The Crank: Ford thinks knowing your horoscope makes for better driving

Going against every known study proving modern drivers need less, not more distractions while behind the wheel, Ford keeps making its Sync system even more complex. Remarkably, Ford is adding daily horoscopes (along with stock quotes, movie listings, airlines, rental cars and hotels) to vehicles equipped with the cloud-based SYNC app Traffic, Directions & Information (see video, above.) I kid you not. Read more

The Crank: Should Canada adopt new U.S. Toyota recall crisis laws?

By John LeBlanc

For you glass-half-full crowd out there, at least some good is coming from the ongoing Toyota recall crisis. Read more

First Drive: 2011 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Quattro

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By John LeBlanc

INGOLSTADT, Germany—All the cultural signposts are there to suggest these are troubling times if you’re in the business of making sports cars. The economy’s still recovering from one of the worst downturns of this generation, politicians want us to be driving antiseptic electric pods, plus the burden of having to lug around snowboards, bicycles, canoes or the kids’ soccer buddies means no one drives just a car anymore, let alone one with sporty pretensions. Yet Audi’s compact TT may be the proper sports car for our times. Read more

The Crank: Will Infiniti ever graduate into the luxury-sport big leagues?

By John LeBlanc

You remember Infiniti, don’t you? Nissan’s premium brand that’s been chasing Germany’s BMW since 1989? Now, compared to Toyota’s Lexus—which seems happier chasing disgruntled Buick owners—ever since its original Q sedan arrived over 20 years ago, Infiniti has always wanted you to think of it as a Japanese alternative to the usual German luxury-sport brands. Read more

Used: Top 5 towing vehicles for under $20,000

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By John LeBlanc

In preparation for the warm-weather recreation season, the need to haul a boat or camper trailer may have you looking for a new-to-you tow vehicle. So here, in ascending order of preference, is my choice of the top five, up-to-10-years-old, $20,000-and under, pre-owned, tow vehicles: Read more

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