First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf R

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

MUNICH, Germany — After a couple of days embedded in the annual GTI Wörthersee fan festival in Austria, it seemed all-too-appropriate to make my half-day return drive to my awaiting flight in Germany in what is known as the ultimate Volkswagen Golf, the R. Read more

First Drive: 2015 Lincoln MKC

Story by John LeBlanc

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. —  The new 2015 MKC compact crossover is yet another in a long line of “make it or break it” vehicles Ford’s struggling luxury brand has trotted out since its sales peaked in the late 1980s. But after a day driving Lincoln’s first ever compact crossover, the signs point favourably for Lincoln’s future. Read more

First Drive: 2015 Ford Transit

Story and photo by John LeBlanc

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The next time you need to rent a vehicle to move your graduating daughter out of your home, have a courier package home-delivered, get a ride from the airport or are considering a recreational vehicle for your retirement years, you may be looking at the new Ford Transit. Read more

Road Test: 2014 BMW 228i Coupe

Story and photo by John LeBlanc

With BMW’s recent niche-within-a-niche product strategy, maybe it’s best to describe the new 2014 BMW 2 Series Coupe for what it isn’t. As in it’s not a coupe-slash-SUV nor a coupe with four-doors nor a tall-hatchback-crossover thingee. Nope. The new-this-year 2 Series is a relatively straightforward, rear-wheel-drive, two-door small car with its engine mounted longitudinally in the front that’s fun to drive. Or the type of vehicle the German automaker only once ever made. Read more

Road Test: 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

Story and photo by John LeBlanc

You can’t get any more “mainstream” than the Ford Fusion sedan. The sedan’s conservative, four-door-with-a-trunk body style is the type of vehicle that’s been around almost as long as the Ford Motor Co. itself. But underneath this particular gasoline-electric hybrid version of Ford’s best-selling family machine is anything but conventional. Read more

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