Road Test: 2008 Chrysler 300C SRT
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
Chrysler’s 300C is a full-size sedan with rear-wheel-drive proportions typical of American cars circa 1955, and its face – a combination of intimidating grille and headlights hung under furrowed brows – fills up other vehicles’ rear-view mirrors like a grizzly bear peeking into a camper’s tent.
And, of course, it’s got a Hemi: Five-point-seven litres of rumbly vee-eight. Yikes! It doesn’t sound very much like the 300C – a deliberate throwback to sedans from the past – fits in with today’s post-cheap-fuel zeitgeist where green is good (godly?) and small is chic.
But might the Chrysler’s perceived irrelevance actually be a good thing? Read more
![[del.icio.us]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[Reddit]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/reddit.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Twitter]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Email]](https://www.straight-six.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Road Trip: 2008 Targa Newfoundland – Part 2
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
St. John’s, Newfoundland – A lot of things run though your mind when you realize your Targa Newfoundland racecar is no longer pointing in the desired direction, but rather heading swiftly towards a ditch – sideways – at about 60 km/h.
You think …
1) Oh! So that’s why the safety equipment (roll cage, five-point harness, helmet, fire-retardant suit, etc.) is mandatory for a Targa-class car.
2) Taking our Targa-prepped 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart “off road” on the second day of the five-day competition wasn’t on our to-do lists during the months of planning, preparation and testing leading up to this year’s rally.
3) Oh crap! After finishing the previous day in 15th spot overall, with only a one-second time penalty, meant my co-driver, Mark Hacking, and myself would more than likely not complete this stage, take at least five minutes in penalty time – or worse, not be able to finish the remainder of the rally. Read more
Road Trip: 2008 Targa Newfoundland – Part 1
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
My road to this year’s Targa Newfoundland road rally started on the last stage of the last day after completing the 2006 event.
Arriving back where I had started five days earlier, near St. John’s harbour, overwhelmed by simply surviving such a grueling event as a navigator, I swore to myself that if I ever had the opportunity to come back I’d snap it up quicker than you can say “cod lips!”
Luckily enough, that chance happened this past March. Read more
Comparo: 2009 Audi A3 3.2, BMW 135i, Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru WRX STi
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
CALABOGIE, ONT.–Essentially a gussied up Volkswagen Golf, Audi’s A3 started the premium compact genre in Europe 12 years ago.
Today, almost every automaker has a compact car with a big car price in its stable.
With all the features and performance of larger cars – but in a more urban friendly package – premium compacts present an interesting, if not inexpensive, alternative to larger cars.
Power everything and navigation packages aside, Wheels brought four examples to Calabogie Motorsports Park, just west of Ottawa. Read more
Road Test: 2008 Lexus GS 450h
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
Looking for a car that makes you feel like you’re saving the planet, but that also rewards your hard-earned successes in life?
The Lexus GS 450h is a mid-size, five-passenger luxury sports sedan that is also a H-Y-B-R-I-D. As such, the automaker says it’s a synthesis of both the green and the mean. Read more
« go back — keep looking »