Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com Autoblog Canada http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png 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/ Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Motorhome business is booming for Ford]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/28/motorhome-business-is-booming-for-ford/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/28/motorhome-business-is-booming-for-ford/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/28/motorhome-business-is-booming-for-ford/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,



Demand for commercial and recreational vehicles is on the rise - at least for Ford anyway. With claims of being the best-selling motorhome chassis builder, Ford is increasing production of its stripped chassis (pictured), which is used to underpin large commercial vehicles and Class A motorhomes, to meet rising demand.

Ford says that motorhome sales were up 14 per cent last year, including a massive 43 per cent surge in the fourth quarter, and registrations for its F-53 motorhome chassis were the highest they've been since 2007. To go with the increased chassis production, Ford is also upping production capacity of the 6.8-litre V10 it uses in the F-53 (and the F-59 commercial chassis) as well some E-Series and F-Series Super Duty models. Feel free to read more in the press release below.

Continue reading Motorhome business is booming for Ford

Motorhome business is booming for Ford originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> class a motorhomeford f-53ford f-59ford motor homeford motorhomeford motorhome chassismotor homemotorhome Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20476483/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/28/motorhome-business-is-booming-for-ford/20476483/article-detail.xml 20476483 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ford-motorhome_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ford-motorhome.jpg <![CDATA[Meet the man on a 23-year road trip in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/24/meet-the-man-on-a-23-year-road-trip-in-a-mercedes-benz-g-wagon/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/24/meet-the-man-on-a-23-year-road-trip-in-a-mercedes-benz-g-wagon/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/24/meet-the-man-on-a-23-year-road-trip-in-a-mercedes-benz-g-wagon/#comments Filed under:

Gunther Holtorf take Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen on 23-year road trip

Wanderlust: It alternately makes life worth living, yet discourages living life in a conventional fashion. Or on a more practical level, not a day goes by that those of us given to rambling do not battle conflicted desires to slip behind the wheel and slip out of town.

To we lovers of the open road, Gunther Holtorf must represent the Platonic ideal: A man on a never-ending road-trip, one that has now lasted 23 years. Even more amazing than Holtorf's decades spent traveling the world in his Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen, however, is that he has done it entirely under the radar, with nary a press clipping until the BBC posted this video.

Holtorf set out on what was to be a tour of Africa with his wife in 1989, and somewhere along the way the couple decided to just keep going. He's put over 500,000 miles on his G-Wagen since, and, thankfully, the 74-year-old man has documented his trip rather extensively with two Leica film cameras.

Hit the jump to watch a narrated slideshow of Gunther's life on the road.

Gallery: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Continue reading Meet the man on a 23-year road trip in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

Meet the man on a 23-year road trip in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> g-classg-wagenGeländewagengunther holtorfmercedesmercedes-benzroad triproad tripsvideo Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20285171/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/24/meet-the-man-on-a-23-year-road-trip-in-a-mercedes-benz-g-wagon/20285171/article-detail.xml 20285171 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/gunther-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/gunther-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen Passat Sets New Cross Canada Mileage Record!]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/volkswagen-passat-sets-new-cross-canada-mileage-record/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/volkswagen-passat-sets-new-cross-canada-mileage-record/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/volkswagen-passat-sets-new-cross-canada-mileage-record/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



With summer now upon us, many Canadians will soon set out on their own "road trip" and Volkswagen Canada and Shell recently teamed up to make the drive more enjoyable, more economical, and easier on the environment. Fuel consumption is a big factor for most of us these days, and changing the way you drive (or what you drive) can go a long way to impact the environment and your wallet.

In order to promote their eco-conscience efforts, Volkswagen and Shell created what they call the Smarter Driver Event. This unique event spread over 6,300 kms across Canada from Halifax to Vancouver, as this fuel efficient road trip was aimed to set a gas mileage record in a 2012 VW Passat.

Click here for the full press release and video on the event.

Gallery: 2012 VW Passat TDI


Continue reading Volkswagen Passat Sets New Cross Canada Mileage Record!

Volkswagen Passat Sets New Cross Canada Mileage Record! originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:44:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20277715/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/13/volkswagen-passat-sets-new-cross-canada-mileage-record/20277715/article-detail.xml 20277715 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/01-2012-vw-passat-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/01-2012-vw-passat-review.jpg <![CDATA[Mini Takes The States swings by National Corvette Museum]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/mini-takes-the-states-swings-by-national-corvette-museum/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/mini-takes-the-states-swings-by-national-corvette-museum/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/mini-takes-the-states-swings-by-national-corvette-museum/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,



It's the unexpected surprises that make a road trip so enjoyable.

