Volume 02, Issue 10 || Ph:604-597-7749 || Fax: 1-855-796-3342 || Friday, Mar 06, 2015 AutoTrendsWeekly @AutoTrendsCan auto_trends_weekly www.swmediagroup.ca Email: [email protected]Continue on Page 15 T he new Mercedes Benz C-400 sedan is a bench- mark design taking some is design cues from the larger S-Class sedan. With its three pointed star fascia, long hood and substantial looking body, the new C-400 ends in a truncated rear where the S- Class influence is more prominent. Discreet chrome detailing, LED lighting and a dramatic side profile make the C-400 somehow imposing and sporty at the same time. The new 2015 is a little bigger with a 3.7 inches stretch in the body, a wheelbase increase of 3.0 inches, and an additional 1.6. inch increase in width. The C-400 features a 3.0-liter turbo V-6 engine de- livering 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, channeled through a seven- speed automatic trans- mission and the excellent 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. Although the 2015 C- Class is slightly bigger car than the outgoing model, it is a little lighter – so helping in the performance stakes The interior of our tester was a joy to behold. Whilst some auto makers seem to be making over- compli- cated interiors in their premium cars, the C-400 is a delight of gleaming back leather, rich, shiny metal and silky wood trim. Combined with the substantial quality and nice to the touch controls, the C-400 in- terior oozes class. From the way the doors close, the manner in which the interior panels and material fit By Veeno Dewan 2015 Mercedes Benz C-400 4MATIC: Unbeatable Quality
Transcript
1FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
The new Mercedes Benz C-400 sedan is a bench-mark design taking some is design cues from the larger S-Class sedan. With its three pointed
star fascia, long hood and substantial looking body, the new C-400 ends in a truncated rear where the S-Class influence is more prominent. Discreet chrome detailing, LED lighting and a dramatic side profile make the C-400 somehow imposing and sporty at the same time. The new 2015 is a little bigger with a
3.7 inches stretch in the body, a wheelbase increase of 3.0 inches, and an additional 1.6. inch increase in width.
The C-400 features a 3.0-liter turbo V-6 engine de-livering 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, channeled through a seven- speed automatic trans-mission and the excellent 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. Although the 2015 C- Class is slightly bigger car than the outgoing model, it is a little lighter – so
helping in the performance stakes
The interior of our tester was a joy to behold. Whilst some auto makers seem to be making over- compli-cated interiors in their premium cars, the C-400 is a delight of gleaming back leather, rich, shiny metal and silky wood trim. Combined with the substantial quality and nice to the touch controls, the C-400 in-terior oozes class. From the way the doors close, the manner in which the interior panels and material fit
By Veeno Dewan
2015 Mercedes Benz C-400 4MATIC: Unbeatable Quality
2 FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY Auto News
Canadians auto sales hot up in February despite cold weather
Despite the fact that much of the country was experiencing the coldest Feb-ruary in history, people still ventured into the cold to purchase new cars. February’s auto sales were up 3.4% compared to last year with 109,248
units sold. February sales were 6.7% above the 5 year average sales for the month of 102,376 units.
“While the effect of sustained lower oil prices on vehicle sales by region will be more apparent when the provincial sales numbers are available later in the month, it would appear that despite knowing that fuel prices will eventually go back up, consumers are continuing to embrace trucks when purchasing new vehicles,” noted David Adams, President of the Global Automakers of Canada. “Much like January, truck sales in February comprised more than 60% of all ve-hicle sales,” added Adams.
Truck sales improved 5.4% over last year while passenger car sales were essential-ly flat compared to 2014. For the GAC member companies, vehicle sales were up 5.7% to 61,710 units, representing a better than market growth for the 14 mem-ber companies of the Global Automakers of Canada. Fiat Chrysler lead in sales in February with 18,711 units sold, and also holds the year-to-date sales lead with 36,765 units sold. The manufacturer with the most significant sales improve-ment on the month was Volkswagen with a 26.2% increase in vehicle sales.
As expected, the Ford F-series continued to reign as the best- selling vehicle while the Honda Civic was the best-selling passenger vehicle in February with 2,615 units sold, but it still trails the Hyundai Elantra for year-to-date sales leader-ship. GAC members’ sales represented 56.5% of total market sales in February compared to 55% for February 2014.
Automotive date source from “Global Automakers of Canada”
#204-8140-120 Street. SURREY, BC
#204 - 8140 - 120 Street. Surrey BC V3W 3N3
Scion has teamed up with a legendary customiz-er to create unique two-tone show car -the dis-tinctive magma orange and black 2015 Scion tC
Release Series 9.0. Scion and legendary car custom-izer Jeremy Lookofsky of Cartel Customs paired up to create the all new exclusive two-toned ride. The new model combines Scion’s legendary “style plus substance” reputation and is based on a concept car developed for custom car shows. Just 100 of these special-edition models will be available for sale across Canada.
