Toyota Automobile Museum in Japan: mecca for car lovers
We take you on a tour of the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagakute, Japan — 150,000 square-feet of everything automotive, and more.
Scion and Toyota to release new models for 2016: iM and Yaris Sedan
Scion is expanding its lineup, adding both an iM hatchback and iA sedan, the latter to be badged as a Toyota Yaris sedan in Canada.
Used vehicle buying checklist
Avoid common pitfalls associated with purchasing pre-owned by following along with our used vehicle buying checklist.
Clean Energy Vehicle incentive program returns to B.C.
St. Paddy’s day may have been a couple of weeks ago, but folks in B.C. have another reason to go green again with the start of phase two of B.C.’s Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) program on April 1.
About $7.5 million in electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sale incentives will be available from now until March 31, 2018, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
“With the Clean Energy Vehicle program, we’re providing incentives that will make electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles more affordable for British Columbians, and expanding the charging and fuelling infrastructure to make it easier to ‘fill the tank,” says Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines.
Consumers thinking about purchasing or leasing a new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle are eligible to receive up to a $5,000 rebate, and up to $6,000 if the power is provided by a hydrogen fuel cell, like the new Hyundai Tucson FCEV.
Bennett says phase one of the CEV program — that expired last spring — encouraged over 900 electric cars to find new homes and also spurred the installation of more than 1,000 charging stations across B.C., resulting in the reduction of approximately 57,000 tonnes of vehicle emissions.
Some quick stats: vehicles are responsible for nearly half of the province’s household greenhouse gas emissions; a CEV reduces emissions by 5.6 tonnes per year when compared to a conventional 2000 model year or older vehicle; a CEV reduces emissions by 3 tonnes per year when compared to a new gasoline-powered vehicle, according to a news release by the provincial government.
For drivers who hadn’t considered an alternative-energy automobile previously for whatever reason, manufacturers now offer several options that would appeal to even the most die-hard fan of traditional internal combustion. Here are some examples of what’s available.
BMW i3
Type: battery electric vehicle (with optional gasoline Range Extender)
Form factor: five-passenger hatchback
Base MSRP: $45,000
Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid
Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle
Form factor: five-passenger mid-size crossover SUV
Base MSRP: $86,600
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle
Form factor: five-passenger sedan
Base MSRP: $110,000
Toyota Prius Plug-in
Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle
Form factor: five-passenger hatchback
Base MSRP: $35,905
Read more about the CEV phase 2 program on the website.
Best green vehicles at 2015 Vancouver International Auto Show
The 95th Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) is happening right now at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and is quite literally bigger, and better, than ever before. Exhibition space has grown by one-quarter this year, to 290,000 square feet, and for the first time the displays spill over to the upstairs ballroom. Fittingly, since it takes place in B.C., VIAS features a heavy focus on alternative-energy automobiles fuelled by diesel, electricity and even hydrogen. These are the green vehicles you’ll want to see.
Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Concept
You may have heard about Toyota’s production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle already on sale in Japan and about to hit the roads in the United States later this year. While no Canadian expansion plans have been announced yet, Toyota debuted the Fuel Cell Concept (FCV) that provided the inspiration for the Mirai for the first time in Canada.
The Mirai was actually tested in Yellowknife in -30 C weather to evaluate cold-weather effectiveness. The space-age looking sedan creates electricity by utilizing a chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, refuels in about the same time as a conventional gasoline-powered car and can drive up to 500 kilometres on a single tank.
Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron
The A3 Sportback e-Tron, Audi’s first plug-in hybrid, made its first regional appearance at VIAS. Besides a few badges and some minor exterior tweaks to the grille and rear bumper, this hybrid looks remarkably similar to the standard version. Power is provided via a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine combined with a 75-kilowatt electric motor making 204 net horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon TDI Clean Diesel
VW is in Vancouver to prove that even with the crossover SUV craze taking place across North America, wagon’s haven’t quite called it quits. It’s been a good year for the Golf, reaping several industry awards, and the Sportwagon should continue that trend. The diesel powertrain provides plenty of torque and achieves great fuel economy rated at 7.5 L/100 km in city driving at 5.6 L/100 km on the highway.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Although Hyundai also has a plug-in version coming, it is the standard Sonata Hybrid making the trip to Vancouver. As part of the redesign, the engine is a smaller and more efficient 2.0 litre vs. the outgoing 2.4. The battery pack has a 13 per cent bigger capacity, and now fits under the trunk floor so the rear seats can fold 60/40.
In addition to the Hybrid, the majority of the public had their first chance to get an up-close look at the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, the first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle available to Canadians. Available to limited consumers through a lease program, the first lucky owners are a local couple living in Surrey.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Some visitors to Porsche Centre Langley have already experienced the spectacle that is the $1.3-million Porsche 918 Spyder in person. The hybrid supercar, one of three sold in B.C., uses two electric motors and a 4.6-litre V8 engine to achieve a top speed of 340 km/h.
The 2015 Vancouver International Auto Show runs until March 29. More pictures below:
Car safety technology package comparison
Like computers and cellphones, vehicles have been leaping forward in the area of tech within the last few years. A lot of the modern electronic innovation has to do with safety, whether it’s making an existing function like cruise control safer by automating part of the process, or trying to prevent accidents by giving the driver tools such as blind spot monitoring to increase awareness.
Every automaker offers some kind of safety feature suite, although they do vary somewhat from brand-to-brand and are sometimes only available on higher-level models, or as part of a larger package. Here is a comparison of what you can get from three popular manufacturers.
Toyota
After driving a vehicle with conveniences like parking aids, it’s hard to go back to doing it the old fashioned way. On the 2015 RAV4 crossover in the AWD Limited trim, customers can opt for the Technology Package (plus $2,135) that includes backup sensors that beep when you get too close to another object, helping avoid bumper dings or worse. It also comes with automatic high beams, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure alert.
Infiniti
The new Q50 sedan is one of the most technologically advanced cars in the market right now. For $4,300 more, Infiniti has a Deluxe Touring and Technology Package chock full of goodies like their Around View Monitor.
Using a series of strategically positioned wide-angle cameras, this system provides a 360-degree picture of the vehicle’s surroundings from a bird’s-eye view. Other additions include intelligent cruise control and front seat pre-crash seatbelts that utilize motors to ensure passengers are properly restrained.
Mazda
We all know rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of accidents, and Mazda says 60 per cent of those occur at speeds of 30 km/h or less. That’s why a lot of their safety focus is around braking. The Mazda6 GT with the $2,800 Technology Package adds Smart City Brake Support.
At low speeds, a laser sensor mounted on the windshield monitors the vehicle in front. If the computer detects a collision risk, the brakes are preloaded for maximum efficiency. If the driver doesn’t intervene, the brakes are automatically applied and engine output isreduced.
Highlights from 2015 Canadian International Auto Show
Yesterday marked the official start of the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS), the Great White North’s largest automotive event held every year in Toronto. As always, some crazy stuff was presented to audiences, as well as more mainstream examples that consumers might actually be able to get their hands on. If you aren’t able to make the trip out east, scroll down below for a taste of CIAS 2015.
Lexus RC F GT3 Concept
In case the recently released RC F coupe isn’t already impressive enough for you, Lexus introduced the RC F GT3 concept car to Canadian audiences for the first time. It’s based on the production version but boasts bigger wheels and tires, aerodynamic add-ons, a faster engine and has hopes of racing in the FIA GT3 European Championship.
Toyota i-Road Concept
CIAS visitors were treated to indoor demonstrations of the Toyota i-Road concept, a three-wheel, single-occupant electric vehicle. With a range of 50 kilometres, it’s only 870 millimetres wide meaning four of them can fit into a traditional parking space. The i-Road has already been tested on public streets in Japan as well as France.
