My Most Anticipated Test Drives for 2010

[svgallery name=”2010_Most_Anticipated_Test_Drives”]

By John LeBlanc

Some of the cars I test-drove last year were more surprising than others. Who would have guessed Honda’s Insight would have been such a flop? Or that in the same year it dropped out of Formula One racing, Toyota would launch its US$375,000 552 hp V10 LF-A supercar?

But 2009? That was sooo last year. And with the auto industry struggling to meet new environmental demands and massive shifts in customer tastes, 2010 is set to see the launch of a lot of interesting and significant new vehicles.

Alphabetically, here are the Top 10 new cars I’m most looking forward to test-driving this year: Read more

Spyker saves Saab! Maybe. Probably not.

By John LeBlanc

Out of the burning ashes known as Government Motors, it appears as if boutique supercarmaker Spyker has won the rights to take over the money pit known as Saab. After a long, drawn out affair, rose-colour-glass-wearing Saabistas are rejoicing that Swedish-designed Opels will continue.

Potentially still-born product like the next 9-5 sedan, 9-4X crossover, 9-3X and maybe even a smaller, compact 9-1, will keep the brand humming along nicely…

Maybe.Probably not. Read more

Top 6 Used wagons

[svgallery name=”Used_Wagons”]

By John LeBlanc

Maybe you didn’t get the memo – the one announcing that the station wagon is dead. Well, in name only, at least. Wagons still exist. They’re now called crossovers, tall station wagons without the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies’ less-than-fashionable image. Or, if they do exist, wagons are given fancy names like “Touring” or “Avant.”

But if you dip your toe into the used-car market, there are still a few, true station wagons out there. And the six listed even offer some fun from the driver’s seat. So here, in ascending order of preference, is our choice of the top half-dozen up-to-$15,000, pre-owned, fun-to-drive haulers: Read more

Canadian Saab picnic won’t save doomed brand

By John LeBlanc

Have you heard? The Saab Club of Canada is planning a “Save Saab” rally on Saturday. The idea is to get the “attention” of the Swedish brand’s parent General Motors and to send a message that Saab should be sold, rather than shut down.

I truly sympathize. But you Saabistas are a bit late. Like by over two decades. The only message you’re going to send is that you probably need a marriage counselor, “Saab? Hey buddy, she ain’t coming back…” Read more

First Drive: 2010 BMW 5 Gran Turismo

[svgallery name=”535i_GT_pics”]

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

LISBON–BMW’s been kicking around the idea of a “tall sedan” for some time. Industry types first labelled spy photos of the shorter-than-an-SUV, taller-than-a-wagon new Bimmer as a future V-series – “V” as in versatile. Perhaps “versatile” was too plebian for BMW’s marketing team, a bit too populist for an elite brand. Plus rival Volvo was already using the letter for its V50 and V70 wagons. Read more

« go back — keep looking »