Published on YouTube: Opel to swap Ampera-e (aka Bolt EV) for all-electric Corsa

Opel to swap Ampera-e (aka Bolt EV) for all-electric Corsa
The Opel Ampera-e Electric Car Review Specification & Presentation: It's been six months since General Motors completed the sale of its Opel division in Europe ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxqO1H-BSyU

Published on YouTube: The first-ever BMW iX3 comes with a very reliable partner to support you whenever you need it

The first-ever BMW iX3 comes with a very reliable partner to support you whenever you need it
The first-ever #BMW #iX3 comes with a very #reliable partner to support you whenever you need it. Meet the BMW Driving Assistant Professional. It can activate ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWaQXHl03aM

Published on YouTube: 2022 Lexus NX Electrified Vision | NX Review Specification & Presentation

2022 Lexus NX Electrified Vision | NX Review Specification & Presentation
2022 Lexus NX Electrified Vision | NX Review Specification & Presentation :Review Specification & Presentation Features And Specs ,Overview, What's New for ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0U6ySVFKqA

Published on YouTube: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: What We Know So Far-More Detail in Description

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: What We Know So Far-More Detail in Description
With a complete redesign in store for the #2022 #Mercedes-Benz #C-class, the entry-luxury car segment is in for a shakeup. The C-class has long served as the ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph9YivIAgA4

On track with BMW’s annual showcase

Nobody wants to be a resources-gobbling pariah these days, not even impassioned devotees of expensive sports cars. So, after a brief talk on their future electrification strategy, BMW assured us that more than 250 trees would be planted to offset the carbon output of the day’s track event held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Guilt assuaged, we made our way over to the waiting vehicles – a selection of BMW’s currently available lineup.  Among these were our first drives of the 2022 Mini Cooper JCW convertible, and the 2021 BMW M440i Cabriolet.

JCW, short for John Cooper Works, is the spicy performance trim level in Mini’s model lineup, anchored by the Cooper hardtop and convertible. For 2022, JCW Coopers return with some exterior styling changes and a couple of interior upgrades.

Up front, an aggressive new fascia features bigger air intakes to help cool engine and brakes, and a reworked diffuser finishes up the rear. There are also new wheel designs to choose from.

Inside, the cabin remains largely the same but a larger 8.8 inch infotainment screen is now standard, and the analog gauges have been replaced by a digital display. Lane departure warning joins the safety features list.

Under the skin–zesty yellow with a touch of green in this case –  things remain largely unchanged. Since JCW models tended to be a little choppy on rough roads, the optional adaptive suspension has been reworked with “frequency selective” dampers for a smoother ride. Behind the happy face lies the same 2.0 litre turbo-charged four-cylinder producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. While the coupe can be had with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto transmission, the convertible is available only with the automatic.

It’s hard not to smile when flinging a JCW Mini around a tight autocross course. The Brembo brakes bite quickly, and with the help of its short wheel base and electronically locking front differential, the Mini dances through the tight turns with accuracy.   While I missed the manual gear selector’s satisfying “snick”  and short throws, the auto’s paddle shifters do help ramp up the engagement.

I’m not a big fan of convertibles– having your hair whipped into a rat’s nest, and sand lodged in the car’s every nook and cranny does get old – but it does hold a certain charm on a warm day. And in this case, you can option your soft top with a Union Jack. But the convertible adds 100 kg in weight over the hardtop which does have an affect on its performance.  With eight-speed automatic, the JCW hardtop sprints from 0-100 km/hr in 6.1 seconds, the convertible slightly behind at 6.5.  The difference is negligible to someone who loves open air cruising, and the more performance-oriented buyer can always go for the hardtop.  The JCW convertible starts at $43,640, as tested $56,530

At last year’s showcase, (https://www.wheels.ca/news/bmws-new-model-showcase-includes-several-worthy-first-drives/) BMW teased us with a first glimpse of the 2021 M440i cabriolet – this year we got to drive it. Like the coupe, the 4-series convertible returns bearing the controversial new nose design. Like a set of vertically stretched, oversized nostrils, the convertible’s is somewhat softer and less pugnacious than the coupe’s.  The consolation is, that behind the wheel you forget all about it.

While aesthetically I prefer the lines of a coupe, the M440i ($72,750 – $87,450 as driven) makes a compelling case for open-air cruising. The raked back windshield and raised windows create a calm buffer zone even at speed, and the warm sun illuminates the swanky white leather upholstery.

The new folding cloth top roof replaces the previous convertible’s retractible hardtop. It’s 40 percent lighter than the previous roof, lowering the car’s centre of gravity, and also provides more headspace.

As with the coupe, the convertible 4-series shares the same wheelbase as the 3 series sedan, but it’s lower, longer and wider. The extra five inches in length means that it gains a now very useful rear seat.

While the regular 430i convertible is powered by a 2.0 litre turbo-four cylinder with 255 horsepower, the M-badged variants receive an inline six producing 382 hp and 369 pound-feet of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Thusly equipped, the M440i can rip from 0-100 km/hr in 5 seconds – that’s quicker than the previously driven JCW Mini at twice its weight. Though quick and powerful with rich burbling exhaust note, the M440i is more canyon carving grand tourer than all-out performance car.  It’s available only with all-wheel-drive, and the larger engine adds extra weight to its nose.  throwing off its front-to-back weight balance. Buyers focused on a lithe and agile performance car would be happier with the lighter, rear-wheel-driven 430i.

Toggle into Sport Plus mode, and the M440i launches with a great cackle of ferocious blatts. An M Sport electronically controlled limited slip differential and M Sport adaptive suspension help keep it flat and composed during quick turning maneovers . While the all-wheel drive adds an extra layer of sure-footed stability, it requires finesse to toss it around a tight course – too heavy on the gas and the extra weight over the nose will induce understeer. Fortunately, the electronic stability system intervenes and the M440i quickly regains composure.

The Adaptive M Suspension system, with continuous damping at each wheel, and a 48-volt generator that provides extra boost to smooth out turbo lag help give the M440i an exceptionally creamy ride. Convertibles were traditionally notorious for shake and vibration, but the M440i glides serenely over rough pavement, and the cabin is relatively unaffected by buffeting winds.

The day finished up with a track session behind the wheel of what for me was the highlight: the 2021 BMW M2 CS.

We’ve already done an in-depth review of this car (https://www.wheels.ca/car-reviews/review-2021-bmw-m2-cs/), but it was my first chance to track what is surely the pinnacle of BMW’s production car performance: the Competion Sport badged version of the M2 coupe.  The M2 CS pays homage to BMW’s halcyon days of lightweight, agile

The post On track with BMW’s annual showcase appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3yf7WSH
via IFTTT

Volvo Details Big Plans to Improve Batteries, Infotainment, and Safety

Volvo is aiming for better batteries, preparing to introduce a Volvo-branded operating system, and continuing to pioneer vehicle safety.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3h95CqF
via IFTTT

2024 Honda Prologue

What We Know So Far

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3AhzqJd
via IFTTT

2021 BMW i3

Review, Pricing, and Specs

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3tL0LA9
via IFTTT

Published on YouTube: A step by step guide on how to connect your iPhone to your Mercedes-Benz.

