Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com Autoblog Canada http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Video: Another R/C movie car chase mini movie, but this one's really an advert]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/another-r-c-movie-car-chase-mini-movie-but-this-ones-really-an/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/another-r-c-movie-car-chase-mini-movie-but-this-ones-really-an/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/another-r-c-movie-car-chase-mini-movie-but-this-ones-really-an/#comments

When a video touts itself as "probably the greatest hollywood-style RC action movie car chase ever," (sic) you should set yourself up for disappointment. That's not to say that this joint effort, a clearly well-funded partnership between LA Muscle Sports Supplements and Fast & Furious 6, isn't fun and polished, but just lately we've posted some very entertaining small-scale car videos like this and this.

Still, it's cool to watch an R/C Camaro slide wide around turns amidst warehouse shelves full of LA Muscle product. Just as in real life, zooming around gets the attention of the constabulary, and a passel of police cars gives chase, which leads our Camaro protagonist to... J-TURN! It is a cool video, tied to a movie that we know is full of some fantastic cars and you can bet that the full-sizers will do stunts that are even more jaw-dropping.

Invest in watching the minute long video below.

Gallery: Top 10 Police Chase Videos

Continue reading Another R/C movie car chase mini movie, but this one's really an advert

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Another R/C movie car chase mini movie, but this one's really an advert originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car chasefast and furiousla musclerc carrc car chasevideoMon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2013-toyota-tacoma-trd-sport-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2013-toyota-tacoma-trd-sport-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2013-toyota-tacoma-trd-sport-quick-spin-review/#comments2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport - front three-quarter view

"Oh yeah, Toyota still makes the Tacoma." Admit it, that's what you just said to yourself. It's a perfectly natural reaction, but the Tacoma has been quietly anchoring its segment for years, outselling every other compact pickup without making too much of a fuss. Toyota hasn't neglected the Tacoma - it was updated in 2012 with a revised nose and interior as the most notable changes.

In a world awash with high-value full-size pickups all vying for your attention, the Tacoma still charms more than a few buyers out of their cash. I hooked a Tacoma for a week to see whether it still has enough to recommend it.

Hit the jump to continue reading our full driving notes on the 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport.

Continue reading 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport

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2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 toyota tacoma2013 toyota tacoma trd sportquick spinquickspintoyotatoyota tacomatrdThu, 18 Apr 2013 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: eGarage video features Helmut Bott's personal Porsche 959 prototype]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/egarage-video-features-helmut-botts-personal-porsche-959-protot/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/egarage-video-features-helmut-botts-personal-porsche-959-protot/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/egarage-video-features-helmut-botts-personal-porsche-959-protot/#commentssilver porsche 959 prototype sitting in the brumos porsche collection


"We thought we were going to build a super-911," said Peter Schutz, former CEO of Porsche AG of the development of the Porsche 959. That was before it started getting expensive. At that point, Helmut Bott, Porsche R&D director got frightened. Costs ballooned because of the all-wheel drive, sequential turbocharging and other technology Porsche had never even thought about when it set out to build a 911 to compete in Group B. Schutz continued, "The amount of resources we were committing got totally out of hand." Instead of pulling the plug, Bott doubled down and drew on the strength of his brilliant team to build a car whose impact is still echoing aross the industry.

"It's probably one of our most prized possessions" says Don Leatherwood, Director of the Brumos collection where Dr. Bott's personal prototype resides, and where Frazer Spowart went to see the car and create a video for eGarage. Check out the sights and sounds of the 959 before it was the 959, and get personal takes on the car from Hurley Haywood, Peter Schutz and Don Leatherwood.

Keep reading to watch the video.


Gallery: Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer

Continue reading eGarage video features Helmut Bott's personal Porsche 959 prototype

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eGarage video features Helmut Bott's personal Porsche 959 prototype originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brumosegaragehelmut botthurley haywoodporscheporsche 959porsche 959 prototypevideoFri, 12 Apr 2013 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 2013 Best Cars for Families]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/2013-best-cars-for-families/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/2013-best-cars-for-families/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/2013-best-cars-for-families/#comments

Enthusiasts are all talk. The best-selling cars are rarely the ones that set our hearts aflutter, and that's because while we're ogling glossy pictures of lust-worthy automobiles, Mr. and Mrs. Average Family are ponying up the money to actually park a new rig in the driveway. For these family-focused buyers, the wants and needs are different than the set of requirements you start listing when you want to go weekend autocrossing.

