Auto News 5

The Mercedes-Benz Vito and Nissan NV200 could become London's taxis of choice as the maker of the city's famous black cabs fights bankruptcy.

Nissan has hit back at Fiat for its recent criticism of the looks of the Japanese automaker's Leaf EV.

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s Subaru unit is studying expanding its Indiana assembly plant as the Toyota affiliate seeks to boost U.S. output to curb currency losses and meet growing demand for its models.

Volkswagen Group has named Renault's former chief of Europe, Jacques Rivoal, as president of the German automaker's French operations.

I love to tinker on my cars. I've been at it for over 15 years and have yet to get bored of stripping bolts, dropping and loosing washers, braking fragile sensors and splicing wires too short. I am that good.

And every good do-it-yourselfer needs numerous basic tools to cause further chaos under the hood or dashboard of their beloved car. I've collected a number of tools over the years but one can never have too many lying around; especially the good ones.


The following is my Top 10 list of must-haves or nice-to-haves for peeps like me.

1- Snap-On Magnetic Ratcheting Screwdriver.
This tool is bar-none the best of its kind. I've owned four of them and only through severe abuse and neglect have they failed. The magnet is immensely useful, as is the handle which can hold numerous bits. Its smooth, precise operation is what gets me every time. This is, by far, the best screwdriver out there.
Price: $62

2- Breaker bars
Working on older cars, one must expect to deal with seized bolts on a regular basis. Sometimes, a ratchet will not provide enough torque to do the job. Various sized or extendable and ratcheting even breaker bars will give you all the leverage necessary to break the ball-joint or wheel nuts.
Price: Between $10 and $60

3- Ratchet set
A set of ¼ and 3/8 inch ratchets with a few extensions and a good selection of standard and metric sockets will make nearly any job possible. The most important item to think about is the warranty that comes with the tools. Many retail stores offer lifetime warranties; always a good idea.
Price: Between $75 and $500

4- Wrench set
Ratchets and sockets are great, but sometimes it's plain impossible to wedge the tool between the exhaust manifold and the cylinder head. A good wrench, ratcheting all the more, will get in just about any nook and cranny and help you get that nut loose.
Price: Between $75 and $500

5- Allen keys
Allen keys or hex/torx keys are great for numerous applications, both under the hood and in the cabin. Their narrow nature allows them to slide between intake manifold runners with ease. For a little extra torque, a useful t-handle can make short work of a stubborn bolt.
Price: Between $5 and $45

6- Torque wrench
It's important to always reassemble everything with the right amount of tightness. Too much may cause a bolt to fail prematurely and too little, well, it'll come loose. An inch-pound or foot-pound torque wrench, with the right specs, will guarantee the job will be just as tight as it should be.
Price: Between $50 and $750

7- Tool box
A tool box, the right tool box, makes all the difference. Nothing is worse than searching all over your work bench for that one socket or pair of needle-nose pliers. Some of these boxes are insanely high-tech and make working on a car that much more pleasurable. Really. Don't believe me? Check out any Snap-on box...
Price: Between $250 and $20,000

8- Air compressor
An air compressor quickly becomes the do-it-yourselfer's best friend in every and any instance. With 25” of air hose, air ratchet and gun, every job becomes that much easier. From removing wheels, to engine mounts and valve covers, an air ratchet does the hard work so you don't have to.
Price: Between $50 and $5,000

9- Floor jack
For many jobs, part or all of the car must come off the ground. A proper floor jack, ideally aluminum, will make short work of raising the car with ease. A 1.5 ton weight rating is ideal for most applications. If you're like me and work on many different types of cars, a 3-ton jack may be a better choice. As well, there are numerous types of jacks including low-profile ones which are perfect for lowered cars such as my beloved MKII Jetta.
Price: Between $50 and $500

10- A hydraulic lift
This is the do-it-yourselfer's wet dream. If you've got the necessary ceiling clearance, a four-post lift will not only serve as a perfect platform to perform oil changes and countless other jobs, but it will aid in the storage of your favorite toy. Again, if you're like me and have the car disease, you can never have too much storage space for your cars.
Price: Between $2,000 and $7,000 + installation

The significantly redesigned 2014 Kia Sorento made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, offering a new chassis, V6 engine and interior look.

