OpenRoad Auto Group Archives - Page 61 of 64

Rearview Cameras – Now standard equipment in many new cars

OpenRoad Auto Group on January 27, 2014

The statistics are pretty grim — on average 300 people a year die after being hit by cars backing up and 16,000 are injured, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). About one-third of those fatalities involved children aged 5 or younger and another third involved people 70 or older.

In many cases, the drivers are unaware of the person’s presence due to blind spots behind the vehicle which traditional rear-view mirrors do not adequately account for. Pets and children are particularly susceptible as their smaller statures make it difficult for drivers to see, especially at night.

While there aren’t any similar statistics in Canada, it is safe to say that countless accidents can also have been avoided by a combination of proper driver attention and driver aid technology.

Fortunately, simple and relatively inexpensive rearview camera technology can now make backing up safer by significantly improving drivers’ visibility.

A February 2008 bill signed into law by President George W. Bush gave the NHTSA a deadline of 2011 to create a rule to require rearview cameras for all cars. Although NHTSA has now said that they require till 2015 for further investigation, many manufacturers are already equipping their vehicles with rearview cameras as optional, if not standard equipment.

Since Transport Canada tends to mirror the rules from its US counterpart, happily, many of our Canadian specification vehicles are likely to follow suit as well when this law comes into effect.

In the dark and rainy months frequently experienced by Lower Mainlanders, the rearview camera can also help to avoid costly repair bills to the rear body panels.

With typical bumper repair jobs ranging from $500-1000 after repainting or at the very least the standard ICBC deductible ranging from $300-500, the rearview camera can potentially pay for itself and then some if it helps you to avoid just one unfortunate accident!

A few of examples of vehicles that already include rearview cameras as standard equipment include the 2014 Honda CR-V, Odyssey, Pilot, and the 2014 Toyota Highlander.

But even inexpensive compact cars such as the 2014 Mazda3 are equipped with rearview cameras as standard equipment in certain trim levels.

In many of these vehicles, you don’t have to even have to have the optional navigation system to enjoy the safety benefits and convenience of the rearview camera.

The Honda CR-V, for example, displays the live feed from its multi-view camera on its i-MID (Multi-Informational Display) screen. If the vehicle is equipped with the navigation system, the video image will be even larger due to the significantly larger screen size.

As always, the rearview camera is only intended to be a supplemental aid to the rearview and side mirrors and is no substitute for proper driver attention to the surroundings.

Nonetheless, they are an important new safety addition to cover the blind spots directly behind the vehicle and below the window line, especially for SUVs that all have higher driver seating positions and more visibility issues.

With any luck, these rearview camera systems will soon be as ubiquitous as ABS and airbags in all cars in the not too distant future! In the meantime, be sure to test out the increased visibility the next time you go for a test drive.

2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i Road Test Review

Chris Eastwood on January 4, 2014

No one will mistake the 2014 BMW X5 for anything else, as the changes are pure evolutionary. The grille is a bigger and bolder version of BMW’s classic twin-kidney design, headlight treatment now inspired by the new 3 Series, and revised taillights larger iterations of other LED-enhanced lenses already available in the ever-expanding BMW lineup. Those who liked the outgoing X5 and BMW’s new design direction should really like what they see in the 2014 model. I happen to love it.

A car, or crossover sport utility in this case (or sport activity vehicle in BMW-speak), is always much more than the sum of its parts. It’s one thing to say the grille is bigger and bolder and contemplate how its 3 Series-inspired headlamps bookend those chrome-enhanced kidneys, or for that matter how its new chiseled LED tail lamps pull cues from its predecessor as well as various other more current BMW products, but take a walk around the vehicle from 10 metres away and it’s easy to see how harmoniously the new 2014 X5 comes together. The new model is easily the best X5 yet. The look is at once strong and purposeful, more masculine in every respect, yet it continues forward with a certain elegant athleticism.

