Paris 2010: Toyota

By John LeBlanc PARIS – It’s no news that Toyota ‘s subcompact Yaris is getting a little long-in-the-tooth. Especially when rivals like the Honda Fit and new Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 offer frugality, features, better build quality and more fun-to-drive characteristics the yawn-fest Toyota can’t match any day of the week.

The Crank: Will Canadians take to stale Scions?

By John LeBlanc Let’s get something straight. Scion—Toyota’s so-called “youth brand”—is all about fashion. The three Scions being introduced to Canada this fall don’t offer much differences mechanically than the Toyotas they’re based on. After being introduced to U.S. customers in 2003, it took Toyota Canada took another five years, in 2008, to make up […]

Top 10s: Best Sounding New Cars

[svgallery name=”Top_10_Sounding_pics”] By John LeBlanc Eye-grabbing styling, gut-punching acceleration, track-ready handling – these are all qualities that can make or break a driving enthusiast’s new car purchase decision. Yet like a gorgeous supermodel that eventually opens their mouth with less-than-stellar acoustical results, how a car sounds can help you pick your next set of wheels […]

Feature: AMG Performance Tour

[svgallery name=”AMG_Performance_Tour”] By John LeBlanc PAHRUMP, Nev. – Over the past four decades, Germany’s AMG has grown from a couple of guys hot-rodding Mercedes-Benz in a barn, to a full-on subsidiary of the automaker that now employs over 900 employees.

Road Test: 2010 Volkswagen GTI 3-door DSG

[svgallery name=”2010_VW_GTI_hirez”] Mr. Automatic Does adding a slushbox diminish a hot hatch fave? By John LeBlanc No doubt you’ve heard of Volkswagen’s GTI. Like Chevrolet’s Corvette or Porsche’s 911, it’s one of those instantly recognizable enthusiast car badges that, in spite of the occasional oil crises or economic downturn, has kept its flame burning for […]

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