Scheduled to hit the market in the first quarter of 2013, the 2014 Kia Sorento adds a top-of-the-line trim level called SX Limited (later availability). It also sports a lower, broader appearance up front and a visually wider stance at the rear. LEDs at both ends enhance its bold new exterior, too.

Kia Sorento 2014. (Photo: Kia)

Under the hood is a 2.4L four-cylinder Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine that produces 191 horsepower or, optionally, a new 3.3L GDI V6 rated at 290 horsepower.

Pricing will be announced later.

Mercedes-Benz Canada has just issued a recall on 10,242 smart fortwos from the 2005-2006 model years.

On certain vehicles, corrosion and/or dust accumulation may affect the driver and passenger door latches and cause the latch pawl to stick. If this occurs, the door will not latch when shut and will remain unsecured.

Photo: Smart

Mercedes-Benz Canada dealers will therefore replace the door latches with a modified version.

Source: Transports Canada

Back in September, Chrysler issued a recall on more than 15,000 Dodge Dakota and Ram 1500 pickup trucks from the 2009-2010 model years due to a rear axle pinion nut that may have been incorrectly manufactured and could loosen.

Dodge Dakota. (Photo: Dodge)

Some owners across the country have since reported a noise which could be heard just prior to the failure. Transport Canada is therefore seeking information from the public concerning possible safety issues or incidents.

Dodge RAM 1500. (Photo: Dodge)

The government will continue to examine the possible relevance of this issue for vehicles manufactured outside the aforementioned time period. For specific information about this road safety recall, please visit Transport Canada recall 2012-327 or call 1-800-333-0510.

From BMW press release

BMW Motorsport returned to the DTM in 2012 after almost 20 years away, and the results in its comeback year exceeded all expectations. Canadian driver Bruno Spengler won the drivers' title, BMW Team Schnitzer finished in top spot in the teams' standings, and BMW claimed the manufacturers' honours.

Photo: BMW

BMW M GmbH is celebrating this success with the unveiling of the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition. Mimicking the looks of Spengler's M3 DTM car, this special-edition model is available exclusively in Frozen Black metallic, while the carbon flaps and gurney, various dark chrome elements, matt black wheels and sections of the race car's livery also betray its close links with the triumphant BMW M3 DTM.

The theme is continued by the BMW M stripe design over the CFRP roof and boot lid, BMW M logo to the rear of the front wheel arches and decals in the rear side windows. Inside the car, the door sill strips replicate Spengler's helmet design and the carbon-fibre interior trim strip bears the newly crowned champion's signature and the car's serial number.

The special-edition model also contains various exclusive interior additions, such as the Alcantara® steering wheel, handbrake lever embroidered with “M Power” lettering, and extended black Novillo leather trim with features in contrasting Palladium Silver.

Photo: BMW

Technical elements like the Competition package, M Drive, M DCT Drivelogic and the M Driver's Package underline the car's focus on high performance. Equipment including the Professional navigation system, heated seats and Park Distance Control add more “everyday” ingredients to the model.

BMW M is also offering the 54 new custodians of the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition - which will be available in various international markets - a very special extra. Owners of this automotive rarity will have the chance to attend the BMW M Fascination Nordschleife driver training course under the watchful eye of Bruno Spengler.

Photo: BMW

One of the most coveted elements of the BMW Driving Experience programme, the course is held on the Nürburgring's legendary Nordschleife track, where BMW M cars are put through extremely exacting testing sessions and final chassis tuning is carried out.

The BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition will be built at BMW's Regensburg plant and the BMW M GmbH factory from February 2013. Prices in Germany start from €99,000.00 including VAT ($104,000 no taxes).

Photo: BMW

Photo: BMW

Photo: BMW

On January 15th, 2013, the all-new 2014 Lexus IS will make its global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The third generation of this premium compact sedan is said to draw inspiration from the LFA supercar and LF-CC concept.

Lexus provided no further information in its press release, so we'll have to wait until the NAIAS to find out how the Lexus IS plans to compete with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 in the near future.

Lexus LF-CC (Photo: Lexus)

It's a simple, common-sense ideology when it comes to enhancing safety on the go. When drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, they're afforded plenty of warning about upcoming hazards and able to react quickly to avoid them. This is especially important throughout the winter when icy roads and cold tires mean more time is needed to stop for or steer clear of a situation.

