The Stelvio Pass: not for the faint of heart
Love to drive? How about considering the Stelvio Pass in northern Italy with its 48 hairpin turns. The route was picked by the British automotive show Top Gear as its choice for the “greatest driving road in the world” in the first episode of the show’s 10th series, after its team went in search ofRead Full Story
Honda working to reduce environmental impacts
Honda Canada has launched a bold new environmental campaign entitled Driven to Reduce Emissions Since 1948, which is designed to help Canadian consumers reduce their personal carbon footprint. This first-of-its-kind awareness campaign posts government-verified vehicle CO2 emission ratings directly on Honda.ca for every model Honda sells in Canada. Similar to food service providers listing caloricRead Full Story
Brit car enthusiasts celebrate 2020
The First Vancouver British car run for the season occurred on Wednesday January 1, when the Tony Cox Memorial Run, organized by the Canadian XK Jaguar and Classic MG Club, took place. The Run included approximately 30 British classic cars (MGs, Jags, Lotus, Triumph, Rover), driving picturesque countryside roads around Langley and culminating with aRead Full Story
2020 Best Classic Italy ‘Land of Motors’ Tour
Western Driver is hosting the 2020 Emilia Romagna “Land of Motors” Tour, an escorted tour of northern Italy’s famous Motor Valley—the home to Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani & the annual Gran Premio Nuvolari Mille Miglia Classic Rally & Show in Siena—plus Florence & the Tuscany Riviera. Museums, private collections, factory tours, cooking school, plus legendaryRead Full Story
Pick the AJAC category winners and Win a $50 Shell Gift Card and tickets to the 2020 Vancouver ABFM
Send us your Best Pick in each AJAC category finalist listing below, for a draw to win a $50 Shell Gift Card and 2 tickets to the 2020 Vancouver ABFM at VanDusen Garden. Email to jstewart@westerndriver.com with subject header: AJAC Picks Contest closes midnight January 15, 2020. Winner announced on Friday, January 17, 2020 TheRead Full Story
Porsche and Electrify to provide three years inclusive charging for Taycan owners
Porsche Cars Canada has signed an agreement with Electrify Canada to provide purchasers of the first all-electric Porsche, the Taycan, with three years of inclusive charging at Electrify Canada public charging stations across the country. This charging benefit will be included in the price of the Taycan, which starts at $119,400 for the Taycan 4S,Read Full Story
Porsche completes Macan series SUV with distinctly sporty model
Porsche’s new Macan GTS has been launched with a powerful engine, performance-oriented chassis, characteristic design and enhanced equipment. The Macan GTS’ 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine delivers 375 horsepower—an increase of 15 horsepower compared with its predecessor—and is combined with the newly adapted PDK dual-clutch transmission. The Macan GTS can accelerate from zero to 60 mphRead Full Story
Eye-tracking technology could help make driving safer
“Keep your eyes on the road.” With the recent advances in vehicle-assisted safety technology and in-car displays, this old adage has a new meaning, thanks to two new applications of eye-tracking technology developed by researchers at the University of Missouri. Designing a better collision avoidance warning Observing how someone’s eyes change—specifically the pupil—while they respondRead Full Story
World’s first pop-up Porsche store opens in Richmond, B.C.
The doors to the first-ever Porsche Now pop-up store is now open in Richmond, B.C., offering Porsche fans and owners a new one-of-a-kind Porsche brand experience unlike anywhere else in the world. Located in Richmond’s Aberdeen Square, Porsche Now Richmond is the first retail outlet in the world to showcase the new Porsche Now designRead Full Story
Technologies designed to curb the tongues of back-seat drivers
“Watch that truck!” “You’re trailing too close.” “Slow down, you’re driving too fast!” Ah, the incessant (helpful?) advice from a backseat driver. But perhaps the days of these common calls from backseat drivers are coming to an end, thanks to new, driver-assist technologies. According to a recent study from Ford and sociologist Dr. Jess Carbino,Read Full Story
Volkswagen says ‘auf Wiedersehen’ to the Beetle
After its multi-generational run as a brand mainstay and global automotive phenomenon, the Volkswagen Beetle is ending production. The final car produced by Volkswagen de Mexico’s Puebla plant—a Stonewashed Blue coupe—will live on display at Volkswagen’s local museum in Puebla as a lasting tribute to the automobile’s rich and storied heritage. Volkswagen de Mexico willRead Full Story
Lotus unveils Evija, a fully electric hypercar
The world’s first fully electric British hypercar, the all-new Lotus Evija, has been revealed. As a name, Evija (pronounced ‘E-vi-ya’) means ‘the first in existence’ or ‘the living one’. It is the first hypercar from Lotus and the company’s first model with an electrified powertrain. Production is limited to not more than 130 examples, makingRead Full Story
Renconstructed 1932 SSKL MB racing car driven at Pebble Beach ‘125 Years of Motorsport’ anniversary
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (August 15 to 18, 2019) marked a highlight in the 125 Years of Motorsport anniversary milestone for Mercedes-Benz. A reconstructed Mercedes-Benz SSKL streamlined racing car from 1932 was driven on the road for the first time at the event. Mercedes-Benz Classic spared no expense in having the vehicle reconstructed inRead Full Story
Classic Aston Martin sports cars fetch record prices at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale
The ‘Evening with Aston Martin’ sale in Monterey on August 15, 2019, curated by renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s as part of their annual Monterey sale, saw exceptional examples of some of the brand’s most desirable sports cars change hands for millions of dollars. This event included some of the most significant Aston Martin modelsRead Full Story
Celebration of 60th anniversary of Mini includes production of 10-millionth car
MINI fans all over the world are celebrating 60 years of history of this iconic British brand in 2019. Now there is another reason to celebrate. The 10-millionth vehicle of the brand was produced at the British MINI Plant Oxford, where the classic Mini was manufactured from 1959 onwards. The anniversary vehicle rolling off theRead Full Story
2019 Quail Motorsports Gathering to feature more than 200 iconic cars
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering will once again grace the picturesque fairways of Quail Lodge & Golf Club with more than 200 of the collector car world’s finest and rarest motorcars as part of Monterey Car Week on Friday, August 16, 2019. Three new classes celebrating legendary automotive milestones will be the centerpiece of thisRead Full Story
Graf von Faber-Castell tribute to Bentley centenary is something to write home about
With a company history of making exclusive writing instruments and accessories for more than 250 years, Graf von Faber-Castell pays homage to Bentley’s “100 Extraordinary Years” in 2019 with a timelessly beautiful yet uniquely dynamic trio of products. The fountain, rollerball and ballpoint pens of the “Limited Edition Centenary” range come in a sophisticated blackRead Full Story
Acura NSX to set the pace at 2019 Pikes Peak
A 2019 Acura NSX will serve as the official Pace Car during this year’s running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event on June 30. This marks Acura’s fifth consecutive year leading the field at Pikes Peak. The second generation NSX first served as the Pace Car in 2015, and has competed inRead Full Story