First Drives

Since this model’s world premiere launch at the 2007 Geneva International Auto Show, journalists and Mazda dealers alike were asking the manufacturer why this lovely subcompact wasn’t offered on the American and Canadian markets. Mazda repeatedly used a lack of production capacity and even a potentially limited market as excuses …

Sir Winston Churchill would undoubtedly roll over in his grave to learn that Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the noblest of British luxury car brands, now belong to German manufacturers. The former is one of the BMW Group’s brands, just like another British icon, the Mini. The latter is part of the …

The Audi TT is not only one of the most elegant sports cars on the market, it’s also the most popular in the world in the category. In fact, Audi says that sales of the TT surpass that of all its competitors – but that doesn’t mean that they’re going …

In 2009, Jaguar sold 77 units of the XJ in Canada. Otherwise put, it was a miserable year. And things weren’t much better south of the border, when you look at per capita sales. But Jaguar’s luck should change for the better with the arrival of the new XJ, which …

When it merged with Hyundai in 1998, Kia had just gone through some very turbulent financial times. What’s more, this manufacturer had specialized mainly in producing vehicles for other companies, and its line was based primarily on models that were more economical than Hyundai’s. But that was then... Once the …

The ongoing duel between German auto manufacturers has a plus side: it means we get to drive some of the most exciting performance vehicles on the planet. And that’s certainly the case with the new RS5, whose 450-hp V8 totally checkmates the BMW M3, which delivers a mere 414 hp.

Forty-five years later and with nine million units sold, the Ford Mustang is one of the most recognized cars on the market. But for a little more than a year, sales have been slipping. The reason? Some very serious competition has edged into this segment with the Chevrolet Camaro, the …

The Carrera Panamericana, made up of 8 stages and spanning 3,100 kilometres from Tuxtla Guttierez in Chiapas to Ciudad Juarez in northern Mexico, is a gruelling and now legendary race. In 1950, Mexico’s Transport Minister dreamed up this insane event to celebrate the completion of the highway linking Mexico from …

As soon as Audi unveiled the first version of the R8 Sports Coupe, compliments flooded in for the vehicle, which was even named Canadian Car of the Year by AJAC. In fact, I have yet to meet someone who thinks this car is unattractive or undesirable. Then the V10 version …

During the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, people from around the world came together in beautiful Vancouver to celebrate culture and sport – and yes, even cars. Respecting the pure spirit of the Games – and of course taking advantage of the world spotlight – several automobile manufacturers brought their …