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: Need For Speed Rivals announced for Xbox One and Playstation 4 [w/video]]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/need-for-speed-rivals-announced-for-xbox-one-and-playstation-4/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/need-for-speed-rivals-announced-for-xbox-one-and-playstation-4/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/need-for-speed-rivals-announced-for-xbox-one-and-playstation-4/#comments

Fresh from critical praise for the last installment in the series, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, Electronic Arts has formally announced that Need For Speed Rivals will be the next title in the series. Set to hit stores on November 19, the game will also be the first Need For Speed to be available on next-generation consoles Xbox One and Playstation 4, as well as the current Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

The "rivals" in question for this NFS title are, of course, cops and street racers - nothing new there - but the gameplay is apparently getting a makeover. Players may choose to be racers, and live the life of evading cops, gaining infamy, videoing their slipperiest moves and earning Speed Points. They might also choose to play on the side of law enforcement; attaining higher ranks and faster police cars with more and increasingly challenging busts.

One big innovation in Rivals will be the use of a new play system called AllDrive. The concept is that a player can seamlessly move from playing in single player mode, to playing online with friends, without having to wait in a lobby or move through a menu interface. The game will merge one's play from single to multiplayer as your friends across the web go on and offline, and you can choose to interact with them or not, as you like.

One more item of note: Ferrari will be making its return to the NFS world in Rivals. The following press release mentions that the game has booked Ferrari for this new title, specifically calling out the F12 Berlinetta as being invited to the party. Continue on below for the official press release, as well as a short video teaser of the new game.

Gallery: Need For Speed Most Wanter - Live Action Trailer






Continue reading Need For Speed Rivals announced for Xbox One and Playstation 4 [w/video]

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Need For Speed Rivals announced for Xbox One and Playstation 4 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 24 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electronic artsferrariferrari f12 berlinettaneed for speedneed for speed rivalsnfsplaystation 4videoxboxxbox oneFri, 24 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-quick-spin-review/#comments

Volkswagen has gotten pretty comfortable hogging the (admittedly small) non-premium diesel car market in Canada. With Golf and Jetta, the German automaker has been the one and only choice for those interested in the torquey, high-efficiency merits of turbocharged diesel power.

However, Canadian drivers seem to be growing more and more interested in the technology that has been the primary mode of propulsion in most of Europe for many years now. Mazda is quite close to bringing its Skyactiv-D diesel engines to our shores, and Chevrolet has finally maneuvered to re-purpose its European 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine for North American specification, which means it's cleaner here than overseas.

The first application of this rather impressive diesel engine is in the compact Chevy Cruze, which I spent a recent morning testing out. General Motors as a whole has high expectations for its new TDI-buster - scroll down to find out why. Canadian pricing and availability can be found below.

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

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2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 chevy cruze dieselbudgetbudget dieselchevychevy cruzechevy cruze dieseldieseleconomyeconomy carsquick spinFri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jaguar sculpture by design students is a minimalistic beauty]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/jaguar-sculpture-by-rca-design-students-is-a-minimal-beauty/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/jaguar-sculpture-by-rca-design-students-is-a-minimal-beauty/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/jaguar-sculpture-by-rca-design-students-is-a-minimal-beauty/#comments

With its well-deserved reputation for high design, it is not particularly surprising to see Jaguar reaching outside of the automotive realm for future inspiration. To that end, the British automaker recently enlisted the talents of students at the Royal College of Art to create a piece of forward-looking, automotive-inspired sculpture.

The results of this project can be seen above; a sculpture created by RCA students Claire Miller and Ewan Gallimore, and unveiled to a small audience to kick off London's Clerkenwell Design Week. The spare and rather elegant form created by the talented pair absolutely harkens back to coupes from Jaguar's past as well as its present (read: F-Type) without aping any one model particularly.

In a press release, the artists had this to say about the work: "Our form relates to the Jaguar brand through its sculptural volumes, bespoke materials and visual lightness. These elements helped us to create a sculpture that aimed to display a seamless transition between interior and exterior space." Get a better look at the Jaguar artwork in the gallery above, or read through the press release, which follows.

