Monthly Archives: September 2010

2010 Mini Cooper S Mayfair

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2010 Mini Cooper S Mayfair

This gallery contains 7 photos.

A half-century ago, a revolutionary little car hit the market. The Mini was small, front-wheel drive, had its wheels pushed to the corners to improve stability and make the most of its interior space, and it was inexpensive. The redesigned version by BMW retained all of that – except for the low price-tag, of course. In honour of the birthday, Mini has released a pair of special-edition packages: the 50 Camden, and my tester, the 50 Mayfair, named for London’s famous upscale neighbourhood.
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2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V

This gallery contains 12 photos.

For those with a thirst for driving excitement but a limited budget, there are several compact sedans and hatchbacks on the market with tuned suspensions, performance tires, and extra power under the hood, many of them starting under $25,000.
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2010 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2010 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT

This gallery contains 11 photos.

The Ford F-150 Raptor carries the F-150 designation for marketing purposes, as well as for the fact that it is a half-ton pick-up. However, the similarities pretty well end there as the truck shares very few components with its F-150 stable mates. If you approach this monster from the front you are immediately struck by its width and aggressive stance. In fact, the Raptor is 18 cm (7 in.) wider than a standard full-size pick-up, moving it into a category that requires it to sport marker lights at each corner (and in the grille) which add to the aggressive look. The distinctive grille is a black-out design, dominated by what has to be the largest Ford emblem ever employed on a consumer vehicle.
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2011 BMW 135i Cabriolet

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2011 BMW 135i Cabriolet

This gallery contains 9 photos.

One might be the loneliest number, but seven surely makes for one sexy party. At least, I’d bet BMW thinks so, as it rolls out a new transmission for 2011, the seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) that now serves as the extra cost option in 1 Series models powered by the company’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine.
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Clean cars help Big Brothers Big Sisters

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Richmond Hill, Ontario – Mini Canada is teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada (BBBSC), with car washes at local Mini retailers on Saturday, September 18 in support of the association. In addition, in a bid to rekindle relationships … Continue reading →

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2003-2009 Land Rover Range Rover

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands

The Range Rover is arguably Land Rover’s best-known model and the one that best represents the company’s reputation as a builder of high-end SUVs. The first generation vehicle was introduced in 1970; the second-generation wouldn’t appear until 1995. It was a relatively quick turnaround, then, when the Range Rover was redesigned again for a 2002 introduction in some parts of the world, wearing modern styling that still managed to echo that of the original 1970 model.
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2005-2009 Toyota Avalon

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2005 Toyota Avalon

This gallery contains 6 photos.

Before Lexus came along, the most luxurious vehicle that Toyota built was the Cressida, a rear-drive, six-cylinder sedan that was positioned upscale of the family-focused Camry. It stuck around until 1992, three years after Toyota introduced its dedicated luxury brand (Lexus), and when the Cressida was discontinued, it was easy to assume that meant the end of Toyota’s high-end aspirations for its base brand.
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2006-2010 Mazda5

Posted on September 12, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2006 Mazda5

This gallery contains 9 photos.

In Europe, MPVs – short for multi-purpose vehicles – are a big deal. Think of an MPV as The Continent’s answer to the minivans we know here: three rows of seats to accommodate the entire family, but usually with four-cylinder engines (many of them diesels) and sized to fit comfortably on tighter European roads.
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2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta

Posted on September 11, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2007 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

This gallery contains 8 photos.

The fifth-generation Volkswagen Jetta – known among enthusiasts as the MKV (say “Mark five”) – was a bit of a throwback when it was introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model, being closer in proportion to the second- and third-generation models, with its long hood, high decklid and, inside, a huge trunk.
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2010 Land Rover LR2

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Isaac Adams-Hands
2010 Land Rover LR2

This gallery contains 7 photos.

The old saying goes that familiarity breeds contempt. That may be so in some circumstances, but in my case, familiarity has bred content. I’d never really been on Land Rover’s radar, and so only viewed these chunky – and to my eye, clunky – vehicles at auto shows, or the few times I saw one on the road. Having spent some seat time in them, including the smallest of the bunch, the 2010 LR2, I’ve come to appreciate the brand, which combines rough-and-ready off-road ability with some seriously luxurious interior touches.
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