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.
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
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.
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.
Highlights from Toyota 2016 North American Environmental Report
The Japanese automaker wants to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from its products, as well as reach other big goals, by 2050.
Toyota Corolla turns 50 years old
The popular compact car has come a long way since its original release in 1966.
Crossovers take over Los Angeles Auto Show 2016
New versions of favourite small SUVs, as well as an exciting electric concept, all made their debuts at this year’s LA Auto Show.
Top five picks from SEMA show 2016
Automakers unveiled everything from a minivan on air suspension to a 1,000-plus horsepower SUV at this year’s SEMA Show.
Top three 2016 model year family vehicles
Similar to the contemporary family unit, the family vehicle segment too has evolved, reflecting the wants and needs of 21st century living. Now, models come in a plethora of shapes and sizes catering to wide variety of customers, and are safer, more comfortable and better equipped than their predecessors. We’ve included three of our favourites from 2016 here — one each from the sedan, crossover SUV and minivan categories — and have taken into consideration the attributes above, as well as price.
2016 Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata is a particularly versatile sedan that has a lot going for it. The design was completely changed last year, and the car is offered in gasoline, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid flavours (Hybrid pictured here). Parents will appreciate the convenience of options like rear window sunshades for little ones or pets riding in the back, a power trunk for easy storage of cargo, and programmable driver’s seat memory taking out the guesswork of adjustment when there are multiple drivers. Prices start at $24,749.
2016 Toyota Highlander
Plenty of interior space, reliability and onboard entertainment are just some of the 2016 Toyota Highlanders strong suits. Grownups and children passengers alike will be kept busy with a multimedia system consisting of a 6.1-inch touchscreen, USB and 12-volt ports for electronics and an available Blu-ray DVD player and 9.0-inch screen in the back. There’s also room for either seven or eight occupants depending on the configuration.
2016 Toyota Sienna
Toyota makes this list twice, but that’s simply because they’ve got the family vehicle formula down pat. The best-selling Sienna is successful for a reason, or several reasons actually, among them being a load of tech and massive carrying capacity. Siri Eyes Free functionality means drivers can easily and safely call up smartphone functions using their voice, such as adding a doctor’s appointment to the calendar or calling up a favourite restaurant to order dinner, and with the second and third row benches folded down the minivan can swallow over 4,000 litres of cargo.
