October 7, 2005
2006 Volvo C70
Paul Williams attended the 2005 Frankfurt auto show where Volvo introduced the 2006 C70 retractable hardtop convertible. "With the 2006 C70, Volvo becomes the first car company in North America to offer a fully retractable, three-piece hardtop for a four-passenger car."
April 18, 2005
2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
Subaru has long wanted a top-line SUV, and this June, it will bring the new B9 Tribeca to Canada. Paul Williams reports that it's aimed at the BMW X5, "matching or exceeding" its acceleration, handling and braking. And if Subaru meant to create a distinct look, its "three-element grille is a definite success."
March 14, 2005
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
In 1989, Mazda took North America by storm with the Miata, which eventually became the world's best selling sports car. At the Geneva Auto Show, Paul Williams reports on the 2006 version, which he calls "longer, wider and a bit more muscular... it will not disappoint existing fans, and should create new ones."
December 15, 2004
2005 Nissan Xterra
The 2005 Nissan Xterra doesn't stray from the original theme of affordable off-road capability with no "fluff", reports Paul Williams. "Nissan has refined the vehicle, taking advantage of the company's modular truck platform, but doesn't reinvent it," he says.
October 25, 2004
Mazdaspeed6
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the Mazdaspeed6 "is the most powerful Mazda ever," reports Paul Williams. It will be powered by a 2.3-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine with 280 horsepower and comes with a six-speed manual transmission. The Mazdaspeed6 will be available in Canada in March or April, 2005.
September 20, 2004
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
According to the 2005 Corvette's chief engineer, Dave Hill, "Our goal was to create a Corvette that does more things well than any other performance car". In order to do so, Corvette engineers concentrated on "systematically searching out and destroying every imperfection they could find," reports Garner Tam.
May 10, 2004
2005 Nissan Xterra
The 2005 Nissan Xterra has a modified version of the body-on-frame truck platform used for the Titan pickup and Armada SUV, reports Garner Tam. A new 250 horsepower 4.0 litre V6 replaces the supercharged and non-supercharged 3.3 litre engines in the current model.
April 26, 2004
2005 Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle, & Mustang
For the past few years, Ford has focused on money-making trucks and SUVs, but this year the company will introduce three new cars: the Five Hundred sedan, Freestyle crossover, and Mustang coupe. "Ford is ready to re-establish itself in the car market," predicts Paul Williams, "but its domestic competition is not standing still."
