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Noteworthy Cars Debuting at the L.A. Auto Show

Here are some of the most buzz-worthy new models and concept cars getting their world debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens to the public Nov. 18. Media previews began Wednesday at the show, which is an important venue for carmakers because California is by far the largest car market in the U.S.:

— CADILLAC XTS: General Motors Co.'s luxury brand unveils the replacement for its old land yachts, the DTS and STS. The company promises space and elegance with technology for a new generation of buyers. It looks like a larger, rounded version of the CTS, and is powered by a 300 horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The all-wheel-drive sedan will hit showrooms in the spring. Pricing hasn't been released.

— CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 CONVERTIBLE: The convertible version of the fastest Camaro ever. It's due out this summer as a 2013 model. The ZL1 sports car has a 550-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 and recently hit 170 miles per hour on a German test track. Pricing hasn't been announced.

— CHEVROLET SPARK: General Motors enters the tiny car market, aiming at young city dwellers with the Spark. It's smaller than Chevrolet's newly released Sonic but still seats four. The Spark will be powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 85 horsepower and will come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic also is available. Chevy promises "vibrant" paint colors. It goes on sale in mid-2012. The price wasn't announced.

— FIAT 500 ABARTH: Italian automaker Fiat SpA rolls out a high performance version of the round and cute 500 mini car. The car, which seats four, is more aggressive looking and its turbocharged 1.4-liter engine cranks out 160 horsepower, 59 more than the base version of the car. It has aluminum racing wheels, a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission, a spoiler and a racing stripe at the bottom of the door. The Abarth gets to dealers in the first half of 2012. The price was not released.

—HONDA CR-V: Honda unveils a new version of its five-seat crossover, which is one of the most popular vehicles in a fast-growing segment. This is the CR-V's first update in four years. Expect modest updates to styling and power that should help keep the vehicle competitive.

—HONDA FIT ELECTRIC: The electric version of the Fit subcompact, which was shown as a concept car at last year's Los Angeles show, is expected to go around 100 miles in a charge. It goes on sale in the U.S. next year. Pricing hasn't been announced.

—HYUNDAI AZERA: The Korean automaker rolls out a new version of its larger midsize car with a sleek body design and side creases. It comes standard with a 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine with gasoline injected directly into the cylinders for higher efficiency. Hyundai claims it will have best in class combined city-highway fuel economy of 23 mpg. Pricing hasn't been announced.

—INFINITI JX: Infiniti launches an all-new seven-passenger crossover with an exclusive new feature: A system that automatically engages the brakes if the driver is about to back into something crossing behind the vehicle. Nissan Motor Co. plans to reveal the price and other details at the show.

— SUBARU BRZ: The automaker famous for rugged all-wheel-drive cars and small SUVs enters the sports car market with the rear-wheel-drive BRZ sports car. Subaru is showing off a concept that will look a lot like a BRZ slated for production in the spring of 2012. It's sleek and low with an aerodynamic front spoiler and a rear wing. The BRZ will have a new direct-injected 2-liter Subaru Boxer engine. Pricing wasn't announced.

Hottest Car, Sport Compact Car, Truck and 4x4-SUV Announced at the 2011 SEMA Show

LAS VEGAS, NV - The vehicles have been tallied and the exhibitors have spoken. The second annual SEMA Award was presented to the Chevrolet Camaro for the Hottest Car, the Fiat 500 for the Hottest Sport Compact Car, the Ford F-Series for the Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler for the Hottest 4x4-SUV. The winners were announced this morning at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

"As the visionaries and innovators of the industry, our SEMA Show exhibitors determine the winners of the SEMA Award based on the vehicles they showcase in their booths," said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "With each booth vehicle representing one vote, the most prominent models in each category are the winners. The SEMA Award celebrates these outstanding vehicles that emerge each year at the show."

The SEMA Award honors those vehicles that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase this year's coolest products. The award recognizes four outstanding vehicle models in four categories – "Hottest Car," "Hottest Sport Compact Car," "Hottest Truck," and "Hottest 4x4-SUV."  It also underscores the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies.

"There is no shortage of options for new car and truck buyers. The ability to accessorize a vehicle often impacts the decision on which vehicle to purchase. The SEMA Award helps guide consumers to the most accessory friendly vehicles on the market by demonstrating the unlimited potential for customization," added Kersting.

The 2011 SEMA Show features more than 2,000 exhibiting companies. SEMA Show exhibitors manufacture thousands of products that improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort. While products are available for every make and model vehicle, exhibitors are investing more into the Chevrolet Camaro, the Fiat 500, Ford F-Series, and Jeep Wrangler than any other vehicle. Consumers, therefore, can expect to find more options for accessorizing these vehicles.