A step by step guide on how to connect your iPhone to your Mercedes-Benz.
A step by step guide on how to connect your iPhone to your Mercedes-Benz.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv7OwFiGgVg

Published on YouTube: Mercedes Benz How To: Steering Wheel & Cruise Control Technology -More Detail in Description

Mercedes Benz How To: Steering Wheel & Cruise Control Technology -More Detail in Description
The all-new seamless multi-function steering wheel with touch sensitive technology puts our most intuitive design at your fingertips. Learn how to use all of its ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ6phIS5p3A

Published on YouTube: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited | Trim Review-More Detail in Description

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited | Trim Review-More Detail in Description
2021 Crosstrek Limited Specs: ---------------------------------------- *Starting at $27995 - 18-inch alloy wheels - LED Steering Responsive Headlights ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9cDTEHcfHg

Published on YouTube: An overview of the Mercedes-Benz Smart Key and the KEYLESS-GO features. -More Detail in Description

An overview of the Mercedes-Benz Smart Key and the KEYLESS-GO features. -More Detail in Description
An overview of the Mercedes-Benz Smart Key and the KEYLESS-GO features.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_QfrRJ0SKI

Published on YouTube: 2022 Toytoa VOXY Overview Specification & Presentation

2022 Toytoa VOXY Overview Specification & Presentation
2022 Toytoa VOXY Overview Specification & Presentation.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGYaUzvMP1M

Volvo Concept Recharge Previews Next-Generation Design and Technology

The electric SUV concept shows how EV platforms will reshape vehicle design, and foreshadows a soon-to-arrive flagship model.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/36hwzlP
via IFTTT

New Cars Are Great, But Don’t Forget the Pleasures of Economy Cars

The modern car is a wonderful thing. It can open when you’re near, it can answer trivia questions, ventilate and massage your backside, and it can even turn on the lights inside your home if you ask nicely. Under the hoods are tiny engines and turbos with big block-beating horsepower while brakes rotors are pizza-sized and wheels and tires on family crossovers offer more size and grip than supercars of two decades gone. It’s why sliding into something simpler can be such a delight.

The last vehicle to remind me of this treat was a Nissan Versa, one of the now just a handful of entry-level new cars on sale in this country. It’s not exactly basic, it still has a backup camera, lane-alerts, power windows, cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, all of which are either mandatory or might as well be in 2021, but looking at the vehicles sitting alongside it at the Nissan/Infiniti showroom, it’s practically spartan.

Cloth seats, no drive modes, reasonably sized wheels (on most trims, this one had 17-inch which I’ll hold only slightly against it), even drum brakes on the rear that’ll last longer and need less maintenance. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but no Alexa, no calling to a disembodied voice at corporate, and not a single thing beeped at me my entire time with it.

I know this makes me sound like a technophobe, but I’m not. I love technology, I’ve spent my life near the bleeding edge of the internet, smartphones, and it’s been four years since my first ride in an autonomous car. What I’ve been missing, without even realising it, was the experience of driving.

Cars and trucks from the 1990s have been skyrocketing in price in the last year, and apart from those who grew up with them finally having the money to buy their childhood memories, I think there’s another reason.

A car without all of the excess is more enjoyable to drive, but it’s also just more enjoyable to be in. This Versa, for example, weighs less than 1,200 kg despite having more safety tech than a whole fleet of 1980s Volvos. Being half the weight of a midsize crossover pays off in a small vehicle and to see how just look at the windows. Far too many new sedans and crossovers have a window line at your shoulder with pillars that could block your view of a Ford Excursion – or at least an Expedition – they need them because they’re so heavy they otherwise can’t handle their own weight in a crash. The pillars in this Versa, or a Chevrolet Spark or Mitsubishi Mirage are toothpicks in contrast. With greenhouse levels of glass that let you see everything around you, things like cyclists and pedestrians.

This lightness extends to the steering, making the car nimbler. Not razor-sharp like a track day Porsche, instead it becomes almost telepathic but with smoothness. Anticipating your intentions and, to borrow a slogan, just doing it. Perfect for city traffic and zipping around other cars.

Even bumps are better handled in a simple vehicle. Less mass to stop moving up and down means softer springs can do the same work. Softer springs lead directly to a more comfortable ride, without reverting to wallowing like a Cadillac of the 1960s, a fault found to varying degrees in every single mainstream crossover. Can heavier new vehicles do the same with their fancy magnetic and air suspensions? Almost, but that’s why they cost four (or more) times the price of a simple car. You’ll always feel that weight, though, and just wait for one to need replacement.

Fewer in-cabin buttons, not achieved by packing every function into a layer of the touchscreen system, leads to more time with your eyes on the road and then to less stress and more safety. Even if there are fewer switches to show off to your friends.

Even small naturally aspirated engines are a joy. Four small pistons doing their best to spin light connecting rods and a light crankshaft with 16 little valves opening and closing. It might not scream to its redline like a cinematic knight charging into battle, but the effortless joy of a Labrador retriever puppy is much more enjoyable in a daily drive.

It’s hard not to feel more in touch with the simple car as well as everything happening around you. Not in a hectic fashion, as though you were falling down a hill on a mountain bike, rather that you are experiencing it like you’re on a pleasant stroll down a forest path. Contrast that to other new vehicles where you’re looking at pictures of the world on a screen as you pass through it.

This isn’t fawning over one particular model, rather a look back at an entire class of models that is disappearing ever more quickly. Farewell to the small and simple car and the delight of driving you as a first car, a last car, or one destined to spend its life parked at a train station or airport. Should the last manufacturers abandon you, you will be missed.

The post New Cars Are Great, But Don’t Forget the Pleasures of Economy Cars appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3dw3OFL
via IFTTT

2022 Chevy Silverado Will Add Off-Road-Ready ZR2 Model

The off-road package, already available on the mid-size Colorado, will help the Silverado compete with the Ford F-150 Tremor and Ram 1500 Rebel.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3ybooDw
via IFTTT

Tested: 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet Goes Ballistic

Porsche builds an open-air daily driver that hits 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3ckN55a
via IFTTT

German EV Startup Revives the Legendary 1980s-Era Audi Quattro

The E-Legend EL1 purports to be an 805-hp tribute to the rally car that established Audi’s proficiency for all-wheel drive.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3qB1Qcw
via IFTTT

Base Camp: 2021 Kia Sorento LX+

Every week, wheels.ca selects a new vehicle and takes a good look at its entry-level trim. If we find it worthy of your consideration, we’ll let you know. If not, we’ll recommend one – or the required options – that earns a passing grade.

The popular Kia Sorento is new for 2021, packing a style that cribs more than a bit of detail from its big brother, the Telluride. Occupying a spot in the murderously competitive three-row crossover segment, Kia knows it has to bring more than just a high-value feature count to win the wallets of today’s picky consumer.

