Auto News 5

-- Come with me to a time when people raced Datsun 120Ys and when

It's been six months since some 500 cars from the gigantic Lambrecht Chevrolet stash found new homes, and many of them are well into their restorations.

Normally, the

PSA outlined plans to cut its model lineup by almost half and to make Citroen's DS unit a separate brand in a bid to restore the automotive division's profit.

VW is determined to keep improving how it launches vehicles and how it uses the massive amount of analytical data it gathers as it strives to reach 10 million vehicle sales this year, Simon Thomas, VW's marketing VP, told Automotive New Europe.

A battle is shaping up among Honda, Acura and their dealers for control of Google shoppers. Competition for keywords can drive up Google ad prices. It's a quandary Honda Motor Co. and its Acura brand seem intent on tackling.

Nissan's U.S. chief is convinced that a dealer sales incentive program launched nationally on April 1 will make his retailers bigger and richer, and propel Nissan toward its goal of a 10 percent U.S. market share.

Dodge will defy industry convention this week with its "Double-Up" deal on the Charger and Challenger. The one-year lease on the outgoing 2014 editions comes with an incentive to switch to next year's refreshed models.

Hyundai will roll out its 2015 Sonata while Toyota offers an aggressive midcycle freshening of the Camry at the New York auto show this week. And Subaru will pit its redesigned 2015 Outback crossover against the next Nissan Murano.

Toyota Motor Corp. will unleash a blitz of 14 new gasoline engines through 2015 in a long-awaited powertrain overhaul that aims to boost fuel efficiency by at least 10 percent.

Bosch says it will start producing an automatic parking system -- a step toward autonomous driving -- in 2015 for a customer it did not identify.

A Shakespeare soliloquy might seem out of place in a car ad, but Jaguar wants to make a key point -- that it is a quintessentially and unapologetically British challenger to BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

With the redesigned Nissan Murano, which debuts at the New York auto show this week, Nissan Motor Corp. aims to replicate some of the design magic that worked wonders for rival Hyundai Motor Co.

If there is any question about whether smart engineering is on its way back at Honda Motor Co., one need look no further than the second-row "magic" seats of the 2015 Honda Fit.

About 150 dealerships that lost Chrysler franchises during the company's 2009 bankruptcy won a round in federal court last week.

At the time, many of the crashes now tied to faulty General Motors ignition switches looked like the predictable consequences of drunken driving, speeding or inattentiveness late at night.

Chef Andrew Zimmern has a great personal rule: he must try something twice. Much like judging a book by its cover, making up one's mind after one single sampling or based on a first impression is the best way to potentially miss out on some great life experiences.

With the hype surrounding the arrival of the new GM pickups, I knew I needed to sample the offerings, and quickly. Sadly, my first encounter with the twin GMC Sierra left me scratching my head, wondering if I had missed something. In fact, in last year's comparo test, the Sierra came up far short of our expectations.

My 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT 4X4 packed the same visual punch, both inside and out, but the whole driving experience once more left me cold (if somewhat frustrated). What should have been wasn't. The ride feels overburdened and heavy, and throttle response lags severely. Despite these important elements, I still love this truck.


What is a Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is GM's bestselling pickup nameplate, out-delivering the GMC Sierra. Much rides on the Silverado's shoulders and GM has gone through great efforts to improve it for the 2014 model year.

This is the 3rd generation of the Silverado, which was born from the long line of C/K Chevy and GMC pickups before it.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Price and Specs
The starting price of the 2014 Chevy Silverado range is $26,290. At the other end of the spectrum, a 1500 High Country retails for $53,315. Highly customizable, options can and will bring the price of the Silverado to well over $60,000.

As tested, my 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT crew cab with standard box and 4X4 tipped the price scale at $49,705.

One of three engines can be selected for duty in the Silverado. The range starts off with the 285-horsepower 4.3L V6. Most Chevy pickups will feature the 5.3L V8. It produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. If the LTZ trim is selected, a 420-horsepower 6.2L V8 is optional. All of the above come with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

A MAX trailering package and a snowplough prep package are only two available ways to make your Silverado ready for hard labour.

2WD and 4WD are available as well as various suspension and convenience and equipment groups, all in the name of making your truck your own.

Driving the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
If only the driving experience mimicked the new Chevy Silverado's outer shell and inner core. The two already mentioned elements, ride quality and throttle response, severely mar what should be a great pickup.

Off the line, the 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500's go-pedal needs to be seriously stabbed for something to happen. Perhaps it's designed this way with heavy, steel-toe boots in mind, but for every non-working day, the effort required to keep things moving is annoying as is the delay between depressing the throttle and the get-up-and-go. Another negative is the transmission that automatically drops into first, causing a slight jerk, when performing an “American” stop.

