Auto News 5

Small-car lovers, take note: The redesigned 2015 Toyota Yaris will soon arrive at dealerships in 3- and 5-door body styles.

For 2015, the popular Yaris sports an aggressive new look with a horizontal chrome grille treatment that appears to continue right into the headlights. A larger, bolder grille opening gives it a bit more character, as well.

Inside the 2015 Toyota Yaris, you'll find a standard 6-speaker Entune Audio system with a 6.1'' touchscreen, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability, voice recognition, and music streaming via Bluetooth. Also, for the first time in a Yaris, a navigation system is available as a dealer-installed option.

Other updates to the Yaris include — depending on the trim level — cruise control, power mirrors, windows and door locks, keyless entry, fog lights, a rear spoiler, LED daytime running lights, 15'' or 16'' wheels, a sport suspension, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

As for motivation, the 1.5L 4-cylinder DOHC engine returns with 106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 103 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. The broad torque curve will make those numbers seem even bigger, Toyota says. Buyers will have a choice of 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions.

Pricing and on-sale dates for Canada will be announced later.

Photo: Toyota

Formula 1 group CEO Bernie Ecclestone confirmed on Wednesday that Mexico is set to host a round of the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship.

The race, the first Grand Prix to be held in Mexico since 1992, will be run at the 4.421-kilometre Mexico City circuit.

"I'm happy to announce we've concluded an agreement to have a race in 2015," said Ecclestone. "Don't miss this race!"

The latest podium in Mexico, in 1992. Nigel Mansell, Riccardo Patrese and Michael Schumacher. (Photo: WRi2)

Tavo Hellmund, who helped bring the United States Grand Prix to Austin and is a co-founding partner of the 2015 Formula 1 Gran Premio de Mexico, said he was delighted that negotiations had proved successful.

"Ever since Bernie and I began working on a race at Austin, it's been a dream of mine to help F1 return to Mexico," said Hellmund.

"This announcement has therefore been years in the making, but we've gradually been able to assemble all the right pieces. I'm absolutely delighted."

Two Mexican drivers currently compete in F1 racing: Force India's Sergio Perez, who scored a podium earlier this year in Bahrain, and Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez.

Mexico's return to the F1 calendar remains subject to final negotiations.

General Motors today announced six new safety recalls covering 717,949 recent model vehicles in the U.S. — pushing the total number of recalls this year to 60 and the number of affected units worldwide to 28,767,143.

The first recall involves 2011-2012 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, 2011-2012 Buick Regal and LaCrosse, and 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX models equipped with power height-adjustable driver or front passenger seat structures. The bolt that secures the height adjuster actuator may become loose or fall out. If the bolt falls out, the seat will move up and down freely because it is no longer attached at the height adjuster.

GM assures the vehicles are safe to drive, but customers should not use the power height adjustable feature until dealers can replace the height adjuster bolt. GM is aware of one crash and three injuries but no fatalities related to this condition.

The second recall affects 2014 Chevrolet Caprice, 2014 Chevrolet SS, 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado LD and HD, 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS, 2014 Cadillac ELR, 2013-2014 Buick Encore, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra LD and HD vehicles. Some of them may have an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly due to a loss of power to a laser welding machine, according to data collected from the machine between July 2013 and January 2014.

Dealers will inspect the weld. If it is sufficient, no further action is necessary. If it is insufficient, dealers will replace the lower seat track at no charge. Less than 1 percent of welds are expected to require seat track replacement. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries as a result of this issue.

The third recall targets 2011-2013 Buick Regals and 2013 Chevrolet Malibus equipped with front turn signals that use two bulbs in each front turn signal. While the driver would get a rapidly flashing turn signal arrow in the instrument cluster if both bulbs in one turn signal were burned out; if only one bulb on either side burns out, there would be no signal to the driver.

Dealers will reprogram the body control module to fix the condition. Again, no crashes, injuries, or complaints related to this issue have been reported to GM.

The fourth recall deals with the belt-drive electric power steering on some 2014 Chevrolet Impalas. Customers may experience reduced or no power steering assist at start-up or while driving due to a poor electrical ground connection to the Power Steering Control Module. If power steering is lost, a warning message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds. Steering control can be maintained because the vehicle will revert to manual steering mode, but would require greater driver effort particularly at low vehicle speeds.