If you haven't been in the new car market for a few years, you'll be delighted at the availability of once-expensive features meant to keep your attention on the road ahead. A variety of hi-tech, fully automatic and voice-commanded systems once reserved for high-dollar luxury cars are now available on most models. They all allow drivers to manipulate vehicle systems and functions without breaking their attention.

Here are a few of the most important top features that keep drivers focused.

Rain-Sensing Wipers: At any sign of precipitation on the vehicle's windshield, rain-sensing wipers kick into action and adjust their speed constantly in response to the level of precipitation and how fast the vehicle is moving. Whether it's snow, ice or freezing rain, rain-sensing wipers leave drivers with one less thing to think about when the weather turns nasty. Look for rain-sensing wipers in the Mazda3, Mitsubishi RVR and many others.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Steering-Wheel Mounted Controls: More cars than ever offer steering-wheel mounted controls as standard equipment. By putting controls for phone, cruise control, audio systems and even climate control on the face of the steering wheel, drivers can control many functions without having to look down or move their hands -- definitely a top feature that keeps drivers focused.

Bluetooth: This wireless communication system is now standard (or available as an option) in virtually every vehicle sold in Canada. Bluetooth puts the kibosh on driver distraction related to using a cell phone on the move. After a brief pairing procedure, hands-free phone calls can be placed, accepted or dismissed via voice command and/or a single steering-wheel mounted button. If you're delayed by a snowstorm, Bluetooth allows you to safely call ahead and tell the family you'll be late without pulling over or handling your handset.

Automatic Climate Control: This top feature that keeps drivers focused s all about staying comfortable, which is a good way to avoid the stress caused by driving in lousy weather. Automatic climate control makes it easy. The system uses a sensor to constantly watch cabin temperatures and make adjustments in real time to maintain a preset temperature. Your comfort is maintained for you automatically as you keep both hands on the wheel.

Automatic Lights: Simple concept, this one: When it gets dark, the headlights turn on, all by themselves. Forget accidentally driving around with just the running lamps, which is dangerous. Set the controls to AUTO, and you'll have optimal visibility at all times. Best of all, since automatic lights turn off when you leave the car you'll never come back to a dead battery in the middle of winter, either. Some models, like the Chrysler 300 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, even have automatic high-beams, definitely a top feature that keeps drivers focused.

Voice Command: Not long ago, voice command was the stuff of sci-fi movies. Today, you can find this top feature that keeps drivers focused in cars like the Honda Civic, Kia Rio and Dodge Dart. In most applications, voice command allows drivers to simply touch a button and say, for instance, “Radio, 92.4 FM,” “Navigate Home” or “Call Mom.” Hundreds of vehicle functions can be controlled with your voice, furhter enhancing the driver's focus on the road and, therefore, his safety.

From GMM

Valtteri Bottas is not like other 'pay drivers' on the F1 grid, his main backer insists.

The young Finn, set to debut for Williams next year, is backed by Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, whose company Wirhuri is a global industry and trade conglomerate.

Aarnio-Wihuri is quoted by Turun Sanomat: "I have a personal acquaintance with Frank Williams, which played a role. On next year's car we will have big ads. We are talking about substantial sums, but not tens of millions, as has been mentioned for some of the other (F1) drivers. We hope to get back the money we have invested through the advertising."

Valtteri Bottas, Williams. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

When the mere survival of HRT looked bleak, the Spanish team's Chinese development driver Ma Qing Hua started to look elsewhere.

That is the claim of the Diario AS newspaper, reporting that the 24-year-old Shanghai-born driver entered talks with other F1 backmarkers Caterham and Marussia.

Each of those teams are yet to confirm their second race drivers for the 2013 season.

Photo: HRT F1 Team

AS said Qing Hua's management, China Sport Management, opened talks with Caterham and Marussia around the time of the recent Austin and Brazil double-header.

The news is a real blow to HRT's chances of remaining in formula one, as rumours had suggested China Sport Management was involved in talks to rescue the ailing Spanish team.

From GMM

Marussia is the only team on the official 2013 entry list that is yet to be offered a new Concorde Agreement deal.

