For the third year in a row, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) will pay the cost of admission for fans to enjoy the speed and spectacle of the Honda Indy Toronto on Friday, July 6.
With generous support from fans, Honda Canada and the OHDA have raised more than $200,000 for Make-A-Wish during the previous two seasons, helping to make the wishes of children who are living with a life-threatening medical condition come true.
Paul Tracy and the "Make-A-Wish" Indy car last year. (Photo:Make-A-Wish)
In lieu of admission, and to take part in various on-site games and activities, Free Friday attendees are encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish.
All donations will once again be matched dollar-for-dollar by Honda Canada. With support from organizations like Honda Canada and the OHDA, Make-A-Wish grants over 400 wishes a year through eight regional chapters across the country.
Interestingly, Auto123.com will also participate in the fund rising event for Make-A-Wish later this year. For a second year in succession, Auto123.com will enter two teams in the 48-Hour Bike Marathon held on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal next September.
Trying to be green can be challenging. Conducting road testing for automotive reviews obviously requires seat time behind the wheel of the subject vehicle. When car travel isn't necessary, I try to rely upon my road bike for local runs if the weather's agreeable.
The bike allows me to offset the driving I do to assess a vehicle. It also helps keep my BMI (body mass index) somewhere near the acceptable range, but the thing is: biking isn't easy. There's more risk and less reliability to deal with than when safely cocooned in a modern automobile.
This week again reinforced the detractions to biking. I rode to the office on Friday and came within inches of replacing the hood ornament of a Mercedes as it flew through a dead-red after other traffic had stopped. Sheesh! There's never a cop when you need one, or a defibrillator!
On Saturday, I tossed my bike into the rear of the Range Rover Evoque I was testing and headed to the Land Rover dealership in a neighbouring municipality to return the sleek off-roading Brit. I climbed out of the air-conditioned, leather-lined cabin and mounted my steed.
The sun was shining and it was going to be a sweaty ride home, but like most journeys pedalled, I was looking forward to it. That was until I sensed the rhythmic thump of something adhered to my rear tire.
There it was; a tiny metal clip has inserted its pointy end through the rubber of the tire and the tube within.
Photo: Rob Rothwell
I faced my fate, pulled out the clip and listened to the hiss of death. I always carry the necessities, so it was down to work under the partial shade of a tree. After some struggle and strain, I was again sitting atop a hundred PSI.
While I remain a cycling advocate, it's been a challenge. Some weeks are worse than others, yet on a good day under a sunny sky, there's no car made that can replace the sense of contentment that accompanies a good bike ride followed up with a good java. Or is there?
F1's 'customer engine' teams are worried that the price of power is set to skyrocket.
According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, teams like Force India and Sauber currently pay around EUR 10 million for their engine-plus-KERS packages.
That is reportedly set to increase to about 18 million when the turbo V6s debut in 2014.
"That is clearly too much," Sauber co-owner Monisha Kaltenborn is quoted as saying.
The magazine said Williams, Caterham, Toro Rosso, HRT and Marussia agree and have asked the FIA to impose a cost-cap for their 2014 packages.
"We have to ensure that, looking back ten years ago, we don't go back to a point where engines were so much more expensive," she added.
Organisers of next year's inaugural New Jersey street race have once again dismissed claims the event is in doubt.
Bernie Ecclestone said last month that the American grand prix could be pushed back to 2014.
And the F1 chief executive repeated his doubts this week, revealing the organisers are having trouble with "funds" and had therefore missed deadlines in the contract.
But when asked about Ecclestone's latest comments, a spokesman for the race, which would be played out amid the famous Manhattan skyline, insisted preparations are "precisely on schedule".
According to njbiz.com, he added that organisers are "still on track for a June 2013 race".
The spokesman added: "We don't comment on our contractual relationship with formula one or its details."
The land that will be used for the race is co-owned by Roseland Property Co., whose boss Carl Goldberg said he had "heard nothing to suggest that there's going to be a delay from any of the American promoters".
He added there is "a significant amount of time and money being invested, all pointed to a first race in 2013."
Goldberg said Ecclestone's comments are "disconcerting" in light of the money, time and manpower invested so far.
Dragon Racing, which had just obtained a couple of leases from Chevrolet to run at the Indy 500, will scale back to one car after failing to secure a second full-time engine.
