MINI John Cooper Works Countryman: the next generation
The new not-so-mini JCW Countryman is now the brand’s biggest model, and packs an equally large punch.
New Honda vehicles coming as part of electrification initiative
As part of targets to reduce CO2 emissions and produce more alternative-energy vehicles, cars like the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid are coming to Canada.
Top reveals from Salon International de l'Auto de Montréal 2017
EVs and a few performance car surprises were the darlings of the Montreal International Auto Show.
Introducing 2018 Genesis G80 and G80 Sport
Hyundai’s upscale sister brand Genesis has finally launched in Canada, with the flagship G90 executive sedan serving as the first official offering. The next model that will be introduced to customers later this year is the mid-size G80.
There are some exterior similarities shared between the two vehicles for sure, for example the huge hexagonal grille that dominates the front end, but the G80 features unique details as well.
The Bi-Xenon headlight housings are “fuller” and more angular than the ones found on its bigger brother, and a sporty blacked out strip runs along the width of the front bumper. Around back, the LED taillights wrap-around the rear quarter panels and are like more elegant versions of something you’d find on a Hyundai Sonata.
Simplicity is the key to the G80’s spacious interior, designed with keeping controls intuitive and giving the cabin an open feel. Gadget lovers will appreciate the fact that extra storage pockets and cubbies have been added to ensure space for all of a modern-day driver’s stuff. For bigger items, the trunk has a capacity of 433 litres.
A total of three engines are available, all paired to eight-speed automatic transmissions: a 3.8-litre V6, making 365 horsepower; a 420 hp V8, which is the same as the one found in the G90, and just recently announced, a 365 hp, 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 packaged with a Sport edition of the car. HTRAC all-wheel drive is standard across every grade.
The G80 Sport wears a more aggressive front bumper boasting three large lower air intakes and copper-coloured accents. Other additions include 19-inch alloy wheels, bigger front and rear brakes, carbon fibre interior trim and leather sport seats and steering wheel. Under the skin, there is an adaptive suspension system to keep body roll to a minimum.
Look for the 2018 Genesis G80 to arrive this spring.
Three big redesigns unveiled at North American International Auto Show 2017
This year at the Motor City’s premier automotive event, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), aside from the usual assortment of concepts and future tech teasers, the big news was focused around the next generation of a group of well-established models from Honda, Toyota and Lexus. Let’s take a look.
2018 Honda Odyssey
Making its world debut in Detroit, Honda’s best-selling minivan gets a complete redesign. Besides its obviously sleeker profile and addition of the “flying wing” front grille also found on siblings like the Civic and Ridgeline, there are a ton of new features. The Magic Slide second row seats can be configured in countless a ways to allow for different seating positions, easy access to the third row and increased storage capacity.
Drivers no longer have to wonder what’s going on behind them — utilizing a camera, CabinWatch shows rear passenger activity on the eight-inch Display Audio screen, and CabinTalk allows two-way communication via the on-board speaker system and rear entertainment system headphones. And parents of messy children and/or pets can breathe easy, because the HondaVac built-in vacuum returns for 2018.
2018 Toyota Camry
Including the latest version that was just revealed in Detroit, there have now been eight generations of the Toyota Camry. And it shows no signs of slowing down. Based upon the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, the family sedan — offered in gasoline or hybrid form — takes on a, dare I say, sporty appearance, expressed through a two-piece grille, stylized front and rear bumpers and lower hood and roofline.
At the top of the five-grade lineup are the SE and XSE, both wearing even more aggressive front and rear fascias, larger wheels, lip spoilers and black accents. Inside, all Camrys are available with “futuristic” equipment such as three interlinked displays consisting of a 10-inch HUD, seven-inch multi-information instrument cluster display and an eight-inch screen responsible for audio, navigation and climate control readouts.
2018 Lexus LS 500
When the Japanese luxury nameplate launched in North America nearly 28 years ago, everything was riding on one vehicle: the LS 400. It set all kinds of benchmarks in terms of comfort, value, quality, etc., and Lexus is hoping to do it all again with the 2018 LS 500. Like the original, this flagship is rear-wheel drive and embodies the latest signature Lexus design language.
Resting under the hood is a powerplant developed using the company’s ties with F1 racing. Perfectly balancing performance and efficiency, a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 produces 415 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, tuned to deliver quick acceleration and a throaty yet refined exhaust note. As a first for a premium passenger car, the engine is mated to an advanced electronically controlled 10-speed automatic transmission capable of anticipating driver input.
Top automotive tech from CES 2017
This year’s Consumer Electronics Show featured automakers debuting artificial intelligence systems, a floating virtual touch display and more.
Genesis premium automotive brand officially launches in Canada
After a year of waiting, the luxury offshoot of Hyundai finally opens for business.
How Toyota VALVEMATIC technology works
Every auto manufacturer has a collection of jargon to describe proprietary technology and design: VTEC, SKYACTIV, Fluidic Sculpture. One you may have heard of recently is Toyota’s VALVEMATIC, found in the latest 2017 Toyota Corolla.
This performance and efficiency-boosting feature can be experienced specifically in the Corolla LE ECO trim. Launched in other markets previously, VALVEMATIC made its North American debut in 2014 when the eleventh-generation model was first launched.
Enhancing the company’s Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) system — which continuously varies the timing of the opening and closing of intake valves depending on the driving demands to improve output, VALVEMATIC is also able to automatically adjust the amount of lift based on engine conditions.
Basically, this means if the vehicle is cruising along in the city with minimal load on the motor, the valve opens up less, using less gas and improving consumption. At higher speeds, more lift is initiated, increasing intake of air and fuel to help get things moving along quicker. Other benefits of the setup include a smoother process of drawing air into the cylinder and more stable combustion meaning fewer CO2 emissions.
As a result, efficiency is improved by five to 10 per cent, and engine performance by at least 10 per cent. Again using the Corolla as an example, the LE ECO makes 140 horsepower while standard trim levels produce 132. Fuel consumption in mixed city and highway use is 6.8 L/100 km, compared to 7.3 L/100 km in the normal non-VALVEMATIC-equipped LE, both variants mated a Continuously Variable Transmission with intelligent Shift (CVTi-S).
Still curious? Talk to one of our product advisors at any of our 4 Toyota locations located in: Richmond, Port Moody, Abbotsford, and Peace Arch.
Honda CR-V rings in 2017 with new fifth-generation model
One of best-selling crossovers in the country gets a complete makeover.
2017 Lexus IS refresh includes standard Lexus Safety System +
The sporty luxury sedan receives a long list of mid-model updates including new lighting, front and rear bumpers and safety equipment.