The German website motorsport-total.com reports that the news could be particularly bad for the Russian-owned British backmarker, as Bernie Ecclestone is apparently considering scrapping the so-called 'column 3' benefits for the sport's new teams that debuted in 2010.

Presumably, Ecclestone wants to scrap the column-3 entitlements because Caterham has moved into a higher status due to regularly finishing tenth in the constructors' world championship.

And HRT has not applied to compete in 2013.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Marussia is therefore the only active team that has not even been offered a new Concorde Agreement deal by Ecclestone.

"The last thing we were told was that the columns 1, 2 and 3 will still be there. But to be honest, as long as there is no agreement, who knows?" said the team's sporting director Graeme Lowdon.

He insisted: "It has no effect on us in terms of us being here. We will be here, no question."

But the situation has raised the question of whether Marussia will ever be offered a Concorde Agreement deal.

"I don't know, it's up to Bernie," Lowdon explained. "It is strange that some teams have one while others don't. You would have to ask the owner of the commercial rights or the FIA."

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed he is pushing to revive the Turkish grand prix.

We reported at the weekend that Istanbul Park, the Hermann Tilke-penned circuit that hosted formula one between 2005 and 2011, has been taken over by local businessman Vural Ak.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I am going to Istanbul to see if we can get the Turkish grand prix back before participating at the World Council."

Istanbul Park. (Photo: WRi2)

The 82-year-old Briton also used the interview with the authoritative sports newspaper to reject claims by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo he is now too old to be in charge of F1.

"I have a thousand ideas," said Bernie Ecclestone.

The year was 1966: The international performance rally scene, long dominated by powerful European sports cars, experienced a shocking upset when a tiny little 4-cylinder with scarcely more power than a scooter took the top three spots in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. Desperate for a loophole, French officials finally disqualified all three on account of their headlights -- but Mini fans know who the real winners were.


Paying homage to original Minis
Fifty years later, I consider it appropriate that I'm participating in an event honouring that celebrated road rally in a car that's descended from the original Mini.

It's only when parked beside a regular Cooper that you realize the MINI Countryman is actually a small crossover -- so seamlessly has its characteristic design been enlarged. Ours, a Cooper S ALL4 in bright blue with racy white rally stripes and matching roof, looks completely in its element and ready to tackle the stages.

The Mini Monte Rally, that loosely pays homage to the historic world class race, is based in Southern Ontario and incorporates roughly 100 km of winding pastoral roads in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

However, instead of a wild and woolly, all-out race, the "Mini Monte" (my suggestion that we wear "not the Full Monte" T-shirts met with polite smiles) is a "TSD" event, --which stands for Time, Speed, Distance -- and entails ruthless accuracy rather than speed.

Logic not being my strongpoint, the wisest decision I made was to ask good friend James Mewett, an aerospace engineer and driving instructor with Apex and ILR racing schools, to handle the navigational duties. Most drivers are loath to admit that it's actually the navigator who's responsible for winning a TSD rally, but usually don't hesitate to blame them when they lose. Personally, I just hoped we made it to the BBQ at the end.

Surmising that my "navi" would look after all the boring details, I tuned out during the driver's meeting and took in the MINI's competition. Alongside the expected Subaru brigade bristling with snout-mounted Hella Lamps and rally stickers, was a Lotus Evora and a lovely '80s Audi Quattro.

It's only when parked beside a regular Cooper that you realize the MINI Countryman is actually a small crossover. (Photo: MINI Cooper)

Countryman familiar to anyone who's driven a MINI
The Countryman is surprisingly roomy inside, with three times the cargo space of a regular Cooper: more than Nissan's Juke, but less than the Honda CR-V or Kia Soul. Despite its larger size, it handles the mixture of rural pavement and winding gravel roads like a typical MINI -- if slightly less nimble.

An electrohydraulic differential with limited slip varies the amount of torque to the rears from 50 to as much as 100% if needed. The ride is somewhat firm, which makes the Countryman very stable when we flung it around the gravel roads, but some might find it a bit jarring.

Underhood is a turbocharged 1.6L engine producing 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Steering is quite sharp with good ratios. Anyone who has driven a MINI embraces its lovely 6-speed gearbox with short throws and crisp clutch take-up. Enthusiasts will probably want to avoid the automatic such as the one in our Countryman. Although it's perfectly adequate, its slower response and lagging in cruise control lacks the joyfulness of the stick shift.

