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The need for larger vehicles in North America is still very much alive. Be it for carrying people, gear or a combination of the two, few cars can replace what a crossover can do for the family. The minivan remains the best “do-anything” tool on four wheels, but we all know how uncool they are.

The Toyota Highlander landed in dealerships in 2001 and has known a fair amount of success from the onset. The promise of versatility, Toyota reliability, and a handsome design were all strong elements in its favour.

2014 marks the arrival of the 3rd generation of the Highlander. Revamped in its near entirety, the new evolved Highlander brings more ‘tude to the table, a sharper cleaner cabin and a surprisingly good driving experience.


What is a Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The 2014 Highlander is Toyota's other midsize CUV, along with the 4Runner. The Highlander is meant to be the more urban option, while the 4Runner offers true off-road potential.

The Highlander was Toyota's first CUV to be equipped with an optional 3rd row of seating, not to be mistaken with the Sequoia, which is nothing short of a massive SUV. The arrival of the hybrid version in 2006 demonstrates Toyota's commitment to this green and efficient technology.

2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Price and Specs
The basic 2014 Highlander Hybrid LE brings with it a laundry list of features for $43,720. On top of AWD, the LE includes three-zone automatic climate control, a smart key, 18” wheels, and more. The XLE drops in at $46,145 and adds navigation, 19” wheels, and more.

My tester was a top-line Limited, which starts at $52,695, includes a slew of active safety measures such as a pre-collision system and intelligent cruise control, heated rear seats, and JBL audio among many other accessories.

All Highlander Hybrids are powered by the same 3.5L V6 mated to Toyota's highly evolved Hybrid Synergy drive system. An electronically controlled CVT box manages the power to the front wheels. The rear wheels are motivated by an electric motor that is itself controlled by an on-board computer when added rear wheel traction is required.

The hybrid's total output is rated at 280 horsepower and can tow up to 1,587kg (3,500lb). Current fuel consumption numbers are 7.2L (highway) and 6.7L (city) per 100km.

Driving the 2014 Toyota Highlander hybrid
A funny thing happened where I booked a Highlander Hybrid, but ended up with a regular gas-powered Highlander Limited. This is a testament to how smooth Toyota's highly utilised 3.5L V6 engine is. In the regular Highlander, its 270 horsepower are so effortlessly and quietly delivered that it took two short drives and an overnight to realize that I was not in possession of my Hybrid but of a regular Highlander... I had noticed that the EV mode was absent, but then I thought I was simply being too hard on the throttle, which wouldn't be the first time.

Once I finally got my scheduled 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the change in the drive was obvious. Toyota's 2-mode Hybrid Synergy Drive system allowed me to travel a short distance on electric power alone, at least until I put my right foot down a little deeper. Activating EV Mode will allow for more electric action, however, acceleration must remain mild.

The CVT transmission does a fine job at being inconspicuous. It blends in well with the electric and gasoline engines. Despite a Sport/Manual mode, it prefers to take things easy. The whole purpose of the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is to get things done comfortably and as “greenly” as possible.

The Highlander's ride is cozy and controlled enough for daily highway jaunts and broken city-street cruising. Brakes, with regenerative function, work well and are not especially disruptive. A fine driver, the Highlander Hybrid is.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Toyota Highlander hybrid
I've touched on the added ‘tude now applied to the face-lifted 2014 Highlander and must say that it works. The front end is now more truck-like and thus, by default, a little more masculine.

As tested, in Limited trim, the Highlander wins out with larger wheels, a little more chrome and, all in all, it works.

The 2014 Highlander Hybrid's reason for being is hauling people and their stuff around. Toyota's put in an enormous effort on this front. The fold-down cup-holder shelf in the second row is interesting and the enormous centre-console bin is ideal (a slight pain to open though...), but the real thoughtful part is the parcel shelf that runs from the middle of the dashboard to the end on the passenger side. It is perfectly divided and even features a wire pass-thru for recharging phones.

The vast level of amenities is another selling point and they include the available active safety systems. The 3rd is accessible and well thought out, the second row perches are decent for adults, comfy for children, and the front seats are sufficiently supportive for long hauls. The trunk, with the 3rd stowed is positively capacious, not so much when that row is up.

Comparing the 2014 Toyota Highlander hybrid
Toyota's 2014 Highlander Hybrid marches solely with the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, as far as three-row hybrids go. The Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe XL, and Ford Explorer are other direct competitors.

The choice to make here is not that simple. All of these have highs and lows, but the regular Highlander may the better overall product.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seriously considering a proposal that would require all manufacturers to test their vehicles on the road and not just inside labs to verify mileage claims.

"At this early stage, it is premature for us to speculate on what form a proposal may take," the agency said in a statement. "EPA will engage interested stakeholders proactively before making any proposal."

The EPA is aiming for more realistic fuel ratings so as to avoid frequent consumer complaints. Air resistance and rolling friction are just some of the factors that should be taken into account.

“Some automakers already do this [type of real-world testing], but we are establishing a regulatory requirement for all automakers,” Chris Grundler, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, told The Wall Street Journal.

The proposal also would make it difficult for automakers to manipulate lab results to deliver higher mileage claims, the newspaper read. Right now, most fuel economy tests are performed by automakers, and the information is later shared with and reviewed by the EPA.