It’s entry trim is called the LX+ and bears a sticker price of $33,995. At this end of the price scale, its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine does without a turbocharger, meaning the mill is good for 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This teams with an eight-speed automatic and sure-footed all-wheel drive. Every 2021 Sorento has exactly the same amount of head- and legroom in all three rows, plus identical cargo dimensions. In other words, spending more money doesn’t get buyers any extra capability in terms of hauling people or their stuff.

Kia built its brand on value, and that personality trait shines brightly in the base Sorento. Seats are upholstered in cloth across all three rows, the steering wheel adjust for reach and rake, remote keyless entry welcomes drivers upon arrival, and there is a raft of power outlets scattered throughout the cabin. The LX+ is the only Sorento in which drivers will need to dig for keys, however, since push-button start is absent on this trim.

The same 8-inch display audio infotainment screen that appears in other Sorento trims costing thousands more is on board, fitted for smartphone integration and the typical Bluetooth connectivity. Satellite radio is missing, sadly, as is dual climate control. Looks like warring factions will either be arguing about cabin temperature or music selection. Perhaps relations will thaw with the standard heated from seats.

A number of active safety systems, like advanced forward collision avoidance assist and lane keeping help shepherd things back onto the straight and narrow if the computers sense impending doom. Those 17-inch alloys look pretty good, as do the LED head- and fog lights which are shared with much more expensive trims. Annoyingly, the only zero-dollar paint option is the Ebony Black shown here; at least it blends well with Sorento’s front fascia.

What We’d Choose

Popping for a turbocharged variant of the Sorento will require stepping up to at least the X-Line trim, a $5,500 walk from the entry-level LX+. While power does jump by nearly 100 ponies, the more expensive model is also heavier and has a slight penalty on overall fuel economy. Be sure to sample both powertrains back-to-back before making a final decision.

Unless towing ranks high on your list of weekend activities (the turbo can haul 3,500 lbs compared to the non-turbo’s 2,800 lb limit), the majority of drivers will be satisfied with the less-powerful option. A case can be made, however, for spending just $2,500 more on the LX Premium trim in order to secure comfort features like dual-zone climate control and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The post Base Camp: 2021 Kia Sorento LX+ appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3dqrsn4
via IFTTT

Tesla was right to dump Bitcoin

The Tesla and Bitcoin drama has been unfolding over the last few months. Like a bad (or good) celebrity relationship, the initial coming together of the two tech “disruptors” was met with instant controversy.

Tesla began accepting Bitcoin as a purchase method for its cars in February 2021, after the company announced it had purchased $1.5 billion (U.S.) of the cryptocurrency. A few short months later, on May 12, Tesla decided to stop accepting Bitcoin, with founder Elon Musk citing what many critics of the relationship had highlighted — Bitcoin’s reliance on fossil fuels and impact on climate change.

“We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel,” Musk wrote on Twitter.

There are some internet whispers that Tesla may reverse its decision in the near future. Musk himself has praised the concept of cryptocurrency and said that Tesla intends “to use (cryptocurrency) for transactions as soon as mining transitions to more sustainable energy.”

That would be a bad call. Not just for the image of electric vehicles (EVs), but possibly for the entire planet. You’ve probably heard some criticism of Tesla or lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicles as a whole. Besides concerns such as range, charge and cost to run, many EV critics often boast that these vehicles are no more eco-friendly than the average fossil fuel-powered cars — and in some cases might even be more carbon-intensive over the course of their lifespan.

Most of the criticism is based on two points. The first is the sourcing and refinement of the lithium for the batteries, which is a carbon-intensive process, and the second is the source of the electricity to charge the vehicles — if you have to burn coal to make electricity to power your car, it’s not exactly “green.”

These are arguments we’ve all been hearing for the last decade. But while they held merit back in 2010, they hold very little now. As EV manufacturing has scaled, battery production has become localized and EVs are charged primarily through renewable sources such as hydroelectricity and nuclear power, the data collected over the past three years has been overwhelmingly positive for EVs and their carbon footprint versus traditional vehicles.

In 2020, studies from the universities of Exeter, Nijmegen (in The Netherlands) and Cambridge showed that in 95 per cent of the world, driving an electric car was better for the climate than one powered by fossil fuels. For example, if you purchased a new Nissan Leaf EV in the U.K. in 2019, it would have lifetime emissions (that’s the manufacturing of the car, plus driving 150,000 km) around three times lower than the average new gasoline-powered car.

This has been true in other countries which have seen wide-spread EV adoption, such as Norway and France, where nearly all electricity comes from carbon-neutral sources, such as hydroelectric or nuclear.

It is true that around 50 per cent of an EV’s carbon footprint is down to the manufacturing process alone. However, the carbon intensity of battery manufacturing has decreased as it becomes more localized and the factories themselves become reliant on renewable sources, such as the Tesla “Gigafactory.”

Independent studies, such as the one done by Carbon Brief, now conclude that the average EV produces between 100 to 150 grams CO2-equivalent per kilometre (assuming 150,000 kms driven over the vehicle lifetime) while the average fossil fuel-powered European car is somewhere around 250 grams CO2-equivalent per kilometre.

This is all to say that now that EVs are beginning to fulfill their mission of reducing carbon emissions, allowing payment through a fossil fuel-reliant currency would be a huge step backward.

Bitcoin is bad for the environment and its use should be limited — particularly by anyone at least claiming to have a mind toward lowering carbon emissions. In 2019, a study in the scientific journal Joule found that Bitcoin production is estimated to generate between 22 and 22.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year, which is somewhere between the levels produced by the entire countries of Jordan and Sri Lanka.

In 2020, that number had increased to 36.95 megatons of CO2 annually — a carbon footprint comparable to that of New Zealand and an energy consumption comparable to that of The Netherlands.

Cambridge researchers estimate that Bitcoin now accounts for around 0.5 per cent of total global electricity consumption.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that if Bitcoin continues to grow at this rate, it could be among the most environmentally harmful things human beings have ever invented. There are efforts to make cryptocurrency greener — presumably (and hopefully) what Musk is waiting for before once again accepting it as a form of payment for Tesla.

Projects from Canada to Siberia have proposed Bitcoin manufacturing become reliant on renewable sources such as hydropower and some sustainability experts have suggested companies could buy carbon credits as a way to offset the carbon impact of cryptocurrency. However, the problem really is in the design of Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is created when high-powered computers compete against one another to solve complex mathematical puzzles. It is a very energy-intensive process — and one that, more often than not, relies on fossil fuels, particularly coal, which Elon Musk has correctly pointed out is the dirtiest power source of all.

Higher demand leads to higher Bitcoin prices, which leads to higher demand, which leads to higher prices. Which leads to more Bitcoin miners using increasingly powerful computers to compete against each other, which in turn need more and more and more energy.

By nature, as it becomes more popular, it must consume more energy, making the possibility of “sustainable crypto” unlikely with mass adoption, at least, in the immediate future.

Could things change? Of course. Human beings are clever problem solvers and we’re always coming with ways to improve existing concepts. The very existence of EVs and cryptocurrency are evidence of that. But in 2021, you’d be a pretty big hypocrite to buy your electric car with money from the internet.