With that in mind, a recent report has set about naming the best family vehicle across 19 categories for 2013. "With such a broad range of award winners," says Jamie Page Deaton, Managing Editor of U.S. News Best Cars, "any family can find the best car for their lifestyle."

The rankings result in a strong showing for General Motors, and the winners are nearly split right down the middle between foreign and domestic nameplates. Even given the workaday mission of family vehicles, there are still some winners we'd gladly pilot as the kids trash the interior.

Check out our gallery of winners, and keep reading to see the press release with full results below.


Gallery: Top 10 Cheapest Cars in Canada

Volkswagen Jetta - $14,990Honda Fit DX - $14,580Smart fortwo coupe - $14,400Toyota Yaris hatchback CE - $14,250Mazda2 - $14,095

Continue reading 2013 Best Cars for Families

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2013 Best Cars for Families originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best cars for familiesbest family carus news and world reportMon, 08 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Watch <i>Top Gear</i> USA try to outrun The Stig in an apocalyptic Camry]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/watch-top-gear-usa-try-to-outrun-the-stig-in-an-apocalypti/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/watch-top-gear-usa-try-to-outrun-the-stig-in-an-apocalypti/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/watch-top-gear-usa-try-to-outrun-the-stig-in-an-apocalypti/#commentsModified pink Toyota Camry for Top Gear USA - video screencap

The Stig makes his return to Top Gear USA on the History Channel tonight, though it looks like the circumstances could be better. The upside is that Rutledge Wood, Adam Ferrara and Tanner Foust appear to have built themselves a Road-Warrior-iffic late-1990s Toyota Camry complete with an electric fence. The Stig chases down his prey with, naturally, a Panther. Seems appropriate.

Looking more closely, it almost seems like a Camry body was bolted atop a truck frame, and you'd expect something like a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor to be the most menacing Panther, but the Stig does a good job being scary in a Lincoln Town Car. The only way to know for sure what went down is to watch tonight.

Click here to check out a video clip, and hit the photo gallery for some shots you'll only find here on Autoblog Canada.

Continue reading Watch Top Gear USA try to outrun The Stig in an apocalyptic Camry

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Watch Top Gear USA try to outrun The Stig in an apocalyptic Camry originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam ferraradoomsday driverutledge woodstigtanner foustthe stigtop geartop gear cliptop gear doomsday drivetop gear usavideoTue, 12 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Followup: Fisker reportedly drops US$33M lawsuit over Super Storm Sandy damaged cars]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/fisker-reportedly-drops-us-33m-lawsuit-over-super-storm-sandy-da/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/fisker-reportedly-drops-us-33m-lawsuit-over-super-storm-sandy-da/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/fisker-reportedly-drops-us-33m-lawsuit-over-super-storm-sandy-da/#commentsdamaged fisker automobiles sitting in new jersey

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy hitting the east coast, Fisker Automotive and insurer XL Insurance wound up in a legal battle over 338 Karma models destroyed in the storm. The cars were sitting in Port Newark, New Jersey when the enormous storm struck, washing away US$33 million worth of viable automobiles. Fisker sued XL Insurance in New York State Supreme Court after the company denied coverage for the loss.

Both sides reportedly reached an agreement to drop the legal action on Thursday without publicly stating a reason for the truce. In lieu of an actual reason, here's some conjecture: the cars may be worth more to Fisker as an uncompensated loss, as pending legal battles make the beleaguered niche automaker much less attractive to potential investors or suitors.

Click here to watch how 250,000 vehicles were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Continue reading Fisker reportedly drops US$33M lawsuit over Super Storm Sandy damaged cars

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Fisker reportedly drops US$33M lawsuit over Super Storm Sandy damaged cars originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive lawsuitautomotive lawsuitsfiskerfisker lawsuithurricane sandykarmalawsuitlawsuitssandysuperstorm sandyxl insuranceSat, 02 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2013 Lexus ES300h]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/2013-lexus-es300h/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/2013-lexus-es300h/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/2013-lexus-es300h/#comments

The Lexus ES lineup, the brand's bread-and-butter sedan, has been completely redone for 2013. With that tip-to-tail rework comes the model's first hybrid. We think the ES350 is better in every way than its predecessor, so a spin in the ES300h is warranted to see what it's like to live with the model sure to become the best-selling Lexus hybrid sedan. In particular, we wanted to see how the gas-electric luxury cruiser handled the battery-sapping realities of winter, so we ventured out into the slush and snow to file this report.

