2015 AJAC Canadian Car of the Year recap
Last week, seventy-three journalists wheeled in to Niagara Falls, ON for the 27th annual AJAC Canadian Car of the Year awards.
Integrated GoPro Control – Coming soon to a BMW and MINI near you
There is good news for those of you who own a BMW and a GoPro Hero Camera.
Designed specifically to reduce driver distraction, BMW’s technology division and GoPro have announced the first-ever mass-produced integration of a car’s on-board infotainment system and a GoPro camera.
Starting in July 2014, all BMW and MINI vehicles equipped with the BMW Apps or MINI Connected option will have the ability to configure and control a Wi-FI enabled GoPro camera via the iDrive controller and the vehicle’s high-resolution screen.
How it works
First, the user’s BMW or MINI vehicle must be equipped with the BMW Apps or MINI Connected option, respectively. Next, the user’s Wi-Fi-equipped GoPro camera (HERO3+ and later) communicates with the GoPro App installed on the driver’s iPhone 4 or later. The iPhone must be connected to the vehicle either through the iPhone USB cable or the BMW Accessory snap-in adaptor.
The driver can then access the app through the BMW ConnectedDrive or MINI Connected menu, which is displayed on the vehicle’s infotainment screen.
What can it be controlled?
BMW has worked with GoPro to further streamline the camera’s operating menu when accessed through the iDrive controller. Menu choices will appear to the left of the vehicle’s screen and the camera’s actual live view will be displayed in near real-time while the vehicle is stationary.
In addition to aiming the camera using BMW’s or MINI’s large central screen, users will be able to quickly choose between six pre-set camera modes:
- Leisure Drive Facing Out
- Night Driving
- Sport Drive Facing Out
- Drive Camera Facing In
- Winding Road Time-lapse
- Straight Road Time-lapse
The camera’s RECORD function can also be started and stopped by the driver at will, and vital camera status indicators are displayed, including recording elapsed time, battery life, and Wi-Fi signal strength.
The user can also toggle the camera’s SLEEP mode to prolong battery life between shots.
So there you have it, you will soon be able to have both the Ultimate Driving Machine and your very own Ultimate Driving video!
Spring into a convertible with the Roadster, MX-5 or R8 Spyder
The fine line between the end of winter and the start of spring is often blurred. It still rains more often than not, and you just can’t get yourself to pack away the jackets quite yet. And with summer approaching quickly, you start to notice the faint smell of barbecue wafting in your window, and then the first firm sign appears — convertibles of all shapes and colours begin flooding the streets.
For the 2014 model year, there is no shortage of new drop tops offered by manufacturers ranging from mild to wild. Here are a few favourite picks to hit the open road with this start of the warm season.
MINI Cooper Roadster
With great handling due to its short wheelbase, cute looks and the choice of three powerplants, there’s a lot to like about the MINI Cooper Roadster. Starting at MSRP $28,900, it’s available in standard trim with 121 horsepower, the more powerful Cooper S with 181 hp, and my personal favourite, the John Cooper Works edition with 208 hp and 192 pound-feet of torque. All models still get great gas mileage as well with the latter rated at 7.7 L/100 km in the city and 5.6 L/100 km on the highway.
Audi R8 Convertible
On the other end of the spectrum, the Audi R8 Spyder Convertible is made to impress. For an MSRP of $148,000, you get a 4.2-litre eight-cylinder engine producing 430 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, 19-inch wheels and a six-speed manual transmission. Or, step up to the $182,000 V10 model for a horsepower and torque bump up to 525 and 430 lb-ft, respectively. New for 2014 is an optional S tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox that will launch the V10 from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds.
Mazda MX-5
Time is winding down for consumers to pick up the third generation of arguably the most popular roadster in history: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Introduced in 1989, the first iteration alone sold over 400,000 units. The modern version retains much of that classic two-seater sports car feel with a rear-wheel drive layout, a high-revving 167-hp engine and an available six-speed transmission. Enthusiasts should be on the lookout for a new Miata based on a completely redesigned chassis coming soon.
Besides these examples, there are plenty of other open-air options available. Visit openroadautogroup.com/new-cars for a complete list.
2014 MINI Cooper launch event at MINI Langley
MINI customers and fans were invited to the official launch of the 2014 MINI Cooper and Cooper S at MINI Langley on Thursday April 10th.
Amongst the gastronomic delights and flavoured teas by Railtown Catering, attendees also had the chance to participate in a game to win a weekend drive in a MINI, including a four star luxury hotel stay at Whistler.
Now in its 3rd generation, the MINI Cooper and Cooper S are slightly larger with more creature comforts and more features to accompany the extra inches here and there.
MINI fans at the MINI Langley Open House launch event had the opportunity to sit in this latest model with its extra 1.1 inch in wheelbase, 1.7 inch in width, and 4.5 inch longer length.
Despite these gains, the MINI has not gotten grotesquely larger. Thanks to clever packaging, this all-new model also drives with more presence and security on the road, despite a smallish package that is shorter than the current Honda Fit.
The upgraded materials of the new interior, including more soft touch materials all around, were noticed and appreciated by guests.
The new car is more grown up and substantial without losing its fun-to-drive and funky cabin, as evidenced by a new jukebox-like strip of LEDs around the centre dash that glows various shades of red, green, and yellow depending on the car’s driving mode or what button you’re pushing.
To experience this new car, and possibly the coolest engine Start/Stop button I’ve ever seen, head on down to MINI Langley and check it out for yourself!
MINI TV Ad: Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Watch these MINIs perform O Canada in their own unique way in support of Team Canada in this MINI TV Ad. The sounds were authentic using Original MINI Parts and Accessories. MINI is an official sponsor of Team Canada in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. #MINIsingsocanada is the official hashtag.
If you are interested in a vehicle, visit MINI Langley.
MINI TV Ad Sochi 2014
OpenRoad VLog – Episode 2: “MINI Transformer”
Watch as our VLogger Matt shows you how “Transformable” the MINI Cooper S Roadster really is! Cool songs help too. No MINI’s were hurt in the making of this film.