Dealers will inspect and clean paint from behind the ground nut, re-torque the nut, and update the power steering control module software at no charge. GM is aware of one crash but no injuries or fatalities related to this condition.

The fifth recall affects 2014-2015 Chevrolet Sparks imported from Korea that were assembled with a lower control arm bolt not fastened to specification. This could result in noise from the front suspension and separation of the lower control arm from the steering knuckle while driving, resulting in a loss of steering control. Dealers will inspect the left and right hand lower control arm attaching bolts to assure they are tightened to specification. No incident has been reported.

Finally, the sixth recall by GM addresses a problem with the roof racks on a small number of 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali vehicles. These racks may have been attached with the wrong retaining nuts, resulting in holes or tears in the side curtain airbags if they deploy.

Source: General Motors

nanoFLOWCELL made waves at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show with an all-electric sports car concept named QUANT e-Sport Limousine that would run on salt water. Well, the thing actually works as Germany recently authorized on-road testing, according to a report by supercompressor.com.

The short amount of time between vehicle introduction and real-world testing suggests that there are a lot of wealthy, smart, and skilled people behind this bold project.

Photo: nanoFLOWCELL

Motivated by four electric motors totalling more than 900 horsepower, the QUANT e-Sport Limousine can keep pace with a McLaren P1 or LaFerrari. There are two refillable tanks containing as many as 400 litres; basically, they take a highly-charged solution and a low-charged one, and simultaneously pump them past opposite sides of a membrane to generate electricity, which is then stored in capacitors until it's needed.

The website also claims that, with testing to begin pretty soon, there's an increasingly strong chance the QUANT e-Sport Limousine may enter production by late 2015 or early 2016.

Stay tuned...



Source: supercompressor.com

The new 2015 Porsche Cayenne will launch on the Canadian market this fall in four trim levels: Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and Cayenne S E-Hybrid — the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment.

Consequently, Porsche becomes the only automaker in the world to offer three plug-in hybrid models (the Panamera S E-Hybrid and 918 Spyder are the other two).

The design of the front body, the front fenders and the hood is all new. Meanwhile, the bi-xenon headlights standard in Diesel and S models feature "hovering" 4-point LED daytime running lights. The Cayenne Turbo offers standard LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).

Inside the 2015 Porsche Cayenne is an impressive list of standard features including a new multifunction sport steering wheel with paddle shifters whose look and functions are based on the steering wheel of the 918 Spyder. Rear passengers will enjoy even more comfort than before, and rear-seat ventilation can be ordered as an option for the first time.

Available powertrains include:

• Cayenne S E-Hybrid: 3.0L supercharged V6 (333 hp) and electric motor (95 hp) that produce a combined output of 416 hp at 5,500 rpm and 435 lb-ft of torque from 1,250-4,000 rpm. While acceleration from 0-100 km/h is accomplished in 5.9 seconds to a top speed of 243 km/h, fuel consumption is rated at 3.4L/100km according to Europe's NEDC. A 10.9kWh lithium-ion battery provides an all-electric driving range of 18-36 km with a top speed of 125 km/h.
• Cayenne S: 3.6L twin-turbo V6 generating 420 hp (+20) and returning fuel consumption figures between 9.5-9.8L/100km, according to the NEDC. With its standard 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission, the Cayenne S accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds (5.4 with the Sport Chrono package) and reaches a top speed of 259 km/h.
• Cayenne Turbo: 4.8L twin-turbo V8 that cranks out 520 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds (4.4 with the Sport Chrono package). Its top speed is 279 km/h. Fuel consumption amounts to 11.2-11.5L/100km.
• Cayenne Diesel: 3.0L V6 engine producing 240 hp and burning 6.6-6.8L/100km of fuel. The emission control system is now equipped with selective catalyst recuperation (SCR). This model can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds (7.2 with the Sport Chrono package) to a top speed of 221 km/h.

Canadian fuel consumption ratings will be announced later.

Photo: Porsche

Source : Porsche Canada

From press release

Sportsman Drag Racers all over New York, Ontario, Quebec and even Alberta will be converging on Toronto Motorsports Park this weekend as the DSE Sportsman Series holds not only its third of six events in the series, but will also host the most prestigious NHRA Sanctioned event in Ontario, the NHRA Provincial Championships.