Hit the jump for our full driving notes and photo gallery from our time behind the wheel of the 2013 Lexus ES300h.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus ES300h

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2013 Lexus ES300h originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lexus es300heses 300hes300es300hfeaturedhybridlexuslexus esquick spinWed, 27 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breaking: 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray crash is first mishap for new C7]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/first-2014-chevy-corvette-stingray-spotted-crashed-in-the-wild/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/first-2014-chevy-corvette-stingray-spotted-crashed-in-the-wild/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/first-2014-chevy-corvette-stingray-spotted-crashed-in-the-wild/#comments

This restyled blue 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is wearing manufacturer plates, and it appears to be the same one seen around the internet in various pictures lately. This crash is likely not part of the Chevrolet testing regimen, however. Digital Corvettes forum member "gpetry" posted the shot with a note: "got this picture e-mailed from a friend in Arizona last week..." No circumstances are given, other than the incident occurred in the thick of a set of curvy roads, and the coupe ping-ponged off a guardrail and into the rock wall. Hopefully everyone involved in the incident walked away.

It may not be a pretty thing to see, a crashed sports car that's not even available for sale yet, but rest easy. Many pre-production cars are used for development and then unceremoniously crushed and scrapped, anyway. If that's the case here, that makes this wrecked 'Vette less of a tragedy and more of a case of exceptional efficiency.

Continue reading 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray crash is first mishap for new C7

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2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray crash is first mishap for new C7 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 chevrolet corvette stingrayc7c7 crashchevroletcorvettecorvette crashcorvette stingraycrashstingray crashWed, 13 Feb 2013 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Holden Commodore to live beyond 2016]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/holden-commodore-to-live-beyond-2016/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/holden-commodore-to-live-beyond-2016/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/holden-commodore-to-live-beyond-2016/#commentsHolden Commodore

"There is another Commodore coming after this one," said Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux while giving Australian press a preview of the 2014 VF Commodore, which is set to launch February 10th. It was a pretty effective way to de-emphasize the brand-new car, judging by the stunned expressions Australian press reports mention on the faces of his Holden deputies.

Really all this statement means is that there will be a car named Commodore even after the VF winds down in 2016. Devereux further explained that Holden's Adelaide facility will be assembling two GM global platforms, one of them we know to be the Cruze, and "one of them [that] will underpin the next Commodore."

Don't expect that next Commodore to be a rear-driver like the cars that have topped sales charts for the last 15 years. It'll more than likely be a port of a car we know here as a Buick, according to The Australian. While we wait for 2017, at least we can check out the VF Commodore that was just unveiled.

Continue reading Holden Commodore to live beyond 2016

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Holden Commodore to live beyond 2016 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 holden commodorecommodoreholdenholden vfvfvf commodoreMon, 11 Feb 2013 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/2013-toyota-camry-hybrid-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/2013-toyota-camry-hybrid-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/2013-toyota-camry-hybrid-review/#commentsGiving Vanilla A Good Name

2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid

"Vanilla." Taken in modern context, that's not a compliment, but it should be. Vanilla actually has exotic origins, and as spices go, only saffron is more costly. Despite the realities, calling something "vanilla" is not whistling in admiration. The Toyota Camry has been called "vanilla" countless times since its debut, but both the car and the bean have something up their sleeves.

Scoff all you want, but vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor, and there is no mainstream sedan that outsells the Camry. Apparently, vanilla has an underlying tinge of filthy lucre. We didn't feel rich, exactly, wheeling around in the Camry Hybrid, but we came away impressed, nonetheless.

"When I go to an ice cream parlor for the first time, I always order their vanilla," says Ralph Hannabury. Why vanilla? "When you're making ice cream, everything builds off vanilla. If they have that right, you know they know what they're doing," Ralph explained. Who is Ralph Hannabury? For more than two decades, he made ice cream for Russo's Candy House in Saugus, Massachusetts. Ralph knows vanilla, and good vanilla is hard.

It's the same thing with cars. Supercars are easy compared to a good, bland sedan that starts faithfully every day for hundreds of thousands of miles and exhibits none of the bad habits that are "features" when you're talking exclusive machinery. The Camry is a riot of dispassion to car people, and the Hybrid only moreso with its Hybrid Synergy Drive sopping up whatever visceral treats you can find in the standard Camry.