An ideal balance of grit and poise, power and endurance, like the finely sculpted shape of an Olympic diver mixed with the fluid movements of a master fencer. But I digress. This is a seven-passenger crossover SUV we’re talking about, after all.

To that end the X5 remains one of the best in the business, following through on its well-balanced styling with an ideal mix of comfort and sport on the road. The chassis soaks up even the harshest pavement irregularities let alone dirt and gravel, while maintaining its Germanic firmness that equates to brilliant at-the-limit handling. It’s almost as if it’s saying, “I dare you to throw me off-line!” It’s difficult to get the X5 unsettled. Ramp up speed and then throw it into a curve without contemplating the right velocity or apex and it just nonchalantly goes about its business. “Is that the worst you can do?” it taunts. Of course none of us try and drive badly, but most of us lose ourselves in thought once

in a while and then brake too late before a corner or miss our turn entirely. The result of either is often panic braking during a turn, normally the worst thing we can do, which in some SUVs can end up in bruised egos, dented fenders or worse. The X5, however, maintains its cool under just about any circumstance, and that, my friends, is the most important reason to buy a vehicle that handles corners well. Sure it’s fun through the curves where Bimmer enthusiasts like to play, but the X5 is much more than that. It might just be the safest SUV on the planet because of its ability to avoid an accident in the first place, let alone survive one thanks to its full assortment of active and passive safety features.

Getting up to speed is no problem no matter which engine you choose. The X5 xDrive35i I tested came with the model’s least powerful base inline six, a turbocharged 3.0-litre unit that puts out 300-horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque and

is joined up to a highly efficient, quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW claims zero to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds, and I don’t doubt them. Takeoff felt V8-like although the engine’s higher pitched growl was more akin to one of the brand’s sports coupes, all in all an invigorating experience when throttle hits floorboard. If you want to reduce that sprint time opt for the X5 xDrive50i that manages the feat in 5.3 seconds. It incorporates a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 for an additional 45 horsepower over the engine it replaces, for a total of 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. Being that I’d rather invest in big oil via the markets rather than simply make them rich by pouring it into my gas tank I’d opt for the most energy-efficient X5, the xDrive35d turbo-diesel. This year’s version is actually down 10 horsepower to 255, while torque remains 413 lb-ft. According to BMW, however, performance is as good or better than the outgoing model.

How did BMW manage less power yet more performance despite the new X5 actually being marginally larger than the one it replaces? Unless you rework the gearing for quicker takeoff, which often results in shorter gears at the top-end and poorer highway fuel economy, BMW chose to lighten up its new X5 with more aluminum and other exotic materials. That’s the kind of progress we enthusiasts appreciate, being that it not only improves a vehicle’s go-fast goodness, but also makes it more of a joy around corners, not to mention improving fuel economy.

BMW claims 11.4 L/100km city, 7.5 highway and 9.6 combined for the six-cylinder I tested, 14.6, 9.2 and 12.2 for the V8, and the pièce de résistance, 8.7, 6.3 and 7.6 for the clean diesel; that model still capable of a seven-second sprint to 100 km/h.

Of course it’s a BMW so all of its efficient dynamics combine with a level of luxury few carmaker’s can match, impressive considering the 2014 X5 starts at only $62,900 plus destination. Highly refined soft-touch plastics join beautiful leathers, authentic woods and metals plus top-drawer electronics, the infotainment system’s graphics of such high resolution it almost looked like I could have dipped my fingers right inside when pressing its various features. BMW’s iDrive, which now includes a convenient touchpad atop the controller, worked flawlessly, and unlike the company’s first forays into electronic interfaces not much education was needed to get familiar with its various functions.