Gallery: Jaguar F-Type Coupe Patent Drawing






Continue reading Jaguar sculpture by design students is a minimalistic beauty

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Jaguar sculpture by design students is a minimalistic beauty originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 23 May 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 jaguar f-typeartart and designautomotive designautomotive designerconceptconcept cardesignjaguarjaguar f-typejaguar sculptureroyal college of artsculptureThu, 23 May 2013 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Toyota passes BMW as most valuable car brand in the world]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/toyota-passes-bmw-most-valuable-car-brand/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/toyota-passes-bmw-most-valuable-car-brand/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/toyota-passes-bmw-most-valuable-car-brand/#commentsAkio Toyoda and Norbert Reithofer shake on it

An annual market study of the strongest brands across various industries has seen Toyota leapfrog BMW as the world's most valuable automotive brand. Toyota's 2013 brand value rose to US$24.5 billion, up 12 per cent versus 2012 numbers according to market research company Millward Brown's BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands list. BMW's value fell slightly; down by 2 per cent to a total of US$24 billion.

Mercedes-Benz finished in third place in the automotive category, up 11 per cent from 2012 for a valuation of US$18 billion. Honda (US$12.4 billion, down 2 per cent) and Nissan (US$10.2 billion, up 3 per cent) rounded out the top five for the category. Volkswagen was the only other auto brand that finished in the top 100 overall, in 100th place. Audi made the greatest percentage gain over 2012, up 18 per cent to US$5.5 billion, but finished outside of the top 100.

Technology companies dominated the overall list, with Apple, Google and IBM ranking one through three. Couture brand Prada was 2013's biggest gainer, rising by 63 per cent over 2012.

Hit the jump and watch a video on the Top 10 brands that failed.

Gallery: Top 10 Automotive Brands - Consumer Reports Brand Report Cards

Mercedes-Benz: 69 point ratingInfiniti: 70 point ratingAudi: 70 point ratingScion: 72 point ratingHonda: 72 point rating

Continue reading Toyota passes BMW as most valuable car brand in the world

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Toyota passes BMW as most valuable car brand in the world originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akio toyodabmwbrandz top 100millward brownnorbert reithofertoyotaWed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: 2015 VW Golf R caught getting a flogging on 'Ring]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/2015-vw-golf-r-caught-getting-a-flogging-on-ring/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/2015-vw-golf-r-caught-getting-a-flogging-on-ring/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/2015-vw-golf-r-caught-getting-a-flogging-on-ring/#comments2015 Volkswagen Golf R caught testing on Nordschliefe - video screencap

The upcoming version of the Volkswagen Golf R is nearly ready for prime time, if this video of the car flying around the Nürburgring is any indication. The all-wheel-drive R seems to make quick, neat work of the corners we see here, and sounds pretty devilish in the process.

Expectations are that the new Golf R will run a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (what else?), tuned to produce even more than the current car's 256 horsepower. (Some sources have indicated outputs as high as 286 horsepower, with 280 pound-feet of torque. It's still not clear if Volkswagen will bring the six-speed dual-clutch transmission to the North American-spec Golf R in this next go-round or if we'll stick to having only... eh... the stick.

In either case - watching the video below will only whet your appetite for the new, highest performing member of the Golf family.

Gallery: 2013 Volkswagen Golf R Cabrio

Continue reading 2015 VW Golf R caught getting a flogging on 'Ring

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2015 VW Golf R caught getting a flogging on 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 22 May 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nurburgringvolkswagenvolkswagen golfvolkswagen golf rvolkswagen gtivwvw gtiWed, 22 May 2013 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 2014 Subaru Forester gets big nod of approval from Consumer Reports]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/2014-subaru-forester-gets-big-approval-consumer-repo/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/2014-subaru-forester-gets-big-approval-consumer-repo/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/2014-subaru-forester-gets-big-approval-consumer-repo/#comments

While more and more buyers seem to be opting for the functionality of car-based crossover vehicles every day, it's rare that your read much in the way of passionate praise for one. And, while Consumer Reports doesn't exactly lavish written paeans on the Subaru Forester in its latest review - that's just not its style - it did give the CUV a remarkably high overall score.

Praising its excellent fuel economy, visibility, roomy interior and a whole lot more, the testing publication bestowed an overall score of 88 out of 100 on the Forester. That's a really excellent number for just about any vehicle, but it's also a top-of-the-class mark for the Forester's small CUV division. Just about the only major gripe was that of ride quality.

Most of the direct competitors to the Forester have earned CR marks in the mid-70s. The Honda CR-V is some 11 points behind, for instance, while the Toyota RAV4 and the Mazda CX-5 earn scores of 75 and 74, respectively.

