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[Nicolas Cage flogs Saab-based Senova from Beijing Auto [w/video]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,

BAIC Nicholas Cage

BAIC has officially pulled the covers off of its new Senova D Series sedan for China. The four-door is based on the old Saab 9-5 and boasts a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Local buyers can get their hands on the machine for around US$22,745 at current conversion rates. Other engine options include a turbocharged 1.8-litre comes standard on every trim except the very base model. Those goodies include a tire pressure monitoring system, active head restraints, blind spot detection, driver fatigue detection and parking sensors.

The Senova nameplate serves every model based on former Saab architectures, including the Epsilon, GM2900 and GM2400 platforms as well as engine and transmission tech. In order to promote its new products, BAIC has hired Hollywood staple Nicolas Cage to serve as the company's brand ambassador. Cage stars in the Senova-heavy Town of Car Legends action-packed video short (directed by Olivier Megaton of Transporter 3 and Taken 2 fame) which you can watch by scrolling below.

Gallery: Top 10 celebrity cars and rich stars who drive cheap and ugly cars






Continue reading Nicolas Cage flogs Saab-based Senova from Beijing Auto [w/video]

Nicolas Cage flogs Saab-based Senova from Beijing Auto [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> baicchinanic cagenicolas cageolivier megatonsaabsaab 9-5senovasenova d-seriesshenbaovideo Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20567091/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/20567091/article-detail.xml 20567091 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/baic-nicholas-cage-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/baic-nicholas-cage-628.jpg <![CDATA[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 Filed under: , , , , ,



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]

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 sevenvideo Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20574489/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/20574489/article-detail.xml 20574489 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bowler-vs-caterham-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bowler-vs-caterham-628.jpg <![CDATA[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 Filed under: , ,



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]

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 habit Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20574476/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/20574476/article-detail.xml 20574476 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/visteon-habit-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/visteon-habit-628.jpg <![CDATA[Hot Wheels stages competition to find its own world's best driver [w/video]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Take the Race of Champions, keep its wide-ranging motorsports disciplines but replace national teams with duos called Red Outrageous, Yellow Powerful, Blue High Tech and Green Superfast. Give them rides from a toy store shelf and the cockiness of Top Gun, put them on courses from Mad Max and mix in a vibe and radio chatter from the attack on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back, and what do you have? The Hot Wheels short film World's Best Driver.

The maker of little diecast cars got some big cars together - some you've seen before, some are from other planets - as well as some wild drivers and moto-crossers, and put them to the test at a 'secret' location called the Hot Wheels Test Facility, where things get quite a bit wilder than they do at the Nürburgring.

We have no idea why this movie exists, and we don't care - it's 22 minutes of camped-out fun and you'll find it below.

Gallery: Red Bull X1 Prototype






Continue reading Hot Wheels stages competition to find its own world's best driver [w/video]

Hot Wheels stages competition to find its own world's best driver [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 17 May 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aaron rossbryce hudsoncasey curriediecastgeoff aaronhot wheelshot wheels worlds best driverluke johnsonronnie rennervideoworlds best driver Fri, 17 May 2013 11:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20573774/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/20573774/article-detail.xml 20573774 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hot-wheels-best-driver_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hot-wheels-best-driver.jpg <![CDATA[Pedestrian fakes hilariously bad hit, foiled by Russian dash cam]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/#comments Filed under: , ,



After the Good-Samaritan-fest that was the last Russian dash cam video, it's back to our regularly scheduled program of sneaky scamming and automotive madness. This time, it's a woman who attempts to pretend she's been hit by a car and rendered unconscious, the same tired con-job that happens to be one of the primary reasons that Russians probably perform more surveillance on themselves than the state does.

It's a remarkably bad job of method acting on the woman's part (is she drunk?), but we'll give her credit for persistence. The worst acting job you'll see all day is on video just below.