Designed to afford Local and Regional Sportsman Drag Racers the ability to compete for NHRA Sanctioned Championships without having to follow the Divisional or National tours, the NHRA State/Provincial Championships is single race, tournament style championship that is awarded to one drag racing facility in each State and Province in North America.

After hosting the Inaugural NHRA Ontario Provincial Championships in 2012, the event has returned to the DSE Automotive Sportsman Racing Series and Toronto Motorsports Park in 2014.

The classes that will be competing for the NHRA Ontario Provincial Championships at this event include Renegade Race Fuels Super Pro, Hill Racing/ATI Performance Products Modified, HeadsUpRacer.com Quick 16, Corriveau Concrete Forming Supplies Jr Dragster, Stefko Racing Engines Super Gas and DSEAutomotive.ca Super Bike/Sled.

For more information on the DSE Sportsman Racing Series, please visit www.SportsmanRacingSeries.ca.

Porsche Canada today announced that the 2015 Panamera S E-Hybrid will be priced at $110,000, a reduction of $3,000 compared to the 2014 model's starting price. This will make the world's first plug-in hybrid luxury sedan even more attractive.

Similar to the new Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid combines a 3.0L supercharged V6 (333 hp) with an electric motor (95 hp) to produce a net output of 416 hp. While acceleration from 0-100 km/h is accomplished in 5.5 seconds to a top speed of 270 km/h, fuel consumption is rated at 5.1Le/100km. A brake energy recuperating system is included.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid makes extensive use of aluminum: hood, doors, fenders, and rear hatch. It also features 18'' light-alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a pair of dual exhaust tips, hydrophobic front side glass, and a telescopic rear spoiler.

The interior offers central door locking with remote control, an overhead console with ambient lighting, a navigation system with Porsche Communication Management (PCM), and a 7'' colour touchscreen with 3D display.

Make sure to read Miranda Lightstone's review of the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid following her recent trip to beautiful Squamish, BC. Is it really worth that kind of money? Go find out!

Source : Porsche Canada

Photo: Porsche

From Prodrive

British car specialist Prodrive is relocating its headquarters to a new larger facility in Banbury, UK, less than a mile from its present home.

Construction of the new building, which will also be next to the M40 motorway, will commence in August and the company will move during March 2015.

"It became clear that our current site would not be suitable for our future needs as while motorsport remains core to our business we have diversified into a number of new areas," said David Richards, chairman.

"Our current site has become a familiar landmark for the millions of motorists who have driven up and down the M40 over the last 30 years. However our new location will be no less prominent and the increase in size of the facility will allow us to expand into new and exciting arenas beyond motorsport."

Image: Prodrive

The new site will be Prodrive's third headquarters, having been originally based at Silverstone in 1984, before moving to Banbury in 1986. At that point, the company's single building housed its then BMW race and rally teams and looked out on to fields.

It wasn't until 1991 that the M40 was extended from Oxford to Birmingham passing right in front of the company's headquarters.

Over the last 28 years the company has expanded from one to 12 separate buildings. The new facility is a single 110,000 sq ft structure giving flexibility to house Prodrive's motorsport and advanced technology businesses and allowing for a far more efficient operation. The company's 40,000 sq ft composite manufacturing operation will remain in Milton Keynes.

"While we are best known for our motorsport successes, this now only represents a third of our turnover," said Richards. "Walk around our site today and you will see Aston Martin Racing cars and MINI rally cars being prepared in workshops right next to advanced active aero systems for road going supercars; interior modules for luxury cars; advanced hybrid systems; and even the next generation of control systems for racing yachts."

Prodrive's current headquarters will be cleared in September to make way for a new retail park, which will open in late 2015.

After a major redesign in 2013, Hyundai's Genesis Coupe is largely unchanged, but returns with a few notable tweaks. The coupe now features front fog lights, available Hyundai BlueLink Telematics interface, downshift rev matching on automatic transmission-equipped models, and Hill-hold Assist for manuals.


What is the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT?
The Genesis Coupe is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive coupe, which arrived in North America in 2009. It replaced the front-wheel-drive Tiburon as the Korean company's flagship sports car.

2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Price & Specs
The engine choices remain the same: the base 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder with 275 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.8L V6 (my tester) with 348 hp and 295 lb-ft While a 3.8 GT with manual transmission is $37,199, it's available with automatic for $38,999.