Scroll down to watch the new Forester being tested off-road in deep mud.

Gallery: 2014 Subaru Forester XT: Review






Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester gets big nod of approval from Consumer Reports

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2014 Subaru Forester gets big nod of approval from Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 subaru foresterbest crossoverconsumer reportssubarusubaru foresterWed, 22 May 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: The first Forza Motorsport 5 trailer is here]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/forza-motorsport-5-trailer/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/forza-motorsport-5-trailer/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/forza-motorsport-5-trailer/#comments

Those of you who were following along with the live Xbox One keynote this afternoon have likely already seen this video, but for the rest of the world, this is the first look at the all-new Forza Motorsport 5. Slated to be a launch title for the new Xbox gaming console, Forza 5 is tipped to offer racing like no other video game before it, with controls and graphical presentation on a new level.

The demo seen here shows that, to no one's surprise, the McLaren P1 will have a star turn in the next-generation game. The video shows both the P1 and its F1 forefather in a race through narrow city streets, with both cars rendered in eye-popping detail. Actual game play footage will ultimately have to win us over, but it's safe to say that all signs point to a killer racing sim.

Check out the video for yourself below.

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 4 Launch Party

Continue reading The first Forza Motorsport 5 trailer is here

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The first Forza Motorsport 5 trailer is here originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forza motorsport 5mclarenmclaren f1mclaren p1videoxboxxbox oneTue, 21 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teased: 2014 Toyota Corolla shows just enough to keep us interested]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2014-toyota-corolla-shows-just-enough-to-keep-us-interested/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2014-toyota-corolla-shows-just-enough-to-keep-us-interested/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2014-toyota-corolla-shows-just-enough-to-keep-us-interested/#comments2014 Toyota Corolla teaser - S badge and taillamp

To date, the best idea we have of what the 2014 Toyota Corolla will look like is the shape and styling of the Furia Concept from this year's Detroit Auto Show. Obviously the compact car will turn down the wick a fair bit from that orange machine, and now we have one more scintilla of an idea of what the final product will look like.

Published today on Toyota's official Facebook page, the image above clearly shows the rear quarter of the 2014 Corolla S. Though the low angle is pretty wonky, we can make out that the shape of the taillight cluster is very similar to that of the Furia, albeit without the same LED treatment, A hint of a trunk-lid spoiler is also in evidence, and also follows the Furia's lead.

Toyota points out that the new Corolla will be shown in earnest on June 6. Expect to see the full version of the car by that date at the latest - online leaks have a tendancy to speed these things up.

Click here to watch a video on Toyota's 2014 Corolla Furia Concept.

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 2014 Toyota Corolla shows just enough to keep us interested

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2014 Toyota Corolla shows just enough to keep us interested originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 toyota corollacorolla teasertoyotatoyota corollaTue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2013 Jaguar XF 2.0T]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2013-jaguar-xf-2-0t/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2013-jaguar-xf-2-0t/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2013-jaguar-xf-2-0t/#comments

Jaguar is moving to modernize its XF engine lineup - once the exclusive territory of V8 mills - with a range including a turbo four, a supercharged six and supercharged V8s of various potencies. Personally, I'll miss the combination of this smooth looking and driving XF sedan, and the lazy power of the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre engine, even if the super six has earned some praise in other applications.

The truth is that the four, six, eight lineup for the XF makes a lot of sense, and this 2.0T version of the sedan is far better than I expected it to be. In fact, there's a legitimate argument to be made for it as the XF that works the best for the largest group of customers. Click here to find out why in our full driving notes:

Continue reading 2013 Jaguar XF 2.0T

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2013 Jaguar XF 2.0T originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 May 2013 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 jaguar xf2014 jaguar xf 2.0tfeaturedjaguarjaguar xfquick spinquickspinreviewTue, 21 May 2013 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2014 Bentley Flying Spur]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2014-bentley-flying-spur/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2014-bentley-flying-spur/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2014-bentley-flying-spur/#commentsRedefining Super Luxury On A Shrinking Planet

2014 Bentley Flying Spur - front three-quarter view

Anyone on Earth with access to the Internet, a television or radio for the last 20 years knows that China is no longer the poor stronghold for strict Communist ideals that it was for much of the 20th Century. (Well, at least not in some places.) Traveling to China twice in less than a month - first to Shanghai for a very international auto show and now to drive and review the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur - I've learned that there's no lack of personal wealth, at least in two of the world's largest cities.