Therefore, the team has decided to split up driving duties between its two drivers and, from now on, Sebastien Bourdais will drive on the road and street courses while Katherine Legge will do her share of driving on oval circuits.
Dragon joined forces with Chevrolet after spitting from Lotus and although it was able to obtain two engine leases for the Indianapolis event, Chevrolet has decided to cut back its involvement to 11 cars from this weekend's Detroit race onwards.
Ferrari owners and collectors are a generous, solidary bunch. In recent years, they have donated over 80 million Japanese yen (over $1 million) to help reconstruction efforts in Abruzzo, Italy, and in Ishinomaki, Japan, following the earthquakes that devastated those areas.
Ferrari 599XX Evo (Photo: Ferrari)
The company is at it again, opening an international online auction to raise funds for the families of the victims of the earthquakes that have rocked the Emilia-Romagna region since May 20th. In the days leading up to the auction next week, the Ferrari Store website will dedicate a section to this important initiative.
Several rare items will be auctioned off such as a 599XX Evo, a non-homologated sports berlinetta with a commercial value of €1.3 million ($1.66 million). Also up for bid will be a V8 engine along with racing suits and helmets donated by Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, not to mention various items of memorabilia from past F1 seasons and a selection from the Ferrari Store.
Spring signifies rebirth, newness and freshness. A quick look in the direction of our cars and we realize that the winter months took their toil on our rides.
Other than making our whips look shinny and new again, proper care of our wheels can prevent the deterioration of fabrics and finishes, including paint. This will affect the car's resale value or force you to fork over some cash when the lease is up.
As with any other car-related issue, we've got opinions or, as in this case, tips on how to make your car looks its best. We've therefore compiled 10 commandments if you will, that always be followed when cleaning your vehicle.
Your car will look so good that it will end up being the envy of your neighborhood!
Though shalt not work in the sun
If you've ever tried washing your car in the sun, you've notice how the water and soap dry faster, not leaving you enough time to properly rinse the body and wipe it down. Washing your car in the shade will produce better results and prevent any soap marks from appearing, so you won't have to start all over again.
Believe it or not, a Toyota Camry in Singapore can cost nearly as much as a house in the United States. Why? In an effort to curb traffic congestion across the country, the local government has significantly increased the cost of a driver's licence... to $68,000!
As a result, Singaporeans will have to pay the equivalent of $141,000 for a Japanese sedan that carries a base MSRP of $22,055 in Uncle Sam's land - pretty darn close to the average price of an American property, which is $158,000.
If that doesn't relieve Singapore's road network, maybe nothing will...
Following into the footstep of the IndyCar Series, feeder series Firestone Indy Lights will introduce a brand new race car for the 2014 season.
A request for proposal was distributed to potential manufacturers and development firms earlier this month for both engine and chassis, and series officials will begin reviewing and evaluating the submitted applications after the due date of June 30.
Photo: IndyCar
Among the series requests for the new car/engine package are that the chassis must be adaptable to compete on road, street and oval circuits with a minimum of facility-specific parts.
Also, improved technological package to include but not limited to: paddle shifting, data systems and sensors as well as potential to integrate an alternative fuel source.
Dallara, Swift, Elan, Mugen and others car manufacturers are in the running.
Highlighted by its striking design, world-class refinement and true Mercedes-Benz dynamics, the new 2013 GL 63 AMG combines advanced technology with an impressive list of standard features and amenities for up to seven passengers.
The GL 63 AMG delivers the exceptional comfort of the S-Class sedan as well as the formidable power and capability of the AMG performance division, making it a unique offering in the premium midsize SUV segment.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Under the hood is a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 557 horsepower to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 250 km/h. Meanwhile, the 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission features three modes and an automatic double-declutching function for downshifting. Fuel consumption is rated at 12.3L/100 km.
In terms of equipment, expect to find 21'' alloy wheels in titanium grey, high-quality leather seats, Active Parking Assist, KEYLESS-GO, Audio 20 CD radio with Bluetooth and USB interface, and so much more. Options include a 360° camera, red painted brake callipers, and a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end stereo, just to name a few.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG is scheduled to hit the market in November. Pricing will be announced weeks before.
