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Pros
Freshened up for 2014 with a restyled grille, rounded fenders, new hood as well as new front and rear bumpers, the Civic Coupe slides into 2014 looking bold and capable. Add to that Honda's traditional reliability and handling and you get a package that is excellent.

Cons
Coupes have long doors, which makes them a bit more difficult to get in and out of in most parking spaces. Back seat usage is also a bit more complicated since you now have to be a bit more flexible to get in around seat belts while stepping to the rear, turning, folding and then collapsing into the rear seat.


Pricing
Civic Coupes start with the entry level LX trim and a manual 5-speed for $18,840 while the CVT version starts at $20,140. Next up is the EX trim with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT which starts at $20,900 for the former and $22,200 for the latter. At the top of the price ladder is the EX-L with navigation which starts at $25,600. The Si goes for $26,245.

Fuel Economy
LX model CVT equipped coupes sip fuel at the rate of 6.7/5.0/6.0 (city/highway/combined) while the 5-speed manuals consume 7.3/5.5/6.5. The EX goes through fuel at the rate of 7.3/5.5/6.5 for the 5-speed manual while the CVT comes in at 6.9/5.1/6.1. The Si rings in at 9.9/6.6/8.4.

Improvements and Changes
The Civic Coupe benefits from a makeover in 2104. The hood, grille, front fenders and headlights have been redesigned to provide a more aggressive look. Front and rear bumper facias add to the freshness and provides a bit of a sportier look while new tail light lenses help distinguish the 2014 from other years. A CVT has replaced the 5-speed automatic and brings better fuel economy and improved performance to the Coupe.

Inside
Little has changed for 2014. Controls are still well placed; seats are comfortable and can be optioned out in leather. Updates include keyless entry and push button start. A 7-inch, touch screen plays host to the latest generation of HondaLink with voice activation and optional navigation system. Available items include Honda's “Lane Watch” right side blind spot camera and a multi-angle back up camera.

Powertrain
Both the new CVT which is optional and a manual 5-speed transmission are used in the Civic Coupe. The engine is a SOHC, 1.8L in-line-four that has four valves per cylinder, i-VTEC and produces 143 horsepower and 129 lb.ft. of torque. Si models get a 2.4 liter 205 horsepower four that makes 174 lb.ft. of torque and are the only model to get a 6-speed manual.

Safety
Dual front and front mounted side impact air bags are standard. Side curtain air bags are standard as is the LATCH system of anchoring child seats. ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist and traction control are standard. ACE body construction system offers improved occupant safety in case of an accident.

Comparables
Others who look at the Civic Coupe also looked at the Hyundai Elantra coupe, Kia Forte Koup, or alternatively the Ford Focus and Mazda3.

Photo: Honda

The recent installation of 11,000 sensors, adding to the 4,000 sensors already deployed, make Moscow's Fastprk the world's largest intelligent parking solution.

These sensors enable users to find a downtown parking spot via a mobile app or through electronic street panels. The solution also facilitates optimal management of urban parking areas by providing, for instance, information about the most frequented areas and times of the day.

Furthermore, by shortening the time to find parking, traffic density and CO2 emissions are reduced.

Fastprk was developed by Worldsensing and uses SIGFOX connectivity. More sensors are expected in the coming years.

Caterham Formula 1 Team has released this video of the first fire-up of the "Energy F1" Renault V6 power unit at their factory in Leafield, UK.

Although it is a video, we much warn you that it is more an audio file. Renault Sport F1 did not authorized Caterham to film the procedure as the engine cover was removed.

Anyway, enjoy!

Pros
As a refreshed vehicle, the Civic Sedan comes to market with the same values that Civic started with, reliability, styling excellence and a premium build quality in an economical car. In addition, the Civic allows drivers to get groceries or carve the corners, which means excellent road manners as well. In addition the inclusion of HondaLink means up to date electronics capability as well.

Cons
As much as Honda tries to keep the styling fresh, the Civic Sedan is pretty much unchanged since 2012 and is a plain design that needs the right light to look good.

