Paris 2010: Volkswagen

By John LeBlanc PARIS – All you need to know about VW’s plans for North America can be found in the crisp-looking new 2011 Passat, unveiled here this morning in Paris, and a car that is not coming to Canada. Share:

The Crank: Will Canadians take to stale Scions?

By John LeBlanc Let’s get something straight. Scion—Toyota’s so-called “youth brand”—is all about fashion. The three Scions being introduced to Canada this fall don’t offer much differences mechanically than the Toyotas they’re based on. After being introduced to U.S. customers in 2003, it took Toyota Canada took another five years, in 2008, to make up […]

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 […]

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 […]

Road Test: 2010 Volkswagen GTI 3-door DSG

[svgallery name=”2010_VW_GTI_hirez”] Mr. Automatic Does adding a slushbox diminish a hot hatch fave? By John LeBlanc No doubt you’ve heard of Volkswagen’s GTI. Like Chevrolet’s Corvette or Porsche’s 911, it’s one of those instantly recognizable enthusiast car badges that, in spite of the occasional oil crises or economic downturn, has kept its flame burning for […]

« go back — keep looking »