Gallery: Russian SLR Replica

Continue reading Pedestrian fakes hilariously bad hit, foiled by Russian dash cam

Pedestrian fakes hilariously bad hit, foiled by Russian dash cam originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> dash camdashcamfraudpedestrianpedestrian failrussiarussian dash camscamvideo Thu, 16 May 2013 19:58:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20571132/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/20571132/article-detail.xml 20571132 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dashcam-scam_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dashcam-scam.jpg <![CDATA[Deer comes crashing through front windshield of moving bus]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/deer-comes-crashing-through-front-windshield-of-bus/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/deer-comes-crashing-through-front-windshield-of-bus/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/deer-comes-crashing-through-front-windshield-of-bus/#comments Filed under: ,



Pennsylvania bus driver John Porter was shocked, shaken but not stirred when a furry white-tailed deer suddenly came crashing through the front windshield of his bus. According to reports, the wild animal was spotted running across the busy road and tried to jump out of the way before it went crashing straight through the front glass of the moving bus.

The unbelievable incident was all caught on surveillance camera video, as the freaked out deer and surprised bus driver scrambled in a panic until the animal finally ran out the front door. "I saw something come through the window and a deer was there... It was kicking around pretty good," Porter told WPXI.com.

Luckily, no one was harmed (including the resilient deer) as the bus driver walked away with just a few cuts on his hands from the broken glass. The only passenger aboard at the time was a shocked woman in the back who sat completely still the whole time (and we can't blame her). This incident also reminds us of the bus driver in China who miraculously survived a deadly pole crashing through his windshield.

Click here to watch the insane video footage of this party crashing deer in action.

Gallery: Top 25 Strangest Crashes

Continue reading Deer comes crashing through front windshield of moving bus

Deer comes crashing through front windshield of moving bus originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bus crashbus hit deercar hit deerdeer bus crashdeer crashdeer windshieldwild crashwild deer crashwindshield Thu, 16 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20573013/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/deer-comes-crashing-through-front-windshield-of-bus/20573013/article-detail.xml 20573013 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/deer-crash-bus-windshield_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/deer-crash-bus-windshield.jpg <![CDATA[Vettel and Coulthard racing on Russia's very unfinished Sochi Circuit]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Coulthard and Vettel drive Infiniti M sedans on the site of Russia's future grand prix circuit

The next Winter Olympics will happen in Sochi, Russia from February 7-23, 2014. Sometime after that, barring any delays, a portion of the Sochi Olympic Park will be turned into the Sochi Olympic Park Circuit, a 5.9 km (3.65-mile) track for the first Russian Grand Prix in 100 years (the last of two Formula One grands prix were held in St. Petersburg).

As we've come to expect from the Infiniti Red Bull team, it recently sent race driver Sebastian Vettel and brand ambassador David Coulthard to the unfinished venue to run the route in Infiniti M sedans and offer some impressions. With average cornering speeds above 100 km/h, Coulthard called it a fast street circuit in the Monaco vein. You can watch them try it out - yes, that's Vettel gone airborne above - and avoid a "White Van Man" in the awesome video below.

Gallery: Red Bull Racing demonstration in Austin

Continue reading Vettel and Coulthard racing on Russia's very unfinished Sochi Circuit

Vettel and Coulthard racing on Russia's very unfinished Sochi Circuit originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> david coulthardf1formula 1formula oneinfinitiinfiniti mrussian grand prixsebastian vettelsochisochi olympic park circuitvideo Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20572481/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/20572481/article-detail.xml 20572481 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vettel-coulthard-infiniti-sochi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vettel-coulthard-infiniti-sochi.jpg <![CDATA[Yellow-lights being shortened leads to more traffic tickets issued]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/yellow-lights-being-shortened-leads-to-more-traffic-tickets-issu/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/yellow-lights-being-shortened-leads-to-more-traffic-tickets-issu/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/yellow-lights-being-shortened-leads-to-more-traffic-tickets-issu/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Red light cameras don't appear to be going away, so it should come as no surprise that neither are the controversies around them. We're told again and again that they're about safety, not revenue collection, yet year after year, the studies and headlines compete to support and tear down those arguments. An investigative report by WTSP Channel 10 News gets the maelstrom whirling again, having found that various municipalities in Florida have recently shortened yellow light times to below those recommended by the US Department of Transportation.