And yet, even I think the scene before me is a little bit ridiculous. Here I am, slowly climbing up a hillside to reach a fortification at something called Zhuanduo Pass, where roughly a dozen pristine examples of Western decadence sit idling their hand-built 12-cylinder engines in the shadow of China's revered and awesome Great Wall. Not five kilometers south of here, I'd passed an old man in traditional all-black garb, literally carrying a bundle of sticks on his back from one side of a village to the other. Now as I look through the snug-fitting and silent side glass of the my $200,000+ palace on wheels, I'm more apt to see fat German tourists crisping in the hot Chinese sun while blowing the equivalent of an average Chinese monthly paycheque on lunch and a few Great Wall souvenirs.

Of course, it's nothing like the average Chinese person that Bentley is targeting with this new Flying Spur. There is a rapidly ballooning class of rich and super rich in the People's Republic these days; China can now lay claim to around 100 billionaires (in US dollars), as well as some 60,000+ individuals worth more than US$16 million and, famously, now more than 1 million millionaires. Considering that Bentley had a booming year in 2012 by selling 8,510 vehicles, the importance of what is quickly becoming the world's biggest luxury car market is easy to see.

And that's why, despite the cost of hauling me from Ann Arbor to Beijing and back, and despite the cognitive dissonance of driving a $200+ car through villages whose buildings are probably worth less in total, Bentley jumped through a whole lot of hoops to pull off what it says is the first-ever global vehicle launch in China. I've got to tell you, if this is what being a trailblazer feels like, I could get used to it.

Continue reading 2014 Bentley Flying Spur

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2014 Bentley Flying Spur originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 bentley flying spurbentleybentley chinabentley continental flying spurbentley flying spurfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveTue, 21 May 2013 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Chrysler readying Hellcat V8 with Viper-like power]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/chrysler-readying-hellcat-v8-with-viper-like-power/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/chrysler-readying-hellcat-v8-with-viper-like-power/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/chrysler-readying-hellcat-v8-with-viper-like-power/#comments
A monstrous supercharged V8 engine could be in store for Chrysler and SRT products, if recent rumours are to be believed. Allpar is reporting that the forced-induction V8 - Chrysler's first, if this goes down - could make its debut this summer.

The story goes that the Hellcat would be based on a 6.2-litre Hemi engine, rather than on the existing 5.7- or 6.4-litre versions of the company's vaunted mill. In any case, the general consensus is that the motor will have gobs of power. Modest estimates call for between 500 to 570 horsepower, with some outliers predicting a figure as high as 600 hp. That figure would put the output would place the Hellcat awfully close to that of the 640-hp V10 in the SRT Viper, too. Allpar contends that a slightly lower powered version would allow Chrysler to keep costs below that of the more powerful Ford Shelby GT500, which might be a sweet spot.

The Hellcat could debut in a number of SRT products. SRT versions of the Charger, Challenger and 300 are all up for grabs, as is the rumoured SRT Barracuda.

Click here for a video on the Chrysler 300S 426 Concept, which might hint at the future of SRT powered cars.

Gallery: 2013 SRT Viper: First Drive

Continue reading Chrysler readying Hellcat V8 with Viper-like power

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Chrysler readying Hellcat V8 with Viper-like power originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 May 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barracudachryslerchrysler 300dodgedodge challengerdodge chargerhellcathellcat hemi v8hemisrtsrt viperTue, 21 May 2013 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Hennessey completes first VelociRaptor SUV conversion [w/video]]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/hennessey-completes-first-velociraptor-suv-conversion-w-video/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/hennessey-completes-first-velociraptor-suv-conversion-w-video/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/hennessey-completes-first-velociraptor-suv-conversion-w-video/#commentsHennessey VelociRaptor

Start with a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor as your base vehicle for modification, and chances are high that you'll end up with something pretty cool. Now, have those modifications done by professional lunatics Hennessey Performance, make the project turning the pickup into an ultra-long SUV, and the result stands a real chance of being a total kick in the ass. Let us present the Hennessey VelociRaptor then, in all of its awesomeness.

Hennessey has taken care in grafting a "Expedition style" rear cabin onto the Raptor, complete with an optional third row. The pictures we have show a cabin that's up to the fit and finish standards of the original Ford truck, too. The cab added over the bed also makes room for a massive load space out back, accessible via split out-folding doors and long enough for a person to lay down in (see video).