 Chris D’Alessandro is a writer living in downtown Toronto. Growing up in a family of used car dealers and mechanics, he has been immersed in car culture his entire

The post Tesla was right to dump Bitcoin appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3y53Vjw
via IFTTT

The Ultimate Coffee Table Book about Collector Cars Is Here

This stunning tome deserves to be read on a throne, not a sofa.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3qEpuF1
via IFTTT

631-HP Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Has Porsche's Most Powerful V-8

The twin-turbocharged V-8–powered 2022 Cayenne Coupe will arrive in the U.S. next year starting at $182,150.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3ya6wsj
via IFTTT

Tested: 2020 BMW M2 CS Is an Automatic Classic

Even with the dual-clutch auto instead of a manual, this is BMW's defining car.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3h4LNAP
via IFTTT

2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Review, Pricing, and Specs

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3cSBxGE
via IFTTT

Published on YouTube: 2022 Kia Sorento: What We Know So Far -More Detail in Description

2022 Kia Sorento: What We Know So Far -More Detail in Description
2022 Kia Sorento: What We Know So Far : The Kia Sorento is a small SUV that is one of the few to offer three rows of seating. Fresh off a redesign for 2021, the ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UL-LJPH0iY

Published on YouTube: Answers to your Cadillac OnStar Questions | Help & Support

Answers to your Cadillac OnStar Questions | Help & Support
OnStar is a name that has stood for safety for 25 years. With the OnStar Guardian app, you and your family can take that trust and experience on your phones ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UXlHDl88EA

Published on YouTube: Learn how to easily navigate the climate control systems in your Mercedes-Benz.

Learn how to easily navigate the climate control systems in your Mercedes-Benz.
Learn how to easily #navigate the #climate control systems in your #Mercedes-Benz.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuYytxp5h9A

Published on YouTube: 2021 Ford Explorer Review Specification & Presentation-More Detail in Description

2021 Ford Explorer Review Specification & Presentation-More Detail in Description
2021 #Ford #Explorer #Review Specification & Presentation-More Detail in Description.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CASzYx05idQ

Published on YouTube: 2022 New C-Class World Premiere | Mercedes-Benz-Review Specification & Presentation

2022 New C-Class World Premiere | Mercedes-Benz-Review Specification & Presentation
2022 New #C-Class World Premiere | #Mercedes-Benz Review Specification & Presentation.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRJ7oM23ItA

Published on YouTube: 2022 The New C-Class "Three Things to Know" | Mercedes-Benz -More Detail in Description

2022 The New C-Class "Three Things to Know" | Mercedes-Benz -More Detail in Description
2022 The New #C-Class "Three Things to Know" | #Mercedes-Benz -More Detail in Description.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2wxvCk7Bd8

Tesla May Open Its Superchargers to Other EVs, Starting in Scandinavia

Long a brand-exclusive perk for Tesla owners only, the fast chargers may be on the verge of wider availability.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3js5HHe
via IFTTT

2022 Subaru WRX

What We Know So Far

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/30Uisk8
via IFTTT

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLE Could Replace E- and C-Class Convertibles

Spy photos of a new droptop Benz, plus a renewed trademark for the CLE-class name, suggest that the automaker will streamline its coupe and convertible lineup.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3y3j3hk
via IFTTT

Oregonians Allowed to Pump Their Own Gas . . . for Two Days

A brutal heat wave led to a temporary suspension on the state’s law prohibiting customers from filling up their own tanks.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3dqLLRc
via IFTTT

2022 Subaru WRX Teased, Will Debut Soon

Subaru has shared the first image of the new turbocharged, all-wheel-drive WRX, and it'll make its full debut by the end of the year.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3627Am4
via IFTTT

The Millionth Toyota Tacoma Is Heading to Auction

The truck will hit Mecum Auctions' Monterey 2021 sale.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3dqnyuw
via IFTTT

Published on YouTube: 2022 BMW i4: The First-Ever Purely Electric Gran Coupé With an Estimated Range of 475 km

2022 BMW i4: The First-Ever Purely Electric Gran Coupé With an Estimated Range of 475 km
The All-Electric BMW i4 - Powerful Acceleration: BMW is no stranger to electrified models (see the funky little i3 and wildly styled i8 for proof), and the 2022 i4 ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESmwamrDIkw

Tested: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Brings Upscale Efficiency

A smooth gas-electric powertrain, quiet cabin, and premium features give Hyundai's updated mid-size crossover an edge.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3hgmsTg
via IFTTT

Published on YouTube: All-New 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport | Trim Review-More Detail in Description

All-New 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport | Trim Review-More Detail in Description
2021 Crosstrek Sport Specs: ------------------------------------------ *Starting at $26495 - 2.5-liter 182-hp SUBARU BOXER engine - Auto Start-Stop Technology ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddQwUy9dA2Q

Published on YouTube: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium | Trim Review-More Detail in Description

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium | Trim Review-More Detail in Description
2021 Crosstrek Premium Specs: ------------------------------------------ *Starting at $23295 - SUBARU STARLINK Safety Plus enabled - Available Subaru EyeSight ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78nK_Gsd36w

Published on YouTube: 2022 Audi Q7 Quattro Review Specification & Presentation

2022 Audi Q7 Quattro Review Specification & Presentation
2022 #Audi #Q7 #Quattro Review Specification & Presentation:2022 Audi Q7 Price: The 2022 Audi Q7 starts at $55800. The destination fee is $1095. The 2022 ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A309PFE2OIM

Published on YouTube: 2022 Hyundai Tucson N-Line First Look-More Detail in Description

2022 Hyundai Tucson N-Line First Look-More Detail in Description
2022 #Hyundai #Tucson #N-Line First Look-More Detail in Description Whatever you think of the way the new Hyundai Tucson looks, there's little doubt that it ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3i0RI6Aekw

Published on YouTube: 2022 Lexus LS Review Specification & Presentation-More Detail in Description

2022 Lexus LS Review Specification & Presentation-More Detail in Description
2022 Lexus LS Review Specification & Presentation-More Detail in Description 2022 Lexus LS Lexus facelifted its flagship LS sedan last year with subtle ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maUs9GzCx2g

Published on YouTube: A step by step guide on how to connect your Android to your Mercedes-Benz.

