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Five best features of all-new 2017 Audi A4

Benjamin Yong on August 20, 2016

2017 Audi A4 back to back
The latest compact sedan from Audi is slightly longer, leaner and quicker than the outgoing version.

The Audi A4 is quickly reaching legendary status, now about to enter its ninth generation with the release of the 2017 model built on a completely new platform. The sporty sedan retains the core qualities that have made it popular for so long, such as a timeless design and fun-to-drive nature, and throws in a bunch of technology focused on comfort, convenience and safety. Here are five of the major additions.

2017 Audi A4 headlights

Headlights

In standard trim, the A4 gets perfectly bright bi-xenon headlights. What customers will really want, however, are the optional and energy-efficient full LED headlights. They offer a more precise beam pattern that emulates natural daytime light and reduces eye strain. Signature LED daytime running lights shaped like two inverted checkmarks inside the housing give the car a distinct look when approaching.

2017 Audi A4 Virtual Cockpit

Audi Virtual Cockpit

Other manufacturers today offer fully digital instrument clusters. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which is a 12.3-inch TFT display installed right above the steering column, is arguably the best looking. Featuring 1,440 x 540 pixels of high definition resolution, the sight is something to behold when Google Maps is loaded and overlaid overtop of the screen. Users can customize the information shown in a multitude of configurations.

2017 Audi A4 driving

Semi-autonomous driving

Audi’s redesigned sedan can’t completely drive on its own just yet, but it’s getting pretty close. The A4 gets adaptive cruise control, self-parking, and a traffic-jam assistant that utilizes GPS data and scans road signs to keep the car moving by itself in heavily congested situations. There’s also a turn assist function that stops you from accidentally pulling out in front of an oncoming vehicle.

2017 Audi A4 powertrain

Powertrain

The A4 runs off a massaged version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged TFSI engine, producing 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque — an increase of 15 per cent compared to the outgoing model. Harnessing the power is an upgraded seven-speed dual clutch transmission generating less N/V/H (noise, vibration and harshness) than before.

2017 Audi A4 legroom

Construction

New, lighter materials used in construction have resulted in a weight loss of approximately 120 kilograms, despite the vehicle being 25 millimetres longer with a total length of 4,730 mm. The extra bit of size provides the A4 with more interior space than ever before, translating into extra head and legroom for the driver and passengers.

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid receives second-generation powertrain

Benjamin Yong on August 19, 2016

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid front
The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid has been given an exterior facelift and a next-generation hybrid powertrain.

Following a short hiatus, the Accord Hybrid returned to the Honda’s North American two years ago. After skipping a model year in 2016, the electrified mid-size family sedan receives a second-generation version of its proprietary hybrid system for 2017.

Called Intelligent Multi-Mode, the system is made up of a 2.0-litre i-VTEC inline four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine, a 1.3 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and two electric motors. One is responsible for propulsion, driving the front wheels, and the other is a generator producing electricity for the propulsion motor. Both are smaller, more technically advanced and 23 per cent lighter than before.

There are three drive modes: Hybrid, EV and Engine. The first causes the gasoline engine to disconnect from the front axle and instead run the generator motor to charge up the battery pack; the second allows the car to operate on pure electricity during light cruising; and the last allows the gasoline engine to directly send power the wheels in medium to high speed situations.

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid rear

The gasoline engine produces 143 horsepower and the electric motors are rated at 135 kilowatts, together creating a total output of 212 horsepower, 16 more than the outgoing vehicle. The transmission is comprised of an electric continuously variable transmission that features a new sport mode — drivers can activate the function by pressing a button below the shifter, which channels additional energy battery energy towards propulsion resulting in quicker acceleration.

Along with the upgrades to the powertrain, the exterior gets the same facelift treatment given to the standard ninth-generation 2016 Accord comprised of reworked front and rear fascias, LED fog lights and taillights, and more. Hybrid models have a few extra differentiating tweaks such as blue accents on the front grille and light housings, and unique badging. 

A couple of other changes elsewhere on the car include a more performance-oriented damper setup and retuned electric steering to provide improved handling response and feel.

Look for the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid to arrive in dealerships soon. 

How used vehicles are reconditioned at OpenRoad Auto Group

Benjamin Yong on August 19, 2016

The BMW Store Vancouver
Like all OpenRoad Auto Group dealerships, the BMW Store follows a comprehensive checklist when reconditioning used vehicles for resale. 

When a customer purchases any used vehicle from OpenRoad Auto group (ORAG), it has already gone through a thorough process where mechanical, safety and cosmetic components have all been inspected and replaced/repaired, if necessary. In fact, ORAG technicians spend over 6,500 hours each year reconditioning vehicles before they’re released for sale. We reached out to The BMW Store to walk us through some of the steps in more detail.

System input

After ORAG brings in a used car the specific model is logged into a database and tagged with a specific number depending whether it’s a trade-in, lease return, etc. The cost, current mileage and projected sale price are all inputted, and then a work order is created for the service department.