AJAC's 2012 Test Fest Announces its Category Winners

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON - After three full days of testing 57 new vehicles around the Niagara airport facility in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada’s (AJAC) Test Fest has announced their category winners.  

To get you up to speed – Test Fest is an annual gathering of Canadian automotive journalists. They come together to test all of the vehicles under identical road, track, or off-roading conditions in order to come up with an unbiased winner for each category as well as the finalists for the Canadian Car of the Year.

Here are the vehicles that won and have been subsequently entered in the Canadian Car of the Year competition:

BEST NEW SMALL CAR (under $21k): Hyundai Accent
BEST NEW SMALL CAR (over $21k): Hyundai Elantra
BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (under $30k): Kia Optima
BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (over $30k): Kia Optima Hybrid
BEST NEW LUXURY CAR: Mercedes-Benz C-Class C350 4MATIC Sedan
BEST NEW PRESTIGE CAR (over $75k): Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (under $50k): Hyundai Veloster
BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (over $50k): BMW 1 Series M Coupé
BEST NEW SUV/CUV (under $35k): Dodge Journey
BEST NEW SUV/CUV ($35k-$60k): Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel
BEST NEW SUV/CUV (over $60k): BMW X3

The results were compiled by the international accounting firm KPMG and kept confidential until this morning’s press conference.  The over 70 journalists will once again take the winning cars out for test drives to determine the Canadian Car of the Year and Vehicle of the year winners.  Those winners will be announced at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, Ontario on February, 16th, 2012.


Route, dates set for Targa Newfoundland 2012

ST. JOHN’S, NL - An international roster of competitors and fans will converge on St. John’s on September 9, 2012, for the start of the 11th edition of Targa Newfoundland and the beginning of a new decade for Canada’s longest and toughest motorsport event, organizers here have announced.

The annual fall classic will kick off with registration and technical inspection on the Saturday, followed by the traditional ceremonial start and Prologue on the Sunday (September 9). Five grueling days of competition start from St. John’s on Monday (September 10) and conclude back in the capital on Friday, September 14 with the awards gala on Saturday, September 15, 2012.

The event format and route will be similar to past events, says Targa organizer Robert Giannou. Overnight stops along the route will again include Gander, Clarenville and Marystown.

“Each year, we build on the success of the previous year and incorporate the lessons we learn along the way,” says Giannou. “Targa 2011 was the largest and most hotly-contested event in recent years, but also one of the most difficult for our organization. We’ve committed to make Targa 2012 better in every way.”

Work started on the 2012 event the week after the 2011 event ended, Giannou adds, with an innovation from this year expected to be popular next year.

“The new Fast Tour attracted some pretty exciting and exotic cars, and that gained a lot of attention,” he said. “We don’t expect to see another Ferrari in the water any time soon, but we do hope to see more exotic cars from all over the continent on the roads of eastern and central Newfoundland for a week next September.” A rare Ferrari Enzo from Calgary participating in the 2011 Fast Tour ended up in the river in Marystown.

The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is the official charitable partner of Targa Newfoundland.

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 2012 competition will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including up to 450 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.

Through a Glass Darkly

The 2011 Serengeti Sport Collection

It’s finally that time of year when you can slide open the sunroof of your car, grab your shades, and enjoy a nice sunny drive. If you’ve been thinking about buying a new pair of sunglasses, this may be the year. The Driver has investigated some of the new styles coming out from Serengeti Eyewear, and we’re happy to provide you with a few specs.

Road Stories: Dine & Drive

Four roadside restaurants worth pulling over for

What happens when the seasons begin to change after an especially unforgiving winter? Many of us circle the calendar and begin to count the days until the long-wished-for vacation. For many, the holidays will involve some traditional stopovers on the way to cottage country, but it also presents vacationers with the opportunity to drop in on the many colourful restaurants, diners, and other eateries on and off the highway. Whether out of habit or tradition, there’s perhaps no better time to pull off the road for some good old-fashioned hospitality than when en route to a favourite vacation spot.

Ford Adds SYNC AppLink to 10 Vehicles

 

DEARBORN, Mich. – The award-winning Ford SYNC® AppLink™ software program is migrating to a new group of 2012 Ford vehicles, giving more vehicle owners the opportunity to enjoy intuitive voice control of and access to their smartphone apps on the go.