A step by step guide on how to connect your Android to your Mercedes-Benz.
A step by step guide on how to #connect your #Android to your #Mercedes-Benz.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz_tzUDID7g

Published on YouTube: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Base | Trim Review-More Detail in Description

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Base | Trim Review-More Detail in Description

via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsMUpm2eNFQ

Published on YouTube: BMW iX3 with a number of Connected Drive services interaction between you and your vehicle easier

BMW iX3 with a number of Connected Drive services interaction between you and your vehicle easier
The first-ever BMW iX3 is here with a number of Connected Drive services to make the interaction between you and your vehicle easier, The first-ever BMW iX3 ...
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jYADZ9BRt8

Tesla Recalls 285,000 Cars in China over Cruise-Control Problem

Drivers are accidentally activating cruise control in the Model 3 and Y, possibly leading to acceleration they weren't expecting, and a software update will fix the issue.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/2T5Z1UJ
via IFTTT

2021 Ford Bronco

Review, Pricing, and Specs

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/32gL8Fs
via IFTTT

Get Ready to See 2021 Ford Broncos on the Road

Nearly 200,000 people have reservations for the Bronco SUV, and the first vehicles are now reaching customers.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3xTeQga
via IFTTT

News Roundup: 2022 Civic Hatch, Jeep on 35s, Canadians Not Sure About AV’s, More

Honda has just revealed the companion for the 2022 Civic sedan. It’s the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback and this time the brand has taken some big steps to boost the style of the car. A much sleeker roofline and more glass do the job, but despite a roofline 25 mm lower than before Honda says there will be equal rear-seat headroom. Extra windows should improve visibility and the hatch opening is 40 mm wider to give better access to the space. While the last-generation Hatchback was turbo-only, this time the car is made in America and not the UK (the sedan will still be made in Ontario), and so the 2.0-litre non-turbo four and 158 hp is standard on LX. The 180 hp 1.5-litre turbo-four will come with Sport and Sport Touring trims and all three will offer a CVT or optional six-speed manual. For the rest of the details, look to the Civic sedan as the cabin, which includes a much-touted new interior, will be mostly shared. Expect pricing and complete specifications soon.

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback – Japan Market Model

Photo: 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

Photo Credit: Honda

Not sure about the autonomous vehicle future? A new survey of Canadians from Car Gurus shows that you aren’t the only one. Less than a third of Canadians are excited about a self-driving car, the study found, with 38 per cent neutral and 29 per cent saying that they are concerned about the cars. Thirty-six per cent said they were not comfortable with any of the presented scenarios including being the pilot of a self-driving car, being a passenger in one, putting a loved one in one, or even sharing the road with them. In contrast, 70 per cent agree that driving assistance features (adaptive cruise, backup cameras, etc.) make travel by car safer. When it comes to laying blame, 55 per cent think the manufacturer should be at fault for any accidents in a self-driving car while 45 per cent said the pilot and their insurance. The blame game may well end up being one of the largest roadblocks in the adoption of self-driving cars. Just a reminder that there are no self-driving cars for sale today, nor are there likely to be in the next few years.

https://go.cargurus.com/rs/611-AVR-738/images/CA-2021-AV-Study-Summary-Report.pdf

Jeep wasn’t going to let Ford’s Bronco be the only off-roader with standard 35-inch tall tires. The automaker has introduced the Xtreme Recon package for the Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. It adds 35-inch tall BFG off-road tires on bead-lock-capable rims. To help the wheels fit the Jeep will have a 1.5-inch lift as well as retuned dampers to cope with the larger rubber. A 4.56:1 axle ratio will be stock (up from 4.10 on Rubicon) with an available 4.88:1 ratio offering an impressive 100:1 crawl ratio for ultimate rock crawling. It also means more ground clearance and improved approach and departure angles, but the key here is bragging rights. Xtreme Recon is available to order now and expect Ford to fire back.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 with Xtreme Recon package

Photo: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Xtreme Recon

Photo Credit: Jeep

Volvo is set to reveal the fully electric replacement for the XC90 next year. Now the automaker has announced that it will come with a suite of sensors including LiDAR vision technology and an autonomous driving computer powered by Nvidia. The goal of the new package is to produce a new generation of collision avoidance to make driving safer. The new technology suite will be accompanied by over the air updates designed to improve system performance in the places where severe injuries and fatalities are most likely today.

Sensors on electric successor to XC90 – Complete sensor set

Photo: Volvo XC90 Sensor Suite

Photo Credit: Volvo

Acura has priced the 2021 TLX Type S. The sports sedan is set to arrive at dealers on June 30th and start from $59,500. It will come with the Type S exclusive 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 making 355 hp. Acura says the car will come with a sport-tuned suspension, sports seats, and a driveline modified to fit the expectations and demands of the Type S driver.

Photo: 2021 Acura TLX Type S

Photo: Acura

The post News Roundup: 2022 Civic Hatch, Jeep on 35s, Canadians Not Sure About AV’s, More appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3dklF2A
via IFTTT

Racing Roundup: F1, like NASCAR, should slow down the cars

NASCAR is planning to cut speeds by as much as 10 mph at their restrictor-plate speedways, Daytona and Talladega. They are worried the cars are going too fast. Maybe Formula One should take a page out of the same book.

F1 drivers – particularly the fast guys at the front of the pack, like Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen – had qualifying laps deleted at the Red Bull Ring this weekend, as well as at recent races in Portugal and Italy. (Laps are deleted when all four wheels on a car go outside the track boundary line. Drivers sometimes screw up and this happens; other times, they actually plan to run a lap with two of their wheels over the line at certain corners or parts of the track to give themselves an advantage.)

That this is being allowed at all is ridiculous. A boundary is a boundary, not something that can be moved at will. The Armco at Monaco is a boundary. Hit that and the car is damaged – as it should be. Go all four wheels past the boundary in Austria and the stewards say, “Naughty fellow,” and delete the time.

So why not slow down the cars? I know some people might think this to be almost sacrilegious but if NASCAR fans can’t tell the difference between 190 mph and 200 mph, or 180 and 190, an F1 fan won’t be able to tell the difference either and it might help the cars stay within the boundaries  of the track.

Okay, Max and Red Bull moved further into the lead of the 2021 FIA F1 World Championship by crushing the field in Sunday’s Styrian Grand Prix. Max led from start to finish and it marked the first time in the turbo-hybrid era (2013) that Mercedes lost four consecutive races. Whatever Mercedes did, Red Bull covered it. Hamilton was second, Bottas finished third (barely) and Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull was fourth. Lando Norris wound up fifth for McLaren. Both Hamilton and Norris referred to their runs as “lonely races,” which pretty much says it all about this race. For a full report, please click here

Max Verstappen wins Styrian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton second – BBC Sport

NOTEBOOK JOTTINGS 

Lance Stroll of Montreal likes to play hockey at home in Switzerland. He’s also a huge fan of the Montreal Canadiens. Before the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix, Stroll and several Canadiens worked out at the Bell Centre to publicize the big race. Now, Stroll has got a Canadiens logo glued onto his green Aston Martin helmet (above). “I’m very happy that for the first time in my life I will be watching the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup finals,” he said on Twitter. “Want to wish the best of luck to all the boys who have done an incredible job all playoffs. Can’t wait to tune into the finals.”  

Although our Nicholas Latifi didn’t make it out of Q1 during qualifying on Saturday, he just missed by the skin of his teeth. In fact, he was flying. Broadcaster, and retired F1 driver, Martin Brundle, said: “Latifi just turned the best lap of his career, so far.” Said Latifi: “It’s frustrating to miss out on Q2 by such a small margin, but my second lap was a very competitive one, so I was happy with that. During my final run I lost some time in the last sector coming up behind traffic; that can block your line of sight going into such high-speed corners, so I got a bit out of shape there. Overall, a frustrating result.”

