First Drives

First Drives2012 Chevrolet Volt – The ideal solution?4.5/5
Seldom has a car garnered so much attention. Since its unveiling at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, this car has been the subject countless reviews, both good and bad. At first, people said "GM will never go into production with a car like this. It’s just a flash in the …
First Drives2012 Bentley Mulsanne: To heck with the budget!
Long ago, when the wealthy wanted to get noticed for their cars, they had to turn to independent coachbuilders for help. For a hefty price, these coachbuilders would design a body and passenger compartment according the tastes of the client. These days, this practice has almost disappeared, it’s still possible …
First Drives2012 Volkswagen Beetle – Guaranteed fun4.5/5
Following April’s spectacular simultaneous unveiling in Berlin, Shanghai and New York, the time has come to test drive the third generation of the Beetle. We got the chance to get behind the wheel of this newcomer during a special event that took place in Berlin, Germany. Of course, as is …
First Drives2012 Hyundai Genesis: Not the flavour of the month
It was highly acclaimed after its 2009 launch, winning the Canadian Car of the Year and North American Car of the Year titles. And the 2012 versions will offer more powerful engines, including a 429-hp V8. But even with this added vigour and new 5.0 R-Spec name, the Hyundai Genesis …
First Drives2012 Infiniti M35h: Best M, best hybrid!
Infiniti promised us that it was going to develop an in-house hybrid system for its luxury line and don’t look now, but it’s the M that’s getting it. After test driving this nearly $70,000 machine, we are smitten! The regulars on The Car Guide site will know that last year, …
First Drives2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid quattro – The sporty hybrid crossover4.5/5
Last year, when Audi held an international information session on its plans for hybrid and all-electric vehicles, three vehicle categories were introduced. The first category featured a hybrid engine and a battery that recharges using kinetic energy recovered from the brakes. The second category also had a hybrid engine, but …
First Drives2011 Mazda RX-8: More Zoom Zoom than any other Mazda4.5/5
Before getting to the car, a quick side note about language. In Mazdaspeak, "Zoom Zoom" refers to inspired sport driving. This term is used by Mazda worldwide, except in Quebec, where they say "Vroom Vroom." Interesting? Perhaps. But you’re probably more interested in knowing just how the Zoom and Vroom …
First Drives2012 Hyundai Accent: More than a low price4.0/5
The Accent, Hyundai’s popular sub-compact, is fresh off a complete makeover. The new generation has nothing in common with the previous one… and that’s good news! Its lines are reminiscent of those of its big sister, the Elantra, especially when viewed from the front. The 2012 Accent is available in …
First Drives2012 Lotus Evora S: It won’t change you, except...
Lotus, the little English manufacturer steeped in history, is barely surviving in this era where huge corporations reign supreme. For various reasons, it had to stop producing the Elise and Exige, fun little two-seaters that handle more like go-karts than GTs. To target a different clientele that is just as …
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