Continue reading 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid

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2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 toyota camry hybridcamrycamry hybridcamry hybrid reviewcamry reviewfeaturedhybridhybrid reviewreviewreviewstoyotaTue, 29 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Auto journalist ordered to pay big money for blowing up Porsche 917 engine]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/22/auto-journalist-ordered-to-pay-big-money-for-blowing-up-porsche/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/22/auto-journalist-ordered-to-pay-big-money-for-blowing-up-porsche/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/22/auto-journalist-ordered-to-pay-big-money-for-blowing-up-porsche/#commentsPorsche 917 racecar in Gulf livery - front three-quarter view

Racecars blow engines all the time, but a Porsche 917 isn't just a run-of-the-mill racecar. British automotive writer Mark Hales reportedly borrowed a 917 from 82-year-old former Formula One racer David Piper for a magazine article, and mechanical tragedy ensued. Nobody is arguing that the engine failed after being spun to 8,200 rpm. However, Hales was warned not to exceed 7,000 rpm, says owner Piper, and the affair landed in English courts with Piper seeking £50,000 (around CAD$78,600) in reimbursement funds for an engine rebuild and loss of use of the car while it was being repaired. Judge Simon Brown ruled in favour of car owner Piper, putting Hales on the hook for £110,000 (CAD$172,000) including legal fees - a whole lot of money in any language.

Hales says the Porsche suffered a mechanical fault while lapping that allowed it to slip out of gear and over-rev. Piper wasn't convinced, and sought to have the repair paid for by the guy who broke the racer, saying "If you bend it, you mend it." It's not like Hales is a novice driver, having seat time in both professional and amateur races over 30 years, notching about 150 wins, but even the best drivers sometimes miss a shift, and that's what Piper contended happened to his car.

According to reports, Piper has had to sell most of his valuables to pay his lawyers and is now facing bankruptcy with the ruling against him. Members of the Pistonheads website are trying to coordinate a collection to help him out, as well.

Continue reading Auto journalist ordered to pay big money for blowing up Porsche 917 engine

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Auto journalist ordered to pay big money for blowing up Porsche 917 engine originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>917david piperhalesmark halesmark hales porsche 917porscheporsche 917 lawsuitTue, 22 Jan 2013 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2013 Subaru Outback Limited]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/2013-subaru-outback-limited-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/2013-subaru-outback-limited-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/2013-subaru-outback-limited-quick-spin-review/#comments

Subaru has given the 2013 Outback a host of detail changes and updates, though you'd hardly know from looking at it. The mild exterior changes mostly go unnoticed, and if you're comparing on a numbers basis, the new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine is bang-on what the old engine would do. The biggest news is EyeSight, Subaru's new stereo camera-based system that drives lane-departure warning, active cruise control, automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert functions.

The 2013 Outback spent some time in my driveway, and as far as jacked-up wagons with off-road cladding go, this is one of the most affordable of the lot. That doesn't mean it's cheap; the Outback I tried was a Limited model with moonroof, navigation, EyeSight, leather and CVT added on. That takes the Outback from its roughly $28,500 starting point and adds just over $10,000, landing solidly in the $40,000 mark. Still, against its most natural competitors like the Volvo XC70 and Audi A6 Avant, the Outback is a better value.

DRIVING NOTES
  • The new 2.5-litre four-cylinder is surprisingly happy in this big wagon. It never felt underpowered, though it also never felt abundantly strong. Adequate.
  • Even more shocking, the CVT and four-cylinder combo proved smooth and refined most of the time. Hard acceleration, like merging on the highway, was really the only time the slippy-revvy characteristic of the CVT appeared. Most of the time it was as unobtrusive as the smoothest automatic transmission.
  • This is a very nice car in Limited trim, and the interior materials are better than I remember them being in the last Outback I sampled. The leather seats are very comfortable for long hauls, the interior is acceptably quiet, and the car is a perfect match for climates that see lots of inclement weather. Driving through rain and snow quickly points out what the buzz is all about with these cars. The Outback is comfy and confident in the slop.
  • When it's dry, you pay a price for the increased ride height and chunky tires. Still, sporty handling is not this car's forte unless you're competing in winter rallies.
  • The navigation system is fiddly to use, the screen is now on the small side compared to the competition and it generally just isn't that good. It took a lot more active babysitting of the nav to get it to display useful information and get me to a destination when a clogged highway changed my route. The key to a successful arrival turned out to be 70 per cent my own wits and 30 per cent the navigation system's capabilities.
  • The EyeSight system is mostly annoying. It's really sensitive and alerts at the slightest provocation. The first thing I did every time I got into the Outback was hold down the two overhead buttons to shut the EyeSight system up.
  • The fuel economy I saw was better than you'll get out of a CUV or SUV with comparable space, though given the ride height and size, the Outback is practically a crossover anyway, so the solid mid-to-high 20 MPG's EPA (8-9 L/100km) I was able to squeeze from each gallon of fuel are mostly due to having a small engine and a transmission programmed to reach for the sky as fast as possible.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru Outback Limited