You may recall that Ford, Kia, and Hyundai had to revise their own fuel ratings on many vehicles after discovering significant disparities between real-world numbers and those posted on the sticker.

Source : autonews.com

There are cost-saving measures, and then there's this: Volkswagen has a plan to cut yearly expenses by $7.3 billion until 2017 in order to increase profits and remain competitive.

With “Future Tracks,” the German automaker is targeting savings by lowering purchasing expenses, reducing complexity, and cutting factory costs.

Non-profitable vehicles may be axed, too. Volkswagen currently sells 310 models worldwide, and with ever-changing consumer needs, the company says it must have the courage to make tough decisions and abandon certain projects. Convertibles are one possibility.

At the same time, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is focusing on profitability with sales at an all-time high. His goal is to launch 100 new or redesigned vehicles through next year as part of a larger effort to dethrone Toyota as the world's top-selling automaker by 2018.

Source : autonews.com

The face of Hyundai dealers is about to be revamped as part of the Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI) initiative, which aims to match the refined, sophisticated new vehicles the company will be introducing in the near future.

Most importantly, the dominant, blue-and-white exterior colours found on current Hyundai dealerships will be replaced with a bronze-coloured roof structure.

However, the company's signature blue hue will remain as an accent colour throughout the interior of the dealership, where you'll also find modern, premium furniture, customer lounges, as well as new, digital kiosks, tablets, and wheel stands. Plants and indoor trees will help bring natural elements into the showroom space.

"The automotive industry is filled with brands that adhere to primary colours such as blue or red, and it's time for Hyundai dealerships to stand-out among the competition the same way Hyundai vehicles stand-out on the road," said Don Romano, President and CEO for Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.

The new look originated in the company's home market of South Korea, but will begin appearing in Canada with Hyundai dealerships already under construction or renovation. For existing dealerships, the new look will be rolled-out progressively, Romano explained.

Hyundai currently has 211 dealerships across Canada, but hasn't specified which ones will be the first to embody that new image.

Source : Hyundai Canada

As a precaution, BMW today announced its intent to voluntarily recall all 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series vehicles produced between May 1999 and August 2006 to replace the passenger-side front airbag.

The number of potentially affected vehicles is approximately 574,000 in the U.S. and more than 40,000 in Canada.

This is also a voluntary extension of the recall campaign announced in May 2013, which involved 42,000 units.

Potential problems with the airbag inflator which may rupture in vehicles produced by other manufacturers using similar systems from the same supplier have become evident in rare cases. BMW is not aware of a case involving a BMW vehicle, though.

Owners will receive a notification by mail.

Source : press.bmwgroup.com

On July 26-27, Ford of Canada will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Mustang by hosting one of the largest gatherings of Ford Mustangs in Ontario.

With the help of the Golden Horseshoe Mustang Association and the Greater Toronto Area Mustang Club, hundreds of Mustangs from all generations — including the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang — will line up at Ford of Canada's headquarters in Oakville.

Fans will get quite an eyeful from the vintage and custom pony cars on display. They will also get to talk about the shared passion that fuels their love for the Mustang.

The 2-day event will include cruise convoys, displayed show cars, live musical performances, and an award ceremony for the show's most impressive ride.

Be there!

Source: Ford of Canada

Photo: Ford

Automakers intending to bring driverless cars to market need to work as much on software design as mechanical engineering, the researcher leading Nissan's automated-vehicle program says.

Automakers intending to bring driverless cars to market need to work as much on software design as mechanical engineering, the researcher leading Nissan's automated-vehicle program says.

GM's top lawyer said his staff made mistakes in handling an ignition-switch defect and delayed recall that spurred U.S. government investigations.

Former Ford CEO Alan Mulally has joined the board of directors of Google as the technology giant ramps up development of autonomous light vehicles.

Former Ford CEO Alan Mulally has joined the board of directors of Google as the technology giant develops a self-driving car and tries to get its software into more automobiles.

Warren Buffett, who has made himself and others enormously wealthy by investing in some of America's biggest brands, says he's not about to go with Japanese wheels, no matter how practical.

Eight dealerships in New Jersey owned by Carmelo and Ignazio Giuffre have reached a $1.8 million settlement with the state's Division of Consumer Affairs.

While it might operate under the same umbrella organisation - Hyundai America Technical Centre Inc (HACTI) as the California proving ground, Kia's Design Center America (KDCA), adjacent to the brand's national sales company in Irvine, California, has been happily divorced from its parent company's design facility since 2008 and operates completely independently.

While it might operate under the same umbrella organisation - Hyundai America Technical Centre Inc (HACTI) - as the California proving ground, Kia's Design Center America (KDCA), adjacent to the brand's national sales company in Irvine, California, has been happily divorced from its parent company's design facility since 2008 and operates completely independently.

News 15 Jul, 2014

Consultation currently open to make decision on banning smoking in cars with children present

News 15 Jul, 2014

First images of the Cadillac ATS-V, designed to tackle BMW’s M3

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President Barack Obama highlighted government-backed research on technology being developed by companies including Ford and Toyota to allow cars to communicate with each other.

Volkswagen AG plans to cut costs and boost productivity at the VW brand by $6.8 billion a year by 2017 to lift sagging profitability.