Our 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman proved comfortable and capable over long distances, although it sorely lacked in noise insulation and exhibited plenty of rattles and squeaks from the cabin. A torrential downpour turned the roads to soup -- no problem for the AWD MINI -- but the loud drumming on the steel roof made conversation difficult.

An electrohydraulic differential with limited slip varies the amount of torque to the rears from 50 to as much as 100% if needed. (Photo: MINI Cooper)

Maybe not a winner, but definitely a contender
No thanks to me, we managed to hit all of our checkpoints without any time penalties. Although the MINI featured the typical gigantic round gauge set-up, complete with online connectivity and navigation, we were unable to use the route guidance since the checkpoints ensured that you adhered to the routebook.

I'm not averse to a little "help," but my straight-as-a-slide-rule navi would have frowned upon such unethical practice. Too bad, because we might not have missed the "Cheese Factory Road" turn, causing us to lose valuable time during the final stage.

However, we managed to achieve our goal of making it to the BBQ in the 2012 MINI Countryman ALL4 while there was still plenty of food. In sixth place, Team MINI may not have been winners, but we did go the full Monte.

This 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

Mercedes-Benz Canada is recalling 27 S-Class sedans from the 2011 model year because the flange that attaches the fuel filter to the tank could eventually develop a crack and allow fuel to leak.

In the presence of an external ignition source, this could result in a fire.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Affected owners are advised to take their S-Class to a Mercedes-Benz dealer to have the fuel filter inspected and, if necessary, replaced.

Source : Transports Canada

Room for five, complete with Swedish style. The souped-up R-Design is powerful, but still has that elegant touch.

Understated Elegance
The Passion Red 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design Platinum looks good enough to eat. It's like a big apple I want to sink my teeth into. But to keep my dentition in place, I'll bite into it from a figurative sense: through its looks and capabilities.


Beauty is Skin Deep
The styling of the Swedish SUV, from the outside, is quite pleasant. Robust lines complemented with a svelte-ish physique allow for the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD to shine. The addition of the R-Design designation also means special features on the inside and out. There's a set of 20" "Cratus" wheels, and badges set it apart from all other XC60 trims.

Floating in thin Air
What I particularly like about the 2012 Volvo XC60 is the inclusion of a quirky, yet cool, centre stack. It floats! I kid you not. The thin and elegant panel has all the right buttons and they're easily recognizable as well. From climate options to Bluetooth pairing to audio commands, I love the setup and your hand can fit straight through the back. Want to scare your friends? Just grab their knee from behind the stack. It makes for a barrel of laughs, followed by some profanities.

Two-Toned
I worry about getting lighter-coloured interiors dirty, especially with dark-wash denim. So, a fair compromise is to have two-tone seats. You still get a dash of brightness, even if the upholstery is of a darker shade. The special R-Design seats in the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 are dark with a splash of beige. The colour scheme works well with all the textures in the cabin -- not to mention, they are very comfy to sit in.

Seeing Blue
At night, when the instrument cluster is illuminated, it has a beautiful blue backlight. Mixed with the white, silver and red accent colours, it looks classy and to-the-point. I find sophistication in simplicity, a theme that runs through all Volvos.

You still get a dash of brightness, even if the upholstery is of a darker shade. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Climate Control
This might seem like a fairly odd observation, but I really liked how there were so many levels of fan speeds in the 2012 Volvo XC60's cabin ranging from "gentle breeze" to a hurricane-like wind (OK, that's a little over the top, but you get my point). Sometimes, there are only five or six levels in vehicles, so finding a perfect fan setting can be tough. Not here. There are 18 on this baby! It's great. Whether I'd like to be toasty hot or cold, or just on the cusp of whatever temperature suits you, this 2012 Volvo has it covered.

Engine Prowess
The R-Design designation/trim means power, and a healthy dose of it. From its 3.0L, turbocharged, 6-cylinder engine comes 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Linked with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with a manual mode, the combination of the two are fairly potent. One thing I would have liked to see on the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design is a set of paddle shifters. I feel it would help driver and machine better connect. It's not a deal-breaker, especially for those who wouldn't necessarily use the feature, just more of a "wish list" item.