OpenRoad technician

Inspection

Once the work order is received, the internal service advisor distributes the task to a qualified staff member for the job. For example, if the vehicle is a BMW, a factory-trained technician determines whether it qualifies for the Certified Pre-Owned designation and if so, follows a pre-set checklist noting what needs to be done to bring the car as close to brand new condition as possible using OEM parts. Non-BMWs undergo a safety examination to ensure they’re fit for the road.

Following approval by the pre-owned sales coordinator or manager, items that need to be replaced are done so, which could be anything from aging engine belts or leaky gaskets to tires and brakes.

Touch-up

With the major stuff is out of the way, it’s time for cosmetic repairs. The vehicle is sent to one of a few preferred body shops to fix up interior and exterior aesthetic issues, and then mobile businesses come to the dealership to take care of dents and wheel damage.

washed BMW closeup

Detail

The last reconditioning step is to give the car that showroom shine again. Either an internal detailer or contractor removes any remaining minor scuffs from inside the car and polishes up the paint to get it ready for its next owner. 

Lexus IS receives new look for 2017

Benjamin Yong on August 10, 2016

2017 Lexus IS pair
The new face of the Lexus IS luxury sports sedan.

Late last month at the Beijing Auto Show, Lexus introduced the 2017 Lexus IS complete with a new look. Still built upon the existing-gen’s platform, the entry-level luxury sports sedan receives a refresh to give it a closer resemblance to the rest of the current family that includes the mid-size GS and athletic RC coupe.

2017 Lexus IS spindle grille

The boldest feature is centred on the face of the vehicle, the IS now sporting a continued evolution of the aggressive spindle grille available in either slatted or 3-D mesh form depending on the trim level. On either side of the grille are monstrous sculpted air intakes blending into the front fenders. The hood has also been reshaped to give a sleeker, more aerodynamic appearance.

2017 lexus is side

Elsewhere on the car, the machined 17-inch wheels have been redesigned, and the rear LED taillights have the signature checkmark shape embedded within the housing in a triple stacked fashion. Instead of round muffler tips, the 2017 utilizes rectangular chrome exhaust exits. And, two additional colour choices are offered: Deep Blue Mica and Graphite Black Glass Flake.

2017 Lexus IS interior

Turning our attention inside the IS, Lexus has made some big strides in the area of infotainment. The previous seven-inch display has grown to a massive 10.3 inches and provides a sharper image than before due to the high-resolution screen. Other enhancements include a leather-wrapped armrest and stitching on the instrument cluster hood, both of which lend an increased premium feel to the interior.

2017 lexus is rear

Finally, the Lexus Safety System+ — comprised of pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control — makes it way onto the entire IS lineup.

Engine choices remain the same, with buyers being able to select from either a turbocharged four cylinder or two different V6s.  The 2017 Lexus IS will be released later this year. 

PDI (pre-delivery inspection) process explained

Benjamin Yong on August 3, 2016

Anytime you see advertisements for a new car where prices are listed, somewhere in the fine print there will be mention of PDI. These letters stand for pre-delivery inspection, which is the process whereby a dealership technician inspects a vehicle for any flaws and basically gets it ready for the eventual owner.

The exact list of things to be done, and as a result the time it takes to do them, varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer. We spoke to our friends at OpenRoad Hyundai about what their specific tasks look like when performing a PDI.

The Skinny

At Hyundai, techs are allotted 1.8 hours to go through all the steps laid out in the inspection checklist regardless of model, which is comprised of six sections. As a comparison, over at Audi, a PDI for a S8 full-size executive sedan takes more than five hours.

Checklist

The following details what work is involved for each item.

• Engine compartment: all fluids such as washer, coolant, brake, power steering, transmission and engine, are topped up. The hood latch is lubricated to ensure smooth operation, the battery is tested for full charge and everything else is examined for visual defects and abnormal noises.

• Underside: associated oils for all-wheel drive vehicles are checked. Hoses, lines, the exhaust system and suspension components are visually inspected, and the brakes are serviced.

• Interior: the pedals are operated, looking for freeplay, and the brakes checked for correct operation. The steering wheel is aligned, and fuses installed for the radio and other electronic accessories. Every individual component of the interior is scrutinized. Locks, latches and hinges are lubricated, and the clock and radio station pre-sets are adjusted accordingly.

OpenRoad Hyundai service bay

• Exterior: all lighting is turned on and the headlights are aimed. Tire pressures, including the spare tire, are set to manufacturer-suggested specifications. Windshield wipers and washer fluid level are examined, as well as all body panels and components (i.e. weatherstrips, bumpers, mouldings).

• Road test: the vehicle is driven for the recommended 10 kilometres on both city and highway roads, listening and feeling for any issues. The engine, transmission, clutch, brakes, steering, cruise control, lane departure warning and air suspension, if applicable, are all inspected, as is the alignment and steering wheel for shimmying/pulling. The computer is scanned for any diagnostic trouble codes.

• Final preparation: all protective coverings are removed, and floor mats are put in place. Wheel covers and wheel locks are installed, if required (locks are only used on alloy wheels). Paint condition and emblems are checked. The jack, wheel nut wrench, owner’s manual, service passport, warranty booklet and guides are verified to be in their proper spots. Finally, if needed, a license plate bracket and OpenRoad plate frames are outfitted.