While we continue to hold out hope about a Canadian Grand Prix in 2022 (don’t count your chickens, folks), a full crowd will be allowed at Silverstone for the British GP this summer. There are still concerns in the U.K. over Covid-19, though, and if you want to get into the Grand Prix you will need proof of two vaccine shots and have to pass a test at the gate. As well (as is the case here), the public health director will have the ultimate say depending on the coronavirus conditions at the time.

The betting in the paddock, my friends tell me, is that George Russell will be with Mercedes next season, replacing Valtteri Bottas. Then, whenever Hamilton retires, Russell will be ready to take over as team leader. They say. And a non-driver hiring of note is top aerodynamicist Dan Fallows, who will be leaving Red Bull Racing to work for Aston Martin F1.

More from the guys in the paddock. The Autodrom Igora Drive, north of the city of Saint Petersburg, will host the Russian Grand Prix beginning in 2023. This is no great surprise. St Petersburg is Vladimir Putin’s home city. He was born there, studied at the State University in the city and after graduating in 1975 joined the KGB for 16 years. He quit in 1991 to begin a political career in Saint Petersburg. The city is probably the most attractive in Russia and a Grand Prix puts a city on the international map in a way that no event other than an Olympics can do.

NASCAR, IMSA 

I turned on the NASCAR races from Pocono Raceway this weekend and couldn’t believe what I saw. They had a crowd there that was reminiscent of Pocono turnouts in the late 1990s, early 2000s. A packed grandstand and an infield and parking lot full of motorhomes made for a grand crowd. And they saw some wonderful racing. On Saturday, Kyle Larson was about to win yet another NASACAR Cup race when he cut down a tire going into the third turn and hit the wall. Alex Bowman snuck past to win while Larson wound up ninth. In the trucks race Saturday, John Hunter Nemechek was the winner. In the Xfinity Series race Sunday, Austin Cindric won but if it had gone another lap, Ty Dillon would have caught him, it was that close. And in the second Cup race of the weekend, Kyle Busch ran the last 115 laps without a clutch but held on for the win.

SATURDAY TRUCKS: John Hunter Nemechek outduels boss Kyle Busch for victory at Pocono (speedwaydigest.com) 

SATURDAY CUP: NASCAR: Flat tire foils Kyle Larson’s bid for fourth straight win as Alex Bowman takes Pocono | Fox News

SUNDAY XFINITY: Austin Cindric wins Xfinity Series Pocono – TSN.ca

SUNDAY CUP: Kyle Busch loses clutch, stretches fuel to claim Pocono win (msn.com)

At Watkins Glen and the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen IMSA race, writer Jeff Olson reports that getting a lift to the pits in a safety car isn’t usually a good sign for a racecar driver. In Harry Tincknell’s case on Sunday, it was pure joy because he won the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International with a car so low on fuel that it ran dry on the cool-down lap, leaving Tincknell to wait for a ride to victory lane to greet co-drivers Oliver Jarvis and Jonathan Bomarito. For details, please click here  Mazda Motorsports repeats victory in Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen | Motor-sports | buffalonews.com  In the GT Le Mans class, Corvette finished first. For details, please click here CORVETTE RACING AT THE GLEN: Hard-Fought Win for Garcia, Taylor | SpeedwayMedia.com

OTHER RACING NEWS 

This from Nissan Communications: The Nissan Sentra Cup officially kicked off at the weekend, with 24 competitors hitting the track at Shannonville Motorsports Park near Belleville (above). This inaugural event was highly symbolic, as it was not only the very first race in the history of the new Canadian motorsport series, but also the racing debut of the Nissan Sentra. The Sentras clocked faster lap times than in pre-season testing and were driven by talented drivers from Ontario, Québec and British Columbia. In the end, Ontario’s Gavin Sanders won both races. For details, please clock here   Nissan Sentra Cup celebrates its first winners of 2021! (nissannews.com)

The long-established Canadian Touring Car Championship had to cancel its races at Shannonville Motorsport Park on the weekend because of a lack of cars. There are several reasons for this state of affairs. Many non-professional or semi-professional race drivers re notoriously slow getting ready for the season to start. Plus, in this case, there is now a rival series up and running, the FEL Motorsports Sportscar Series, and a number of cars are running in both championships (stock cars and sprint cars do this all the time, by the way). Last weekend at CTMP, the FEL championship held its first race and, 1, only 14 cars showed up for the sports car race and 2, it was a bit of a crashfest. So, some cars planning to run at Shannonville with CTCC weren’t repaired in time. And a couple of big-league teams, which had talked up the new championship as being the best thing to happen to Canadian racing in years, didn’t bother to show up at CTMP. CTCC will now try to open its season at Trois-Rivieres in August.

Tony Stewart made some new fans Saturday night at Eldora Speedway in Ohio by winning the second straight Superstar Racing Experience race and Paul Tracy made a bunch of new enemies after tangling with Bobby Labonte. Local dirt-track start Kody Swanson finished second and Helio Castroneves was third. The most talked-about driver was Tracy, who led the first 25 laps of the 50-lap feature by using the bumper and fenders of his race car to protect the lead.

“I know I’m going to have some Bobby Labonte fans after me because he’s super pissed at me, and rightly so,” Tracy said. “He got by me on the restart. I was running on top and I decided I was going to cut to the bottom like Tony did and I just got it all wrong. He turned in a little earlier than I thought he would, and I tagged him and that was it. So that was my bad and I went over to apologize to him, but he was having none of it.

“The SRX cars put on a great show. I felt really good on this track. This is a wonderful track that Tony has, and I couldn’t be happier with how we ran overall tonight. We picked up a lot of points and hopefully made some new fans. I’m sure we made some enemies because those Bobby Labonte fans probably hate me.”

The post Racing Roundup: F1, like NASCAR, should slow down the cars appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/2UGDXEt
via IFTTT

Reports of the electric car’s death were greatly exaggerated

Fifteen years ago, the documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” ended with a shot of a Tesla driving over a hill and coming into sight of the camera. It was a hopeful note for fans of battery-powered cars, but director Chris Paine said he didn’t foresee the complete turnaround on the marketability of electric vehicles (EVs).

“This never happens in environmental battles. Usually you’re like, ‘I’m sorry, that’s the last blue whale. You filmed it. I’m really sorry. They were beautiful.’ So, it’s really encouraging,” Paine said. “We had no idea that filming that first prototype Tesla coming over the hill was going to be the beginning of a kind of revolution.

“We were certainly hopeful that that might head somewhere but the fact that 15 years later they became certainly the most talked about car company in the world.”

Paine’s inspiration to make the documentary came from personal experience. In 1996 General Motors released and began leasing the EV1, the first mass-produced and purpose-designed EV of the modern era.

“I had never bought a new car before, but I heard that this incredible engineering team had put together the EV1,” he said. “I love great design engineering and I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to try this car.’ When I drove for first time I went, ‘Oh, this is the future of cars. I could get behind this,’ and I became like a superfan.”