The 2012 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Fiesta, F-150, F-150 SVT Raptor, Super Duty, Expedition, E-Series and Shelby GT500 join the previously announced 2012 Ford Mustang as AppLink-equipped vehicles.

Plus, more mobile innovations are on the way, with additional Ford jobs planned for the company’s Connected Services Solutions Organization – and 2,500 independent developers already signaling they are interested in creating more apps for Ford through the company’s dedicated SYNC developer website (www.syncmyride.com/developer).

 

“We understand more and more drivers are using their devices and their apps while in the car,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions. “Ford is a part of the solution, offering voice-activated options such as Ford SYNC with AppLink on a broader range of our products, which gives more customers a smarter way to access their apps while driving that keeps their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

The recently released J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study reports 86 percent of smartphone owners indicate they use their device while in their vehicles. A Nationwide Mutual Insurance 2010 study indicates more than one in four Americans who download smartphone apps admit to using those apps while driving.

 

Great expectations

Adding AppLink as a factory-installed, standard feature of SYNC on a wider range of vehicles, including F-Series, America’s best-selling vehicle for 29 years, puts Ford further out front in the race to integrate smartphone apps into the car, a feature vehicle owners are increasingly demanding.

Ford has great expectations for AppLink as it migrates to more products and more customers, especially Fusion and F-150 owners, already avid buyers of the SYNC system. Currently, more than 84 percent of 2011 Fusions sold are equipped with SYNC, with F-150 coming in at more than 76 percent for the optional in-car connectivity system.

VanDagens adds that the Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization, responsible for developing the company’s in-car connectivity services, is also on its own accelerated growth plan to stay in step with – if not a step ahead of – how the car connects with the latest and greatest in the mobile electronics industry.

During the next four years, the global Connected Services team will grow fourfold, with a threefold jump planned for U.S. operations alone.

“Ford is committed to building systems for the vehicle environment that leverage innovation and infrastructure and are robust to the changing consumer electronics technology landscape,” said VanDagens. “To do that safely, seamlessly and securely, we have to have dedicated people on our team who eat, sleep and breathe consumer electronics rarified air – technical experts who not only understand current technology but have a sense for where it is headed.”

 

 

 

The Need for Speed

If you’re a car enthusiast, you probably enjoy a great car chase. I don’t mean the kind of high-speed pursuits involving the likes of O.J. Simpson or other fugitives from the law, but the elaborate chase sequences that Hollywood produces and stages for us. Nothing beats the roar of an engine, quick gear shifts, and the occasional collision when it comes to getting the adrenaline pumping.

The Kia Soul EV debuts at the Chicago Auto Show

 

Electric cars are becoming more popular and Kia wanted to join the party. On press day at the Chicago Auto Show, Kia unveiled their first ever full EV, the 2015 Soul EV. 

 

The EV is based on the second-generation Soul and has only a few differences from the gas-powered machine. The EV has specific paint colours, 16-inch wheels and LED lighting elements.

 

 

The Soul EV is powered by an 81.4kilowatt electric motor, which is good for 109 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. It will also come with an air-cooled 27kilowatt hour lithium polymer battery that should allow a driving range of about 128-160 kilometres. The EV will max out at around 145 kph.

 

For the battery to reach full from completely empty, Kia says it will take approximately 24 hours from a standard 120-volt outlet. The higher of the voltage coming from the outlet, will reduce the amount of time to be charged.

 

Along with the green drivetrain, the EV also has an interior of eco-friendly materials. The Soul EV has an option for a heat pump, which will use power from the electric system to warm the vehicle. 

 

 

Buyers will be able to choose from limited two-tone colours that are exclusive to the EV. Pearl White body with an Electric Blue roof, a Caribbean Blue body with a Clear White roof, and Bright Silver accompanied by a Clear White roof. Seating wise, both cloth and leather are available – they are both gray with blue accents.

 

The Kia Soul EV will at first only be available to a few EV-friendly states in the United States that have the proper infrastructure for it. Those include California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. 

 

It will go on sale during the third quarter with prices to be announced closer to the sale date.

 

2015 Subaru Legacy Teased ahead of the Chicago Auto Show

 

Subaru has leaked images of the 2015 Legacy before its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The new look is sleeker and more appealing than the previous Legacy. The set of images show that the lines are similar to the 2015 WRX, as well as the hood and headlights. 

 

Although no official numbers have been released on the Legacy, it will probably hold the same engine as before - a 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder engine, which can push out 175 horsepower. The 3.6-litre six-cylinder that can push 256 horsepower could be offered as well. Only time will tell and there’s still a change that another engine option could be the turbocharged engine from the WRX.

 

 

 

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