Until 2011, Florida regulations "mandated yellow light calculations factor in either the posted speed limit or 85th percentile of drivers' actual speed - whichever was greater." That year, though, the phrase "whichever was greater" was cut, and certain cities began resetting the yellow lights to illuminate for the shorter interval - either trying to ensure more safety or more revenue. The Florida Department of Transportation says the new language was only meant to establish a minimum time for yellow lights, not to dictate their exact duration.

And with so much money in play - the Channel 10 news report says Florida collect about US$100 million in red light camera fines last year and could get to US$130 million this year - it's no wonder cities shorten yellow light times below the minimum guidelines, manipulate accident data, robo-sign tickets with the names of dead police officers, and redesign their license plates to make them easier for the cameras to read.

Watch the news segment in the video below and if you're in Florida, you'll need to pay even more attention to the lights in front and the traffic behind.

Continue reading Yellow-lights being shortened leads to more traffic tickets issued

Yellow-lights being shortened leads to more traffic tickets issued originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> department of transportationfloridaflorida dotred light cameratraffic camerastraffic lightsvideowtspyellow light Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20571054/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/yellow-lights-being-shortened-leads-to-more-traffic-tickets-issu/20571054/article-detail.xml 20571054 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times.jpg <![CDATA[Ariel Atom V8 races against BMW HP4 superbike and Citroën DS3 racer]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-races-against-bmw-hp4-superbike-and-citroen-ds3-ra/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-races-against-bmw-hp4-superbike-and-citroen-ds3-ra/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-races-against-bmw-hp4-superbike-and-citroen-ds3-ra/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,



Autocar took an Ariel Atom V8, BMW HP4 superbike and X-Games gold medalist Liam Doren's Citroën DS3 rallycross ride to an airstrip for a drag race. Sadly for all the drivers and for us, the clouds took to the sky and poured more and more rain on the track before the big race.

It's still a fun theoretical battle. The 550-kilogram Ariel Atom brings a 3.3-litre V8 with 475 horsepower, 268 pound-feet of torque and a 748-hp-per-ton ratio. The engine-restricted, 1,300-kg DS3 Rallycross rocks a 2.0-litre four-cylinder set for the day to about 560 hp, 600 lb-ft and - because of its variable boost - anywhere from 454-577 hp-per-ton. The HP4, naturally, does the most with the least, its 169 kg hauling a 1.0-litre engine with 163 hp, 83 lb-ft and a screaming 757 hp-per-ton.

It's a shame the weather didn't allow the entrants to show all they could do, especially the two-wheel-drive Atom. Nevertheless, it does demonstrate how critical the amount of available traction is to get the most from high-performance machinery, and there's lots of launch-controlled action and watch a winner crowned in the video below.

Gallery: Ariel Atom in Canada

Continue reading Ariel Atom V8 races against BMW HP4 superbike and Citroën DS3 racer

Ariel Atom V8 races against BMW HP4 superbike and Citroën DS3 racer originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ariel atomariel atom v8autocarbmw hp4citroen ds3liam dorenrallycrosssteve sutcliffevideoyoutube Thu, 16 May 2013 15:57:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20572498/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-races-against-bmw-hp4-superbike-and-citroen-ds3-ra/20572498/article-detail.xml 20572498 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/autocar-drag-hp4-atom-ds3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/autocar-drag-hp4-atom-ds3.jpg <![CDATA[Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Last October, Chris Harris got a shotgun ride in the Porsche 918 Spyder. Seven months on, the automaker is quite a bit further on the development on the hybrid supercar, and Porsche invited him to the Leipzig circuit for a test drive.

Harris starts off going through some of the technical bits on the car, including the galvanized carbon fibre instrument panel and forged carbon fibre attachment points, and before he gets in, he's a little unsure of the car. The hybrid aspect is of particular concern, Harris almost wishing that instead of a 3,608-pound (1,636 kg) coupe with a combined 887 horsepower, that Porsche would ditch the heavy batteries and make a 2,420-pound (1,098 kg) coupe with the combustion engine's 608 horsepower.

Then he drives it, and all of a sudden, "It doesn't feel like I'm driving a hybrid sports car." You can watch him come around in the video below.