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2013 Subaru Outback Limited originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 subaru outback2013 subaru outback limitedfeaturedoutbackoutback limitedquick spinquickspinsubaruWed, 09 Jan 2013 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2012 Jeep Patriot]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/19/2012-jeep-patriot-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/19/2012-jeep-patriot-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/19/2012-jeep-patriot-review/#commentsLeft In The Weeds, But Okay With That

2012 Jeep Patriot

Seventy years ago, the Jeep Patriot would have been amazing. In 1941, the year the original Jeep was drawn up, the power windows, air conditioning and automatic transmission in this Patriot Latitude were features only available in cars like Packards.

The Patriot has features and dynamic capabilities unheard of back when the Jeep was an idea, not a brand. Seventy years of progress, perspective and turmoil has a way of turning the formerly amazing into the mundane. Since its introduction, along with its Compass close relation, this Illinois-built crossover has been viewed as the Fauxlex of Jeeps. It's based on the defunct Dodge Caliber, which itself shares the Mitsubishi GS platform, ensuring a complete lack of underlying Jeep DNA. The only link back to Karl Probst and his seminal design is some squared-off styling and the impression that the Patriot was also designed over a marathon weekend, just like that first Bantam proposal.

There have been a couple rounds of updates to the Patriot to address previous foibles including its former horror chamber-like interior, along with moves to banish the traces of econobox from its styling. We wanted to sample these changes and see just how far the Patriot can go on its reserve of charm.

Continue reading 2012 Jeep Patriot

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2012 Jeep Patriot originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 jeep patriotfeaturedjeeppatriotreviewreviewsWed, 19 Dec 2012 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Ford publishes its first Trend Report, highlights trust]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/ford-publishes-its-first-trend-report-highlights-trust/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/ford-publishes-its-first-trend-report-highlights-trust/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/ford-publishes-its-first-trend-report-highlights-trust/#commentsford trends report

Automobiles are a long-lead business. It takes years to get a car to market, and because of that, carmakers need a crystal ball to gaze into, lest the sands of consumer desire shift out from under their feet. Ford has just released its 2013 Trend report, and the word from Dearborn is that things are looking up for 2013.

According to Ford, we're collectively coming out of a crisis-induced haze of negativism and entering a new phase of self-reliant trust in ourselves and each other while still remaining skeptical of big institutions. It's kind of like Ford is saying, "Hey, we're glad you're over it... oh, and by the way, it wasn't our fault. Buy our cars."

Ford's report notes that people want brands they think care about them, deliver good value and honest dealing. If they don't get what they want, consumers will call out corporations via newly powerful social media channels and consumer action. Ford says it's not that customers expect perfection all the time, but trusted brands react with grace and candor when there is a problem, solving it swiftly and helping to reinforce that sense of connection and authenticity that Ford says we all want. That should be helpful as Ford grapples with recent recalls.

There's more in the report, most of which sounds like Ford took a survey course in 2012 customers. Even so, these forehead-smackingly-obvious revelations might actually educate the insulated and out-of-touch about the zeitgeist of the nation. Or not. Check out the report yourself (in PDF) here.

Continue reading Ford publishes its first Trend Report, highlights trust

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Ford publishes its first Trend Report, highlights trust originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford trend reporttrend reportFri, 14 Dec 2012 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Tesla Model S is emissions-free burnout machine after pulling fuses]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/tesla-model-s-is-emissions-free-burnout-machine-after-pulling-fu/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/tesla-model-s-is-emissions-free-burnout-machine-after-pulling-fu/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/tesla-model-s-is-emissions-free-burnout-machine-after-pulling-fu/#commentsRoad & Track Tesla Model S Burnout

Add one more feather to the proverbial cap of the Tesla Model S. Road & Track West Coast Editor Jason Cammisa figured out how to make the electric luxury sedan extra frisky and then set about nuking the rear tires with electric-motor torque.