The optional $799.95 axle-back exhaust is an absolute must for performance fans.

Driving the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
I'd driven the V6 coupe back in 2011 and decided it was an interesting car if not perfect. What I liked (the looks, the engines) balanced out with what I didn't (the suspension, the shifter).

Those flaws have all been addressed and the result is that the Genesis becomes a nicely balanced sports car that's really enjoyable to drive. A strut-style suspension setup keeps the front end planted with a multilink rear setup behind. Springs, dampers, and bushings were all re-engineered for 2013 providing noticeably tighter handling with less roll. Track enthusiasts will probably opt for the Torsen limited slip differential of the Track and R-Spec packages, which also feature stiffer suspension settings.

While previously on the numb and rubbery side, the speed-sensitive hydraulic steering has been recalibrated to be tighter and quicker. Much improved, it could still use a little more feedback.

Previously, the shifter was one of the Genesis' biggest faults. Lifeless and floppy, it had the personality of a limp handshake. Happily, this has been rectified and while there's no satisfying "snick" of a well-performed shift, it's much easier to find the correct gates. The transmission has also been updated with carbon-coated synchronizer rings. Combined with the improved clutch take-up and shifter, the 6-speed Genesis is fun to drive aggressively, yet smooth enough for the urban commute.

The performance exhaust adds a nice burble to the V6's mellow tone. Although not an obnoxiously loud system, it does tend to drone while highway driving.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
While Hyundai's Fluidic Design has done a bang-up job transforming the rest of the lineup, nowhere is it more effective than on this low-slung, sporty coupe. Razor sharp creases divide the sheet metal into planes like the facets of a prism creating a play of light over the body that the camera just loves. Last year's addition of LED running lights lend a more upscale look to its wide face. The hood vents, while adding a snarky look to the long hood, are merely decorative and not functional. Red Brembo calipers peeping through 19" alloys hint that this Genesis has just as much "go" as it does "show."

My Casablanca White tester featured tobacco-coloured seats and contrasting charcoal cabin. The level of craftsmanship and style is decent for this segment with tight seams and gaps, and contrasting stitching. However, the hard plastics remind us that this is a budget-priced sports coupe. The sweeping centre stack features a 7" touchscreen with backup camera, and the interface is easy to use. The 10-speaker Infinity sound system is decent, but many buyers will replace it with a custom unit.

Drilled aluminum pedals, stitched leather hand brake, leather-wrapped wheel and push-button start are among the sports-oriented touches. Analog gauges relaying fuel economy and oil pressure add a racing element to the cabin. Sports style seats feature plenty of bolstering, but they're comfortable for long road trips, too with excellent support. As expected for a raked-back coupe, rear seating is somewhat limited. Trunk space at 283 litres (10 cu. ft.) is about average for the segment, and rear seats flip down to increase cargo space.

Comparing the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
The Genesis' more aggressive character is necessary in a segment where attitude is everything. While it's fun to drive and great to look at, its name lacks the status of the BMW 1 Series or the muscle-car heritage of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger. It also faces tough competition from the more expensive (but less roomy) Nissan 370Z and the less expensive, less powerful, yet fine-handling Scion FR-S.

Hyundai continues to impress with its extensive list of standard content, reliability, and high safety ratings at an affordable price. At the rate the Genesis has continued to improve, it may overtake some of those segment leaders yet.

From GMM

Toto Wolff was not the only senior member of Mercedes' management team hurt in a cycling pileup this week.

In a team-building exercise along the Danube river on Tuesday, the 42-year-old Austrian crashed, badly breaking his arm in four places.

Bild newspaper reveals that, as well as suffering concussion, he had titanium screws inserted to repair his wrist, and was set to travel to Hungary direct from Vienna's Lorenz-Bohler hospital.

"I landed on my head in a massive crash, and the helmet was split at the front. I was very lucky," said Toto Wolff.

Even luckier, however, was Mercedes team boss Paddy Lowe, who emerged unscathed except for cuts and bruises.

"Paddy Lowe crashed with another guy and I would say we hit them at about 40kph," said Wolff.

Jock Clear, a well-known engineer on Lewis Hamilton's side of the garage, has reportedly broken three ribs.

Jock Clear with Jacques Villeneuve, back in the Williams' days. (Photo: WRi2)

The cycling tour was organised as a 'team building' exercise.