So as my colleague and I drove down Interstate 40 near Bowling Green, Kentucky, during our Mini Takes the States road rally, we passed one of those little brown signs that marks places of interest.

"National Corvette Museum 10 Miles" (16km) the sign read. We had to stop.

Continue reading Mini Takes The States swings by National Corvette Museum

Mini Takes The States swings by National Corvette Museum originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chevroletcorvettefeaturedminimini takes the statesnational corvette museum Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20275521/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/10/mini-takes-the-states-swings-by-national-corvette-museum/20275521/article-detail.xml 20275521 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/00-mini-takes-the-states-corvette-museum-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/00-mini-takes-the-states-corvette-museum-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Tackling the Tail of the Dragon with a flock of Minis]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/tackling-the-tail-of-the-dragon-with-a-flock-of-minis/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/tackling-the-tail-of-the-dragon-with-a-flock-of-minis/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/tackling-the-tail-of-the-dragon-with-a-flock-of-minis/#comments Filed under: , ,

Line of Mini Coopers tackle Tail of the Dragon

Road trips deserve the long route, and some of
the best things come during detours.

Tucked on the western edge of North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains is a strip of road that has more curves than the Playboy Mansion on movie night, and, most likely, is more fun: The Tail of the Dragon.

It's a mere 11-mile (17.7 km) stretch of US 129, this cambered ribbon of asphalt that weaves back and forth 318 times along trails that began hundreds of years ago. Indians, settlers and civil war troops all made their way through this mountainside pass through Deals Gap that legend says began as an animal trail.

None of them had as much fun on it as I did last week along with the hundreds of other drivers on the Mini Takes the States road rally. We were heading to Nashville but took the long way there to drive the Dragon. As in life, road trips deserve the long route, and some of the best things come during detours.

Continue reading Tackling the Tail of the Dragon with a flock of Minis

Tackling the Tail of the Dragon with a flock of Minis originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2012 mini countrymancountrymandeals gapdragonfeaturedminimini takes the statessmoky mountainstail of the dragon Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:31:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20275259/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/10/tackling-the-tail-of-the-dragon-with-a-flock-of-minis/20275259/article-detail.xml 20275259 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/02-tail-of-the-dragon-mini-takes-the-states-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/02-tail-of-the-dragon-mini-takes-the-states-opt.jpg <![CDATA[1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C: Day Three]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/06/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-three/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/06/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-three/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/06/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-three/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,




DAY THREE - THE SNOW BEFORE THE SWEET REWARD

On Day Two there were plenty of opportunities to try all chassis setups and I explored them all. So doing, I spotted those couple of things that could use work in the future. But I honestly have to say I was falling ever more under the spell of this car.

Almost immediately out of the night's stay in Annecy, the roads started climbing. This time of year is generally considered by most to be the warm season, but it quickly became cold and, toward the crest of Aravis Pass at near 1,500 metres, it was snowing.

Naturally, this was a text book opportunity for testing the Winter settings of both the Handling and Powertrain knobs on the McLaren console, and they succeeded in sucking the potential drama right out of the slippery proceedings. The eased-up feel of the ProActive chassis control together with the meted out progression of the throttle map soon urged me to carry much more speed through this whole white affair than I had thought possible as I was foolishly driving up into it.

If you liked this, check out:
McLaren MP4-12C: Day One
McLaren MP4-12C: Day Two

Continue reading 1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C: Day Three

1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C: Day Three originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 1000 milesfeaturedlondonmclarenmonacomp4-12c Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20273029/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/06/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-three/20273029/article-detail.xml 20273029 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/01-mclaren-mp4-12c-london-to-monaco-day-3-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/01-mclaren-mp4-12c-london-to-monaco-day-3-opt.jpg <![CDATA[1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C: Day Two]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-two/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-two/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-two/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



DAY TWO - THE FASTER CURVES OVER HILL AND VALLEY

If the first day was a warm-up just to get us to the good stuff in central France, Day Two of my McLaren MP4-12C odyssey was one type of pure sports car touring pleasure. The sun was everywhere, the roads were pure entertainment, and the five test cars glowed through the daylight hours.

I'm not talking about encountering a wild series of hairpins, mind you, but rather higher speed roads nonetheless filled with satisfying curves and stunning countryside. First, however, right at the start of the day's driving leg, I had a stop at the former grand prix circuit Reims-Gueux.