No, the X5 is one of those vehicles you can climb inside and immediately feel right at home, albeit a much nicer home than you’re probably used to. Its seats are ultimately comfortable yet supportive in all the right ways, driver ergonomics ideal for most body types, exquisite attention to detail capable of pleasing even the most fastidious of automotive elitists, the performance I’ve repeatedly mentioned ad nauseam fabulous whether or not you choose the optional dynamic adaptive suspension package (although I would as it’s active stabilization system and torque-vectoring rear differential work brilliantly; a self-leveling air suspension and sport-tuned dampers are available too), and all the while the X5 provides the type of work-a-day functionality expected of a crossover SUV, including an ultimately flexible 40/20/40 split-folding second row and optional seven-occupant seating.

All-round, the 2014 X5 not only has what it takes to maintain its popularity in the luxury crossover segment, it’s so good that only your curiosity will be served if you bother driving anything else.

How To Drive Safely In Fall

OpenRoad Auto Group on November 21, 2013

The chilly weather in Vancouver is causing frosty, wet, and dark conditions difficult for driving. Be prepared and take proper precautions to drive safely in fall changing weather for your safety and others on the road.

Drive Safely In Fall Tips

Frosty weather
- Clear your windshield before driving. Keep a small scraper in your trunk.
- Slow down but especially when approaching bridges and overpasses as they collect more frost.
- Be careful for black ice which can be anywhere but take extra precaution in shaded areas.
Dark weather
- Use your headlights more often with the later sunrises and earlier sunsets for visibility for yourself and others.
- Look out for children, pedestrians, runners, and bicyclists.
- On the contrary, when the sunlight suprises you, be sure to have sunglasses to protect from glare.

Also check out our article on how to drive safely in rain and drive safely in fog. Be sure to follow the above tips to protect yourself, your family, and others on the road to drive safely in fall.

How To Drive Safely In Rain

OpenRoad Auto Group on November 14, 2013

Metro Vancouver has been dubbed “Raincouver” by some because of what appears to be large constant amounts of precipitation throughout the year. And Vancouverites know it can be dangerous out there when navigating through the plethora of cars, pedestrians, animals, and more. We have compiled a short and sweet list of precautions to take and drive safely in rain.

Speed – Slow down. It takes longer to stop on wet roads especially with hyroplaning. Wet leaves can cause further slipperiness.
Distance – Maintain at least a 3 second following distance. This way you can avoid using your brakes too much. Keep extra distance behind large trucks and buses as their splashes can create big vision impairments.
Lanes – Stay toward the middle lanes because water tends to puddle in the outside lanes.
Visibility – Turn on your headlights, even in light rain, so others can see you. Make sure your brake lights and tail lights are working so others can see you. In addition, use other cars’ lights to foresee actions on the road.
Wipers & Car Maintenance – Of course, ensure your wipers are in good working condition and your vehicle has been serviced as suggested by your dealership.

Photo: Lisa

2013 Consumer Reports Auto Reliability

OpenRoad Auto Group on October 30, 2013

Consumer Reports has released its annual Auto Reliability Rankings. While historically Japan been known for building some of the most reliable vehicles in the world, the 2013 Annual Auto Reliability rankings show that some other automakers-from Europe and the U.S. are also capable of building reliable vehicles.

Infiniti Highlights:

– The Infiniti G37 (AWD and RWD) ranked twice in the top 3 vehicles under the “Luxory Small Cars” category.

– The Infiniti G Coupe was ranked as a top 3 vehicles under the “Coupes” category.

– The Infiniti EX was ranked in the top 3 vehicles under the “Luxory Small SUVS”.

Top Picks must meet Consumer Reports criteria in three areas:

Road test. Each must rank at or near the top of its category in overall test score.

Reliability. Each must have earned an average or better predicted-reliability Rating, based on the problems Consumer Reports subscribers reported on 1.2 million vehicles in our latest Annual Auto Survey.

Safety. Top Picks must perform adequately if tested in crash or rollover tests conducted by the government or insurance industry.

How To Drive Safely In Fog

OpenRoad Auto Group on October 23, 2013

Driving can be difficult under thick fog conditions and cause safety concerns for yourself, your family, and other drivers. Be sure to follow some quick tips we have compiled to drive safely in fog.

