2010 Geneva: PininFarina creates an Alfa for new Graduates

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Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – One of the great treats of the Geneva show are the Italian styling houses that show up here, just a short blast up over the Alps where most are located in Italy’s north. And with the demise of the home Turin show in 2000, it’s almost a lock PininFarina, Bertone and ItalDesign Guigiaro will show up here with some tasty Italian goodies. Read more

First Drive: 2010 Acura RDX

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Story and photos by John LeBlanc

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – In a down-turned economy that’s created a drop in new car sales, one of the few segments to grow is the compact luxury crossover. The promise of car-like handling and interior features, the utility of a hatchback and a modicum of off-road ability has been this class’ recipe for finding favour with more and more new vehicle buyers. Read more

Is the Driving Enthusiast an endangered species?

By John LeBlanc

For most Canadians, mid-February is the glass-half full or glass-half-empty time of winter. If you are a self-avowed Driving Enthusiast, like myself, you’re probably sitting on the optimistic side of this fence. Better driving conditions and unearthing the summer set of wheels is only a few weeks away. However, I am afraid the Driving Enthusiast is becoming an endangered species. The idea of being “enthusiastic” about owning and driving a car is becoming rarer than shifting gears for yourself or engines with eight cylinders. Read more

Hummer goes down without much of a fight

By John LeBlanc

Not a surprise to many, Government Motors will wind down its Hummer brand after a proposed sale to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines fell through. Hummer now joins Pontiac, Saturn and Saab in the GM abandoned brand bin. Now, I never really understood Hummer. Okay, that’s only half true. Hummer was a fashion statement. Yeah, I got that. Read more

2010 Geneva: Plagiarism is the sincerest form of laziness

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By John LeBlanc

What with Detroit losing its mojo (Wha? A new Focus is the most-exciting car? Meh…), and Frankfurt taking a break this year, next week’s motor shindig in Geneva is shaping up to be “the” car show of the year. One of the best features of the annual Swiss show is the appearance of the Italian styling houses. Like Bertone, for instance. Read more

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