Whether in the city or on the highway, the Chevy Silverado's suspension seems unable to cope with most road imperfections, regardless of speed. The rear semi-elliptical two-stage multi-leaf springs will help the truck float over the small stuff, but it feels as though the moment wheel travel goes beyond 2 inches, the dampers and springs have the urge to decompress immediately, upsetting the insanely quiet cabin.

During our comparo, we'd hoped the loaded test would improve the situation, but such was not the case. For certain, the Silverado's frame is extremely rigid, giving off the highly desirable impression that it can drive through a brick wall unscathed; however, repeated poorly controlled chassis movements over less than perfect tarmac is unacceptable in 2014. The RAM and the Ford do not suffer.

Despite these two unfortunate elements, the 2014 Chevy Silverado is still quite relevant as a work truck.

The 5.3L V8 is an excellent engine and actually enjoys being pushed hard into the rev range. It really comes alive somewhere north of 3,500 rpm and pulls effortlessly to 6,000 rpm. In these acceleration events, the transmission proved to be a top partner. To go along with the power, the 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 has strong brakes and heavy yet sharp (for a truck) steering.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Chevrolet's pickup has a styling that rocks the truck world. It's smug, powerful, and confidant that it will never disappoint you. Parked on a lot surrounded by other competitors, the GM trucks seriously stand out.

The front grille, headlights, and mildly boxed fenders all work great. The only negative noteworthy point is the running boards that break the Silverado's lines and are pretty much useless other than for dirtying pant legs.

Climbing aboard the 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 is worth it. The cabin in my mid-range 1LT was well appointed, nicely finished and very roomy. The dashboard's design is modern and robust, and perfectly suited for the truck.

The front perches are wide and generally comfortable. The rear bench is huge; four adults could fit back there in a jam. Storage spaces are plenty, perfect for an office away from home.

Comparing the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Having accolades thrown at it before it landed on the auto show floor, it is odd that Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra sales have slowed in the US, whereas Ford's have remained nearly level and RAM's have jumped impressively year over year.

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this, as pickup buyers are the loyal type. My bottom line is that if GM can revise the suspension's calibration, their trucks should eventually return to positive sales growth numbers.

Pros
The Toyota Tacoma is a well-built, small truck with a large range of models and equipment available. Dealers have plenty of accessories, as do the aftermarket suppliers, to ensure you can personalize your truck to suit your needs.

Cons
Handling isn't great, and the jump seats in the Access Cab could be improved. Some Tacomas have a poor feel to the brake pedal which does not inspire confidence under hard braking.

Photo: Toyota

2014 Toyota Tacoma Price
MSRP for a basic 4-cylinder, 2WD Access Cab starts at $22,350. For a 4-cylinder, 4WD Access Cab prices start at $27,125. The V6 Access Cab starts at $28,110 and the V6 Double Cab starts at $29,600.

2014 Toyota Tacoma Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined in L/100km)
Manual

• 4-cyl 2WD: 9.9/7.5/8.8
• 4-cyl 4WD: 11.3/9.0/10.3
• Automatic
• 4-cyl 2WD: 10.8/7.8/9.4
• 4-cyl 4WD: 11.6/8.9/10.4
• V6 4WD: 13.1/9.8/11.7

Improvements and Changes
The Toyota Tacoma comes into 2014 unchanged. The last major revision was in 2012. Minor adjustments through trim packages and adjustments to the MSRP are hard to notice.

Exterior styling
The Toyota Tacoma Access Cab is the best looking due to vehicle proportions, moulded wheel wells and the 6' truck box. Double Cab models just don't look as good, although the more you pay the more bling you get. Blacked-out grille and front fascia try to provide a work-oriented look on the Toyota Tacoma. Along the sides the black theme continues along the wheel arches front and rear. Only the flat aluminum alloy wheels provide any relief from the paint.

Interior
The only significant difference between Access Cab and Double Cab is the extra space in the rear seat and extra doors. The jump seats in the Access Cab are suitable for children or willing adults for a short distance. The Double Cab rear seat is a proper rear seat suitable for long-term trips. Trim level and optional equipment significantly shapes the look of the interior. Leather interior, heated seats, and all the electronic hook-ups are available.

Cargo/towing/payload capacity
Maximum towing capacity is 1,587 kg (3,500 lb). Cargo capacity ranges between 475 kg (1,050 lb) and 540 kg (1,200 lb) for the 2014 Toyota Tacoma.

