Six represents a crucial number for Mazda. No longer tethered to Ford, it leaves breathing room to develop all-new powertrains, which we've seen with SkyActiv. It also means Ford's financial backing is no longer an option, meaning getting the formula right for the Mazda6 is absolutely imperative. If the success with …
May 17, 2013
I'm trying really hard to love the carefully engineered engine in Mazda's new 6. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv engine in the 2014 Mazda6 GT has already returned 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres in steady 110-120-kilometre-per-hour highway driving and I've yet to exceed 8.2 L/100 km in city driving. Who doesn't …
May 17, 2013
There's something sizzling about the redesigned 2013 Toyota Avalon. Previous tests of the Japanese carmaker's flagship sedan left me with the feeling it could be better. And quite frankly, my first impressions of the reworked vehicle are positive -- from the exterior and interior design to the performance behind the wheel. But …
May 17, 2013
Manufacturers rarely fess up to erring on the redesign of their most popular models, but that's exactly what Honda did with Canada's bestselling car, the Civic, which has ruled the passenger-car sales roost for 14 consecutive years. While the reaction to the 2012 Honda Civic was tepid, one short year after …
May 17, 2013
OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. -- In the automotive world, there are very few vehicles that have adhered to the original design intent more than the Jeep Wrangler. For 70 years, it has been one thing -- an off-road icon. Yes, it has been nipped and tucked to keep it contemporary; however, it …
May 17, 2013
CALABOGIE, ONT -- Racetracks are the ultimate automotive equalizer. Drive any two cars back-to-back over the same course on the same day and one will emerge as superior. Even cars that feel fast on the street can get stage-fright at the track. Time and again, the racetrack is where cars are …
May 17, 2013
BARCELONA -- While the baby-bear C-Class is the German automaker's bestseller globally and the papa-bear S-Class is the technological flagship, the E-Class has always been Mercedes-Benz's mama bear.A staple in the Mercedes-Benz lineup for six decades, not only is the mid-sized E-Class one of the brand's bestsellers -- especially in …
May 10, 2013
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- It's a rare day when a manufacturer turns a group of journalists loose in prototype versions of an upcoming production model. But Lexus did it, allowing several auto journalists to evaluate seven disguised, next-generation IS prototypes. The object was for us to validate what chief engineer Junichi …
May 10, 2013
City-dwellers and those who have trouble parallel parking, rejoice! Chevrolet has introduced the Spark, the first minicar that the bow-tie brand has sold in the United States. Looking like a Chevrolet Sonic that was left in the dryer too long, the aggressively sculpted styling makes the most of the available sheet …
May 10, 2013
"Is that a Mercedes?" the curious fellow asked, walking around to the front of the 2013 Volkswagen CC in my driveway and noticing the large emblem. "Oh. It's a VW?" Yes, the CC hails from the same manufacturer who builds Beetles and Golfs. Except the CC is unique, slotting somewhere above the …
May 10, 2013
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