Gallery: Porsche 918 - Martini livery

Continue reading Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder

Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chris harrischris harris porsche 918 videoporsche 918 spyderPorsche 918 Spyder test driveporsche testtesttest drivetest drive porsche 918 spydervideoyoutube Thu, 16 May 2013 14:58:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20572440/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/20572440/article-detail.xml 20572440 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chris-harris-918-drive_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chris-harris-918-drive.jpg <![CDATA[Jaguar F-Type debuts in first TV commercials]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,



With its new "Your Turn" global ad campaign, Jaguar has introduced its 2014 F-Type to the world of broadcast media. The effort takes aim at the monied 25-54 demographic, which makes sense of Jaguar recently shacking up with the 2013 Playboy Playmate of the Year Raquel Pomplun and San Francisco NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. You'll also be seeing the new roadster on ESPN's SportsCenter, late night ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, the USA Network show Covert Affairs, the Sundance Channel and theaters, magazines and everywhere digital. On top of all that, a social media campaign includes a contest called #MyTurnToJag that will reward four winners with a custom drive in the new convertible.

You'll find the first TV commercials below, along with a press release on the roaring red marketing onslaught headed your way. Enjoy.

Gallery: 2014 Jaguar F-Type: First Ride

Continue reading Jaguar F-Type debuts in first TV commercials

Jaguar F-Type debuts in first TV commercials originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 jaguar f-typead campaigncommercialjaguarjaguar f-typemyturntojagvideoyour turn Thu, 16 May 2013 13:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570448/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/20570448/article-detail.xml 20570448 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jaguar-f-type-ad-campaign_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jaguar-f-type-ad-campaign.jpg <![CDATA[Legendary Pikes Peak 'Climb Dance' remastered in high-definition glory]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Peugeot Climb Dance Pikes Peak film - remastered screencap

Climb Dance, the rally-porn film celebrating the Pikes Peak Hill Climb victories of Ari Vatanen in 1988 and Robby Unser in 1989 - and including footage from both drives - has been remastered in high definition. It was commissioned by Peugeot, maker of the four-wheel steering 415 T16 Grand Raid, the racecar that took both drivers to the top to overall victories.

Peugeot will be hoping that Sébastien Loeb can climb dance the same way next month when he runs up the now-paved mountain in his 208. You'll find the breathtaking remastered Climb Dance video below, as well as tribute the Motor Trend made with Marcus Gronholm in a Ford Fiesta back in 2009. Enjoy.

Gallery: 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb - Practice Day 1

Continue reading Legendary Pikes Peak 'Climb Dance' remastered in high-definition glory

Legendary Pikes Peak 'Climb Dance' remastered in high-definition glory originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ari vatanenclimb danceford fiestapeugeotpeugeot 405 t16pikes peakpikes peak international hill climbrobby unservideo Thu, 16 May 2013 12:44:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20572323/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/20572323/article-detail.xml 20572323 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climb-dance-remastered_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climb-dance-remastered.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It



Look at the 2013 Nissan Leaf - even one parked next to a 2012 model - and you'll be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Changes and updates have been made, but you have to know the details to tell. It's sort of like listening to a hipster tell you why Interpol and The National have completely different sounds. We should mention upfront that Canadians will have to wait a little while longer before they can stroll into their local Nissan dealership to pick out a 2013 model year Leaf. For now, you'll be shopping for a 2012 model year, which, as you'll find below, is not so different from the latest version.

Nissan says it didn't reinvent the Leaf because what the company has created is working. Over 25,000 Leafs have been sold to our neighbors south of the border (a few thousand have been sold here as well) - amounting to 62,000 around the world - since the car went on sale in late 2010. That may not sound like a lot, but it's heads and shoulders above any other all-electric car available anywhere. The car has its detractors - boy, does it ever - but Nissan knows it's hard to argue with real-world success.

