First Drives

At the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, MINI unveiled two concept cars: a coupe and a roadster. They stood out with their plunging lines that broke away from the brand’s traditional square mould. Most people at the event figured that these were just concept cars and that the production models, if …

This may seem anachronistic, but to succeed in the luxury and semi-luxury car category, you have to market an entry-level compact model. It helps increase your total number of clients and introduce them to the brand so that, one day, they might upgrade to a more luxurious model. Audi, BMW …

When Kia unveiled its Soul in 2009, it was a breath of fresh air in the automobile industry. For once, a unique vehicle didn’t go too far. The Nissan Cube (and, later, the Juke) or the Scion xB pushed the envelope a little too far – and they continue to …

The pinnacle for an automobile journalist and the dream of any self-respecting diehard is driving a new Ferrari in the country where it was born. I happen to be both, and I accomplished this feat during the international launch of the Ferrari 458 Spider a few days after it was …

More than a year has passed since Mazda unveiled its SKYACTIV technology, which is designed to cut fuel consumption in both gas and diesel engines. Anyone who follows the automotive news has heard that Mazda has developed various technologies for engines, transmissions and platforms to ultimately improve vehicle performance while …

For years, the Land Rover name was associated with a rural way of life. Their ads showed stylish people dressed in Barbour coats and Wellington boots stopped in a field next to a Land Rover or a Range Rover. Usually, a dog, generally Labrador, sat quietly next to his master.

It’s a car that hides excellent mechanics under an inconspicuous exterior. Basically, it’s the polar opposite of a tuned car! The brand new version of the Jetta, the GLI, fits the definition of a sleeper to a tee. The keen eye will notice that the suspensions are 15 mm (9/16 …

Not very long ago, automakers didn’t pay too much attention to the subcompact car category. Considered poor cousins without much potential for profit, these little cars rarely had the same research and development budgets as other car types. Needless to say, that was reflected in the overall product quality. If …

When the new SLS AMG coupe arrived on the market a few years ago, it practically became an instant classic. Its shape, inspired by the legendary 300SL Gullwing, immediately put this luxury coupe in a class all by itself. However, this newcomer was more than just style: it was a …

The brand new Chevrolet Sonic is replacing the Aveo, which will hardly be missed. If all that matters to you is whether or not the Sonic is better than its predecessor, the answer is a resounding YES, so you can stop reading immediately. But if you want to know if …