Within memory of him delivering the beleaguered team's first victory for more than seven years, Williams has expressed disappointment in Pastor Maldonado.
After soaring from pole to victory in Barcelona, breakthrough winner Maldonado suffered an horror Monaco grand prix two weeks later.
The Venezuelan was pushed ten places down the grid for apparently colliding deliberately with Sergio Perez in practice, and at the start of the race got caught up in the first lap chaos.
"The car was good enough for a P4 or P5 qualifying position and our race pace was also good so it is disappointing not to have come away from this event with a decent haul of points," said Williams' chief engineer Mark Gillan.
When asked about Maldonado's crash with Perez, he insisted: "I think that the incident was avoidable and therefore disappointing and that the penalty was therefore understandable."
And even in light of Maldonado's Barcelona triumph, the Oxfordshire based team's disappointment is also understandable, given the competitiveness of the Renault-powered FW34.
German magazine Auto Motor und Sport cited "GPS" evidence in claiming that the Williams and the Sauber are the best cars in the 2012 field when it comes to aerodynamics, based on data from Barcelona's demanding turns 3 and 9.
Sergio Pérez, Sauber C31. (Photo: WRi2)
And at Monaco, Sauber's Perez recorded not only the fastest lap of the race, but "for long periods he was the fastest driver on the track".
"This clearly shows what we can achieve if everything goes right for us," said the Swiss team's boss. "Now it is up to the entire team to turn our opportunities into success."
Journalist Michael Schmidt said: "With Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel or Lewis Hamilton in the cockpit, Williams or Sauber would probably be leading the championship."
The pressure is high, therefore, on the surprise favourites' drivers.
"The team (Williams) are looking forward to Montreal as we believe that we should be strong again, but we need to deliver in both qualifying and the race," Gillan insisted.
After making an appearance at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in concept form, the Volkswagen New Beetle Fender was unveiled today in Leipzig as a production model along with further details and specifications.
Photo: Volkswagen
In addition to a subwoofer with auxiliary input and Bluetooth connectivity, the Beetle Fender houses a distinctively painted dashboard that features the signature colours of Fender guitars.
Under the hood is a 200hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine. The car rides on 18'' alloy wheels styled after a 33rpm vinyl record.
Retro-looking tailpipes, red exterior accents, and a lowered suspension are part of the mix as well.
Volkswagen stayed mum on pricing but confirmed that this special edition of the Beetle will arrive in North American showrooms this fall.
ST. EUSTACHE, Quebec - The winds of change are blowin' through Toyota headquarters - or maybe it's something in the water. Either way, let's hope nothing disturbs the current momentum. Recently, we've experienced the unlikely reality of a Lexus sedan boasting credible performance skills, the redesigned 2013 GS, and now from Scion comes the FR-S: a genuine, rear-wheel-drive sports car.
Once upon a time, Toyota excelled at producing joyful, lightweight performance cars like the MR2, Celica and Supra. Even the Corolla, that bumbling beige nemesis of impatient drivers everywhere, has the mighty AE86 in its pedigree.
But somewhere along the way, the focus shifted towards bland reliability. There's a place for safe and economical - many of our dear old mums and retired favourite teachers have been well-served by their Camrys. But no one will argue that the passion had long since deserted the Toyota banner.
No one was more aware of this than CEO Akio Toyoda, a racer himself, who vowed to re-ignite that passion.
And perhaps no other car has yet to embody the phrase "Waku Doki" (which means "exciting adrenaline rush" in Japanese, but sounds disturbingly like "wacky-dorky") the way the 2013 Scion FR-S has. Billions of clicks have been generated on performance message boards around the globe, as enthusiasts awaited its release.
The FR-S marks a return to Toyota's roots in that it's a simple, relatively inexpensive car with a focus on performance. Marketed in North America by Scion, the company's youth-oriented brand, the FR-S is known as the Toyota GT-86 in the rest of the world.
Twins, but not identical
It's a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru, who supplied the engine and most of the mechanical bits. Together, they created what are being affectionately referred to as the "twins" - a pair of nearly identical cars, one for each label. But where the 2013 Subaru BRZ markets an array of models starting at $27,295, Scion's FR-S is available in one trim: $25,990 for the 6-speed manual and $27,170 for the automatic.
