Archive for February, 2010

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CIAS: 2011 Lincoln MKX

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

By Nauman Farooq

Unlike Toyota, Ford is experiencing a bit of a windfall recently. Not only was Ford the only American automaker to not require any government bailout money last year, their sales have been getting better and better. In Canada, Ford saw a bigger sales increase than any other manufacturer, which is great news for people who work for Ford in any capacity.

2011 Lincoln MKX

2011 Lincoln MKX

With their new found sales and financial success, they now have the money to not only develop new models, but also improve their current line-up.

Hence the Ford Mustang has received some notable tweaks for the 2011 model year, and so has the Edge.

Sister vehicle to the Ford Edge, the Lincoln MKX has also gone through a mid-life make-over, and it is looking very impressive indeed.
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Ford unveils 2012 Focus for first time in Canada

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Next Focus a looker, and thankfully bringing back hatchback, but still a year away
By Michael Bettencourt

The next generation Ford Focus will finally bring back the practical and stylish hatchback body, said Ford of Canada officials at its Canadian premiere at the Canadian International AutoShow.

Ford Focus

Ford Focus

The Focus is set to roll off Ford’s Michigan assembly plant in Dearborn by the end of the year, reaching Canada early in 2011 as a 2012 model, and judging from the reaction of the media crowd in Toronto at its unveiling, they’ve at least nailed the looks part of the equation. Pricing hasn’t been set yet, but it should be right in the mix with its main Civic, Corolla and Mazda3 rivals. (more…)

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Live from CIAS: Tribute to Carroll Shelby

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

By Nauman Farooq

One of the most undisputedly well-known racing car drivers of all time has got to be Carroll Shelby.

Tribute to Carroll Shelby

Tribute to Carroll Shelby

Not only is he one of the few American’s to have competed in Formula-One (1958 – 1959), he was also the first American to win the 24-Hours of LeMans (1959) in an Aston Martin with driving partner Roy Salvadori.

This made Shelby somewhat famous, but the main reason most people know of him is because of his work on road cars.

Basically, after retiring from racing, he opened a high performance driving school, and imported a little known British car called the AC Ace as his teaching tool.

But Shelby wasn’t impressed with the Ace’s standard engine, so he swapped it for a Ford engine, and hence the AC Cobra was born.
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Live from CIAS: Mazda concepts

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

By Nauman Farooq

In the past, you could always count on Mazda to bring some wild and imaginative concept car that was likely to never see the light of day.

Mazda RX8 Hydrogen RE

Mazda RX8 Hydrogen RE

Things have changed this year though. While Mazda is still showing some ‘concept’ cars, these cars have their roots firmly planted in their production models.

First up are the concepts based on the upcoming Mazda2. The Mazda2 will be the entry-level model in their line-up when it hits the showrooms in late 2010, but entry-level doesn’t have to mean boring, hence the three modified versions at the show.

They are named, 2EVIL, ACTIVE2 SURF and ACTIVE2 SNOW.

The theory behind the 2EVIL concept is to present a car that has a dual personality. This one is part urban commuter and part weekend racer. With its lowered stance, ground-effect body kit and track-biased tires, it looks set to turn every journey into a time-trial.
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Live from CIAS: Gemballa Mirage GT

Friday, February 12th, 2010

By Nauman Farooq

There are tuned cars, and then there are properly tuned cars.

While you’re most likely to see a souped up Honda Civic or a Mitsubishi Lancer on the streets of Toronto, look harder and you might be lucky enough to spot the car featured here, the Gemballa Mirage GT.

Gemballa Mirage GT

Gemballa Mirage GT

This car is based on the Porsche Carrera GT, which most people would be rather content with just the way it is. But if the regular version wasn’t fast enough or looked crazy enough for you, then the German tuning house Gemballa can turn your supercar into a hypercar.

They start with massaging the already very highly tuned 5.7-liter V10 motor to an even higher level. The standard Carrera GT produces 604 hp, the Mirage GT takes that figure to 672 hp. End result is a car that can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, while top speed is north of 340 km/h.

