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Giving new meaning to “back to the grind,” the daily commute is now transformed into a day at the track with the all-new Lexus RC F. The RC F coupe is styled to support the most powerful V8 performance car ever developed by Lexus.

Based on the spectacular all-new RC coupe that was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, the RC F has wider wheels and tires, an active rear wing, air scoops, cooling ducts and available carbon fiber components, each delivering uncompromising grit to the driving

DESIGN EXTERIOR

The signature Lexus spindle grille dominates the front of the RC F, with a subtle “F” motif embedded in the mesh below the Lexus symbol. As well, the bonnet is higher than that of the RC and it helps create a powerful flared profile suited to an F model. Ducts beneath the front bumper and fenders and strategically placed aerodynamic stabilising fins create a stance which further identifies the F model.

Air outlets at the rear of the front fender form the shape of an L when they merge with side sill extensions, while stacked trapezoidal quad-outlet tailpipes at the rear add further aggression. The RC F has taken design cues from the Lexus supercar LFA. An active rear wing deploys from the RC F’s deck at 80km/h and retracts at less than 40km/h to enhance the coupe’s lines at standstill.

Three variations of 10-spoke 19” forged aluminium wheels are available by grade. Two are machine polished and on the High Plus grade the wheels are hand polished by craftsmen.

DESIGN INTERIOR

The striking cockpit-like interior of Lexus RC F complements the aggressive exterior. Unique components include the meters, steering wheel, seats, ornamentation and pedals. The instrument panel is dominated by a switchable central dial which changes according to the four selectable driving modes. The information, color of the display and size of text all alter.

Occupant comfort is all important. RC F debuts a Lexus-first elliptical cross-section thick-grip steering wheel with optimum placement of paddle gear shifts while all-new high back seats with an embossed F on the headrests have been styled to resemble tight-fitting athletic sportswear and to offer similar levels of support. The seats are available in a selection of five leather trims, each with contrasting stitching.

Outstanding new L-shaped rubber slits in the brake and accelerator pedals combine form and function to provide better foot grip.

Canadian auto sales surged to a record 1.74 million vehicles in 2013 as the industry continued its astounding rebound from the Great Recession, according to figures supplied by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.

DesRosiers said Friday that last year's sales, which topped the previous record of just over 1.7 million in 2002, were up four per cent from 1.67 million in 2012. That was when the industry completed its comeback from the recession, which drove sales down to 1.46 million vehicles in 2009.

Despite weakened sales figures for some automakers in December, the full-year figures showed consumers were "shrugging off record debt levels and a lukewarm economic recovery," DesRosiers said in a commentary.

"December is always an unpredictable month as consumers and manufacturers rush toward year-end, and this year had the ice storm in the eastern half of the country layered on top of the usual volatility."

Leading the way was Ford, which claimed the title of best-selling automaker in Canada for the fourth year in a row.

The auto giant reported that 2013 was its best year in the last 16 as it saw overall car and truck sales increase by almost three per cent.

Ford Canada said it sold 283,588 vehicles last year, compared with 276,068 in 2012, aided by strong demand for its popular F-Series pickup trucks.

Despite the year-over-year gains, the carmaker reported declining sales in December. Total sales last month dropped 4.2 per cent to 16,161, versus 16,874 in December 2012.

Ford's December car sales saw a steep decline of nearly 20 per cent, dropping to 2,923 from 3,628 in December 2012. Yearly sales were almost unchanged, coming in at 68,341.

It says truck sales also fell slightly last month to 13,238 from 13,246. For the year, truck sales climbed 3.5 per cent to 215,247 from 207,961 in 2012.

"The great news for consumers is that 2014 will be another very competitive year in the industry and we look forward to introducing our fantastic new products," said Dianne Craig, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd.

Meanwhile, sales of trucks and vehicles at Chrysler Canada and General Motors also rose last year.

Chrysler Canada says it sold 260,015 vehicles last year, a seven per cent increase over 2012, with strong performances from several of its brands, including Ram pickup trucks.

Chrysler's December sales of cars, minivans, pickup trucks and other light vehicles totalled 15,445 units, a five per cent increase from 14,756 in December 2012.

It sold 5,400 Ram pickup trucks in December, up nine per cent from 4,987 in December 2012, while for the full-year Ram sales climbed 16 per cent to 78,793 from 67,634 in 2012.

“2013 was a great sales year for Chrysler Canada,” said David Buckingham, chief operating officer for Chrysler Canada.

General Motors saw its combined car and truck retail and fleet sales jump 3.6 per cent in 2013 to 234,944 vehicles from 225,825 in 2012. The increase was attributed to a 5.4 per cent hike in truck sales, offset by a 0.4 per cent drop in car sales.

It reported that overall sales last month were also strong, as it delivered 16.5 per cent more vehicles in December — a total of 17,036 compared with 14,623 in December 2012.

Meanwhile, Japanese automaker Toyota Inc. saw a 1.7 per cent jump in total sales as it delivered 195,360 units last year. Its December sales also grew 3.6 per cent to 10,960 units, helped by demand for its RAV4 sport-utility vehicles.