This more or less 7.8-km long (4.8-mile) circuit was extremely fast and therefore dangerous, given that in its earlier layout before 1951 it was essentially a triangle with three sharp right-handers and three very long straights to get you into trouble quickly should something go wrong. From 1954 through its closure in 1972, the circuit was reconfigured to an even faster 8.3 kms (5.2 mi). The main straight is nowadays actually the busy two-lane highway RN31 and the entire grandstand is still there on one side, the well-kept pit area on the other. Here and there around the pit structure is stenciled a beautiful sentiment: "Memoire des pilotes, respect du site." France is a nation not unknown for its abundant graffiti, but there is none of it to be seen here.

If you liked this, check out:
McLaren MP4-12C: Day One
McLaren MP4-12C: Day Three

Continue reading 1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C: Day Two

1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C: Day Two originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 000 miles11000 miles12ccross-countrydrivelondonmclarenmclaren mp4-12cmonacomp4-12croad tripvideo Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20275307/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/05/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-two/20275307/article-detail.xml 20275307 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/11-mclaren-mp4-12c-london-to-monaco-day-2-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/11-mclaren-mp4-12c-london-to-monaco-day-2-opt.jpg <![CDATA[1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C:<br>Day One]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/04/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-one/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/04/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-one/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/04/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-one/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2012 McLaren MP4-12C road trip - two examples on public roads

DAY ONE - UNDER THE ENGLISH CHANNEL INTO FRANCE

Since the very first viewings and tech workshops in early 2010 of the McLaren MP4-12C, I've been working my contacts in Woking, England for a cross-country drive in the innovative supercar. We're still talking about a possible New York to Los Angeles run, but while waiting on that, I was recently offered a 1,600 kilometer-plus dash from McLaren headquarters outside of London south to Monaco, traversing all of France to experience all types of pavement - and all types of weather, as it turned out - over three days. This would be the first official long distance drive organized by McLaren for the car. Not surprisingly, I accepted.

When first talked about in concrete terms to the outside world in 2009, the McLaren MP4-12C was billed not just as a lightweight, 592-horsepower holy terror performance car, but as a comfortable premium motoring experience more than capable of a London-to-Monaco run. I doubted this right from the start, but then my initial prototype drives got me thinking that maybe the claim was genuine. The macho 12C tears it up at the track as well as any exotic, but perhaps it can be used as a pleasant cross-country cruiser, too.

If you liked this, check out:
McLaren MP4-12C: Day Two
McLaren MP4-12C: Day Three

Gallery: McLaren Toronto - Grand Opening Event

Continue reading 1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C:
Day One

1,000 miles in the McLaren MP4-12C:
Day One originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 12Cfeaturedfrancelondonmclarenmclaren mp4-12cmonacomp4-12Cmp412croad tripwoking Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20271810/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/04/1-000-miles-in-the-mclaren-mp4-12c-day-one/20271810/article-detail.xml 20271810 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/mclaren-mp4-12c-london-to-monaco-road-trip-day-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/mclaren-mp4-12c-london-to-monaco-road-trip-day-1.jpg <![CDATA[Mongol Rally: Prague to Mongolia in an abused Renault Kangoo]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/from-prague-to-mongolia-in-an-abused-renault-kangoo/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/from-prague-to-mongolia-in-an-abused-renault-kangoo/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/from-prague-to-mongolia-in-an-abused-renault-kangoo/#comments Filed under:

Last Rat Renault Kangoo Mongol Rally

If you haven't heard of the Mongol Rally, we suggest you acquaint yourself. The charity event starts in Europe and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Unlike most rallies, there is no defined route or support staff. Participants must simply survive long enough to make it to the finish line in one piece. That would be challenging enough in a well-equipped off-roader like a Nissan Patrol or Toyota Hilux, but those who take up the challenge must do so in either a vehicle with an engine displacing no more than 1.2 litres or an emergency services vehicle like an ambulance or fire truck.

At the end of the rally, the surviving vehicles are either auctioned or donated to cash-strapped local organizations. This year, New Yorkers Ota Ulc and Nick Jarret have partnered with Prague local Karel Vancura in an attempt to trace the 16,000 km from Prague to Mongolia in a Renault Kangoo. The "Last Rat to Mongolia" team bought their car sight-unseen and have outfitted the quirky little van for the trek with the help of a local mechanic. Skid plates, rally lights, a roof rack and a gaggle of jerry cans are all part of the plan.

A total of 300 teams will attempt the continental crossing, each supporting their own charities along the way. The Last Rats are raising funds for UNICEF and Lotus Children's Centre Charitable Trust. You can follow their progress on Facebook or at the Mongol Rally site, and can kick them a couple of bucks via the team's JustGiving site. What else are you going to use the money for? Another coffee?