We recently spent a few hours driving the new Leaf around the hills of central Tennessee after a visit to Nissan's new 44,129 square-metre (475,000 square-foot) battery plant. What we learned there provided a lot of hints about the company's electric future. Nissan may be leading today, but company head Carlos Ghosn has made huge, multi-billion-dollar bets on zero-emission technology and the rest of the world has been very slow to prove him right.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video]

2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 leaf2013 nissan leaffeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivenissannissan leaf Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20572273/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/20572273/article-detail.xml 20572273 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-2013-nissan-leaf-fd-opt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-2013-nissan-leaf-fd-opt.png <![CDATA[Toyota truck climbs tree, while cop car prefers pole in separate crashes]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/toyota-truck-climbs-trees-while-cop-car-prefer-poles-in-separat/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/toyota-truck-climbs-trees-while-cop-car-prefer-poles-in-separat/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/toyota-truck-climbs-trees-while-cop-car-prefer-poles-in-separat/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,




The driver of a small Nissan pickup truck has some explaining to do after getting stuck... in a tree. Most versatile off-road trucks are found stuck in deep mud or snow, but this utilitarian beast was found stuck in an evergreen grove.

Police responded to reports of the tree-climbing truck and found it still in place, clinging to the branches about 3 metres (10 feet) above the ground. The driver was no where to be found, and the vehicle's engine and exhaust system was cold, telling police that the vehicle had been there for some time, undiscovered.

Recreating the scene, it appears the driver of the small truck was traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control and 'jumped' a large ditch, which put him on a trajectory that landed him, well... up a tree. The driver later returned to the scene during the police investigation ("Where'd I leave my wallet?") and was charged with 'hit and run' and criminal mischief citations. This unlikely tale unfolded in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Speaking of the police, an officer found himself in a similar predicament when he pulled a U-turn to make a seatbelt related traffic stop, lost control, and hit the guide-wire of a telephone pole. The front bumper of his cruiser followed the wire up the pole, leaving the Dodge police car scampering up the pole like a spooked squirrel. Thankfully, this Memphis police officer was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured in the incident - no word if the seatbelt-less driver of the car he was attempting to pull over noticed all the commotion behind him.

Scroll down to watch a video report showing both cat car-up-a tree scenarios.

Gallery: Car Crash Gallery






Continue reading Toyota truck climbs tree, while cop car prefers pole in separate crashes

Toyota truck climbs tree, while cop car prefers pole in separate crashes originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 May 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> car crashcar up a treecat up a treecrashcrash safetygrovememphismemphis tennesseepolicepolice carpolice car up polepolice car videospolice chasepolice videopolice videospolicecarpolicecar videosPoliceCarsportlandportland oregonsafetystuck in treestuck in treestreetreestruck up a treeup a poleup a treeususavideovideos Thu, 16 May 2013 11:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20566617/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/toyota-truck-climbs-trees-while-cop-car-prefer-poles-in-separat/20566617/article-detail.xml 20566617 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-16-at-10.34.09-am_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-16-at-10.34.09-am.png <![CDATA[Parking lot traps uncoordinated driver [NSFW]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/parking-lot-traps-uncoordinated-driver-nsfw/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/parking-lot-traps-uncoordinated-driver-nsfw/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/parking-lot-traps-uncoordinated-driver-nsfw/#comments Filed under: ,



We certainly have sympathy for this hapless driver who had a difficult time leaving a Wits University parking lot in Johannesburg, South Africa. The lot is overcrowded and probably beyond capacity, making the driver's efforts to turn down its lanes an exercise in futility and frustration.

It doesn't help that the camera operator and his friends offer nothing but colourful (read: explicit, hence the NSFW warning) commentary. They refer to the driver as being female, but it's not possible to tell from the video's perspective which sex was responsible for bungling the dozen-plus-point turnaround.

Scroll down to watch the excruciating extrication below.

Gallery: Poor Parking App

Continue reading Parking lot traps uncoordinated driver [NSFW]

Parking lot traps uncoordinated driver [NSFW] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 15 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> johannesburgparking lotsouth africatrapped parking lotvideowits university Wed, 15 May 2013 20:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570537/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/parking-lot-traps-uncoordinated-driver-nsfw/20570537/article-detail.xml 20570537 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-15-at-1.08.16-pm-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-15-at-1.08.16-pm-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Mercedes S-Class is ready for your plutocratic dollars [w/video]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-revealed/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-revealed/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-revealed/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in silver - front three-quarter view

