All-new 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback arrives fall 2016
Arriving this fall in North America, the 2017 Civic Hatchback is the latest addition to the much-heralded 10th-generation Honda Civic lineup, joining the 2016 North American Car of the Year—the Civic Sedan, and the Civic Coupe that launched earlier this year. The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback combines Euro-inspired styling and five-door versatility with the Civic’sRead Full Story
World’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine
Infiniti plans to present VC-T (Variable Compression-Turbocharged), the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine and one of the most advanced internal combustion engines ever created, on September 29 at the 2016 Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l’Automobile). More than 20 years in development, Infiniti’s new four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline VC-T engine represents a major breakthroughRead Full Story
2017 Subaru BRZ comes with enhanced performance and updated features
The rear-wheel-drive 2017 Subarun BRZ, an authentic sports coupe with an ultra-low centre of gravity and precision steering that delivers pinpoint handling accuracy, is now available in Subaru dealerships across Canada. Power and Handling The 2.0L DOHC naturally aspirated horizontally opposed Subaru Boxer engine receives several internal updates for friction reduction including new valves, camshaftRead Full Story
Canadian student gains F1 career opportunity from Infiniti
For the first time ever, a university student from Canada has been awarded the career opportunity of a lifetime in Formula One, as Infiniti announces Felix Lamy as the first Canadian winner of the Infiniti Engineering Academy 2016. Having been selected from thousands of entries and beating nine other finalists from around the country inRead Full Story
Lotus right on track with new Elise Race 250
The latest race car from Lotus is its new Elise Race 250. Eligible for many race series around the world, this new Elise has been developed with a raft of performance-orientated features as standard. The Elise Race 250 packs a supercharged, 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox, boasts 243-horsepower at 7,200 rpm andRead Full Story
Hagerty’s new Vehicle Rating tracks individual market performance
Hagerty’s new collector vehicle rating system, known as the Hagerty Vehicle Rating, measures a specific vehicle’s performance relative to the rest of the overall market. This is the latest addition to the suite of Hagerty Valuation Tools designed to empower people who love cars with market knowledge. The assigned score (on a scaleRead Full Story
North Vancouver Volvo technicians win award
British Columbia service technicians Tony Do and Justin Lam of Jim Pattison Volvo North Vancouver have been named winners of the 2016 Volvo International Service Technician Award (VISTA) in the category of Service & Repair. The team from North Vancouver competed against 40 teams from Volvo markets around the world. VISTA is a biennial customerRead Full Story
Porsche achieves 18th overall Le Mans victory at 2016 event
Porsche has achieved its 18th overall Le Mans victory at the 84th running of the famous 24-Hours of Le Mans. Porsche achieved victory over a strong challenge from the #5 Toyota of Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson, and Kazuki Nakajima in the final quarter of the race. The Toyotas were able to run for 14 lapsRead Full Story
What’s it worth? Majority of Canadian drivers feel under-informed about their vehicle’s trade-in value
According to the Canadian Black Book, which has been providing free car values, new/used car prices and vehicle listing for more than 50 years, there is significant pent up demand on the horizon for Canada’s new and used car market. In the company’s research conducted on its behalf by Ipsos, half (50 per cent) ofRead Full Story
Nissan develops first SOFC-powered system that runs on bio-ethanol electric power
Nissan Motor Company is currently researching and developing a Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell (SOFC)-powered system that runs on bio-ethanol electric power. The new system—a world first for automotive use—features an e-Bio Fuel-Cell with an SOFC power generator. SOFC is a fuel cell utilizing the reaction of multiple fuels, including ethanol and natural gas, with oxygen toRead Full Story
Canadian engineering students learn first-hand about a Formula One career
More than 100 engineering students attended an event at McGill University to learn just what it takes to compete in the 2016 Infiniti Engineering Academy. For the first time in the program’s three years, Canadian students have the chance to compete to earn the career opportunity of a lifetime in Formula One and automotive engineering,Read Full Story
How a Golf Fairway figured in America’s first automotive test
2016 marks the 120th anniversary of the automobile industry in America. To commemorate one of the era’s defining events, the Historic Vehicle Asssociation (HVA) took a look back at the first comprehensive automobile contest held May 30, 1896. As with many early automotive events, the May 1896 contest was sponsored by Cosmopolitan magazine. At theRead Full Story
Limited-Edition pink VW Beetle on the way
Volkswagen’s #PinkBeetle will go into production as a 2017 model, having been shown as a concept at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The first vehicle ever to officially be named as its own hashtag, the exclusive run of #PinkBeetle models will be available in coupe and convertible configurations and will go on sale fallRead Full Story
First serial production 2017 Acura NSX rolls of the line at PMC in Ohio
The highly anticipated first serial production 2017 Acura NSX has rolled off the line at the new Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio. The PMC is the exclusive manufacturing home to Acura’s next-generation NSX, the only supercar made in America. “[This] marks the realization of a big dream here at the PMC and theRead Full Story
Canada’s newest VW dealership opens at OpenRoad Volkswagen Burnaby
OpenRoad Volkswagen, Canada’s newest Volkswagen dealership is officially open for business in Burnaby. The 45,000-square-feet facility is the region’s largest and most modern VW dealership. OpenRoad VW is also the new home of the very first VW Beetle to land in Canada in 1952, where it is currently on display. “We are pleased to partnerRead Full Story
2016 Vancouver ABFM Winning Ticket for Trip to Britain
Congratulations to the holder of the 2016 ABFM entrant ticket #2059, which was drawn on the evening of Saturday May 21, 2016 at the conclusion of the Vancouver ABFM at VanDusen Garden. The lucky attendee at the show has won a Trip for Two to Britain (Vancouver to London, Gatwick), courtesy of Expedia Cruiseship CentresRead Full Story
E-Type voted Vancouver ABFM 2016 Best Brit Car
Story updated: May 17, 2016 Western Driver’s 2016 online survey of the Top 10 British Cars is now closed, with 572 votes cast. From a list of 20 pre-selected British-built classic cars, voters declared the Jaguar E-Type their favourite, closely followed by second choice Aston Martin DB5. Here is how the top Top 10 ranked:Read Full Story
Oxford Mini plant celebrates 15 years of new MINIs
The Mini Plant in Oxford today (April 26, 2016) celebrates 15 years since the first new MINIs rolled off the production line on 26 April, 2001. The BMW Group, which is marking its centenary year in 2016, acquired the plant in 1994 and relaunched the brand in 2001 with the debut of the new MINIRead Full Story