Pricing
Sedan prices start with a DX model, with a 5-speed manual at $15,690 and carry on with LX priced at $18,440 for a 5-speed manual and $19,740 when ordered with the new CVT. Next up is the EX with 5-speed manual or CVT priced at $20,500 and $21,800 respectively. At the top of the price range is the Sedan Touring CVT at a hefty $25,200. The Si sedan retails for $26,250.

Photo: Honda

Fuel Economy
Honda Civic sedan fuel economy, according to Transport Canada, ranges from a low of 6.7/5.0/6.0 for most of the CVT equipped vehicles to 7.3/5.5/6.5 if equipped with a manual 5-speed. The Si rings in at 9.9/6.6/8.4.

Improvements and Changes
Honda has added a few features that, depending on trim level, may be available as an option or part of the standard equipment. These items include a 7-inch display audio touch screen with an optional navigation function and bluetooth, smart entry with a push-button starter, an expanded view driver's side mirror and the passenger side “Lane Watch” blind spot display system. One new color is available called “Steel Metallic” is available on all models. 18-inch wheels are available on the Si.

Powertrain
New for this year is a CVT transmission to replace the old 5-speed automatic. It is more fuel-efficient than the old automatic and just as comfortable to drive. Steering column mounted paddle shifters can be used to “upshift” or downshift” the CVT which in effect overrides the programming for the most fuel efficient drive. Power comes from a 143 hp, SOHC, 1.8L, 16-vavle, i-VTEC four that produces 129lb.ft. of torque. Si models get a 2.4 liter 205 horsepower four that makes 174 lb.ft. of torque and are the only model to get a 6-speed manual.

Safety
Dual front, side mounted and side impact air bags are standard. ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Assist are standard. Advanced Compatibility Engineering in body construction provides added protection to occupants in the event of an accident. LATCH system of anchoring child seats is standard as are rear door child proof locks.

Comparables
Shoppers for the Civic also look at Ford Focus, Mazda3, Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Forte, Volkswagen Jetta and Golf, Subaru Impreza, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla.

Photo: Honda

From GMM

Not testing at Jerez next week is a setback for Lotus.

That is the view of the team's engine supplier Renault, despite Lotus saying it will not be disadvantaged by the absence because other users of the French engine - Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Caterham - will be in southern Spain collecting shared data.

But Rob White, Renault's technical chief, said that reasoning is not quite right.

"The basic power unit is the same for all of the clients," he is quoted by Italy's Omnicorse, "and the information will be shared.

"But each installation is unique," he insisted.

"Of course, simulations are possible," Bob White added, "but you can't understand everything with simulations alone."

Lotus E22. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Antoine Bessette, ex-race car driver (Formula F1600 and Atlantic driver) is the person behind the Felino cB7. As a local Quebecer, he's hoping to break the stigma of the Quebec-built car.

The idea of the cB7 came to Antoine as he sat on the floor at home, imagining himself snuggly positioned in his racing seat and picturing his surroundings. As with many performance car manufacturers, founders typically create and build because the would-be buyer could not find something they liked already in existence.

On paper, the cB7 has all the necessary elements to make it worthy of super-car style affection. It sports a tubular chassis, carbon-fibre body panels and a mid-front engine location, all equal to what one would expect from an exotic car.


What's new?
It's all new. The Generation 1 car broke cover last year to well-deserved hype. The promise of good to great power coupled to scale friendly girth has always been good enough to get performance car enthusiast's juices flowing.

According to Bessette, the car is not only fast but also a very good drive. The weight distribution is a perfect 50/50 making it actually easy to control. The wise adage says that power is nothing without control. This ideal balance is highly desirable and has been achieved in the Felino cB7.

Track application is the cB7's principal purpose, however, Felino is working towards prepping the car to be street-legal in time. At the moment, the cB7 is earmarked for international markets, but North America is clearly on the company's radar.