News Source: Mongol Rally

Mongol Rally: Prague to Mongolia in an abused Renault Kangoo originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> charitylast rat to mongolialotus childrens centre trustmongol rallymongol rally 2012mongoliapraguerallyunicef Sat, 30 Jun 2012 14:01:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20269778/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/30/from-prague-to-mongolia-in-an-abused-renault-kangoo/20269778/article-detail.xml 20269778 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/last-rat-kangoo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/last-rat-kangoo-628.jpg <![CDATA[The Great Race brings automotive history through Canada!]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/the-great-race-comes-to-canada/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/the-great-race-comes-to-canada/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/the-great-race-comes-to-canada/#comments Filed under: , ,



The Great Race is a long distance driving event presented by the folks at Hemmings Motor News. This multi-day race is open to classic cars built before World War 2, as these vintage vehicles and their dedicated drivers are put to the ultimate test of endurance. And as we reported earlier, it is coming through Canada this year.

Rather than a speed event, The Great Race is a timed, navigational event. This means that drivers and co-drivers have to stick to a route map and keep to a specific, moderate speed. This is more difficult than it sounds in a modern car. Add in the unknown reliability of these historic cars and it can quickly become a more exciting adventure. Not to mention the fact that many of these cars have no roof, doors, air-conditioning or even windows!

Always looking for a new challenge, this year's organizers have created a route that will take racers around the Great Lakes, looping through Canada and New York State before returning to Michigan. Once complete, the 7-day journey will have taken drivers through 19 cities in 2 countries and 4 states.

It's not everyday you get to see 100-year old cars driving on public roads... let alone in a competitive race! If you get a chance, try to make it out to one of the Canadian stops along this historic journey found after the jump.

Continue reading The Great Race brings automotive history through Canada!

The Great Race brings automotive history through Canada! originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2012classicgreat racehistoricraceracingthe great racevintage Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20265818/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/25/the-great-race-comes-to-canada/20265818/article-detail.xml 20265818 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/capture_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/capture.jpg <![CDATA[Toronto biker speeds through rush hour traffic on Yamaha R6 [w/video]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/15/crazy-toronto-biker-speeds-through-rush-hour-traffic-on-yamaha-r/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/15/crazy-toronto-biker-speeds-through-rush-hour-traffic-on-yamaha-r/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/15/crazy-toronto-biker-speeds-through-rush-hour-traffic-on-yamaha-r/#comments Filed under:



Let's face it, none of us want to be stuck in rush hour traffic... especially after a long day at work. Well, this reckless rider clearly had enough of Toronto's traffic gridlock, as he proudly filmed this high speed run on his Yamaha R6 motorcycle.

Watch as he speeds around, between and almost into dozens of cars during the busiest time of day along Ontario's 400-series highways. If you have the patience to make it through the whole 5-minute video, you'll even be rewarded with a wheelie towards the end of the clip.

While we certainly don't condone these actions, but will be the first to admit it feels good to watch someone blow-through all that horrible traffic! No doubt this risky ride will have police on the hunt for this Yamaha rider and any other law breaking bikers on this heavily patrolled highway.

Click here and hang on to experience this wild ride for yourself

Continue reading Toronto biker speeds through rush hour traffic on Yamaha R6 [w/video]

Toronto biker speeds through rush hour traffic on Yamaha R6 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> gridlockmotorcyclemotorcycle raceR6rush hourspeedingspeedingstuntstuntstunt bikestrafficyamahayamaha R6 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20259691/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/15/crazy-toronto-biker-speeds-through-rush-hour-traffic-on-yamaha-r/20259691/article-detail.xml 20259691 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/bike-in-traffic_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/bike-in-traffic.jpg <![CDATA[Apple gives Google Maps the boot, adds free turn-by-turn navigation to iPhone]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/12/apple-gives-google-maps-the-boot-adds-free-turn-by-turn-navigat/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/12/apple-gives-google-maps-the-boot-adds-free-turn-by-turn-navigat/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/12/apple-gives-google-maps-the-boot-adds-free-turn-by-turn-navigat/#comments Filed under:

Apple Maps shown on iPad 2The big news in the tech world right now is the World Wide Developer's Conference which Apple just concluded. That's where the House that Jobs Built unveiled its latest operating systems for both computers and mobile devices, its latest laptop computer design and more. But what does this all have to do with cars, you ask? Plenty.

First off, Apple used the high-profile press conference extravaganza to announce the integration of its Siri voice service into cars, starting with nine automakers (among them the massive General Motors group) that will be putting a dedicated button on their steering wheels to allow drivers to activate the service on their iPhones and iPads without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. But that's not all that's of relevance to motorists from WWDC 2012.

Apple has also announced the launch of its own Maps application, replacing the Google Maps utility it had begrudgingly integrated into its devices until now. Resulting from Apple's acquisition of several erstwhile independent digital cartography operations, Maps aims to improve on the popular Google service with such features as spoken turn-by-turn directions with real-time ETA, smooth-scrolling 3D imaging, aerial flyover views of city centers and important landmarks, Siri integration and real-time traffic information.

The latter is reportedly crowdsourced anonymously from other users, leaving us with some questions regarding privacy issues. But we'll leave that to the guys with the tin-foil hats while we blissfully revel in Big Brother's latest offering to the masses. Follow the links below to see what Apple has in store in greater detail.

Continue reading Apple gives Google Maps the boot, adds free turn-by-turn navigation to iPhone

Apple gives Google Maps the boot, adds free turn-by-turn navigation to iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> appleapple mapscrowdsourcecrowdsourcingiosipadiphonemapsnavigationsat navsat-navsatellite navigationworld wide developers conferencewwdcwwdc12 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20256800/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/12/apple-gives-google-maps-the-boot-adds-free-turn-by-turn-navigat/20256800/article-detail.xml 20256800 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/ios-maps_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/ios-maps.jpg <![CDATA[Texas "Autobahn" toll road to get 85 mph (137 km/h) speed limit?]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/#comments Filed under:

80 mph speed limit

Oh, Montana, how we miss your speed-limitless ways of the mid-1990s. We were carefree and young then, driving a 10-year-old Chevrolet that in no way, shape, or form was designed to travel at its top speed for hours on end. But that didn't stop us, we the "reasonable and prudent," and neither did it stop our digital dashboard from just flashing "85" mph (137 km/h) over and over and over again. We'll never know how fast we were really going, but suffice it to say, we were traveling at the speed of youth.

Today, the search for fast, legal roads pretty much starts and ends in Germany, with the American State of Texas a distant second. But the one-time Republic may have just cut the distance between it and the Autobahn-wielding Germans by eight kilometers per hour. A new toll road, part of State Highway 130, is under construction near Austin, TX the state's notoriously traffic-clogged capitol, and it may have its speed set at 85 (137 km/h) when it opens. The Texas Department of Transportation made the decision, according to the Fox News report, in the wake of the legislature passing a law in 2011 to raise the maximum limit from 80 (128 km/h) to 85 mph (137 km/h) on approved highways.

News Source: Fox News

Tip: Thanks to all for the tips!

Image Credit: CountyLemonade via Flickr CC 2.0

Continue reading Texas "Autobahn" toll road to get 85 mph (137 km/h) speed limit?

Texas "Autobahn" toll road to get 85 mph (137 km/h) speed limit? originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 80 mph speed limit85 mph85 mph speed limitautobahnspeed limitspeed limitsspeedingtexastexas department of transportationtexas speed limit Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20254058/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/20254058/article-detail.xml 20254058 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/speedlimit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/speedlimit.jpg <![CDATA[Gumball 3000 rally finale wraps up on Hollywood Blvd in LA]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/06/gumball-3000-rally-finale-wraps-up-in-la/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/06/gumball-3000-rally-finale-wraps-up-in-la/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/06/gumball-3000-rally-finale-wraps-up-in-la/#comments Filed under:




It all started with a wild pre-party in NYC but fast forward and the Gumball crew has traveled 3000 miles across North America to end up in the City of Angels. At the finale, all the cars roared onto Hollywood Boulevard to thousands of Gumball fanatics. The expected arrival time was 7:00pm but apparently some forerunners were burning up the desert strip from the last checkpoint of Las Vegas arriving a tad early.

With untold tickets and citations for drivers, the Gumball 3000 vehicles didn't all have a smooth mechanical ride running across the US and Canada either. The 1957 Chevy never made it past a 5-mile radius of the starting point and the Morgan 3 wheeler never showed. The Rally Fighter arrived on a flatbed to a couple check check points and even the Audi R8 of Jon Olsson was plagued with mechanical problems including a faulty fuel pump. Obviously when entering an event like this man and machine have to be beyond prepared to do interstate battle.

In LA, the impromptu street party kicked off outside the Roosevelt Hotel and went on past dusk. The Gumballers checked in an no doubt let out a sigh of relief as they knew it was finally over. They covered a lot of ground, overcame major obstacles and of course partied beyond normal human limits. After that pause and reflection it was off to the afterparty for a bit of the same. he big morning hangover saw many of them delivering their exotics to various air and sea ports to have them shipped back to their country of residence.

We look forward to 2013 as this motor spectacle heads to Europe again and we hope to catch just a bit more of the action.

Image Credit (Los Angeles): Copyright 2012 Steve Lucero / AOL

Click here for the full wrap-up photo gallery from the grande LA finale.

Gallery: Gumball 3000 Starting Grid


Gallery: Gumball 3000 Vehicle Line Up

Continue reading Gumball 3000 rally finale wraps up on Hollywood Blvd in LA

Gumball 3000 rally finale wraps up on Hollywood Blvd in LA originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 101 freewaygumballgumball 3000gumbally rallyhollywood and highlandhollywood boulevardLos Angeles Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20253086/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/06/gumball-3000-rally-finale-wraps-up-in-la/20253086/article-detail.xml 20253086 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/gumball3k140--1339011938_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/gumball3k140--1339011938.jpg <![CDATA[LA-to-Vegas road trip driving over 1,700 horsepower of exotics]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/la-to-vegas-road-trip-driving-1-700-horsepower-of-exotics/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/la-to-vegas-road-trip-driving-1-700-horsepower-of-exotics/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/la-to-vegas-road-trip-driving-1-700-horsepower-of-exotics/#comments Filed under:



No one will question that 1,763 horsepower can provide a lot of thrust. That could easily push around 15 econoboxes or 10 family sedans by current standards but what if we told you that was the gross power figure generated by only three cars? Well then, the figure becomes far more interesting and the experience it provides becomes almost inexplicable. But since we are journalists, we have to continue to forge an explanation using words and pictures to deliver that experience to our readers. Our recent road trip from LA to Vegas in some of the hottest vehicles ever made would definitely be a highlight among a wealth of experiences in the business.

Plans were put in the works for three fortunate Editors from diverse media outlets to take a turn at one of three exotics on an amazing one-way desert run. Starting from the glamorous Santa Monica coastline in Los Angeles, the route would snake through the sprawling metropolis, negotiate treacherous mountain passes and end up on the straight stretch of two lane blacktop spanning from the foothills to Sin City.

This route is one with a rich history connecting two very important destinations, one that has a sensational side and a more sinister dimension riddled with tragedy and criminal activity. There would be little to no mobile phone service and the nearest hospital isn't really near at all. A perfect combination for driving excitement along with a high dose of danger to spike the pulse.

Ride shotgun with us after the jump.

Continue reading LA-to-Vegas road trip driving over 1,700 horsepower of exotics

LA-to-Vegas road trip driving over 1,700 horsepower of exotics originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Audi R8bentley continental supersportsMcLaren SLRPennzoilPennzoil Ultra Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:31:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20179687/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/01/la-to-vegas-road-trip-driving-1-700-horsepower-of-exotics/20179687/article-detail.xml 20179687 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/pennzoil-ultra-vegas-to-la-exotics630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/pennzoil-ultra-vegas-to-la-exotics630.jpg <![CDATA[Gumball 3000 blasts past Toronto, Detroit then visits Indy 500]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/gumball-3000-forges-on-through-toronto-detroit-and-visits-indy/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/gumball-3000-forges-on-through-toronto-detroit-and-visits-indy/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/gumball-3000-forges-on-through-toronto-detroit-and-visits-indy/#comments Filed under:



The Gumball 3000 kicked off last Friday and has made a massive impression wherever this automotive spectacle roams. The Times Square launch was epic with tens of thousands of wild fans in attendance. Tourists, pedestrians, police, soldiers and even homeless people were all present digital camera in hand (well maybe not the homeless) to see the 100+ cars and the celebrities in attendance amongst the mayhem.

And the kick-off did not disappoint as all of the supercars fired to life and the teams took off into the NYC weekday gridlock. They headed straight for the Lincoln Tunnel right quick and packs started forming as they quickly exited the Manhattan metropolis. As soon as the road opened up, well the excitement got the best of some of the Gumballers and the boys in blue had a couple of them pulled over.

Within a five miles of the launch, we also saw the first mechanical casualty of the rally, a 1957 Chevy. The supercharged beast with a blower sticking out the hood clearly wasn't ready and one of the other cars, a Morgan 3-wheeler never showed at the checkpoint either. The turnpike of New Jersey and Interstates of Pennsylvania were crowded with packs of Gumball 3000 cars with an entourage of support vehicles and fans orbiting them. At several overpasses, hordes of young fans lined up to get a glimpse of the supercars running through their small towns and when they made noise, drivers cracked the throttle to put on a show.

Gallery: Gumball 3000 2012: Detroit







After reaching the border, the Gumball field crossed over at Buffalo into Niagara Falls. As if by some sort of miracle, everyone made it through complete foreign plates and questionable documentation in hand. The Gumball field assembled to a warm welcome at the Skylon tower parking spot where the cars were left on display. But as quickly as it began, cars started firing up and rolling out pass OPP fun police towards Toronto where they were on display in Toronto's upscale Yorkville district.

After some late night partying, the Toronto stop soon became history and the 401 highway became their path to the next checkpoint - the Motor City. While in Detroit, the Gumball grid lined up at GM Headquarters almost as if to say, check out what GM doesn't manufacture. It was noted that GM was not well represented on the rally with no ZR1, ZL1 or even a lowly Z06 to be seen.

Post Detroit, it was off for some R&R in Indianapolis for a couple days. Yes, a couple days as Gumball is typically five days of straight driving but the management decided to include the Indy 500 race in the itinerary. Tonight they will be in Kansas City, Kansas to make a memorable dent in the mid-west.

Image Credit: Copyright 2012, Mark Pereira and Ryan Belville / AOL

Gumball 3000 blasts past Toronto, Detroit then visits Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 28 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> david hasselhoffDetroiteventsGM Renaissance Centergumball 3000Indy 500indycarKansasniagara fallsthe dudesons in americatorontoyorkville Mon, 28 May 2012 18:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20246453/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/28/gumball-3000-forges-on-through-toronto-detroit-and-visits-indy/20246453/article-detail.xml 20246453 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/jon-olsson-gumball-3000-1338237861_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/jon-olsson-gumball-3000-1338237861.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Mini John Cooper Works Coupé Red Bull roadtrip]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-mini-john-cooper-works-coupe/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-mini-john-cooper-works-coupe/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-mini-john-cooper-works-coupe/#comments Filed under:



John Newton Cooper was not your average auto aficionado. Racing was never a leisurely pastime for him. It was his passion; some may even say his destiny. A freethinking race enthusiast with a mechanic for a father, he pioneered the first rear-engine race cars that soon became the gold standard in Formula 1 and Indy Car design.

At a time when names such as Ferrari, Maserati and others ruled the sport, the Cooper Car Company dominated the 1959 and 1960 F1 racing season by winning both the Constructors' and Drivers' World Championships. In fact, Cooper's design was so successful; by 1962 all Formula 1 teams employed his rear engine design forever changing the sport.

Leaving an indomitable mark on the sport, he turned his attention to transforming the docile Classic Mini into a rally winning race car. The Classic Mini Cooper won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967. They also placed in all top three positions in 1966, but were disqualified for a slight rules infraction by the judges. To say racing is at the centre of all things Mini these days is to understate the obvious.

Read on after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Coupé Red Bull roadtrip

2012 Mini John Cooper Works Coupé Red Bull roadtrip originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 20122012 mini john cooper works coupecanadaCooperformula 1jcwjcw coupeJohn CooperJohn Cooper Worksminired bullTurbo Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20235749/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/2012-mini-john-cooper-works-coupe/20235749/article-detail.xml 20235749 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2012--mini-jcw-coupe-1-1336675105_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2012--mini-jcw-coupe-1-1336675105.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen Passat TDI travels 2,616 kilometers on one tank of diesel]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/high-mpg-taylors-drive-a-volkswagen-passat-1-626-miles-on-one-ta/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/high-mpg-taylors-drive-a-volkswagen-passat-1-626-miles-on-one-ta/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/high-mpg-taylors-drive-a-volkswagen-passat-1-626-miles-on-one-ta/#comments Filed under:

Watch out, Wayne Gerdes, there's a new hypermiling crew in town.

John and Helen Taylor - Volkswagen calls them "mileage experts" and "the world's most fuel-efficient couple" - recently drove a stock 2012 Passat TDI SE all the way from Houston, Texas to Sterling, Virginia without refueling. That's 2,616 kilometers (1,626 miles) from just 73 litres (19.3 gallons). Bad with numbers? Luckily, VW has done the math for you: it's roughly 2.8L/100km (84.1 mpg).

The three-day trip happened earlier this month, and it turns out that the Taylors are not new to the high mileage game. They have previously set the "48 Contiguous U.S. States Fuel Economy Guinness World Record." Still, the new Passat TDI record is impressive and it mimics some of the ways that Gerdes runs his hypermiling trips. As you can see in the gallery, the gas tank was filled to the brim with gas (see here) and there was a LOT of documentation going on during the trip. These sorts of things are important, since the Taylors often run workshops on driving efficiently and have, over the years, "collected more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe." They run the website Fuel Academy.

Click here for the full press release.

News Source: Volkswagen

Continue reading Volkswagen Passat TDI travels 2,616 kilometers on one tank of diesel

Volkswagen Passat TDI travels 2,616 kilometers on one tank of diesel originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 09 May 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> clean dieseldistance recordfuel academyhelen taylorhypermilingjohn taylorpassatpassat tditdivolkswagenwayne gerdes Wed, 09 May 2012 11:31:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20234520/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/high-mpg-taylors-drive-a-volkswagen-passat-1-626-miles-on-one-ta/20234520/article-detail.xml 20234520 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/taylors-jetta-mpg-vw-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/taylors-jetta-mpg-vw-628.jpg <![CDATA[Land Rover completes 13,000-km Journey of Discovery from Birmingham to Beijing]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/land-rover-completes-8-000-mile-journey-of-discovery-from-birmin/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/land-rover-completes-8-000-mile-journey-of-discovery-from-birmin/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/land-rover-completes-8-000-mile-journey-of-discovery-from-birmin/#comments Filed under:

Land Rover Journey of Discovery

Not long ago, Land Rover embarked on an epic trans-continental road trip that sought to retrace the route taken by a similar expedition in 1956 and raise £1m ($1.6m) for the Red Cross. And after 12,8000 kilometres traveled through thirteen countries - starting in Birmigham, England and ending in Beijing, China - they finally made it.

The departure was celebrated with the production of the millionth Discovery, the arrival timed to coincide with the Beijing Motor Show. Along the way the rugged motorcade swung through Switzerland for the Geneva Motor Show, hit some of Europe's oldest cities, traversed a wide variety of terrains and climates, rolled through Chernobyl as the first private vehicles to tour the disaster site since the nuclear meltdown there 25 years ago, visited an array of museums and toured a former Soviet submarine base.

But before it could complete the final 72-hour leg into China, the crew had to detonate a controlled avalanche to clear an alpine pass. In other words, it was not your average road trip. Read more about it in the press release below and scope out the high-resolution images in the gallery for a closer look at what the convoy encountered along the way.

Continue reading Land Rover completes 13,000-km Journey of Discovery from Birmingham to Beijing

Land Rover completes 13,000-km Journey of Discovery from Birmingham to Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 02 May 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> discoverydiscovery 4expeditionjourney of discoveryland roverland rover discovery 4land rover journey of discoverylr4motorcaderoad trip Wed, 02 May 2012 08:29:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20228778/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/land-rover-completes-8-000-mile-journey-of-discovery-from-birmin/20228778/article-detail.xml 20228778 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webdsicoverjourney_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webdsicoverjourney.jpg <![CDATA[VW Golf R gets sideways at the arctic circle]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/vw-golf-r-gets-sideways-at-the-arctic-circle/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/vw-golf-r-gets-sideways-at-the-arctic-circle/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/vw-golf-r-gets-sideways-at-the-arctic-circle/#comments Filed under:



"It's going to be freezing cold in Sweden, temperatures are expected to reach -42˚C, so be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes," explained our host at Volkswagen Canada. When someone tells us there is a strong possibility of experiencing extreme sub-zero temperatures for long periods of time, we take note. Many of the new vehicle launch events we attend take place in a setting somewhere on the shores of the Mediterranean or a California coastline but here we would be testing the "brand new for Canada" Volkswagen Golf R in a vastly different and uniquely northern setting.

Packing thick socks, gloves, extra layers and, of course, a real Canadian toque, we were ready for almost anything. It didn't hurt we were also supplied with a genuine Canada Goose winter coat rated for temperatures as low as -50˚C. This would be an adventure that we were fully prepared to enjoy!

It's not every day that automotive journalists are encouraged by the automaker to spend as much time driving sideways in their vehicles as going forward. But such were our instructions as we exited the twin-prop plane and boarded a bus enroute to the remote location of Arjeplog, Sweden. Here, we would participate in the Volkswagen Driving Experience on the frozen lakes in and around this small town. Happiness is doing circles over and over again at full speed within a short dogsled ride distance of the Arctic Circle.

Click for full story and video navigating the snow circuit at night after the jump.

Continue reading VW Golf R gets sideways at the arctic circle

VW Golf R gets sideways at the arctic circle originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 20122012 volkswagen golf rGolf Rice racingrallyvolkswagenwinter driving Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20200666/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/26/vw-golf-r-gets-sideways-at-the-arctic-circle/20200666/article-detail.xml 20200666 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-vw-golf-r-in-sweden-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-vw-golf-r-in-sweden-630.jpg -1 2