Safety
Dual front, front seat side impact and curtain airbags are standard in the 2014 Toyota Tacoma. All seating positions have three-point lap belts. A STAR safety system includes stability control, traction control, ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist with smart stop technology is standard, as are four-wheel disc brakes. Tire pressure monitoring system and LATCH system for anchoring a child seat is standard. On the Double Cab, child-proof rear door locks are standard.

Comparables
Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon.

From press release

Ron and Loretta Thiering, promoters at Edmonton International Raceway (located in Wetaskiwin) announced the return of the popular NASCAR Canadian Tire Series to the Edmonton area.

On July 11, NASCAR race fans can watch Canada's best stock car drivers such as defending series champion Scott Steckly, two-time champion D.J. Kennington and past Indy 500 pole sitter Alex Tagliani go head-to-head local stars including Noel Dowler and James Van Domselaar in a 300-lap battle for western supremacy.

Multi-time Edmonton International Raceway champion and local product Erica Thiering, from Sherwood Park will be making her Canadian Tire Series debut, as well.

Erica Thiering. (Photo: Edmonton International Raceway)

"We are thrilled to make this announcement today," said Ron Thiering.

"Loretta and I have been long-time supporters of NASCAR through the Whelen All-American Series and Home Tracks program. We started the dialogue with NASCAR about hosting a Canadian Tire Series event over two years ago. Now it's a reality and we can't wait to bring Canada's premier racing series to Alberta's oval track fans."

The popular Super Stocks and Stacker Cars local divisions will share the stage with the Canadian Tire Series on that Friday date which will also include practice and qualifying for the feature series.

The Super Stocks will line up again the next evening and be joined by the Thunder Cars, Mini Cups and Baby Grands.

"In preparation for this new venture, we have invested in improvements around the facility," said Loretta Thiering.

"New pit road walls, concrete corners and a full repaving in May will make the track a treat for competitors while a new scoreboard, additional bleachers and corporate hospitality suites will enhance the entertainment experience for fans and sponsors."

Tickets are on sale now through the track's website, edmontonraceway.com.

Ed Carpenter Racing's Mike Conway won the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach by literally surviving a chaotic race marred by numerous accidents all through the race.

The action started when polesitter Ryan Hunter-Reay showed a bit of impatience while trying to pass Josef Newgarden as he exited the pits with cold tires.

The Andretti Autosport driver tried to sideline Newgarden with an ill-conceived lunge at Turn 4, only to clatter into the Sarah Fisher Hartmann car and bounce off the wall.

His teammate James Hinchcliffe had nowhere to go but into the wreckage, triggering a chain reaction that also accounted for Jack Hawksworth, Tony Kanaan and Takuma Sato.



Many drivers were able to get through the traffic jam but Helio Castroneves, who at first was able to avoid the accident, was clipped by Hunter-Reay's car as it bounced across the track.

Other drivers would have their share of problems as Simon Pagenaud was hit by Will Power mid-race and Sebastien Bourdais did the same on his own by making two trips into the wall that put him out of contention.

Scott Dixon took the lead in the latter stage of the event but was running low on fuel and had to make a 'splash & go' in the pits but not before putting Justin Wilson, who was running second, into the wall when the pair accidentally made contact on a late restart.

Conway took over the lead and kept Will Power at bay for the final two laps to secure the win.

Rookie Carlos Munoz claimed third ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya and Simon Pagenaud.

Race results - 80 laps:

Pos Driver Team/Engine Time/Gap
1. Mike Conway Carpenter/Chevy 1h54m41.6418s
2. Will Power Penske/Chevy +0.9005s
3. Carlos Munoz Andretti/Honda +1.5591s
4. Juan Pablo Montoya Penske/Chevy +2.0226s
5. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt/Honda +2.8169s
6. Mikhail Aleshin Schmidt/Honda +3.8574s
7. Oriol Servia Rahal/Honda +4.9621s
8. Marco Andretti Andretti/Honda +8.1948s
9. Sebastian Saavedra KV/Chevy +8.9029s
10. Carlos Huertas Coyne/Honda +24.2295s
11. Helio Castroneves Penske/Chevy +30.0552s
12. Scott Dixon Ganassi/Chevy +30.7310s
13. Graham Rahal Rahal/Honda +1 lap
14. Sebastien Bourdais KV/Chevy +3 laps
15. Jack Hawksworth Herta/Honda +3 laps

Retirements:
Justin Wilson Coyne/Honda 64 laps
Ryan Briscoe Ganassi/Chevy 60 laps
Tony Kanaan Ganassi/Chevy 55 laps
Josef Newgarden Fisher/Honda 55 laps
Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti/Honda 55 laps
James Hinchcliffe Andretti/Honda 55 laps
Takuma Sato Foyt/Honda 55 laps
Charlie Kimball Ganassi/Chevy 41 laps