After driving the vehicle for years, and renewing his lease once, something strange happened. Paine’s second lease came back with no renewal clause. After some digging, he found out it was because GM wanted to cancel the program. It was only later, in 2003, that the automaker officially discontinued the EV1 program, claiming it couldn’t sell enough electric cars to make the program profitable.

“The program was very quietly sort of snuffed out, and only those of us who had leased these cars even knew that the cars were around,” said Paine. “You had to be in California really to know that electric cars were possible, but we knew that 5,000 electric vehicles were out there. The program had been cancelled, which was a very complicated thing, which is what our movie is about, how the cars were destroyed.”

Paine and of his friends figured out an unusual way to get media attention to the cancellation of the program. They decided to hold a funeral for the car in Los Angeles with the hope of gaining media attention to what GM was doing.

“We were all drivers of these cars but none of us were really filmmakers,” Paine said. “We got the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and we prayed there wasn’t an actual, personal tragedy happening on the same day. And, as it turned out, it was a huge smog alert week. This turned out to be really a great, great thing for us and we filmed it and then we thought, ‘Well, since the media didn’t pick us up really, we’re going to go ahead and make a movie.’”

From: Wright, Rob Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2006 7:17 PM To: Photodesk – Toronto Star Subject: images hi folks: please go to this site and download and put into cascade 4 images: 1. first one, top left; 2. 4th one, of piper leading funeral; 3. 6th one, of ed begley jr.; 4. the one right
underneath begley, of crushed cars piled up. thanks rob https://ift.tt/3gZzvcB

The mock funeral ended up giving the documentary its best line, courtesy of actor Ed Begley Jr., during a eulogy for the EV1. “The electric car is not for everybody,” he said. “It can only meet the needs of 90 per cent of the population.”

In the 15 years since Paine’s documentary lamented the loss of the electric car, it appeared the reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. Ford recently launched the F-150 Lightning electric truck, the Tesla Model S Plaid ran a quarter mile in 9.247 seconds at 152.09 mph and GM, the villain of Paine’s film, announced a plan to offer 30 new EVs globally by 2025.

They’ve even gotten U.S. President Joe Biden’s endorsement. “The future of the auto industry is electric. There’s no turning back,” he said in May during a visit to the Ford Motor Co.’s electric vehicle centre in Michigan. “The question is whether we will lead, or we will fall behind in the race to the future.”

“It’s not just the technology getting better,” said Paine. “It was people committing to hybrids and people saying, ‘Alright, I’m going to try one of these electric vehicles.’ Personal decisions. And the car industry said, ‘Jeez, people were actually buying these. We better not miss out on this market.’”

The post Reports of the electric car’s death were greatly exaggerated appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3heHfGL
via IFTTT

Ours to Discover: Ottawa, A weekend in the nation’s capital

About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions expected to ease over the next few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore – but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and weekend drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province once conditions allow, and why Ontario is “Ours to Discover” this summer and beyond.

In Ottawa, a small capital of around 1.3 million residents, you can revel in Canadiana and visit the country’s Parliament and seat of government. But why not also check out the spots that locals favour, including seeing the city from its waterways and visiting the diverse neighbourhoods that make this place so friendly and accessible?

DAY ONE

In the morning: Leave Toronto, driving east on Hwy 401, and, depending on traffic, you’ll reach Ottawa in under five hours. Make a stop to stretch your legs in historic Kingston with a walk along its waterfront. If you’re feeling hungry, stroll down Princess Street, the main retail strip, for brunch at a quaint cafe.

Continue driving along Hwy 401 or opt for a more scenic route by taking the Thousand Islands Parkway. You’ll follow the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River and enjoy gorgeous views of the islands that dot the waterway. Rejoin Hwy 401 and continue east, taking Hwy 416 north to Ottawa.

In the afternoon: Once you arrive, it’s time to navigate the city’s waterways, including the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal that were historically important for trading and supply chains. Start at the Bytown Museum at the Ottawa Locks to learn more about the role these waterways played.

View of Rideau Canal Locks from Ottawa River

In warm weather, you can kayak, boat or take a stand-up paddle board out on the waters (there are several outfitters in the city). In winter, the Rideau Canal, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famously becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating rink. You can stay dry instead by walking or cycling along the Rideau Canal Pathways that run along both sides of the canal. Visit RentABike, located under the Plaza Bridge opposite the castle-like grandeur that is The Fairmont Château Laurier hotel, to find your perfect ride.

Parliament

Later, when you head to your hotel, stop at the ByWard market to sample an Ottawa delicacy, BeaverTails. Now available as far away as Japan and the United Arab Emirates, this tasty pastry piled high with sweet toppings was invented in Ottawa.

IN THE EVENING: It’s time to check into your hotel. Choose the chic and modern Le Germain Hotel Ottawa on Daly Avenue or, for a unique experience, spend the night at the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel – if you dare. This 150-year-old former penitentiary is reportedly haunted, as you may find out if you stay in one of its authentic jail cells.

Once you’re settled in, take an evening stroll around the ByWard Market, snap a selfie at the colourful oversized lettered “Ottawa” sign on York Street and stop at the retro-inspired Atari bar on Dalhousie Street for pre-dinner nibbles and cocktails. Its drink menu features creations inspired by classic video games, including the Kirby that is made with Tanqueray gin, Cointreau, raspberry, lemon, honey and marshmallow.

Walk to Datsun on Elgin Street for pork belly bao and dumplings and on the way back look at the Parliament buildings illuminated at night. The ByWard Market is lively in the evenings with lots of clubs, bars and restaurants to choose from if you’re not quite ready to head back to your hotel yet.

DAY TWO  

In the morning: Start your second day in Ottawa by getting better acquainted with the unique neighbourhoods where locals shop, dine and spend their weekends. Head to the Glebe, located between the Queensway and Queen Elizabeth Drive, for a breakfast sandwich at the Wild Oat bakery. Many of its organic ingredients come from its two-acre farm just outside the city. Wander along Bank Street browsing independent boutiques, rare book shops and collectible stores. Keep your eyes peeled for the many murals that line these streets and that poke out mischievously from alleyways.

Further along Bank Street, you’ll find Lansdowne, a multi-use entertainment attraction that is home to Aberdeen Pavilion, the last surviving Victorian exhibition hall in Canada, as well as children’s playgrounds, a movie theatre, restaurants, bars, the weekly Ottawa Farmers Market and more. Line up at a food truck or stall and take your lunch to a picnic table and watch the world go by.

Ottawa Farmer’s Market Lansdowne

In the early afternoon: Visit another one of Ottawa’s diverse neighbourhoods, Westboro Village, along Richmond Road. There are plenty of shops to explore so pick up a little souvenir of your weekend away, like an Ottawa-shaped necklace at Magpie. Order a drink at the rooftop terrace of The Barley Mow pub where you can people watch from above and plan your next move.

Then take a sandy stroll along Westboro Beach on the Ottawa River or head to the Maplelawn House and Garden Estate, a National Historic Site that dates to 1831. Visit the peaceful walled garden, which is a beautiful oasis to sit awhile, especially if you first pick up a sweet treat from The Cupcake Lounge to enjoy.

