2009 LA Show: Mustang finally gets the V6 it deserves

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By John LeBlanc

DEARBORN, Mich. – You know we already think last year’s refresh put the venerable Ford pony car at the top of its class. At least in V8 GT form. With the introduction of a new six-cylinder engine for 2011, though Ford has finally fixed one of the biggest weaknesses in its otherwise competitive Mustang sports coupe lineup: Replacing the current secretary special Mustang’s aging 215 hp 4.0-litre V6 will be an new all-aluminum 3.7-litre unit, sporting 305 hp and 280 ft.-lb of torque. Read more

Stuff: 2011 BMW 5er World Premiere

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Story by John LeBlanc

MUNICH, Germany – While here in Munich to drive the 2011 X1 cute-ute for the first time, BMW also trotted its next-gen 5 Series sedan, due in Canadian showrooms “around next June.”

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First Drive: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi

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Story and photos by John LeBlanc

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. –Suzuki’s last crack at a mid-size sedan was an unmitigated disaster. Except for rock-bottom pricing, the short-lived Verona (designed and built by General Motors’ South Korean Daewoo subsidiary) had little to offer buyers. Read more

First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

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Story and photos by John LeBlanc

ELORA, Ont.–Station wagon lovers know the Honda Accord wagon never really went away. While 1997 was the last model year it was sold in Canada, all along there’s been a five-door Accord of some kind for sale in other markets. This new 2010 Accord Crosstour, though, isn’t the new Accord wagon. No. That five-door vehicle will come here as the Acura TSX wagon next fall. Read more

Pontiac: A Requiem for GM’s “excitement” brand

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Story by John LeBlanc

Only recently, General Motors had big plans for Pontiac. The Solstice  and Aussie-built G8 sports sedan were just the start of a rear-wheel-drive renaissance that would have allowed the brand to be a true “poorman’s BMW” that years of marketing hype promised but never delivered. But time and money ran out. GM will stop selling Pontiacs—along with Saabs, Saturns and Hummers—by the end of this year. Of these last Pontiacs, which are you most sad to see go? And which ones will just pass into the night quietly without any tears shed at all?

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