Mechanically, the truck-turned-SUV sticks with Ford's stock 6.2-litre V8, rated at 411 horsepower, or can be had with a supercharger and some 600 hp. Hennessey says the stock-motor VelociRaptor will run from 0-60 miles per hour (0-96 km/h) in 7.5 seconds, while the hi-po version takes just 5.9 seconds. The SUV does take some of the off-road ability away from the Raptor, with the company saying it hasn't yet had the opportunity to test its capabilities. On-roading and "moderate off-road duties" are the current prescription.

Hennessey will build just 30 copies of the VelociRaptor per year, offered at a starting price of US$149,500 to our neighbours to the south. If that seems like an exorbitant markup over the Raptor's $58,599 Canadian sticker, well, you're welcome to go out and build your own. Scroll down for a video walk around of the VelociRaptor, and one showing the supercharged version on a dyno, then check out the full press release below.

Gallery: 2013 Shelby Raptor: New York Auto Show 2013






Continue reading Hennessey completes first VelociRaptor SUV conversion [w/video]

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Hennessey completes first VelociRaptor SUV conversion [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 May 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford f-150 svt raptorford raptorhennesseyhennessey velociraptorraptorRaptor 6.2raptor svtRaptorSvtSVTsvt raptorSvtRaptorTue, 21 May 2013 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Freak accident during Jeep demonstration turns fatal]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/freak-accident-during-jeep-demonstration-turns-fatal/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/freak-accident-during-jeep-demonstration-turns-fatal/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/freak-accident-during-jeep-demonstration-turns-fatal/#comments

A 20-year-old woman was killed in Edmonton, Alberta on Satuday, reports CTV News, in a freak accident resulting from a rollover during a Jeep demonstration. As part of a fundraising enthusiast event called "Jeeps Go Topless," the driver of one Jeep Wrangler drove up and onto the top of the tire of another.

CTV reports that the owner of the topmost Jeep then switched the vehicle off, posed for pictures and then dismounted from his vehicle. His movement off of the Jeep apparently caused it to tip over, crushing a woman who was on top of an adjacent vehicle. Edmonton police are currently investigating more fully what caused the parking lot accident to occur. Scroll below to watch the CTV News video report about this tragic incident.

Gallery: 2013 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts






Continue reading Freak accident during Jeep demonstration turns fatal

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Freak accident during Jeep demonstration turns fatal originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmontonjeepjeep deathjeep rollover deathjeep wranglerjeeps go toplessvideoTue, 21 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Couple found guilty of trying to sell GM hybrid tech to China sentenced to year in prison]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/couple-found-guilty-of-trying-to-sell-gm-hybrid-tech-to-china-se/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/couple-found-guilty-of-trying-to-sell-gm-hybrid-tech-to-china-se/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/couple-found-guilty-of-trying-to-sell-gm-hybrid-tech-to-china-se/#comments

Five months ago, former General Motors engineer Shanshan Du and her husband, Yu Qin were convicted of stealing hybrid technology trade secrets, in attempts to sell the information to Chinese competitors.

US District Judge Marianne Battani sentenced Du to serve one year and one day in prison, a relatively lightweight sentence compared with the minimum six and a half years called for by Federal guidelines. (The minimum sentence is not mandatory, in this instance.) Qin meanwhile, who was convicted of fraud and obstruction of justice, in addition to the conspiracy and possessing trade secrets convictions he shared with his wife, was sentenced to three years in prison. Both will remain free until late this summer.

The Associated Press and ABC News report that Judge Battani took Du's health problems, as well as threat to the public, into account with the sentencing. Said Battani, "I don't think the public needs to be protected from you, but it needs to be protected from others like you," according to the AP story.

Du and Qin both admitted to being guilty of and remorseful for their crimes, claiming they made "wrong decisions."

Click through to watch a video on Canadian espionage.

Gallery: Tokyo Auto Salon 2013






Continue reading Couple found guilty of trying to sell GM hybrid tech to China sentenced to year in prison

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Couple found guilty of trying to sell GM hybrid tech to China sentenced to year in prison originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>espionageindustrial espionageshanshan duyu qinSun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle [w/video]]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/#comments

The Bowler EXR S is a purpose-built SUV based on Land Rover bones with a 550-horsepower supercharged V8 designed to tackle off-road rallying events like the Paris-Dakar. The Caterham Seven Supersport is a feather-light track day weapon, purposely created to out-hustle just about anything on a winding race circuit. If asked to pick one of them as the fastest around a handling circuit in the UK, the smart money is clearly on the racing Caterham. Right?

