important news for driving enthusiasts is the return of the STI as a pure performance machine, and reduced pricing that makes it an […]

First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

[svgallery name=”2011_Lincoln_MKZ_Hybrid”] Lincoln’s Zed-car goes green Ford premium brand’s shows Toyota’s premium brand how to do a “luxury hybrid” By John LeBlanc Washington, D.C. – Along with a variety of sins that would make ancient Rome’s ruling classes look like kindergarteners, feel free to blame Hollywood celebrities for the idea of the luxury hybrid. If […]

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