Drive Safely In Fog Tips

Drive with lights on low beam. High beams actually reflect off the fog and make it more difficult for visibility. If your car has fog lights, use those.
Reduce speed because fog distorts your actual speed, making it seem you are driving slower than you are.
Turn off any music and open your window so you can better listen to traffic which you can’t see.
Use wipers and defrosters to increase visibility.
Use braking and turning lights for a longer time period. This makes you more visible to drivers around you.
Drive with extra care. Allow more distance between vehicles and be careful if you need to change lanes. Use the painted road markings, especially the right edge of the road, as a guide.
If your vehicle stalls, park it on the side of the road, turn all your lights off, and move away from your vehicle. Drivers behind you may mistake your lights for the driving lane which can cause mass confusion.

Be sure to follow the tips above to drive safely in fog!

Photo: John Biehler

Back-To-School Cars 2013-2014

OpenRoad Auto Group on August 7, 2013

back-to-school cars

There’s barely a month left ’til classes are back in session, and we all know what that means; a trip to the local department store to stock up on all sorts of supplies and new fashions for the year ahead. But for those students who loathe the idea of being stuck on transit for three to four hours a day, there’s another trip they may want to consider: a trip to their local OpenRoad Auto Group store.

New Cars for Back-To-School

Below are the Top 10 Back-To-School Cars Under $40K (in no particular order) that should strike the fancy of almost any student and get them to their preferred institute of higher learning in style, safety and comfort.

Honda Civic Si

Honda has been working on improving its reputation at producing fun cars. This year’s Civic SI brings some welcome interior trim improvements. As always, the SI comes only with a sweet six-speed manual, so it’s suited for slaphappy students looking to blow off steam on some back roads before that accounting midterm. (MSRP: $26,245)

Scion FR-S

Dollar for dollar, this is the most fun you can have on four wheels. Urban Planing majors will be inspired to take the long way home in this perfect mix of price and performance. Better yet, just skip class altogether and spend the few remaining weeks of good weather at the track. (MSRP: $26,300)

BMW 1

Driven MBAs can fake it till they make it behind the wheel of this RWD daily driver. German quality and engineering in a no-nonsense package will remind colleagues that you can still go premium while (mostly) sticking to a budget. (MSRP: $36,000)

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Gadget obsessed design students will appreciate the bells and whistles available in the Veloster. The cool 3rd door allows laptop laden bags to be tossed in the back with ease, and a suite of apps let you access your iPod’s music via voice command or even remotely start your car. ($25,999)

Mazda3

Early reviews suggest this is the compact car to beat in 2014 as the folks who brought you “Zoom Zoom” have redesigned their entry level standby to be highly engaging on the road and have supposedly turned human/vehicle interaction design on its head with the integration of a new heads-up display system. Definitely suitable for anyone studying game design. ($15,995)

Audi A3

Entry level doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. With a diesel option available, fuel economy on those long commutes to far flung medical residencies becomes less of a concern. All that cargo space leaves plenty of room to stretch out and catch some much needed winks during a 48-hour shift. (MSRP: $34,100)

Toyota Prius C

The smallest member of the Prius family is perfect for any budding bureaucrat. Industry leading fuel economy from a proven hybrid drivetrain will leave enough juice to travel from office, to office, without having to hit gas station after gas station. The design, while taking cues from its older sibling, is unquestionably geared towards a younger audience. And that jingle… it’s hypnotic. (MSRP: $20,440)

MINI Cooper Clubman

Engineers like to build things. And sometimes a regular car doesn’t have enough space to fit all the necessary tools and gizmos needed to complete a project. Luckily, the Clubman has a pair of rear barn doors which swing wide, to make room for whatever gear or materials may be required to put that finishing touch on that end of semester assignment. (MSRP: $24,950)

Honda Fit

Cheap enough for a starving art student, but practical enough for their parents, this little Honda has tons of room on the inside for supplies, and is spry enough to fit into almost any kind of parking space. Fold-down seats are just the thing for making enough space to transport that masterpiece from studio to gallery. ($14,580)