"Holy hell there's a lot of torque here," Cammisa wrote in his notes after pulling a fuse that took the ABS, stability control and traction control offline. That fuse also took out the speedometer and air suspension - no big deal - but power steering and brake assist went out, too, making hooning a parking-lot-only affair.

The best part is that they shot a video to accompany the hijinks, so you can see for yourself how the Model S does. If you want to try it for yourself, just be careful.

"There's no rev-limiter to contend with," notes Cammisa, and that means "you'll be spinning tire up to the car's 212 kilometre per hour (132-mph) top speed." That makes the Model S capable of blowing tires very effectively. The upside to disabling the assistance systems is that the raw dynamics of the car show through, and Cammisa reports that the underlying car is very good, indeed. You've waited long enough, scroll down for the video.

Continue reading Tesla Model S is emissions-free burnout machine after pulling fuses

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Tesla Model S is emissions-free burnout machine after pulling fuses originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burnout videomodel smodel s burnoutteslatesla burnouttesla model stesla model s burnoutvideoThu, 13 Dec 2012 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Mercedes delivers new Popemobile in Rome]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/mercedes-delivers-new-popemobile-in-rome/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/mercedes-delivers-new-popemobile-in-rome/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/mercedes-delivers-new-popemobile-in-rome/#commentspope benedict xvi and dieter zetsche with the popemobile

Catholics already have a celebration in December in honour of a figure with a nine-month gestation, and that's exactly how long it took the latest Mercedes Benz Popemobile to go from conception to delivery. While The Messiah arrived in a manger, the new Popemobile was delivered by company head Dr. Dieter Zetsche, who said "It is an honour for Mercedes-Benz to be accompanying His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his future journeys with our new Popemobile."

The new Popemobile is based on the latest M-Class, though the Pope's new SUV features reduced ride height to easier shipment of the vehicle, which happens frequently. The vehicle also features improved visibility and lighting for the Pontiff, which presumably went over well at the vehicle's public debut in Rome at this year's celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Look closely, and you'll see Mercedes-Benz three-pointed stars hanging from lighting fixtures, too. This latest Popemobile continues the trend of Daimler supplying papal transport, a legacy that stretches back 80 years, so look for the Diamond White modified M-Class the next time you see the Holy See.

Scroll down for the press release below.

Continue reading Mercedes delivers new Popemobile in Rome

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Mercedes delivers new Popemobile in Rome originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mercedes-benz m-classdaimlerdieter zetschem classm-classmercedesmercedes-benznew popemobilepoppope benedict xvipopemobileMon, 10 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: General Motors buys Ally Financial foreign operations]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/general-motors-buys-ally-financial-foreign-operations/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/general-motors-buys-ally-financial-foreign-operations/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/general-motors-buys-ally-financial-foreign-operations/#comments

In a move that welcomes former pieces of General Motors back into the fold, GM Financial has reached a deal with Ally Financial, formerly GMAC, to buy a piece of the company's international operations. The US$4.2 billion deal is for Ally's Latin America, Europe and China operations.

"GM is entering the most aggressive rollout of new vehicles in its history, and this acquisition will make us an even more formidable competitor by ensuring that competitive financing is available to our customers and dealers around the world," says General Motors CFO Dan Ammann. The ability to finance from a captive unit will let General Motors extend better loan terms to potential customers, which the automaker sees as key to closing a sales gap that's between 10 and 15 per cent versus automakers who already have their own financing divisions.

GM will be handing over more than US$2 billion in cash to GM Financial, and the unit will more than double its liabilities from US$12 billion to US$27 billion while also doubling its assets to about $33 billion. GM Financial expects to bolster its yearly pre-tax earnings by US$300-$400 million. It will take at least six months to wrap this deal up, provided it gets approvals from various oversight agencies. For more information on the deal, check out the official press release below.