Honda Canada says combined sales from its Honda and Acura division rose 10 per cent last year as the company recorded its best annual sales in five years.

It sold 164,236 cars from both divisions in 2013, with Honda selling 145,231 units and Acura 19,005 units.

For December, Honda saw an overall increase of 0.8 per cent in vehicle sales, with a 1.2 per cent gain in Honda sales to 11,542 units pulled down by a 1.6 per cent drop in Acura sales to 1,774 units.

Nissan also reported that it had its best total sales ever in 2013, as it sold 91,551 vehicles, a 11.4 per cent increase over 2012. For December, it sold 6,896 units from both its Nissan and Infiniti divisions, up 40 per cent from 4,909 in December 2012.

Meanwhile, Korean automaker Hyundai reported record sales of 127,100 vehicles in 2013, up 0.6 per cent from 136,283 in 2012. However, December sales fell 7.1 per cent to 7,304 from 7,863, DesRosiers said.

Kia Canada Inc. said it saw its total annual sales drop 6.9 per cent last year to 72,449. The carmaker had reported record sales in 2012 with 77,800 units.

Volkswagen's yearly sales increased six per cent to 62,668 from 59,132, while December sales surged eight per cent to 4,078 from 3,777.

Subaru said its yearly sales climbed 18.7 per cent to a record 36,760 units in 2013, leading it to claim its the fastest growing Japanese automaker of the year.

"After achieving an all-time sales record in 2012, the bar was set high for 2013, yet Subaru completely outstripped its previous record of 31,003 units with a remarkable 36,760 units sold in 2013," it said.

However, sales for December dropped to 2,704 units from 2,814 in December 2012.

Mazda Canada reported sales of 4,558 vehicles in December, up 28 per cent from the same month last year, while full-year sales totalled 71,859, an increase of 0.3 per cent.

You can call it bucket list item number 345 or what have you, but either way it was a red-letter day for your intrepid auto journalist—well, “black-letter” day may be more appropriate.

After 20-plus years spent studying and reading up on the world’s first mass-produced car, the Ford Model T, I was granted the chance to go for a ride in one. This special treat was thanks to Ford, its archives team and of course car owner Dale McDermott and driver Tom Butterworth. Butterworth is also a Model T owner, and the handful of auto scribes that were on-hand that day are indebted to him for braving the subzero temperatures of Northern Michigan and chauffeuring us about.

After the Ford Model T’s release in 1908 up to its production end in 1927, almost 15 million units were produced. To quote Henry Ford, the Model T was available “in any colour, as long as it’s black,” hence the need for an adjustment to the red-to-black adage above.

Why old car photos always seem to feature drivers and passengers dressed in all manner of body-warming garb may seem obvious, you have to ask: did they only drive in the winter in the ‘20s? The photos sure suggest that they did. Take a ride in a Model T, however, and you’ll see what those artists were on about, even if they did add a flowing scarf or two by their own accord to convey a better sense of romance and speed.

It comes from all angles; the front, sides, rear—everywhere and it’s relentless, even though we were only cruising at parking lot speeds. After my ride, I can now understand those photos, because this was an all-out assault on my cold-weather sensors.

But it didn’t matter. The ride was all that I hoped it would be, and in fact, once you got past the wind buffeting it was a surprisingly supple and comfortable ride even though you’re riding on a set of 30-inch rims. Take that, modern cars!

The seats may be small, but the diamond tufted leather is actually comfortable. The leaf springs took us through bumps with nowhere near the bounce I thought we’d feel, although we had our slow speed to thank for that. 

Being an auto journalist, I’m a gearhead and so the way the car was driven was a sight to behold in itself. There are three pedals, but they don’t do what you’d expect; they’re in fact for low-gear, high-gear and neutral. There are steering column-mounted stalks, but one of these is the throttle, the other the spark advance for the ignition. That thing that looks like it could be the gear lever? That’s the brake. 

Really, when you think about it, the only thing that does what it looks like it’s supposed to do is the wooden steering wheel. That works as advertised.

Hyundai and its sister company Kia said Monday that they will pay up to $395 million to consumers as part of a proposed settlement over overstated gas mileage.

The Environmental Protection Agency found inflated numbers on 13 Hyundai and Kia vehicles in November of 2012.

Hyundai and Kia acknowledged the problem, changed the fuel economy numbers and blamed a procedural error. Since then, Hyundai and Kia have been compensating owners with payments of around $88 annually, which is based on the amount the mileage was overstated and the average price of gasoline.

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors are also offering an option of a lump-sum payment. The companies put a figure to it Monday, saying Hyundai would pay up to $210 million and Kia up to $185 million. The total value depends on how many consumers opt for the one-time payment instead of the annual reimbursement.

The companies say the lump-sum payment amount varies but would average $353 per Hyundai owner and lessees and $667 for Kia.

Consumers also have a choice of a dealership credit.

The vehicles involved include the Hyundai Azera, Accent, Genesis, Santa Fe, Sonata Hybrid, Tucson and Veloster and the Kia Optima Hybrid, Rio, Sorento, Soul and Sportage.

The settlement still needs court approval, which the companies anticipate seeking in early 2014.