Lexus CT

Luxury and fuel efficiency don’t usually go hand in hand, but the folks at Lexus know that today’s young law students demand creature comforts as well as excellent mileage. A premium multimedia and navigation experience awaits soon to be minted litigators, and optional sport tuning ensures a quick getaway from the library at the end of school year. (MSRP: $31,450)

There you have it, folks – ten cars for ten types of students, chosen for their quality, practicality and price. While not all are considered “economy cars”, all of them offer above-average value and performance for their respective ranges. You may compare versus other new cars. Luckily for students, there are College Graduate Programs for exclusive student savings.

Now while driving to school may not be an option for everyone, those who need reliable, stylish transport on the way to and from campus will find what they need, with the help of their friendly neighborhood OpenRoad representative.

Used Cars for Back-To-School

Pre-Owned vehicles, through some compromise, are a more affordable alternative for students. There are many other benefits to why buying a used car is favourable, such as coming with warranties through being OpenRoad Certified and Manufacturer Certifed. Additionally, factors such as reliability, safety, and interest rates often vary less than many think compared to new cars.

If you already have a vehicle, you can search the trade value of your car for cars.

OpenRoad Auto Group offers a wide array of used cars and trucks at its many stores.

Car Maintenance for Back-To-School

To avoid unnecessary expenses, it is important to take care of your new car or truck. Here are a few preventative measures:

Worldwide Prius Sales Top 3-Million Mark

OpenRoad Auto Group on August 2, 2013

Over 790 Billion Yen (1) to be Spent on R&D for Ever-better Cars.

Toyota City, Japan, (July 3, 2013) Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that as of the end of June, worldwide cumulative sales of the iconic Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle passed the 3-million mark(2).

In 1997, TMC launched the Prius, which was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger car. The second generation followed in 2003, and the third generation in 2009. From the first to third generation, TMC greatly reduced the cost of the hybrid system by two-thirds while improving the EPA-estimated ratings for combined driving by nearly 22 per cent(3). In addition, TMC applied for 1,261 patents relating to the third-generation Prius, achieving progress worthy of the Prius name (derived from a Latin word meaning “to go before”).

Since the development of the first-generation Prius, TMC has positioned hybrid technology as a core technology required for the development of various types of environment-friendly vehicles and has placed emphasis on the development and production of core components such as motors, inverters, batteries and electronic control units (ECUs), giving rise to substantial investment in Japan.

TMC will continue to conduct R&D and invest in facilities in Japan for the development of hybrid and other cutting-edge technologies and achieve sustainable growth by deploying these Japan-developed technologies across the globe.

In the fiscal year ending March 2014, TMC expects to spend a consolidated 890 billion yen(4) (790 billion yen(5) unconsolidated) on environmental technology development, as well as on strengthening new platform and major component development.

In the same period, TMC also plans to make consolidated capital expenditure investments of 910 billion yen (up seven per cent year-on-year), with 440 billion yen invested in Japan (up nine per cent year-on-year).

Investments in R&D infrastructure include a new R&D facility (651 hectares) and the Powertrain Development and Production Engineering Building (a 12-story structure with a total floor area of 100,000 m²) in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, that will serve as a next-generation powertrain development base, as well as the Aerodynamics Laboratory (capable of producing winds of 250 km/h) located in the Honsha Technical Center.

Future capital investments by consolidated subsidiaries include an investment by Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) for expanding battery production capacity at its Omori Plant in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

(1) Unconsolidated basis
(2) Based on TMC data
(3) Based on combined driving ratings on fueleconomy.gov
(4) Up 10 per cent year-on-year
(5) Up 11 per cent year-on-year

Toyota Launches Production Of All-New 2014 Corolla & Redesigned 2014 Tundra

OpenRoad Auto Group on August 2, 2013

Plants in Mississippi and Canada begin building 11th generation of Corolla; redesigned 3rd generation Tundra pick-up built exclusively in San Antonio, Texas

Toronto, ON., (August 2, 2013) ? Consumers have a lot to look forward to this fall as production of the all-new 2014 Corolla has begun at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. (TMMMS) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. (TMMC). The start of production for the redesigned 2014 Tundra also began this week at Toyota’s Texas plant.

