First Drive: 2012 Ford Focus

Fab Ford

Ford’s new Focus flies to the top of the compact class

By John LeBlanc

MALIBU, California – As a follow up to its return to the subcompact market with the Fiesta, Ford is getting ready to release a second sampling from its European Greatest Hits album. Like the Fiesta, the all-new 2012 Focus is a pillar in the American automaker’s One Ford global strategy – one that involves developing one car per segment for every market it is present in. Read more

The Crank: Fiat needs more than the 500 to make it in Canada

By John LeBlanc

BMW Canada sold about 4,500 Minis last year; the new 2012 Fiat 500‘s closest true rival. And although the Mini has a nine-year head start, the 500’s mainstream pricing—and novelty—should have the 60-odd Canadian Fiat dealers left with no problem selling the same amount (if not more) annually. Despite the 500’s tight cargo room, rivals offering seating for five, and unproven reliability and durability, the 500 should sell well. It’s cute-as-a-button styling, premium feel, mainstream pricing, and cheerful and well-built interior almost guarantee that. Read more

First Drive: 2012 Fiat 500 Sport

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Promise Fulfilled

The first Fiat in Canada after 27 years finally arrives

By John LeBlanc

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Since Fiat took over the duty of managing Chrysler, fans of Italian-bred cars have been left with many questions. The arrival of the 2012 Fiat 500, the first car from the Italian automaker to go on sale in Canada in 27 years, provides many answers. One year after its Canadian debut at the 2010 Toronto auto show, the subcompact, two-door hatchback 500 – or what Italophiles will endearingly call Cinquecento – will go on sale in Canada next month, the first fulfillment of a promise from Fiat to start selling its small cars here. Read more

Top 10s: Most Anticipated Test Drives for 2011

By John LeBlanc

Two-thousand-and-ten was a very good year for yours truly. Of my Most Anticipated Drives from last year, I got the chance to test-drive the first ever four-door Aston Martin (Rapide) and Mini (Countryman), evaluate new sports sedans from former staid makers Buick (Regal) and Volvo (S60), and really see if Honda could blend a sports coupe and a hybrid (CR-Z.) Read more

First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

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Topless bar-none

Dropping its top solves a bunch of the Camaro’s critiques

By John LeBlanc

SAN DIEGO, California – In one fell swoop, Chevrolet has fixed one of the biggest flaws in its Camaro coupe. Simply tug on a release header latch, push a button — et voila! — the existing hardtop’s horrendous lack of rear visibility has been erased. You now enjoy a full 360-degree view with the clothtop lowered on the new-for-2011 Camaro convertible. In fact, even with the new 2011 Camaro convertible’s top up, the car is easier to see out of than the existing coupe, with its wider C-pillar and gun-slit rear window. Read more

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