First Drives

Los Angeles, California. - It’s a sign of the times. Automobile manufacturers are leaving the racetrack and heading full speed into the race for environmentally friendly technologies. They know all too well that the first to sell zero-emission vehicles will be graciously rewarded by the public, which now seems ready …

After recently introducing the BMW 7 Series Hybrid, the Bavarian manufacturer is now offering the 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, its second gasoline- and electric-powered hybrid model. In fact, the X6 will be the first hybrid vehicle sold by BMW since it will arrive here in December, several months before the …

A few years ago, after the new version of the Mercedes-Benz SL AMG 6.3 came out, we sat down for lunch with one of the directors of the Mercedes-Benz High Performance Division. He said he was satisfied with the new 6.8-litre V8 engines that AMG had just developed as well …

Whenever a new 911 Turbo launches, it’s always a big deal. It has been ever since the very first was launched at the 1974 Paris Motor Show. And since the body and basic dimensions have remained unchanged over the years, Porsche hasn’t had to give it a new code. Instead, …

Homestead Speedway, Florida – The sound of the V10 screaming at 9,000 rpm as I take off down the straightaway at the Homestead Speedway is quite simply mind-blowing and proof positive that the engineers at Lexus have managed to come closer than anyone before them to reproducing the unique sound …

Suzuki has always been something of an enigma to me. It’s one of the best and largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world, and they produce excellent outboard motors and ATV. In most of these categories, this Japanese giant is among the best, if not the best. However, its history in …

Easily the most British of all British brands, Land Rover is trying to weather the storm. Indeed, most high end manufacturers have suffered through some hard times these last several months, and it’s a safe bet that there’s more to come. When hundreds of workers are laid off by a …

Wolfsburg, Germany – Launched almost 30 years ago to replace a Beetle that was fading fast, back then the Golf was a simple car powered by a none-too-powerful engine and equipment that was on par with that of economy cars at the time. However, it revolutionized the design world with …

Just three years ago, prospects didn’t look good for Ford. Sales were plummeting and deficits were stacking up while their product offering was simply less competitive. Then Allan Mullaly took the reins at Ford and things started to change. In fact, when he stepped in he pledged that within three …

The roadster model of the 370Z will make its debut on the Canadian market in October 2009 – that’s ten months after the coupe and just in time for winter! All jokes aside, the new roadster features many of the same characteristics as the 370Z coupe, and its performance potential …