Interior and Exterior
On the subject of styling, those who like the original proportions and lines are equal to those who hold negative comments. From where I stand, I'm digging almost everything save perhaps for the rear that reminds me of a frowning puppy.

As you look through the pictures, you'll likely notice that the cB7 looks like a cross between a Morgan Aero 8 and the Batmobile from the Batman and Batman Returns movies. It works.

The black 1st Gen car lacks visual impact beyond that of its actual shape. Clearly Felino was well aware of the fact. The 2nd Gen car, unveiled at the 2014 Montreal International Auto Show, addresses nearly all shortcomings from the original cB7.

The major difference lies in the fact that the new car's track is wider, adding much-loved stance and presence. What's more, the choice carbon-fibre fender flares and protruding front splitter gives off all the required attitude. Matte white does it good, too.

The cabin is nothing short of something that has been directly lifted from a prototype racecar. It is minimalistic, sparse, and contains only that which the driver needs. The driving position is that of a Formula or LeMans car where the driver's knees are as high as the shoulders.

If that sounds uncomfortable, Felino offers race-suit cooling for those dog days of summer.



Powertrain
The 1st Gen car sports a turbocharged 200 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder but in reality, this car is capable and likely destined for a 700 horsepower engine and a sequential gearbox.

As though to prove that the Felino cB7 was conceived as a perfect vessel for any and all types of powertrains, the Gen 2 car features a 6.2L LS3 V8 that is good for 525 horsepower.

In both cars, a 6-speed manual box transmits the power to the rear wheels. A sequential gearbox is available as an option.

The new car has yet to be tested. Antoine is very much looking forward to putting the LS3-powered car through its paces in the spring of 2014. With a 1,135 kg curb weight, Antoine's likely to have a good time.

In short
The real question is how much will it cost to buy, should it ever be produced in sufficient quantities? According to Antoine, under $100,000 should be enough to procure oneself a basic cB7, when the time comes. Obviously, and as the sky is seemingly the limit, the price will reach the upper levels of the stratosphere with the right options.

The Felino cB7 has much potential. As the car's development progresses, I expect very good and very exciting things to come.

If you are car-aware, seeing a Hyundai Veloster on the road likely makes you reflect on a few questions such as “why?” “who?” and possibly “what were they thinking?”

The 2013 Hyundai Veloster is unlike anything on the road today. When it first broke cover, I will admit to deeming that it had the potential to bring with it a small revolution like the Volkswagen Beetle or possibly more along the lines of the Citroen 2CV. I was thinking that this car could be something of a beginning of the right-sized car revolution. I may have been a little wrong...

Be that as it may, the Hyundai Veloster is terribly good fun to drive and is surprisingly roomy for its outer dimensions. I struggle only with the suspension's inability to stay calm at low speeds, getting upset over the smallest indents. I would like more power, but that's my problem. Despite the lack of compliance from the suspension, the Veloster handles quite well.


What is a Hyundai Veloster?
The 2013 Hyundai Veloster is the answer to the question no one ever asked. In the beginning, this answer was greater than the sum of its parts, but that has faded somewhat.

This compact sporty car is aimed at Gen Y-ers because of its load of available technology and affordable price. Its styling also plays a large part, being unique, and is instrumental for attracting potential buyers.

2013 Hyundai Veloster Price and Specs
A base 2013 Hyundai Veloster manual starts at $19,699. There are only two options to be had with the Veloster and they are the 6-speed EcoShift DCT transmission ($1,400) and the Tech package ($3,500).

My tested 6-speed manual with Tech tipped the pricing scale at $23,199.

All non-turbo (201 horsepower) manual Velosters make use of a 138-horsepower 1.6L 4-cylinder engine. This same mill loses 6 horsepower with the DCT. Torque numbers also vary, respectively, from 123 lb-ft to 120.

This compact sporty car is aimed at Gen Y-ers because of its load of available technology and affordable price. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2013 Hyundai Veloster
I've touched on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster's imperfectly calibrated suspension. This issue changes with the quality of the road surface. So, if your hood's got nice smooth roads, you may never notice the front independent read torsion beam suspension setup's work or laboured labour.