From its 3.0L, turbocharged, 6-cylinder engine comes 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Safety With a Capital S
Volvos are known for their safety. So, it's no exception that there are a host of standard features to keep you and your loved ones in one piece whenever possible: Four-wheel disc brakes, ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) are just a few items on the list. Then there are the added safety features like the optional Technology Package ($2,100). This adds such devices as Distance Alert (DA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist, and more. Of course, life sometimes deals an unfair hand of cards, but the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design will try and be as fair as it can be to you.

Go Anywhere, Sort of
Volvo's Electronically Controlled All-Wheel Drive System with Instant Traction is included as part of the package. Transferring power to the various wheels where needed can mitigate slippery situations. Whether romping around in the rain, snow or sunshine, the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 is ready for a challenge. And when behind the wheel, the sport-tuned suspension gives it that edge you'd want without the chiropractor visits!

Pricing
The 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design Platinum has a base MSRP of $59,095.

This 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design Platinum review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

From GMM

Three well-known F1 names are being linked with the premier German touring car championship DTM.

When former F1 and Champ Car driver Alex Zanardi recently tested a modified hand-controlled BMW, the 46-year-old played down suggestions his next project could be a DTM race seat.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said there is a chance the popular Italian will soon be chosen by BMW.

Alex Zanardi à bord de sa BMW M3 DTM modifiée. (Photo: BMW Motorsport)

"Who will drive the eighth BMW M3 DTM in the coming season will be announced at a later date," a spokesman is quoted as saying.

Former Toro Rosso driver and 2012 Pirelli tester Jaime Alguersuari has also been linked with the seat.

And Portuguese reports say 2012 Williams driver Bruno Senna, who has been replaced for 2013 by Valtteri Bottas, did some test laps at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz DTM car at the Estoril circuit at the beginning of this week.

Largely, the CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) is used by automakers to help deliver improved fuel efficiency. With no actual gears to shift, the engine to which a CVT is attached can spend more time at lower revs during gentle driving; and revs stay fairly steady as the car accelerates, too.

Keeping engine revs steady is a good way to save fuel. However, as is the case with most technologies that share said goal; it's usually not a favourite amongst driving enthusiasts.

The main reason? A CVT doesn't shift gears because it doesn't have any.
Shifting gears is a big deal; it confirms your progress towards a certain velocity with brief pauses in power delivery as upshifts occur. The engine's sound cuts as it stops pulling, momentarily, to enable said shifts. Revs climb, peak, fall, then climb and peak again.

If you're a driving enthusiast, you imitated the sound of this process as a child. You didn't imitate the sound of a CVT - which, at full throttle, typically cranks the engine's revs towards redline and holds them there. (Kids do make a similar noise: The sort of escalating, discontented groan that precedes a crying fit.)

On a recent test drive of one 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL, yours truly saw how this type of gearless gearbox can actually be a bit of a performance weapon.

Nissan is a pioneer in CVT technology, and they've got this one nailed. For 2013, engineers tweaked the XTronic CVT to spread out the available “minimum” and “maximum” gear ratios and make internal modifications to reduce friction, increase performance and improve fuel efficiency.

Hammer it in the new Altima, with the big V6, and it all comes together.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

That momentary pause while a normal automatic thinks and gears down? Non-existent. Jam the throttle, and you get a forward rush of power right away.

Without having to choose between, say, six gear and rev combinations for any given speed, the CVT is able to instantly “whip up” any gear ratio it likes to put instant, acceleration right at the tip of your toes.

In SPORT mode, this CVT even preselects and engages several progressive ratios, simulating the feel of a really quick-shifting automatic. There are paddle shifters for lightning-fast browsing of these pretend gears, if you like. And, since the Altima's V6 sounds lovely, the entire process is that much more rewarding -- and free of pre-tantrum-toddler noises when you bury your foot.

Even left in DRIVE, a throttle poke sends revs to about 80% of redline, at which point a pretend gear ratio is “locked in,” making it feel like an automatic kicking down. All of this pretend shifting, by the way, happens without actual gear cogs shuffling around, which means it's liquid smooth and very refined.

Drivers should really appreciate the easy, all-the-time access to maximum power when darting through traffic, merging or passing. I also appreciated an overall test mileage of 9.5L/100km.

If you're a driving enthusiast and can't find a manual sports sedan, be sure to give this one a try.