This is the first Scion Release Series vehicle with a two-tone exterior – a blistering magma orange paired with sleek black. Designed to appeal to drivers who feel at home both on the show floor and the open road, the Scion tC Release Series 9.0 features a centre exhaust, Cartel Customs-designed aero kit, high profile rear spoiler, blacked out badging, and eye-
catch-ing black alloy
wheels. Inside, this limited coupe is all about the exotic orange: or-
ange front seat belts and orange stitching woven throughout the interior show off the tC’s quality and design. This is
also the first Release Series vehicle with an externally facing Release Series numbering badge – located on the back of the rear-view mirror.
The release series 9.0 vehicles come with either a six-speed manual or automatic trans-mission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology. The manu-facturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is $25,760 for the manual transmission and $27,060 for the automatic transmission.
CHANDRA KANTASHAYLEN ANITA
Striking two-toned Scion tC Release Series 9.0 makes Canadian debut
3FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
$5,800$22,982∞
Offer includes delivery, destination, fees and $5,800 in cash credit. Offer based on new 2015 Sorento LX AT (SR75BF) with a selling price of $28,782∞.
CLEAROUT!
2015CASH PURCHASE PRICE FROM
Sorento SX AT AWD 7-Seat shown‡
HWY / CITY 100KM: 8.7L/11.8L
Rio4 SX with Navigation shown‡ HWY / CITY 100KM: 6.3L/8.8L
2015 LX MT That’s like paying only
$35WEEKLY Ω
$151Ω
LEASE FROM MONTHLY WITH $0 DOWN AT 0% APR FOR 60 MONTHS¤
Offer includes delivery, destination, fees, and a $800 lease credit*. Consumers can elect to take an additional 10,000 km allowance in lieu of the lease credit. Offer based on new 2015 Rio LX MT (RO541F) with a selling price of $15,602¤.
Soul SX Luxury shown‡ HWY / CITY 100KM: 7.8L/9.9L
1.6L LX MT2015That’s like
paying only $40
WEEKLY Ω
$172Ω
LEASE FROM MONTHLY WITH $0 DOWN AT 0.9% APR FOR 60 MONTHS¤
Offer includes delivery, destination and fees. Offer based on new Soul 1.6L LX MT (SO551F) with a selling price of $18,682¤.
NEW CAR BUYER’S PACKAGEIncludes FREE LIFETIME
oil changes,car washes, airport pick up/shuttleservice and a KIA
Rewards card0%
LEASE UP TO 60 MONTHS
$0DOWNPAYMENT
++
SALES EVENT
DRIVE
ONMORE KILOMETRES
10,000UP TO
Φ
Φ
On leasing offers only, on select models.Φ
OFFER ENDS MARCH 31ST
PLUS
IN SUPPORT OF THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS SEASON KICK OFF; ALL PRE-BOOKED TEST DRIVES WILL RECEIVE A PAIR OF TICKETS TO AN UPCOMING LOCAL GAME!
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED*5-year/100,000 km worry-free comprehensive warranty.
CORNER OF CAMBIE & MARINE DR Harry OberoiSenior Sales Manager
1.888.378.0632
Offer(s) available on select new 2015 models through participating dealers to qualified retail customers who take delivery from March 3 to March 31, 2015. Dealers may sell or lease for less. Some conditions apply. See dealer for complete details. Vehicles shown may include optional accessories and upgrades available at extra cost. All offers are subject to change without notice. All pricing includes delivery and destination fees up to $1,665, AMVIC fee, tire tax of $22, $100 A/C charge (where applicable). Excludes taxes, licensing, registration, insurance, variable dealer administration fees (up to $699), fuel-fill charges up to $100, and down payment (if applicable and unless otherwise specified). Other lease and financing options also available. ¤Representative Leasing Example: Lease offer available on approved credit (OAC), on new 2015 Rio LX MT (RO541F)/2015 Forte LX MT (FO541F)/2015 Soul 1.6L LX MT (SO551F) with a selling price of $15,602/$17,502/$18,682 is based on monthly payments of $151/$159/$172 and includes delivery and destination fees of $1,485/$1,485/$1,665, $22 AMVIC fee, and A/C tax ($100, where applicable) for 60 months at 0%/0%/0.9% with a $0 down payment/equivalent trade, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Offer also includes a lease credit of $800/$800/$0. Total lease obligation is $9,038/$9,535/$10,345 with the option to purchase at the end of the term for $5,765/$7,167/$8,957. Lease has 16,000 km/yr allowance (other packages available and $0.12/km for excess kilometres). Other taxes, registration, insurance and licensing fees are excluded. Offer ends March 31, 2015. ΩLease payments must be made on a monthly or bi-weekly basis but cannot be made on a weekly basis. Weekly lease payments are for advertising purposes only. *Lease credit for 2015 Rio LX MT (RO541F)/2015 Forte LX MT (FO541F) is $800 and available on lease offer only. Consumers can elect to take an additional 10,000 km allowance in lieu of the Lease credit. Lease credit varies by model/trim and is deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes. **$500 Competitive Bonus offer available on the retail purchase/lease of any new 2015 Forte, 2015 Forte Koup, 2015 Forte5, 2015 Rondo and 2015 Optima from a participating dealer upon proof of current ownership/lease of a select competitive cross-over vehicle. Competitive models include specific VW, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, Honda, GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Some conditions apply. See your dealer or kia.ca for complete details. ∞Cash purchase price for the new 2015 Sorento LX AT (SR75BF) is $22,982 and includes delivery and destination fees of $1,665, $22 AMVIC fee, A/C tax ($100, where applicable) and a cash credit of $5,800. Dealer may sell for less. Other taxes, registration, insurance and licensing fees are excluded. Offer ends March 31, 2015. ‡Model shown Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for 2015 Forte SX (FO748F)/2015 Rio4 SX with Navigation (RO749F)/2015 Soul SX Luxury (SO758E)/2015 Sorento SX V6 AWD (SR75XF) is $26,695/$22,395/$27,195/$42,095. Highway/city fuel consumption is based on the 2015 Rio LX+ ECO AT/2015 Forte 1.8L MPI 4-cyl AT/2015 Soul 2.0L GDI 4-cyl MT/2015 Sorento LX 2.4L GDI 4-cyl AT. These updated estimates are based on the Government of Canada’s approved criteria and testing methods. Refer to the EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving habits and other factors. Information in this advertisement is believed to be accurate at the time of printing. For more information on our 5-year warranty coverage, visit kia.ca or call us at 1-877-542-2886. Kia is a trademark of Kia Motors Corporation. DL #30460.
EVERYONE APPROVED! IF WE CAN’T APPROVE YOU, WE WILL PAY YOU $1,000 CASH!
4 FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY Auto News
QX30 concept is Infiniti’s vision for its first premium compact crossover
Spontaneous and fluid, the QX30 Concept is Infiniti’s design idea of a premium compact crossover that not only effortlessly handles
anything the city or weather throws at it but also does it with style and panache.
The sloping coupe lines have been beefed up with robust facets to give the four-door concept an air of being ready to explore its neighborhood and beyond. The high ground clearance at 192 mm (7.6 inches) gives the driver an elevated view of the surroundings and confidence to go through potholes or uneven terrain.
Standing at 4430 mm (174.3 inches) long, 1815 mm (71.4 inches) wide and 1520 mm (59.9 inches) high, the Infiniti QX30 Concept is a progressive in-terpretation of a premium compact crossover for
the future.
“We wanted the spontaneous fluidity of the QX30 Concept design to cut through the urban clutter and rigidity, reflecting its go-anywhere and spur-of-the-moment nature,” said Alfonso Albaisa, In-finiti Executive Design Director. “With its higher stance and edgier design to match its tough ca-pabilities, you can almost visualize how the QX30 Concept floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.”
The QX30 Concept is Infiniti’s next step in extend-ing the brand into the global compact premium segment, following the 2013 debut of the Q30 Concept in Frankfurt. Both vehicles are in the same family, with the QX30 Concept about 30 mm higher than the Q30 Concept.
2016 GM “Bolt” to take on Tesla in mainstream Electric Vehicle market
Formula Publication report that General Motors CEO Mary Barra has called the Bolt Electric Vehicle GM wants to put in mass production “an affordable solution.
“The Bolt EV concept is really a natural flow from the work that we’ve done, the expertise we have in electrification, and listening to our customers,” Bar-ra said. Tesla Motors said it would have a mass-market EV on sale by 2017 at US$35,000. While Barra wouldn’t guarantee the vehicle would go into pro-duction, she said the all-electric vehicle would be sold across the U.S. and in select global markets. She declined to say which markets GM is considering.
“Building on the experience gained from both the Volt and the Spark EV Chevrolet is committed to once again raising the bar by bringing an afford-able long-range, all-electric vehicle to market,” Barra said.
GM’s head of global product development Mark Reuss hinted production would start in the next few years. Michael Simcoe, executive director of global design for GM’s international operations, said the Bolt was in devel-opment for about two years. The Bolt’s size is more of a subcompact but the interior is roomier, up a segment size,” Simcoe said. The batteries in the vehicle are flat, allowing for more passenger and utility room, Reuss said. The 2016 Volt will feature hand-controlled brake regeneration via paddle shifters on the column. (With files from Formula Auto press and The Detroit Free Press.)