News Source: General Motors, The Detroit News

Continue reading General Motors buys Ally Financial foreign operations

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General Motors buys Ally Financial foreign operations originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allyauto loanscar loansfinancinggeneral motorsgeneral motors financial allygmgm financialgmacloansFri, 07 Dec 2012 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-GM exec, Rick Wagoner wants to make your next test drive more fun]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/30/rick-wagoner-wants-to-make-your-next-test-drive-more-fun/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/30/rick-wagoner-wants-to-make-your-next-test-drive-more-fun/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/30/rick-wagoner-wants-to-make-your-next-test-drive-more-fun/#commentstred homepage

Actually, it's not Rick Wagoner all by himself, but the ex-GM chairman is working with a team of tech entrepreneurs who make up Tred, a new test drive concierge service. Tred is still in beta, but the idea is that you pick the cars you'd like to test drive, schedule delivery by concierges who are working to get positive feedback from folks like you and then try out the vehicles you're considering on the roads you know.

There's been good in-roads for Tred in the Seattle area for both dealers and shoppers. How Tred manages to convert a delivery service that's asking for feedback into actual profit will be something to watch. Ask our auto-test fleet people, delivering cars is a time-intensive undertaking that requires people and insurance above and beyond the lot attendants at most car dealerships. Also, dealerships themselves can offer this kind of service, especially a multi-line dealer group, and they've got a book full of relationships from which to start.

In other words, Tred may have a long road to ... tread. We'll be watching.

Continue reading Ex-GM exec, Rick Wagoner wants to make your next test drive more fun

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Ex-GM exec, Rick Wagoner wants to make your next test drive more fun originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsgmrick wagonerrick wagoner tredtest drivetredFri, 30 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Herbie goes to Spain with VW Beetle 53 Edition]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/herbie-goes-to-spain-with-vw-beetle-53-edition/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/herbie-goes-to-spain-with-vw-beetle-53-edition/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/herbie-goes-to-spain-with-vw-beetle-53-edition/#commentswhite volkswagen beetle with blue and red racing stripes and 53 number

Herbie, that loveable Volkswagen Beetle that starred in a series of Disney movies, was at least ostensibly a race car. The latest Beetle special edition from Volkswagen, the just-for-Spain Beetle Edition 53, on the other hand, is all sizzle and no steak. The Edition 53 package carries stripes, "53" numbers, and is expressly not available with the turbocharged engine; you know, the engine that would actually lend an air of raciness to the Beetle's performance.

There is some actual substance to the Edition 53 apart from its spiffy appearance. Standard wheels are 17-inchers, and gears can be swapped by a six-speed DSG. Tire pressure monitoring and Park Pilot parking assistance system are also part of the package. Prices range from €22,090 euros (CAD$28,158) for the Beetle Edition 53 with 1.2 litre TSI four cylinder, and steps through €23,770 euros (CAD$30,300) for a 1.6 litre TDI, €26,150 (CAD$33,334) for a 2.0 litre TDI and the 2.0 TDI with 6-speed DSG will set you back a cool €27,980 euros (CAD$35,668).

Why Spain is the only market to get this neo-Herbie is a question that hasn't been addressed, but maybe Volkswagen felt that the George Bruns theme music for the original 1968 movie had an "Espana, Verano de Amor" feel to it.

Click here for additional images.

News Source: Autoblog.es

Continue reading Herbie goes to Spain with VW Beetle 53 Edition

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Herbie goes to Spain with VW Beetle 53 Edition originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 volkswagen beetle2013 volkswagen beetle edition 53beetleedition 53volkswagenMon, 05 Nov 2012 15:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Refreshed 2013 Honda Civic caught]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/refreshed-2013-honda-civic-caught/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/refreshed-2013-honda-civic-caught/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/refreshed-2013-honda-civic-caught/#comments

That's it? You may be expecting something a lot more heroic for the 2013 Emergency Refresh of the Honda Civic, but from what we can make out in these new spy photos, the changes are more detail than drastic. It looks like the taillamps , front grille and headlamps are the most drastic changes, and the front fascia and trunklid have also been given attention.

The interior is probably more important than any nips or tucks done outside. To get a good look at that, we're going to have to wait until the refreshed Civic hits dealer lots, reportedly just a couple weeks away. In any case, consumers will probably (and not without good reason) go on predictably banking on the Civic as a paragon of automotive virtue, regardless of whether auto critics love or hate the changes Honda has wrought.

Image Credit: KGP Photography

Continue reading Refreshed 2013 Honda Civic caught

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Refreshed 2013 Honda Civic caught originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda civic2013 honda civic spy photos2013 honda civic spy shotscivichondaspy photosspy shotsMon, 05 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST