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[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[Crazy Chevy driver crashes into GM headquarters... like a rock!]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/04/chevy-driver-crashes-into-gm-headquaters-like-a-rock/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/04/chevy-driver-crashes-into-gm-headquaters-like-a-rock/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/04/chevy-driver-crashes-into-gm-headquaters-like-a-rock/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Some Chevy customers sure know how to make an entrance, like this road rage fueled driver who smashed his Monte Carlo into GM headquarters yesterday afternoon. The bizarre scene resulted in some serious damage to the revolving glass doors at GM's Renaissance Center. Maybe this loyal GM owner wanted to see if his Chevy really was built like a rock?

It allegedly started with the black Monte Carlo failing to clear the circular drive way of the GM building and accidentally hitting one of the glass doors, causing minor damage. According to witnesses, GM security guards told the driver that he would need to wait until police came so they could make a report.

Things quickly heated up as a witness said the man told guards if he was going to jail for hitting the building that he may as well drive right through it! And so he did just that, jumping back into his car and smashing straight into the glass entrance like a drive-thru window.

According to The Detroit News, the fuming 26-year-old driver was put in police custody and may have been mentally challenged. Luckily, there were no reported injuries and the glass doors are already under repair.

Click here for additional images.

News Source: The Detroit News, Curbed, ferndale115

Image Credit: Curbed

Continue reading Crazy Chevy driver crashes into GM headquarters... like a rock!

Crazy Chevy driver crashes into GM headquarters... like a rock! originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> crashDriver hit GM HQglass doorsGMGM CrashGM HeadquartersMonte CarlopoliceRen-CenRenaissance Centerrevolving doorsmashes Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:55:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20250758/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/04/chevy-driver-crashes-into-gm-headquaters-like-a-rock/20250758/article-detail.xml 20250758 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/gm-crazy-crash_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/gm-crazy-crash.jpg <![CDATA[New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/#comments Filed under: ,



If Fido can distinguish people and other pooches by their backsides, why not a seat? When students at the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology in Tokyo, Japan asked that question, they came up with a car seat fitted with 360 sensors that makes a map of the pressure applied by your posterior. Among the six rumps tested, the seat was 98 per cent accurate at sorting one from another.

The ultimate aim is to work with automakers to develop an anti-theft solution that would be available in the next few years. With such a small testing pool, it's too early to start asking the difficult questions about real-world viability (especially when you start to factor in things like different articles of clothing, Costanza wallets, and so on), but we have a feeling this kind of technology will find an application somewhere.

News Source: TechCrunch

Image Credit: Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology

New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> advanced institute of industrial technologyanti-theftbuttcar seatcar seatingcar theftidentificationseatingsecurity systemtokyo Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20137843/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/20137843/article-detail.xml 20137843 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/buttseatid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/buttseatid.jpg <![CDATA[B.C. man lines up for border crossing with dead wife in car]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/b-c-man-lines-up-for-border-crossing-with-dead-wife-in-car/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/b-c-man-lines-up-for-border-crossing-with-dead-wife-in-car/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/b-c-man-lines-up-for-border-crossing-with-dead-wife-in-car/#comments Filed under: , ,



In a story that sounds like something out of a movie, a 71-year-old British Columbia man drove about 360 kilometres with his dead wife in the car on the way home from vacation over the weekend.

The man and his 75-year-old wife were vacationing in Oregon, when the woman began having medical difficulties. Rather than seek treatment in the States, the pair decided to head home. Somewhere around Pasco, Washington, the dear old girl departed.

Obviously distraught and perhaps confused, the gent continued driving, intent on returning his wife to Oliver, B.C. It wasn't until he was about 30 km south of the border that he pressed the OnStar button and asked to speak with border authorities. Upon learning of his plight, the dispatcher convinced the man to stop at the nearby Tonasket Police Department.

"I think it was just not registering that he needed to stop. He was taking her home, probably, to deal with it up there," said Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers.


Police feel there was no foul play involved. The body remains in Tonasket as authorities deal with the paperwork needed to send it home.

News Source: The Wenatchee World

Image credit: Internet Movie Cars Database

B.C. man lines up for border crossing with dead wife in car originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> border crossingonstarweekend at bernies Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20131931/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/20/b-c-man-lines-up-for-border-crossing-with-dead-wife-in-car/20131931/article-detail.xml 20131931 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/weekend_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/weekend.jpg <![CDATA[Ariel Atom with 650 hp turbo K20 Honda motor hits the streets]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/08/16/intimate-time-with-a-650hp-turbo-ariel-atom/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/08/16/intimate-time-with-a-650hp-turbo-ariel-atom/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/08/16/intimate-time-with-a-650hp-turbo-ariel-atom/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Hitting the open road alone doesn't necessarily mean you are a loner. In fact, some of the most hardcore enthusiasts are likely to prefer a one-on-one connection with their machine of choice. Having a unique moment that only the driver can experience and everybody else could only wish for plays a big part of that mentality. This seems to be the case with this helmeted speed freak that goes for a lengthy ride in a turbo charged Ariel Atom that has 650 horsepower to the wheels.

He puts every gear through its paces as he makes the turbo whine and creates a symphony of audible mechanical bliss. He seems to get so passionately motivated on his driving that just over halfway through his journey he makes an unintentional spin. That doesn't stop him from continuing on his soul-gratifying drive that is sure to have him smiling from ear to ear under that Suzuki GSX-R helmet.

Although the driver is seen spinning out through a traffic stop sign, it is believed that this video was composed on a closed area of streets and that all was completed in the safest of manners. Besides, we all know just how safe the Canadian government thinks Atoms are since they are banned on our streets.

Regardless of that, the Atom offers an amazingly refined, raw driving experience that enthusiasts crave. See for yourself. Hop over the jump, sit back, close your eyes and enjoy the sounds of being behind the wheel of a turbocharged Honda K20-powered Atom. Just remember to open your eyes at 7:30 for the spin out.

Continue reading Ariel Atom with 650 hp turbo K20 Honda motor hits the streets

Ariel Atom with 650 hp turbo K20 Honda motor hits the streets originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Acura K20ArielAriel AtomAtomHonda K20k20Turbocharged Ariel Atom Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20019231/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/16/intimate-time-with-a-650hp-turbo-ariel-atom/20019231/article-detail.xml 20019231 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/650hpturboatom_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/650hpturboatom.jpg <![CDATA[Spring clean your car]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/03/24/spring-clean-your-car/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/03/24/spring-clean-your-car/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/03/24/spring-clean-your-car/#comments Filed under: ,


So it's spring. Ok, it may not feel like it, but the calendar says it's spring so we'll go with that. As the days get warmer and we see the last of the snow disappear, it's time to think about your car.

Well, we're always thinking about cars, but this time think about your car's interior and exterior. Is it covered in mud? Is there that nasty rime of salt on the wheels and the undercarriage?

It might be time to spring clean your car.

Continue reading Spring clean your car

Spring clean your car originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/19888620/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/24/spring-clean-your-car/19888620/article-detail.xml 19888620 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/carwash_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/carwash.jpg <![CDATA[Prepping for winter road trips]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/11/16/prepping-for-winter-road-trips/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/11/16/prepping-for-winter-road-trips/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/11/16/prepping-for-winter-road-trips/#comments Filed under: , ,



A big deal is made about summer road trips - the sun, the warm weather, the road trip music list that always seems to have the Beach Boys on it - but since we live in a climate that sees snow most of the year, let's consider the winter road trip.

Continue reading Prepping for winter road trips

Prepping for winter road trips originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> featuredroad trip Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:58:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/19716519/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/16/prepping-for-winter-road-trips/19716519/article-detail.xml 19716519 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/630-winter-driving-nov16_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/630-winter-driving-nov16.jpg <![CDATA[Driving at night just plain unnerving: survey]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/driving-at-night-just-plain-unnerving-survey/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/driving-at-night-just-plain-unnerving-survey/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/driving-at-night-just-plain-unnerving-survey/#comments Filed under: ,

A recent driver survey suggests that half the drivers on the road don't dig night driving and that many actually avoid getting behind the wheel after dark.

According to a recent KRC Research survey of licensed drivers, approximately 51 per cent of respondents agreed that the road could be easier to see at night. 20 per cent said they sometimes avoid even getting behind the wheel after dark because it's too difficult to see.

Surprisingly, though the survey suggests that 37 million people won't drive at night, noteworthy is the fact that half of them are under the age of 55.

Continue reading Driving at night just plain unnerving: survey

Driving at night just plain unnerving: survey originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> driving at nightDrivingAtNight Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:53:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/19693507/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/28/driving-at-night-just-plain-unnerving-survey/19693507/article-detail.xml 19693507 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/night-driving-200_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/night-driving-200.jpg <![CDATA[Before buying, make sure your small car is baby-seat ready]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/make-sure-your-small-car-is-baby-seat-ready/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/make-sure-your-small-car-is-baby-seat-ready/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/make-sure-your-small-car-is-baby-seat-ready/#comments Filed under: , ,

Car requirements change when a baby comes along. It's no longer about sportiness or looking cool. It's about safety and reliability. New parents or parents-to-be start thinking about seat belt placement and the angle of the backs of the car seats.

Space also becomes an issue. If you're not buying a minivan or an SUV, there are a few things you may not have thought of before you sign that lease and introduce your child to your new car.

Continue reading Before buying, make sure your small car is baby-seat ready

Before buying, make sure your small car is baby-seat ready originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> featured Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:02:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/19664782/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/07/make-sure-your-small-car-is-baby-seat-ready/19664782/article-detail.xml 19664782 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/baby-car-seat-200_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/baby-car-seat-200.jpg <![CDATA[Best fall drives in Canada]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/09/29/best-fall-drives-in-canada/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/09/29/best-fall-drives-in-canada/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/09/29/best-fall-drives-in-canada/#comments Filed under:

Fall is here and as the weather cools down, the leaves change colour to gorgeous reds, yellows and golds.

This is a great time of year for a drive to the countryside to look at the stunning colours.

Be sure to catch sight of the leaves before they fall off the trees for the next six to eight months.

Some of the best fall drives include:

Continue reading Best fall drives in Canada

Best fall drives in Canada originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autumn colorsAutumnColorsfall drivingFallDriving Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:35:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/19654334/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/29/best-fall-drives-in-canada/19654334/article-detail.xml 19654334 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/fall-leaves_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/fall-leaves.jpg -1 2