2010 Detroit: New Focus finally goes global

By John LeBlanc DETROIT – It only took a decade, but Ford has finally delivered a world-class compact car to Canada. Instead of a dumbed-down, decontented North American version, the all-new 2012 Focus is virtually the same car on both shores of the Atlantic—in fact, around the world. And based on the ways it looks, […]

Bye-Bye 2009: Worst Car of the Decade

By John LeBlanc I know. The Prius has become the best-selling gasoline-electric hybrid of all time. Over a million have been sold since the first one went on sale in 1997. You could make the argument and ask, “How can that many people be wrong?” Easy, really.

Bye-Bye 2009: Best New Car of the Year

Story and photo by John LeBlanc With only 500 samples slated for its two-year production, the Lexus LF-A super car was the most exclusive car I had the good fortune to drive in 2009. The most outrageous? The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder. The Nissan 370Z was the most fun. And the Cadillac CTS Sport […]

Bye-Bye 2009: Best Driving Experience of the Year

Story and photo by John LeBlanc My best driving experience during 2009 had nothing to do with one of those fancy-pants press junkets that we auto writers are spoiled with on a regular basis (Mrs. Automotive Journalist’s words, not mine). Nope. Instead it was some personal driving time in and around the Italian Chianti region, […]

First Drive: Fiat 500 1.4 Sport

[svgallery name=”09_Fiat_500″] Story and photos by John LeBlanc ROME, Italy – The rumours have been rife. Speculation, spurious. And the anticipation palpable. Since Fiat took a controlling interest in Detroit’s then-bankrupt Chrysler back in June of this year, fans of Italian cars have been in a tizzy about what may actually go on sale here […]

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