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370Z: Who cares about back seats?
People need a sports car about as much as a man needs a Breitling watch or a woman needs a pair of Manolo Blahnik stilettos. Sure, a Timex watch and Keds sneakers will do the job, but how much fun is that? Sports cars are all about indulgence and hedonism — the pursuit of pure, unadulterated pleasure without the need to justify their purchase. And that’s exactly why we love them.
Second opinion: 2011 Honda CR-Z
Cars that deliver high fuel economy usually aren't the same ones with sparkling performance. Honda is hoping buyers looking for a bit of fun while being environmentally responsible will take a shine to their newest car. Honda calls the CR-Z a personal sport hybrid coupe,
Road test: 2010 Audi A5 2.0T
As accustomed as I am to getting test vehicles that are fully loaded — the automakers often equipping their cars and trucks in such a way as to expose us to the full suite of amenities offered in their products — even I was gobsmacked by the $20,000-plus list of options that festooned the Audi A5 sport coupe I picked up. Now, 20-large worth of trinkets and toys on a $100,000 vehicle is one thing, but the A5 quattro Premium with six-speed manual has a considerably lower base price of $46,200.
Road test: 2010 Kia Soul 4U SX
The G20 Summit was in full swing and the anarchists had taken over Toronto. It was time to get out of town. What better place to escape to than the spa, that haven of peace and comfort, located in the beautiful, scenic countryside? But first I had to book a getaway vehicle. The body and mind part had been taken care of, so the obvious choice for the journey was the Soul.
Test: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD
In Western Canada, heavy-duty pickup trucks earn a living for their owners. Out here, payload and towing capability isn’t just fodder for bragging, it’s a necessity — a fact GM gets. For 2011, the heavy-duty Silverado and Sierra were redesigned to be the most powerful and capable in the 3/4- and one-ton segment. Of course, this is what every manufacturer says; however, up until a week ago, GM had the advantage of coming last to the revamp party as Dodge and Ford had already brought out their new HDs.
2010 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI
The new Golf sort of snuck up on me. It was a fill-in when one of my normal, luxury-oriented rides fell through. It was available, the pick-up was handy and, hey, I hadn’t tested a Veedub in some time so it would, at least, make for an interesting comparison with the Audis that I’ve gorged myself on lately.
Review: 2010 Mercedes B200 Turbo
The SUV world is changing, with a new breed of vehicle surfacing. No, I’m not talking about the boonie-bashing gas guzzlers of yesteryear; I’m referring to something that should perhaps be named the sporty urban vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz B200 is just such a ride, delivering a pleasant blend of functionality and sportiness.
Siesta over for Ford Fiesta
A returnee to the Canadian small car battlefield, the Ford Fiesta was forced to retreat to Europe for a number of years but is back with a vengeance. It plunges back into our market wielding a base price of just $12,999 and sleek ultra-modern new styling lines that are the envy of its competitors. The main reason behind this new small car offensive by Ford is that this market segment is expected to see sizable sales growth in the coming years.
Road test: BMW 135i Coupe
As an entry-level luxury sports coupe, the BMW 1 Series excels despite a price tag with the power to repel many potential buyers like a garlic necklace would a vampire. But its hefty price aside, the BMW 1 Series shines in its entry-level role because it is no pretender to the BMW brand. Armed with the same zippy engines that power the 3 Series and a suspension that vanquishes the physics of the tightest curve, the 1 Series is really a 3 Series lite at heart.
2011 Jetta pricing raises value bar
As Volkswagen introduces the latest generation of its best-selling car, the emphasis is on value. That’s because VW’s research shows the Jetta is often considered overly expensive compared to its competitors. VW would like to change that and increase sales significantly for this Mexican-made car that’s the company’s volume leader.
Review: 2010 Chevy Corvette ZR1
When Chevrolet launched the first Corvette as a 1953 model two seat roadster, it was billed as a sports car and was powered by an inline six-cylinder motor dubbed “Blue Flame,” which mated to a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission that metered power to the rear wheels. In reality, though exceptionally sporty and appealing in appearance, it was certainly no sports car by today’s definition, but rather was essentially a very stylish boulevard cruiser.
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