To enhance its vocals, the Mirage GT gets four exhausts (rather than two as on the standard Carrera GT). The noise would ensure all pedestrians will hear you coming.
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Live from CIAS: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Friday, February 12th, 2010

By Nauman Farooq

The Hyundai Sonata has been one of the longest standing models in Hyundai’s line-up. For most of its life, the Sonata was their flagship model, a title that now belongs to their excellent Genesis sedan.

2011 Hyundai Sonata

2011 Hyundai Sonata

So the Sonata might have lost its crown within the company, but it is fighting back with style.

For the 2011 model year, the sixth-generation version of the Sonata will hit the market, and its stunning design is sure to cause its competitors some sleepless nights.

Penned at their design studio in Irvine, California with a team lead by Philip Zak, the theme was to create a very “Fluidic Sculpture.”

The end result is a very coupe-like sedan, and it does look rather attractive. However, this is not an original idea, since the Germans have been at it for a few years now with cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the VW Passat CC.
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Live from CIAS: HTT Plethore LC-750

Friday, February 12th, 2010

By Nauman Farooq

At the 2010 Canadian International Auto Show, which is held annually in the city of Toronto, show goers will get to see something very much out of the ordinary, a Canadian Supercar.

HTT Plethore LC-750

HTT Plethore LC-750

Behold the HTT Plethore LC-750. HTT, which stands for High Tech Toys, has been working on their car for a few years now, but it is now set to go into production by the end of this year.

Their first car is the Plethore (the name is the French pronunciation for the word ‘plethora’ which means ‘over abundant’) has got a huge task on its hands to win over the public and the enthusiasts who can afford such vehicles.

One look at the almost production ready car on display, and it looks like they will succeed. Not only is the design alluring enough, when you look closely at its details, you can see that the car has been put together by people who really understand build-quality and pay attention to every detail.
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Live from CIAS: Buick Regal

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

By Nauman Farooq

Good news from General Motors of Canada at the start of the 2010 Toronto International Auto Show. The new Buick Regal sedan will eventually be built at GM’s Oshawa plant. Eventually because the first run of production cars will be coming from GM’s Opel facility in Germany.

Buick Regal

Buick Regal

However, starting spring of next year, the Oshawa plant, which currently makes the Impala and the Camaro (the upcoming Camaro convertible will also be built here), will be adding the Regal to their line-up, which is great news for the local work-force.

What will the car be like to actually drive? That we have to wait and see, but since it is very heavily based on the European Opel Insignia, chances are even with the changes to North American spec, the two will be very similar, which is great news, because the Insignia is very well received by all the European motoring press.

The first models on sale will get the 2.4-liter, direct-injection, four-cylinder engine, which produces 182 hp and 172 lb/ft of torque.

A six-speed automatic transmission will send power to the front wheels. No all-wheel drive model has been officially announced as of yet.
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Bullrun Season 3: Team BMW – 10 Questions

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

10 Questions with the Brother and Sister Team from Bullrun’s 3rd Season
 Michael Schlee

Excitement is building as the 3rd season of Speed TV’s hit reality show Bullrun is set to return February 18th. The automotive gauntlet is set to excite viewers once again as 12 teams race across America in hopes of claiming the $200 000 grand prize.

Team BMW

Over the past few weeks I have been conducting interviews with several of the competing teams from the 3rd season of Bullrun. This time around I had the pleasure of interviewing Team BMW, the only brother sister team on this year’s rally. Consisting of driver Jason Arias and co driver Kristina Arias, Team BMW entered Bullrun with their BMW 335i.

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Bullrun Season 3: Team HemiCuda – 10 Questions

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

10 Questions with Bullrun’s Father and Daughter Team

Michael Schlee

It is now less then a week away from The Bullrun Survival Guide Special on Speed TV February 12th. In less then two weeks time, on February 18th, Bullrun Season 3 will debut on Speed TV. If you are not already excited for the next season of Bullrun, you should be. It promises to be a fast-paced adrenaline fueled roller coaster ride pitting 12 teams of gear heads against each for the chance at $200 000.

Team HemiCuda

Those unfamiliar with the show’s concept should click here.

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