Maybe, maybe not, as it turns out.

In what can only be the product of some right-place, right-time car loans, British publication Autocar has put together a wild on-track comparison between the Seven and the EXR S, with a pretty interesting outcome. We won't spoil it for you - go ahead and click it on below to watch the head-to-head for yourself.

Gallery: Caterham SP/300R






Continue reading Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle [w/video]

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Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowlerbowler exrbowler exr-scaterhamcaterham sevencaterham seven supersportland roverlotus 7lotus sevenvideoFri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Creepy artificial intelligence for your car's infotainment gives us the heebie jeebies [w/video]]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/#comments

Those that hanker for the days when automobiles were generally simple machines - responsive only to the will of their human masters - probably don't work in R&D at Visteon. The Michigan-based automotive supplier, with a track record in climate control and electronics manufacture, has released some new information about a new system it is calling Human Bayesian Intelligence Technology or HABIT.

The goal of HABIT, in a nutshell, is to learn and predict what in-car setting a driver would like, in advance of him even having to ask for them. Using data about radio, climate control and driving behavior, HABIT stores and analyses (some might say "learns") about a driver's preferences, and then cues them up for the driver at the right time of day, or in the right situation.

If all of that sounds a little George Orwell's "Big Brother" to you, well, just wait until you have a look at the demo video Visteon has put together. We'd certainly like to get a closer look at the HABIT system when it's ready for prime time (or even in advance of that), but we're not entirely sold on the sort of creepy, blonde robot guide that we see here. Scroll down to see and watch what we mean.

Gallery: Top 5 Forgotten Failures in Car Technology

Talking CarNuclear-Powered EnginesAutomatic Seat BeltsTurbine-Powered Production CarAir Grabber Hood-Scoop





Continue reading Creepy artificial intelligence for your car's infotainment gives us the heebie jeebies [w/video]

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Creepy artificial intelligence for your car's infotainment gives us the heebie jeebies [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiartificial intelligenceArtificialIntelligencehuman bayesian intelligence technologyvideovisteonvisteon habitFri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2014 Ford Mustang GT]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-ford-mustang-gt-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-ford-mustang-gt-quick-spin-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-ford-mustang-gt-quick-spin-review/#comments2014 Ford Mustang GT - front three-quarter view, black

I was more than a year removed from my last experience with the Mustang GT and its delicious 5.0 V8 when this new 2014 example rolled up to my driveway recently. Good weather and a planned road trip meant that I would get plenty of seat time in this conservatively specified example, too. In total, I logged about 643 kilometres (400 miles) in a week of driving - not a lot for some of you super commuters out there, but quite a lot for this work-from-home journalist.

The basic formula of the 5.0 has stayed the same for 2014. The 2013 model year saw a number of updates to keep the Mustang fresh until it's replaced with an all-new generation for 2015. So, for its bon voyage tour, the fifth-generation Pony Car has seen only a few modifications: a couple of new paint colours (Oxford White and Ruby Read Metallic), trim and wheel revisions and, sadly, the deletion of the Boss 302 from the Ford lineup. However, while the limited-edition Boss is likely to reappear sometime after the gen-six Mustang makes its debut in 2015, the GT Track Package cars like the one I tested provide at least a partial solution for those looking for hot laps.

Scroll down to read our driving notes...

Continue reading 2014 Ford Mustang GT

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2014 Ford Mustang GT originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ford mustang2014 ford mustang gtfordford mustangford mustang gtquick spinFri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Millionth Jeep Wrangler to roll off line this morning]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/millionth-jeep-wrangler-jk-roll-off-line/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/millionth-jeep-wrangler-jk-roll-off-line/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/millionth-jeep-wrangler-jk-roll-off-line/#comments

According to a report on the Chrysler Communications Facebook page and one fairly grainy image of the production line, at around 11:00AM Eastern this morning, the one-millionth Jeep Wrangler JK will roll out of the company's Toledo assembly plant.

