Debut of 2018 Range Rover Velar
The brand’s newest mid-size luxury SUV is the fourth member to join the family.
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack named AJAC 2017 Car of the Year
Hyundai and BMW also walked away with big awards.
BMW 4 Series features plenty of changes for 2018 model year
The new coupé, convertible and gran coupé all receive a significant facelift.
MINI prepares to launch first plug-in hybrid EV
And it will be called the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4.
Canadian EV sales surge ahead
The results are in: electric vehicle sales are up. Way up in fact — as of Q3 in 2016, EV sales in Canada rose by 60 per cent compared to the year previous.
Ontario led the way, followed by Quebec and then British Columbia. B.C.’s numbers (+13 per cent) were good, but nothing compared to the +126 per cent explosion during the same period in 2015 thanks to the reinstatement of Clean Energy Vehicle Program following a one-year hiatus.
Regardless, 2016 was clearly a banner year for EVs here. Before the mid-way mark, the country had already surpassed 20,000 registered plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles milestone. There were over 1,000 EVs sold in June alone.
Part of the reason for the electric interest is that there are simply more choices offered across nearly all segments, by a range of automobile manufacturers from Toyota to Porsche, than ever before. Additional entries are on the horizon as well, like the Honda Clarity that’s coming to North America for the first time.
BMW has been somewhat of a trailblazer in the EV space, with the development of the i3 hatchback and i8 sports car. In addition, the German marque now has the distinction of having the most plug-ins available in Canada with four, recently and somewhat quietly releasing two new models.
In the summer, the first BMW 330e was delivered: a green take on the iconic 3 Series. Utilizing the brand’s eDrive and EfficientDynamics technologies, the compact sedan pairs an 88-horsepower electric motor with a 184 hp four-cylinder engine sending a total of 252 hp to the rear wheels. Drivers can travel up to 40 kilometres on electric power alone, at speeds up to an impressive 120 km/h.
For all the crossover fans, the company also debuted the X5 xDrive40e, its debut plug-in Sports Activity Vehicle. The SAV has all-wheel drive, net 308 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, an eight-speed transmission and a fuel consumption rating of 4.2 Le/100 km.
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.
A Night to Support The Pacific Autism Family Centre
OpenRoad Toyota Port Moody and Puzzled Jewelry have teamed up to present A Night to Support the Pacific Autism Family Centre on February 18, 2017. The second annual event will be filled with music, food, drinks, dancing and casino fun, all with the purpose of raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly complex developmental condition that targets typical brain growth. ASD is characterized by communication difficulties, social behavioural challenges, and repetitive behaviour. ASD is believed to be a lifespan disorder that affects 1 in 68 children.
OpenRoad proudly supports the work of Patricia James, Keri Kennett and Debbie Sui, all of whom came together to create Puzzled Jewelry after autism diagnoses that affected each of their boys. Puzzled Jewelry is a brand with a cause, offering unique puzzle piece jewelry designs that represent autism awareness, made with high quality sterling silver. Proceeds from the sales of their jewelry go towards the Pacific Autism Family Centre, which provides individuals and their families with resources for their children.
OpenRoad sees the importance in supporting organizations such as Puzzled Jewelry and working towards a common goal – to spread awareness and advance research for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Each year Puzzled Jewelry creates a unique item to build awareness for autism. This year Puzzled Jewelry has released special sterling silver puzzle piece earrings available for sale at all London Drugs location throughout BC, and various locations in Alberta, from February 27th to March 31st 2017. All proceeds will go to the PAFC.
Tickets are limited and can be bought online, to purchase tickets for the event or to learn more about Puzzled Jewelry please click here: https://tricitiesbc.snapd.com/#/events/view/1015018
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.
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.