There are superlatives and acronyms, there is hyperbole, there are neologisms like "navitainment," there is the longest press release we've ever seen - it includes a glossary - and there is the quest to build "the best automobile in the world." What else could it be but the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

With the Asian market and its chauffeured drivers in mind, the long-wheelbase S-Class is the focus this time. It has the same length and wheelbase as the outgoing model, it's about 18mm (0.7 inches) higher and about 25mm (1-inch) wider, but made of aluminum throughout so weight gain is negligible (Mercedes-Benz hasn't released a North American-spec weight yet). In front is a larger radiator grille and a facial treatment that, from quite a few angles, makes it look like a slightly larger E-Class to our eyes. Behind that are the design themes we've seen unleashed on other Mercedes such as its "Dropping Line" along the side and the sloping rear end. The coefficient of drag is just 0.24 - that's only 0.02 more than the comparatively tiny CLA.

There's plenty of reading continued below to keep you occupied while we go visit the car and return with a report on the live European reveal you can watch this video on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and what inspired its designers.

Continue reading 2014 Mercedes S-Class is ready for your plutocratic dollars [w/video]

2014 Mercedes S-Class is ready for your plutocratic dollars [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 mercedes s-class2014 mercedes s-klassemercedesmercedes s-classmercedes s-klassemercedes s550v222 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570694/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-revealed/20570694/article-detail.xml 20570694 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-mercedes-s-class_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-mercedes-s-class.jpg <![CDATA[Clever water stop sign prevents tunnel crashes in Australia]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/#comments Filed under: , ,



Faced with truck drivers not heeding warnings when their tractor trailers were too tall to enter the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, officials turned to a company called Laservision to put an end to these costly crashes that were not only closing the tunnel for weeks at a time, but also put other drivers on the road in considerable danger.

Developed and implemented back in 2011, Laservision's Softstop system projects a familiar bright red stop sign, seemingly in mid-air, at the tunnel's entrance if a vehicle too large to enter is detected. In fact, the stop sign does not float in mid-air, but rather is projected onto a water screen that, should a vehicle not heed its command, would cause no damage from being driven through.

The Softstop water stop sign is a last resort, mind you. If a driver's truck is tall enough that it would crash into the tunnel were it to enter, a number of brightly flashing warning signs are activated that signal the driver to stop earlier. Only if those flashing signs are ignored is the Softstop system activated at the tunnel's entrance. Likewise, the Softstop system can be activated for other reasons, including keeping drivers out for their own protection if there's a fire or other disaster inside the tunnel.

Though we admit to chuckling at the occasional truck-crashes-into-low-overpass video (11foot8.com is a whole website devoted to vehicles crashing into a low railroad trestle in Durham, NC), this clever solution for preventing such accidents is even more interesting to watch in action.

Gallery: Top 5 Forgotten Failures in Car Technology

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

Continue reading Clever water stop sign prevents tunnel crashes in Australia

Clever water stop sign prevents tunnel crashes in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 15 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> laservisionsoftstopsydney harbour tunneltruck tunnel crashesvideowater stop sign Wed, 15 May 2013 18:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570865/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/20570865/article-detail.xml 20570865 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/softstop-water-stop-sign-tunnel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/softstop-water-stop-sign-tunnel.jpg <![CDATA[Gran Turismo 6 confirmed for holiday 2013 release on PS3]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/gran-turismo-6-confirmed-for-holiday-2013-release-on-ps3/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/gran-turismo-6-confirmed-for-holiday-2013-release-on-ps3/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/gran-turismo-6-confirmed-for-holiday-2013-release-on-ps3/#comments Filed under: , ,



For those hoping the next iteration of Polyphony Digital's storied 15-year-old Gran Turismo franchise would take full advantage of the Sony Playstation 4, sorry, but we're going to burst your bubble. The next-gen console is slated to debut this holiday season, and while Sony officially announced today that Gran Turismo 6 would be released at the same time, it will be for the seven-year-old Playstation 3 console, not the new PS4. But hey, at least we won't have to have waited five years for this version like we did for the fifth.