The third-generation or "JK" Jeep Wrangler has been around since the 2007 model year, and has obviously been more popular than ever. With a greater than ever number of trim levels, two-door and four-door Unlimited models and hardy off-roading Rubicon packages, the JK offers more to choose from than ever for those looking for something in a traditional Jeep. In fact, with the modern 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 powering it, the 2012 model year saw record sales.

With a model refresh due out for the Wrangler in 2015 (along with the likely addition of a diesel engine option), we expect that sales will continue to roll right along, too.

Click through to watch a Wrangler frolicking in the snow.

Gallery: 2013 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts






Continue reading Millionth Jeep Wrangler to roll off line this morning

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Millionth Jeep Wrangler to roll off line this morning originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 jeep wranglerjeepjeep wranglerjk wranglerone millionth jeep wrangler jkFri, 17 May 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[1967 Toyota 2000GT most expensive Asian car ever sold at US$1.2M]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/1967-toyota-2000gt-most-expensive-asian-car-ever-sold-at-us-1-2m/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/1967-toyota-2000gt-most-expensive-asian-car-ever-sold-at-us-1-2m/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/1967-toyota-2000gt-most-expensive-asian-car-ever-sold-at-us-1-2m/#comments

Toyota's agelessly beautiful 2000GT has been sold by RM Auctions for US$1.16 million, making it the new record holder for the most expensive Asian car ever sold! As always, rarity played a big factory in driving up the price; just 351 2000GT models were built, and only 62 left-hand-drive cars (like this one). The classic Toyota, standout member of Texas car-collector Don Davies' paddock, was originally a US-delivery car that spent time in a collection back in a Japan before returning to Texas just a short time ago. The car last sold in March of 2011, for just US$650,000.

Enthusiasts will recognize the 2000GT as perhaps the most heralded Japanese classic of all time. The Toyota was a contemporary of the Jaguar E-Type - though one that obviously sold in a fraction of the English car's numbers - that was well reviewed by the motoring press of the day. Sometimes referred to as Japan's first supercar, the 2000GT boasted a 150-horsepower, dual overhead cam, 2.0-litre straight-six engine; a five-speed manual transmission; and a reported top speed of over 217 km/h (135 mph).

RM described this record-setting example as, "the finest and most authentic 2000GT to come to market in recent years," equating it with blue chip classic exotics like the Ferrari Daytona and Lamborghini Miura.

Hit the jump for additional photos and watch a video on another classic Japanese supercar!

Gallery: 1971 Datsun 510 - Jay Leno's Garage

Continue reading 1967 Toyota 2000GT most expensive Asian car ever sold at US$1.2M

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1967 Toyota 2000GT most expensive Asian car ever sold at US$1.2M originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 14 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1967 toyota 2000 gt1967 toyota 2000gtauctionstoyotatoyota 2000 gttoyota 2000gtTue, 14 May 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2014 Subaru Forester XT]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/#commentsPower Doesn't Come Cheap

2014 Subaru Forester XT

When Subaru first offered a turbocharged Forester XT model to North American customers for the 2004 model year, the shoe-shaped second-gen model fell into a ready-made competitive set of small, V6-powered crossovers and SUVs. The XT might have been more of a raucous shopping-trip companion than, say, a Ford Escape V6, but the basics of the car offered a clear differentiation from the naturally aspirated, four-cylinder models found just a bit downmarket. Here in 2013, the V6 breed of crossover in this size class is all but extinct, and turbocharged four-cylinders with the power to compete with the XT are not thick on the ground.

In many ways, the comparative analysis gets most interesting when you start looking around for CUVs to match up with the all-boxes-ticked Forester XT Limited that we had as a tester for a recent week. The top of the line Limited trim means that the Forester comes with features like 10-way power seats, leather, navigation, a Harmon Kardon sound system with HD radio, and Bluetooth. Since our Forester was also equipped with the additional tech package, we also had keyless access, HID headlights and Subaru's EyeSight system (adaptive cruise, lane departure warning and pre-collision braking) on board.

And, of course, because of the XT trim, we knew that we were getting one of the most powerful crossovers in this segment, too. Subaru's turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder lay under the hood, ready to pump out some 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque at the flex of an ankle. Combined with a light-for-the class curb weight of around 1,633 kg (3,600 pounds) and Subaru's grippy all-wheel-drive system, the XT feels pretty quick in town and on the freeway.

Add all of that up, and you've got a strong-performing, content-laden crossover, all for the sum of just $37,995...

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester XT

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2014 Subaru Forester XT originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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