 

In late afternoon: It’s time to start your journey back to Toronto by heading south on Hwy 416 and then west on Hwy 401. If it’s still light enough, extend your weekend away without adding too much extra driving time by stopping at Peter’s Woods Provincial Nature Reserve. It will only take you 15 minutes driving along Hwy 23 north from Hwy 401 near Grafton. There you can explore Ontario’s only surviving old-growth forest and walk the park’s 800-metre trail, before heading home.

 

SIDEBAR: COVID-19 need to know

Ottawa is currently under the provincial reopening restriction and some businesses or attractions may be closed or operating at reduced capacity. Contact individual businesses for details. For more information on local restrictions, consult Ottawa Public Health (ottawapublichealth.ca).

 

SIDEBAR: For the drive

Task your passenger with scrolling through Little Miss Ottawa’s Instagram feeds, one of the best local bloggers in the capital, and bookmark any special sights or selfie spots you want to visit in the city. Cue up a playlist full of Ottawa musical talents like Elijah Woods and Jamie Fine, Night Lovell and the eclectic, genre-blending tunes of Blakdenim.

 

TIMELINE SIDEBAR: Drive Guide

Day one

• 7 a.m. Leave Toronto
• Drive east on Hwy 401
• Exit Hwy 416 to Ottawa
• Side stop: Kingston for brunch
• 1 p.m. The Bytown Museum and Ottawa’s Waterways
• 4 p.m. BeaverTails
• 5 p.m. Le Germain Hotel Ottawa
• 6:30 p.m. Drinks at Atari
• 8:30 p.m. Dinner at Datsun
• 10 p.m. Explore the ByWard market nightlife
• 11 p.m. Return to the hotel

 

Day two

• 9:00 a.m. Wild Oat Bakery
• 10:30 a.m. Shopping in the Glebe
• 12 p.m. Lunch at Lansdowne
• 1:30 p.m. Westboro Village
• 3 p.m. Westboro Beach or Maplelawn estate
• 4.30 p.m. The Barley Mow
• 5 p.m. Drive back to Toronto

NOTE: Times are suggestions only

The post Ours to Discover: Ottawa, A weekend in the nation’s capital appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3dpBvsK
via IFTTT

What’s in a name? A lot when it’s your favourite automobile

Last week, I sold my BMW 328iS. Selling a car is not exactly a major event, but this one felt different. I’ve only said goodbye to four cars in my more than 20 years of car ownership, but this time something wasn’t right. For the first time, I didn’t care. I didn’t feel bad about it. I still think about the cars that came before it, but not this one. What was the difference?

This was the first of my cars that didn’t have a name.

Each of my other cars has had a name, starting with Betsy the Celebrity and ending with Barry the Honda Civic. Why Barry? Because it’s blue, of course.

If you’ve given your car or truck a name, you’re in good company. A recent survey from Carfax found that 42 per cent of Canadians have named their vehicle. Nearly half think their car has a personality, 60 per cent say their car is more than just another appliance, and two-thirds have special memories involving the family car. I have to assume the rest didn’t have a family car.

My life is full of special car memories from childhood. A blown radiator hose on a trip through Fundy National Park. More than one 360-degree spin on an icy highway (including one on an emergency trip to the hospital). With trunks of memories still to come, to borrow a line from songwriter and famed car namer Neil Young.

None of those family cars had names. My parents seem to have stopped naming their cars right around the time I (and then my siblings) were born. Is that a coincidence or were they just too busy with three terrors running rampant in the back seat of said cars? I’m afraid to ask.

An informal poll showed that my friends have some wonderful names for their cars. See Marvin the Marvelous Toyota Matrix and a Dodge Caravan named The Macho Van Vandy Savage. Some names come from the car’s features, like an old big-headlight Volvo called Dolly. Others, just like any terror, see their full names dragged out when they’re in trouble. Jojo the Jetta becomes Josephine when the check engine light is on.

Why do we name our vehicles? A survey from AutoNation some years back said that if you give something a name it’s because that something means something to you. A name signifies importance as well as your closeness to the vehicle. That study was done for National Name Your Car Day (Oct. 2 if you are marking your calendar), which is a great day if you’re on the fence about an automotive appellation.

We’ve named horses for centuries, ships for as long as they’ve been afloat, and it’s only natural we do the same for our cars. Even if sometimes those names are Cary McCarface, Elantra the Third, or, for a troublesome car, words that can’t be printed in a publication such as this one. It brings us closer to them.

That closeness is why some people refuse to name their cars. One friend told me they feel guilty enough letting cars go as is. They couldn’t imagine the feeling of selling or sending one to the junkyard if it had a name to go with it. It’s not a faithful dog, but it’s not that far away from that either. A sled dog that drinks 87 octane gas instead of kibble.

I asked my wife her thoughts on why cars got names because she has been the one who gave all of my cars theirs. She said it’s better than just “the car.”

“It makes your car feel like a friend instead of a tool,” she said. Which would normally make me feel even more upset about selling a vehicle, but somehow not this time.

Why didn’t this last car get a name? I bought the near-classic BMW 10 years ago, after all, and it was the first car I ever drove around a racetrack.

“Cause he ain’t my friend,” my wife said, cutting to the heart of it.

What’s in a name? Nothing and everything. I’ll defer, once again, to my wife: “You can’t name the car right away,” she said. “You have to get a feel for it. At least one nice drive.” My first ever drive was in my first car, the second put me in the hospital on day one (don’t drive around in New Brunswick in February with the windows down), the third was the one we used to explore Nova Scotia.

My not so dearly departed BMW 328iS? The first drive started badly and got worse; our relationship never recovered. No matter how much of my blood, sweat and tears went into making it work.

It was a relationship that was bad for both of us, and while I won’t miss you, unnamed car, I do wish you well. I hope you find a name.

Rocking names

As he wrote in his 2014 book “Special Deluxe: A Memoir of Life & Cars,” Canadian-born musician Neil Young has named quite a few of his vehicles. Among them were a 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse named Mort Hearseberg, an electric 1959 Lincoln Continental named Lincvolt, a 1948 Continental christened  Abraham and a 1964 Mini Cooper S called Norge.

SANTA MONICA, CA. – NOVEMBER 3, 2014: 1959 Lincoln Continental “Lincvolt” during the opening of a show of Neil Young’s art, watercolors and prints of iconic automobiles at the Robert Berman Gallery, Bergamont Station Arts Center in Santa Monica on November 3, 2014. (Photo by Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The post What’s in a name? A lot when it’s your favourite automobile appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

from News – WHEELS.ca https://ift.tt/3jAbMll
via IFTTT

Pikes Peak Winners Include Honda-Powered Turbo Wolf, Tesla Model S Plaid

The 99th running of the classic hill climb on Sunday was crazy, exhausting, dangerous, and one of the greatest motorsports event you can see.

from Latest Content - Car and Driver https://ift.tt/3jhmnkS
via IFTTT