With nearly 40 million units sold, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car nameplate in the world, and this year marks its 47th year on the market. The 2014 Corolla will be available for sale in September.

The Mississippi plant initially began production of Corolla in November 2011 further advancing the company’s efforts to design, develop and build vehicles where they are sold. TMMMS has the annual capacity to produce 160,000 vehicles and employs nearly 2,000.

Building the Corolla is truly an effort by Toyota team members all across North America. Corolla engines are built in Buffalo, W. Va., engine plant. Cylinder heads and blocks for those engines are produced at both of Toyota’s Bodine Aluminum castings plants, located in Troy, Mo., and Jackson, Tenn.

The Mississippi plant will mark the start of production with a Team Mississippi Appreciation Day for team members, supplier team members and their families on September 7 at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss.

Toyota’s Cambridge, Ontario plant has produced Corolla for 25 years – since 1988. TMMC also builds Lexus RX350, RAV4, RAV4 EV, and produces Matrix for the Canadian market. Annual capacity for the plant is 470,000 vehicles and it employs approximately 7,000.

2014 Tundra production underway
The start of production for the 2014 Tundra was celebrated this week by team members at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. (TMMTX).

The 2014 Tundra was redesigned, inside and out, representing the first major change since the launch of the current generation for the 2007 model year. The Tundra was completely engineered by Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and designed by Calty Design Research centers in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor. The Toyota Tundra is built exclusively in San Antonio, Texas with 75 percent North American content. The 2014 Tundra will be available for sale in September.

Tundra production at Toyota’s Texas plant initially began in November 2006. The plant also builds the Tacoma and has the annual capacity to produce 200,000 trucks. More than 2,800 team members are employed at TMMTX.

Toyota’s Huntsville, Ala., engine plant is supplying all engines for Tundra production. Cylinder heads and blocks for those engines are produced at both of Toyota’s Bodine Aluminum castings plants, located in Troy, Mo., and Jackson, Tenn.

This September, the Texas plant will mark its 1 millionth vehicle built and then in October, will celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the plant’s groundbreaking.

Toyota has announced 10 North American production increases in the past 20 months including manufacturing plants in Princeton, Indiana; Huntsville, Ala.; Buffalo,
W. Va.; Georgetown, Ky., and Ontario, Canada. Cumulative investment total is approximately $2 billion, adding more than 4,000 jobs.

The 2014 Lexus IS performed

OpenRoad Auto Group on July 29, 2013

On July 28th, OpenRoad Lexus Richmond held a 2014 Lexus IS performance event in Richmond, BC. Always looking for a fresh and fun way to showcase the latest from Lexus, OpenRoad teamed up with 4 performance driving instructors to put the 2014 IS250 and IS350 through their paces. And the performance was amazing!

Over 160 guests attended and rode shotgun in the passenger seat as the professional drivers raced around a technical course at a secret track location in Richmond. The course was 3-4 minutes in length and was driven at high speeds. The cars and passengers were put through slalom, high speed corners, fast straight-aways and emergency braking situations.

Each guest had the opportunity to ride in the RWD and AWD IS250 and 350 models. For comparison the 2013 IS250 was also taken out on the track. From the 2013 to 2014 model year, Lexus has made some major improvements to the exterior design styling, ride handling, seat comfort, interior legroom and cargo space, and a very well-executed interior cabin design.

Thanks to everyone for coming out, and we hope to see you all in the driver’s seat at for a test drive at OpenRoad Lexus Richmond.

If you have any photos or videos from the event please share them on our Lexus Richmond Facebook page – thanks!

Photos from Lexus IS Performance Day