Road Test: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid

Story and photos by John LeBlanc It’s not as big of a personality clash as Dr. Henry Jekyll’s struggles with his Edward Hyde alter ego, but the automotive terms “Turbo” and “Hybrid” don’t seem like likely bedfellows, as in the new-this-year Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid, a car that seems to be trying to be all […]

Are you ready for a front-wheel-drive BMW?

By John LeBlanc When the front-wheel-drive, Mini Countryman arrived for 2010, it may have not been obvious that at some point, parent BMW — a company that had built its reputation on high-performance, rear-wheel-drive cars — would eventually launch a small, FWD car of its own. But the new BMW Concept Active Tourer Outdoor is […]

Dear John: Hybrid sedans

By John LeBlanc When they first came out over a decade ago, gasoline-electric — or “hybrid” — cars definitely saved more fuel compared to their gas-only counterparts. But their low-volume sales numbers meant automakers were obligated to sell hybrids at premium prices. That’s no longer the case.

Preview: 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid

Story by John LeBlanc FRANKFURT, GERMANY – During the 1970s, the combination of the fuel shortages and growing concerns about poor air quality caused by tailpipe emissions nearly brought the death of high-performance cars. Here we are four decades later, and the problems of high demand for fossil fuels and making cars cleaner haven’t gone […]

First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan & Wagon

Story by John LeBlancBARCELONA, Spain — While the baby bear C-Class is the German automaker’s bestseller globally and the papa bear S-Class is the technological flagship, the E-Class has always been the mama bear of the Mercedes-Benz clan.

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