The car's diminutive outer dimensions and responsive steering make it highly tossable and maneuverable. Short overhangs and large wheels at the corners seriously endow the car with a fair amount of grip. The strong brakes complement the Veloster's driving dynamics.

What the 2013 Hyundai Veloster is not is a streetlight racer. The 1.6L generates the majority of its power north of 4,500 rpm and so needs to be pushed to get the most. The engine comes alive at the 6,000 rpm mark and surprisingly, the cacophony is tolerable. In town, all's good thanks in large part to the transmission.

What I perhaps like most about driving the Hyundai Veloster is its slick 6-speed manual gearbox. The shifter's throws are light and precise enough for quick shifts. The pedals are perfectly spaced for heel-and-toe action and throttle response is brisk, ideal for this type of foot play. In other words, this do-it-yourselfer is likely the best of all the FWD Koreans...

The car's diminutive outer dimensions and responsive steering make it highly tossable and maneuverable. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the Hyundai Veloster
The details in the 2013 Hyundai Veloster's design are incredible. In a way, on a car in this price bracket, in this segment, many are lost. This is not to say that they are not treasured, but there are so many that the effort put forth by Hyundai is not fully understood. The whole front bumper cutout and work put into the hatch will be all but missed by most.

The end result is a car that looks like no other, and that is a serious pro and a con. I'll let you decide which applies to you, but I would suggest that Hyundai be subtle with their facelift and not go the way of the 2013 Genesis Coupe. Some elements should be dropped such as the colour-matched spokes in the 18” wheels. The centre-mounted tailpipes should not, on the other hand.

The cabin is, in a word: cool. Youthful and very modern, it remains functional and quite easy to navigate. Matching one's smartphone or other devices is easy through the redundant controls on the wheel or the standard 7” touchscreen.

The seats all around are supportive and there really is a sufficient amount of room in the second row for two normal adults for a reasonable road trip. Access to the rear requires one to be mindful of their head -- upon entry especially. The trunk is unexpectedly spacious.

The cabin is, in a word: cool. Youthful and very modern, it remains functional and quite easy to navigate. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2013 Hyundai Veloster
As something of an oddity, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster has no direct competition. As it is, the MINI Cooper Classic, Scion tC and Honda CR-Z kinda match the Veloster in quirkiness and original design. Actually, that's a complete lie. The Veloster is head and shoulders above them all where looks are concerned.

In the driving department, the MINI leads, followed closely by Hyundai. And this may be its best asset. Give it a whirl and you're likely to like it.

There's no doubt in our minds that Chevrolet may have once been the heartbeat of America but one vehicle stands head and shoulders above all as being the all-around favourite.

The Chevy Silverado has a deep-rooted history among pickup enthusiast, but it doesn't make the hearts of the majority of pickup truck buyers sing. That distinction belongs to the Ford F-150. Said Silverado may have won the coveted title of North American Truck of the Year, but more likely than not, the F-150 will outsell it in 2014. Before the final tally this year, the new F-150 will have arrived, probably win the title of the 2015 NATOTY and continue on to be the bestseller once more in 2015.

Taking on the Ford F-150 is a tall order. Even with new trucks, the competition comes up short against the Ford. Now, with a new truck on the way, all bets are off.


What's new?
Nearly everything and just about all of it is noteworthy. The previous Ford F-150's fully boxed frame was already one of the finest in the business and for 2015, Ford has taken it to the next level. The use of high-strength steel in its making has increased to 77% from 23% thus not only increasing the frame's rigidity, but dropping some weight in the process.

On the subject of pounds, the new F-150 sheds a truckload as it were as its body panels are now made of military-grade aluminum. Yeah. The weight savings reach up to 700 lbs. for this improvement alone. Tack on the frame and potential buyers are looking at trucks that tip the scale at close to 800 lbs less than before. With some returning engines on offer, expect better acceleration, shorter stopping distances, more towing capability, and better fuel mileage.