In keeping with Scion's philosophy of marketing base models as a canvas upon which the owner can then add his own personalized customization, the FR-S is available in one mono-spec trim.
Externally, the FR-S is a classic sports car design: long of nose, short of deck, with a wide lowered stance.
The interior is plain and simple: black only with deeply bolstered, racing-style seats upholstered in faux suede. Although the emphasis is on pure performance, the FR-S makes a concession of practicality in its 2+2 configuration. The two rear seats are ridiculously small, but when folded down, create a cargo space big enough to hold a set of track tires, tools and a couple of helmets. Because everyone knows that towing your tires to the track just isn't cool.
Externally, the FR-S is a classic sports car design: long of nose, short of deck, with a wide lowered stance. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)
Rewards smooth inputs with joyful performance
We set out from downtown Montreal - and its testament to the ease of familiarity of the FR-S that most of our focus was on the snarling traffic and incipient student unrest rather than the car. Once out of the urban chaos, we began to appreciate how well the car's suspension was set up, especially once some winding and deserted rural pavement presented itself.
Its extremely low centre of gravity and ground clearance of only 460 mm (less than 5") give the FR-S wonderful road hugging ability. For this leg of the trip, we've been assigned a six-speed automatic equipped vehicle - and honestly, given the traffic hell we've just come through, I've no complaints. Left to its own devices, it can loaf as comfortably as any daily driver; with 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, the FR-S is no heavyweight in the horsepower department.
Use the paddle shifters to put the high-revving boxer engine in its powerband and the FR-S comes alive. The 2.0L flat-4 develops a raspy burble once it approaches its 7,300-rpm redline, the wail piped into the cabin via engine ductwork.
Trading in the auto, I found the six-speed stick to be notchy with closely-placed throws, although the shifter itself was rather an upright swizzle stick. Drilled pedals are placed closely, for ease of heel n' toe footwork.
There's a tiny little steering wheel, and a large centre-mounted tach that's easily readable.
Ledit moteur pousse un gargouillement rauque à l'approche de son seuil de régime critique (7 300 tours/minute). (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)
It's a very balanced car with a 53:47 front-to-rear weight ratio, but can turn on the uninitiated. As Akio Toyoda said, "it's a car that rewards good driving," but it's also one that reveals bad driving habits, as a few hapless souls during the track session discovered after finding themselves backwards. Manhandle it, lift when you shouldn't... and the tail will swing out. But it's joyfully sharp and responsive, rewarding smooth inputs with nimble athleticism.
This sense of neutrality makes the FR-S a natural with the drift crowd.
And to illustrate just how suitable, on hand was Canadian Drift Champion Pat Cyr, who managed to make what I always considered a rather pointless sport into an exercise in brilliant car control, sliding around the turns in a beautiful display of balance on the edge.
Sure to please the tuner and enthusiast crowd, the 2013 Scion FR-S embodies the essence of pure, simple sports car - and a return to Toyota's roots.
Fiat's corporate headquarters, across the road from the historic Lingotto factory with its famous rooftop test loop, is a meticulously restored fortress with endless corridors, tall ceilings, and numerous security checkpoints. Sergio Marchionne's dimly lit office sits halfway up the massive building block on a corner facing the street. It appears to be smaller than the bright, adjoining room where three secretaries reign supreme over a huge desk laden with monitors, keyboards, and paperwork. As I approached the master's inner sanctum, another door opened and lanky John Elkann stepped out, followed by the stooped figure of Sergio Marchionne, smoldering cigarette in hand. Talk about extreme contrasts. Wiry, with wide-awake eyes and a broad smile, Elkann, the young Fiat heir, is dressed immaculately in a blue suit, a light blue shirt, and a brightly striped tie. Slightly pudgy, chortling with laughter in response to a joke told in Italian with only a faint Canadian twang, and displaying a grayish thirty-day beard, Marchionne is a committed supporter of the Italian knitwear industry and a dedicated ambassador for sweet-smelling Muratti Privat filter cigarettes.
Beating 700,000 other drivers online is only one way to gain entrance to a driving academy. Ford makes it a bit easier by hosting a five-city Focus ST Performance Academy.
Volkswagen is considering adding another crossover to its product portfolio as it takes aim at ambitious sales targets in the United States and overseas markets.
The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. 
