L’Estage and Richard kick off 2012 rally season in new car
Reigning Canadian and North American champions, Quebec driver Antoine L’Estage (of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu) and co-driver Nathalie Richard (of Halifax, Nova Scotia) kicked off the 2012 season with a solid performance, finishing in second place at Michigan’s SnoDrift Rally, Round 1 of the Rally America series. At the wheel of their brand new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X,Read Full Story
2012 Porsche Cayman R
New mid-engine coupe takes its purist cue from Boxster Spyder Featuring 121 pounds less weight and the most horsepower available in a mid-engined Porsche, the 330-hp Cayman R has been created for one reason: pure driving dynamics. With its highly-tuned sports suspension and vigilant attention to weight savings, the third Cayman model offers an evenRead Full Story
2012 Vancouver ABFM official poster artwork unveiled
Vancouver artist Bill Richards is a full-time studio artist working in a variety of media including oil, encaustic, acrylic, watercolour and ink. One of Richards’ specialities is automotive paintings and drawings, which reveal his love of cars, racing and speed. His work is valued by art collectors and automotive enthusiasts alike for his attention toRead Full Story
RM posts $25.5 million in sales at annual Phoenix auction
RM Auctions kicked off its 2012 calendar on a positive note in Arizona in January, posting more than $25.5 million in sales (all figures are reported in U.S. dollars and include 10 per cent buyer’s premium). RM saw a strong 89 per cent sell-through of its auction vehicles at this annual sale in Phoenix. TheRead Full Story
What Do We Need From the Battery of the Future?
Imagine a car that could go 300 miles – that’s Chicago to St. Louis – on battery power. That’s not possible today without either an assist from a gasoline-fueled engine functioning as a charger (the Chevy Volt solution) or an alternate drive provider (the Toyota Prius solution). The fact that such cars need, in effect,Read Full Story
Range Rover Evoque named 2012 NA Truck of the Year
The all-new 2012 Range Rover Evoque has been named the 2012 North American Truck of the Year. The 2012 Range Rover Evoque was selected over two other finalists, the BMW X3 and the Honda CR-V, based on the following categories: value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance and safety and driver satisfaction. The Range RoverRead Full Story
2012 Volkswagen Beetle: The New Original
When the first Beetle rolled off the production line in 1938, it was called simply the Volkswagen — “the people’s car” — but its distinctive shape inspired nicknames across the globe: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino. In total, 21.5-million original Beetles were sold. More than 60 years later, in 1998, a New Beetle, completeRead Full Story
VIN-formation: How one wrong number can cause a headache
Think of it as the automotive equivalent of human DNA. A vehicle identification number is an alphanumeric identifier that tells everything about a vehicle’s unique history. A VIN can unlock secrets about a cherished car or truck. But, as this story illustrates, it can sometimes make for a big hassle, too. For most, a vehicleRead Full Story
Nissan NV Series designed to help businesses run better
Introduced in spring, 2011, the Nissan NV (Nissan Van) Series started with a ground-up design—from its rugged ladder frame to the roof rack mounting brackets on the top of the innovatively conceived and styled body. Yet the all-new Nissan NV also has the advantage of Nissan’s commercial vehicle heritage, covering 75 years and more thanRead Full Story
Vancouver All British Classic Car Show announces featured marques for 2012 Show
The Greatest Show on British Wheels staged each Victoria Day weekend in the magnificent VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver is pleased to announce that it will pay special tribute to Lotus Cars and Norton motorcycles on Saturday May 19, 2012. Lotus Elan, the car on which the Mazda Miata was modelled. 12,224 built (1962-1973). 60 yearsRead Full Story
Hagerty Silver Wheel Plan to debut January 2012
Aviva Canada Inc., one of Canada’s leading providers of home, auto and business insurance, and Hagerty Canada, LLC, a subsidiary of Hagerty Insurance Agency, the world’s leading provider of classic vehicle insurance, are proud to introduce the Hagerty Silver Wheel Plan. The Hagerty Silver Wheel Plan offers antique and classic car enthusiasts extensive coverage, includingRead Full Story
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2012 to introduce a Salon Offering Collection
Building on its mantra of “Something for Everyone,” Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will unveil a new, elite breed of horsepower — Barrett-Jackson Salon Offering Collection— cars that are among the world’s most rare, valuable, collectible and coveted. 1947 Bentley Franay Mark VI Cabriolet, one of only two commissioned in 1947. Nine one-of-a-kind vehicles are currently consignedRead Full Story
Porsche debuts purist Panamera GTS
Porsche has unveiled the Panamera GTS, which it considers the purest expression of a four-door sports car in the Porsche family. Based on the Panamera 4S, the Panamera GTS focuses on performance and includes more power, upgraded brakes and a lowered, sportier suspension, making it even more capable on the race track without sacrificing practicality.Read Full Story
New rebates to help B.C. drivers plug into clean energy
Starting next month, consumers will be able to access $17-million in funding that will help get them into clean energy vehicles and support the green-tech sector in British Columbia as part of the Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. The Chevrolet Volt runs on electric as well as gas. The point-of-sale incentive program,Read Full Story
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: Watch Your Fuel Savings Grow
By Patrick Stewart Driving to last month’s Pacific Forest Rally, held in the back roads of Merritt’s rolling hillsides, presented the perfect opportunity to put Lincoln’s fuel efficiency claim to the test. The rally is round five of the six-stage National Canadian Rally Championship held across Canada and attracts more than 30 rally teamsRead Full Story
Yaris Hatchback sized right for fun and function
With the right size for drivers who need an agile and functional vehicle, the new 2012 Toyota Yaris Hatchback arrives with sporty styling, class-leading safety features and improved fuel economy. The all-new Yaris features a remarkable attention to detail in the design and engineering of the vehicle. From its smart, interior design and quiet, refinedRead Full Story
World’s oldest motor car sells for US$4.62-million
The world’s oldest running motor car, a historic 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, has entered the history books, selling for an impressive US$4.62-million before a packed house at RM Auctions’ Hershey, Pennsylvania sale on October 7, 2011. The impressive sale price more than doubled its original pre-sale estimate and represents aRead Full Story
Pat Richard wins Merritt’s 2011 Pacific Forest Rally
Photo: Flatovercrest.com After a losing streak that has seemed to go on forever, Pat Richard returned to his winning ways by putting Subaru Rally Team Canada on top of the podium at the Pacific Forest Rally, the team’s first win since Rallye Baie Des Chaleurs 2010. “This feels really good,” said Richard after the event,Read Full Story