"Next year we will do a backgammon tournament instead," Wolff laughed.

Luckily, drivers Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were not in the doomed peloton. Bild said Hamilton is still resting a sore neck after his Hockenheim qualifying crash, while Rosberg did not want to risk injury.

Instead, also in the spirit of team building, they went out to dinner in Vienna with team chairman Niki Lauda.

From GMM

Jacques Villeneuve has lamented the lack of "heroes" on today's formula one grid.

But the outspoken 1997 world champion says it is not just the drivers' fault, as the F1 of today does not bring out the "wild animal" in them.

"The rules are too restrictive. I have always regarded formula one as an extreme sport, but not really anymore," French Canadian Villeneuve told Schwetzinger Zeitung newspaper.

"The sport is no longer pure enough, because of the rules. Everything has become much too artificial," the 43-year-old insisted.

That, Jacques Villeneuve says, means an easier time for the drivers.

"The drivers no longer have to make a real effort," said the former Williams, BAR and Sauber driver. "You used to come into formula one maybe still as a 20-year-old, but you would already be a man. Now you get the impression they think racing is like playing with lego."

Start of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. (Photo: WRi2)

And Villeneuve said the latest rules overhaul has proved the final straw for many departing viewers and spectators.

"It is boring, we're losing fans. You can feel that something is missing," said the winner of 11 grands prix, who now attends the races as a television pundit.

Meanwhile, Villeneuve tipped former champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel to leave their current teams.

"Lewis Hamilton will not be at Mercedes for long," he told Sport Bild. "Everyone in the German team wants a German to be world champion. Lewis was only brought in to make Nico (Rosberg) even better."

As for quadruple title winner Vettel, Jacques Villeneuve said: "Sebastian has to leave Red Bull. The public is already changing its opinion of him, as in a middle class car, he is starting to look like a middle-class driver."

From GMM

Max Verstappen has turned down an offer from reigning world champions Red Bull as he turns onto the road to formula one.

The talented son of former Benetton and Minardi driver Jos Verstappen visited the Hockenheim paddock last weekend, reportedly at the invitation of 'several' F1 teams.

Young Dutchman Verstappen, 16, is the hot talent of European F3 since moving up from karts, and now the target of top F1 teams including McLaren and Ferrari.

Jos and Max Verstappen at the Formula 1 German Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Father and son reportedly sat down with Dr Helmut Marko ahead of the German grand prix, undoubtedly to discuss Verstappen joining Red Bull's famous young driver programme.

"When the time is right, we will bite the bullet, but not before," Jos told De Telegraaf newspaper.

It appears, however, that the Verstappens ultimately said no to Red Bull.

Italy's Autosprint said the Dutch rookie has decided instead to team up with Mercedes, with the relationship to be formalised 'in the coming days'.

The report said Verstappen jr hopes to make the move to the F1 feeder category GP2 for 2015, "but in the short term there are rumours of a test in a Mercedes F1 car of 2012".

The Suburban Collection has acquired two more Michigan dealerships: BMW of Ann Arbor and Mercedes-Benz of Ann Arbor. The two dealerships were acquired from Sonic Automotive for an undisclosed amount.

Nissan said today it will add Los Angeles to its 'No Charge to Charge' promotion for the Leaf electric vehicle on Aug. 15.

Opel said it plans an "electric" successor to the Ampera. The plug-in hybrid was introduced across Europe in 2011 but will be discontinued.

Opel said it is working on an "electric" successor to the Ampera, a plug-in hybrid based on the Chevrolet Volt which hit European showrooms in 2011 but will be discontinued.

GM, moving to expand its immunity from lawsuits after recalling almost 29 million cars in North America, said it sees no need to try to settle customer claims until a judge decides whether it's legally responsible for faults in its predecessor's...

In the first quarter, General Motors received claims that defects in the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion caused 17 deaths and 167 injuries, according to data it submitted to federal safety regulators.

Auto supplier Federal-Mogul today reported a $5 million net loss after factoring in one-time charges, along with a $128 million revenue gain for the second quarter.

Proxy advisor ISS has recommended that Fiat investors vote against a cross-border merger of the Italian carmaker and its U.S. unit Chrysler at a meeting on Aug. 1, saying it would reduce shareholder rights.