The Crank: Lincoln’s naming strategy missing its Mark

By John LeBlanc I recently got a chance to drive the new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sedan and updated 2011 MKX midsize crossover (preview article coming forthwith). All in all, both are pretty solid pieces of kit. Not only is the MKZ Lincoln’s first hybrid, because its based on the excellent bones of the Ford […]

Feature: AMG Performance Tour

[svgallery name=”AMG_Performance_Tour”] By John LeBlanc PAHRUMP, Nev. – Over the past four decades, Germany’s AMG has grown from a couple of guys hot-rodding Mercedes-Benz in a barn, to a full-on subsidiary of the automaker that now employs over 900 employees.

Top 10s: New Hot Hatches

[svgallery name=”Top 10 Hot Hatches”] By John LeBlanc Driving enthusiasts are well aware of the Hot Hatch Formula. Made popular during the first Oil Crisis in the early 1970s, which saw the neutering of the American muscle car and the near-extinction of the V8 engine, the idea of adding a bit of performance to a […]

Road Test: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

[svgallery name=”2011_Porsche_Boxster_Spyder”] Along came a Spyder The last iteration of this generation of Boxster ends up being the best handling Porsche you can buy By John LeBlanc You’ll have a hard time convincing Porsche 911 diehards, but the German automaker’s entry-level sports cars – the convertible Boxster and its hardtop Cayman variant – are the […]

First Drive: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid

[svgallery name=”2011_Honda_CRZ_hirez”] Hybrid hottee Is Honda’s new “sporty” hybrid more resurrected CR-X, or Insight coupe? By John LeBlanc MAPLE, Ont.-In today’s hyper-competitive new-car market, it’s a rare occurrence when a newly-introduced vehicle can be called truly “unique” or a “one-of-a-kind.” Yet as a two-seat sports coupe powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain, the lineup of […]

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