Actually, two new mills join the F-150's harem of available powertrains and they are a new 2.7L V6 EcoBoost with Auto Start-Stop and a 3.5L (replaces 3.7L) V6 engines. Output numbers are not yet out, but its list of technical specs reads like an engineer's wet dream.

Other new available aspects of the 2015 Ford F-150 are a surround-view camera, LED-trimmed headlamps, remote tailgate release with step, and the BOXLINK cargo management system.

Let's not forget that the exterior has been heavily updated, largely based on the Ford Atlas concept revealed at the 2013 NAIAS. Handsome be thy moniker.

Interior
The 2015 Ford F-150's interior is also new. In this department, Ford set the benchmark with materials, design, and layout a generation ago. The new F-150 moves in an even more pronounced direction with a presentation that could just as easily be fitted in an upper-trim Taurus.

Expect Ford to pack the new F-150 with all the technological goodies we've come to love and hate. A plethora of connectivity amenities will be onboard, as will inflatable seatbelts in the rear, and 110V/400W outlets capable of charging tools and battery chargers.

Powertrain
Ford set out to make the 2015 Ford F-150 everything to every potential buyer of the full-size pickup. All-out fuel economy is always a main motivation, but performance is never very far behind.

The 2.7L EcoBoost and 3.5L V6 have already been mentioned. As of yet, no fuel economy numbers have been announced. Do expect these to be segment busting or minimally highly competitive. Ford won't do it half-assed.

Making a return appearance is the turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 that punches out 365 hp at 5,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. Along with it is the 302 cu.-in. 5.0L V8. It produces 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The only available transmission with any of these engines is Ford's 6R80 6-speed automatic.

In short
The 2015 Ford F-150 will likely be the best of the best, once more. Every 41 seconds that went by in 2013, a proud new owner of an F-150 would leave a dealer lot. Since 1948, over 33 million F Series Ford pickups have been built, signed, sealed, and delivered. It's not likely to change any time soon.

Capabilities are generally the main considerations when pickups are being shopped. As most of the Ford's competition is fairly capable (RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado), the next selling points usually fall to styling.

If you'd like to see what we thought of the 2013 Ford F-150, check out or comparison test.

Photo: Ford

Kia's fourth-quarter profit rose 29 percent, beating analysts' estimates, after sales of pricier models increased at home.

The Lamborghini Huracán debuted just more than a month ago, and our saliva glands are slowly replenishing themselves.

For all the overt hyper-earnestness Sarah McLachlan ladled upon us during her 1990s heyday, we might not've noticed that the Canadian singer-songwriter has a sense of humor.

Hyundai has consumers jumping on the fuel-cell bandwagon with its first mass-produced fuel-cell vehicle.

Nissan North America and its advertising agency, TBWA Worldwide, have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over claims that a TV commercial for the Nissan Frontier misled consumers about the pickup truck's hill-climbing prowess.

Tesla has delivered on its promise of an all-electric coast-to-coast trip being possible by this winter, activating the 69th and 70th Superchargers in its growing network.

Deborah Wahl, the former Toyota marketing executive who jumped to Chrysler before leaving the industry in 2008, has been named the chief marketing officer for McDonald's Corp.

Supplier Johnson Controls Inc. said today its quarterly net profit rose 30 percent on sales gains, particularly in China.

New General Motors chief executive, Mary Barra, has said she has no plans to deviate from predecessor Dan Akerson's strategy as GM seeks profitability everywhere it operates.

News 23 Jan, 2014

Premiums drop by record rate, but could rise again due to changes in industry

GM CEO Mary Barra plans "no right or left turns" from the path laid out by her predecessor, and expects to accelerate the company's turnaround in part through better integration of its regional operations around the globe.

GM CEO Mary Barra said today that she plans "no right or left turns" from the path laid out by her predecessor, and expects to accelerate the company's turnaround in part through better integration of its regional operations around the globe.