GT6 will launch with a roster of 1,200 cars, 33 locations (seven more than GT5) and 71 track layouts. The racing simulator is also said to utilize new game and physics engines, which Sony claims "pushes the limits of the PS3." Today's announcement was made at the well-known Silverstone racing circuit in the UK, which is one of the new tracks in GT6. A demo version of the game with 19 cars (see the full list below and view them in the image gallery) will be released before the holiday season; Sony says it's scheduled for July and will kick off GT Academy 2013.

We'll see more of Gran Turismo 6 at the E3 games show in June, but for now you can watch the trailer below for what has become the Playstation 3's best-selling franchise with 70 million copies sold. This sixth iteration will likely lock down that honour for good.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Review

Continue reading Gran Turismo 6 confirmed for holiday 2013 release on PS3

Gran Turismo 6 confirmed for holiday 2013 release on PS3 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 15 May 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> gran turismogran turismo 6gt6playstation 3polyphony digitalsony Wed, 15 May 2013 17:45:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570905/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/gran-turismo-6-confirmed-for-holiday-2013-release-on-ps3/20570905/article-detail.xml 20570905 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/gran-turismo-6-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/gran-turismo-6-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Crazy Volkswagen driver slaps some sense into careless motorcycle rider]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/volkswagen-driver-slaps-some-sense-into-reckless-motorcycle-ride/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/volkswagen-driver-slaps-some-sense-into-reckless-motorcycle-ride/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/volkswagen-driver-slaps-some-sense-into-reckless-motorcycle-ride/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



Who knew angry Volkswagen drivers could be so gangster? Although we can't (and won't) condone this type of dangerous road rage behaviour, this slang-spitting and slap-happy VW Golf owner is clearly upset after exchanging some equally careless driving with a motorcyclist who may have cut him off during an impromptu drag race.

Watch as the man dangerously cuts off the bike, stops his car, gets out and confronts the motorcycle rider on video by shouting "hey, you better check yo self fool," followed by a loud slap delivered directly to the biker's face. Similar actions often lead to a full-blown violent attacks and even gun fights erupting between angry drivers, but in this case it seems to have literally slapped some sense into them both (similar to this other video) as the two men decide to move on with their lives and hopefully slow it down. Vengeful road rage violence just isn't worth it folks!

Click here to get a taste of this driver's violent version of 'swift street justice' in the video below.

Continue reading Crazy Volkswagen driver slaps some sense into careless motorcycle rider

Crazy Volkswagen driver slaps some sense into careless motorcycle rider originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> carelesscareless drivingdangerousdangerous drivingfightmotorcyclemotorcycle stuntroad rageroad ragingslapspeedingvolkswagenvolkswagen golf Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570812/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/volkswagen-driver-slaps-some-sense-into-reckless-motorcycle-ride/20570812/article-detail.xml 20570812 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/biker-gets-slapped_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/biker-gets-slapped.jpg <![CDATA[Watch this garbage truck consume a Pontiac Grand Am]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Garbage truck crushes car - video screencap

When an old car or truck offers its dying breath in your driveway and you just don't have the financial or mechanical wherewithal to resuscitate it yet again, you traditionally have to go to the trouble of calling a flatbed or a tow truck to come haul it away. That usually helps to put a few bucks in your wallet and helps recycle some of the vehicle's parts, but the transaction doesn't seem as final or perversely satisfying as the dispatch service that this New Way Cobra Magnum garbage truck offers.

Okay, okay, so this refuse hauler isn't actually designed for this sort of thing, but it's oddly comforting to know that a sanitation truck can compact a hapless Pontiac Grand Am into oblivion. Next time, we won't feel so guilty about slipping that rusty charcoal grille onto the curb next to the cans on garbage day.

Watch the carnage by scrolling to see the video below.

Gallery: Car crash causes over $700,000 damage at Hyundai dealership

Continue reading Watch this garbage truck consume a Pontiac Grand Am

Watch this garbage truck consume a Pontiac Grand Am originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 15 May 2013 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> garbage trucknew waynew way cobra magnumpontiacpontiac grand amrefusesanitationvideo Wed, 15 May 2013 15:58:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570329/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/20570329/article-detail.xml 20570329 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/garbage-truck-crushes-car_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/garbage-truck-crushes-car.jpg -1 2