2016 Honda Pilot
A completely redesigned Honda Pilot, a three-row SUV, will be available this summer looking and feeling a lot different than the previous generation. The Pilot goes high-tech with available LED lighting, a Blu-Ray disc player with HDMI input and an Earth Dreams Technology Powertrain consisting of a fuel-efficient V6 engine and first-ever nine-speed automatic transmission.
Infiniti Q80 Inspiration
Alfonso Albaisa, executive design director at Infiniti, used the description “progressive, audacious and ingenious,” as he unveiled the range-topping Q80 four-seater fastback. “The Q80 Inspiration represents Infiniti’s vision of category-breaking, supreme luxury driving,” said Albaisa. It features autonomous driving capability with a hybrid powertrain producing 550 horsepower.
2016 Jaguar XE
The British car company is getting set to launch yet another four-door sports sedan in 2015, slotted below the mid-level XF and XJ flagship. It will be the first Jaguar equipped with electric steering, and is designed to look and drive like a sports coupe with a low and wide profile, partially aluminium construction and a supercharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder powerplant.
Audi TTS Coupé
The Audi TT has been reborn for its third generation. The extra S stands for sport, or speed, or probably both: it’s got a 265 hp TFSI turbo engine, Quattro all-wheel drive and a fancy Audi Magnetic Ride Suspension that continously readjusts the dampening settings to match the driving conditions.
Detroit Auto Show 2015: best new tech
Lots of new technological innovations were introduced by automakers at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. A few of our favourites:
What's the best SUV to be driving this holiday season?
Drive the Lower Mainland in the most stylish SUV’s this holiday season. We examine several of the latest SUVs on the market with a variety of prices.
Toyota unveils the bold styling of the new, built-in-Canada, 2014 Toyota Corolla
It’s the world’s best-selling nameplate of all time, with nearly 40 million vehicles sold since it was introduced in the 1960s. It’s a perennial favourite in Canada, too ? with more than 1.3 million sold in this country. It’s the Toyota Corolla ? and the Corolla has never looked better.
As Toyota prepares to introduce the 11th generation Corolla through Canadian Toyota Dealers this year, the company unveiled the next generation model today at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa.
“The Toyota Corolla has grown up with generations of Canadians, and with each redesign we seek to capture the imagination of these customers and create a remarkable experience,” noted Seiji Ichii, President of Toyota Canada Inc. “Our duty to Corolla owners and drivers defines our company: The Corolla IS Toyota.”
The 2014 Toyota Corolla introduces bold, expressive new styling, a class-up interior and new technologies, even as it remains loyal to Corolla’s DNA ? to provide quality, dependable, reliable and fuel-efficient transportation plus tremendous overall value to millions of drivers. Furthermore, every Corolla sold in Canada is built at our award-winning plant in Cambridge, Ontario, which is how we continue to deliver Corolla’s reputation for quality and value.
New details and standard equipment define the new Corolla, with features such as new engine and power train technologies that improve performance and make Corolla even more fun to drive. Other upgrades include LED headlamps as standard, a new audio system with steering wheel audio controls and Bluetooth® capability and additional airbags for even better safety.
A new mix of models and trim levels will provide even greater choice to Canadian drivers.
The Corolla CE offers more standard safety, technology and convenience features;
The popular Corolla LE builds on Corolla CE’s tremendous mix of features and value, enhanced with comfort and convenience amenities;
The Corolla S features unique, dynamic styling and performance to match that includes available paddle shifters with Sport mode for more engaging driving;
The all-new Corolla Eco simultaneously delivers the highest fuel efficiency while offering the most power available in a Corolla.
“Canadians have always expected good things from Corolla, but they also want us to go further. This year, we definitely have ? with dynamic driving performance, striking design, a high quality finish inside and out and new technology that’s almost unheard of in the compact sedan segment,” Seiji Ichii concluded. “We remain committed to offering Canadians a Toyota Corolla that is an easy, rational choice to own. But with this new, 2014 model, we are also offering Canadians a more emotional Corolla ? a Corolla that is easy to love.”