Car owners trust Toyota. That’s the result of Reader’s Digest’s annual Most Trusted Brand Survey released Jan. 21. For Toy-
ota, it was the seventh straight trip to the winner’s circle when it comes to passenger cars and the fifth straight win in the hybrid car category.
Reflecting this record of consistency, Reader’s Digest awarded Toyota a gold Trusted Brand seal in the passenger car manu-facturer category. In addition, Toyota has earned a gold seal as the most trusted hybrid car manufacturer, with five consecutive years of leading the way in that category as well. Reader’s Di-gest commissioned Ipsos Reid to conduct a nationwide online survey of more than 4,000 Canadians, including 1,500 Quebec residents, to identify the brands they trust.
Respondents were asked for their most trusted brand within each of 40 categories in an open-ended question format. Ip-sos Reid said the survey, done Aug. 26 to Sept. 2, 2014, was weighted by age, gender, and region according to census data to ensure that the overall sample reflects the demographic pro-file of Canada and Quebec.“Participants say they would choose a brand that’s been identified as ‘trusted,’ over another brand when product quality and price are similar,” said Erin Schnarr, director, Integrated Sales & Marketing Solutions.
“The annual ... survey reaffirms that trust, as well as cost and product quality factor into Canadians’ brand affinity and loy-alty,” Almost nine of every 10 survey respondents reported that once they trust a company, they tend to act as ambassadors, recommending its products and services to friends and fami-lies.
“Trust plays a key role in consumer purchasing decisions and it can tip the scale favourably toward a particular brand. “With 76 percent of survey participants reporting it takes many years to earn their trust, these brands deserve recognition,” said Schnarr.
Reader’s Digest survey finds Canadians
trust Toyota
5FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLYPickup Corner Preview
All-New F-150 Raptor offers Ultimate Off-Road PerformanceFord, America’s truck leader introduced the all-new F-150 Raptor – the ultimate
high-performance off-road pickup in the company’s lineup. Ford has reengi-neered every part of the F-150 Raptor to make it the toughest, smartest, most
capable off-roader – and more efficient than ever.
Forged from high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy that helps save more than 500 pounds of weight, Raptor’s exterior design is inspired by Ford’s perfor-mance heritage in off-road racing that includes Best in the Desert, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the famous Baja 1000.
Raptor’s chiseled looks are reminiscent of those found in Trophy Trucks – the most powerful and fastest off-road pickups. Raptor is 6 inches wider than the standard F-150 for improved stability off-road. The all-new Raptor also boasts its first-ever dual exhaust and new 17-inch wheels with next-generation BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires specifically designed for off-road performance.
Raptor is powered by Ford’s new, second-generation 3.5-litre EcoBoost® engine that produces more power with greater efficiency than the current 6.2-litre V8, which is rated at 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. The first-generation 3.5-litre Eco-Boost proved its mettle off-road – racing in the original F-150 EcoBoost Torture Test truck in the 2010 Baja 1000, as well as notching repeated wins in off-road race series.
The high-output 3.5-litre EcoBoost is a Raptor exclusive in the F-150 lineup. It will be paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for improved efficiency. An all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case, with an advanced, easi-er-to-use version of off-road mode driver-assist technology, further improves Raptor’s trail performance.
Raptor’s new transfer case, which manages power distribution between the front and rear wheels, combines the best attributes of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with durable, mechanical-locking four-wheel drive. F-150 Raptor comes standard with new FOX Racing Shox with custom internal bypass technology that works to damp and stiffen suspension travel over rough terrain to help prevent the truck from bottoming out.
Front and rear shock canisters have grown from 2.5 inches to 3 inches in diameter for improved performance. They feature more suspension travel than the current Raptor’s 11.2 inches at the front and 12 inches at the rear. Advanced LED lighting and camera technology contribute to improved visibility on the trail or street – day and night.
Commanding and comfortable, while the exterior design of the F-150 Raptor is about projecting an image, the interior design is about creating a comfortable place for driver and passengers to enjoy their time on- and off-road. Added content in-cludes interior upgrades, three colour material levels, and paddle shifters to manu-ally shift the 10-speed transmission.
Auxiliary switches to control aftermarket equipment such as lights or an air com-pressor are mounted out of the driver’s way in the roof of the cab – similar to a fight-er plane.
“This all-new F-150 Raptor takes Raptor performance to the next level,” said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Performance.
The all-new Raptor will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant, and goes on sale fall 2016.
6 FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
WWW.NEWTYPEMITSUBISHI.COM
10YEARLTD WARRANTY**POWERTRAIN160,000 KM
BUILT BETTER. BACKED BETTER.
BRIAN LOWGM
ZAIN KAIYUMSALES
2015 OUTLANDER SE AWC
Outlander GT AWC model shown‡
NEWTYPE RICHMOND MITSUBISHI9200 BRIDGEPORT ROAD, RICHMOND BC V6X 1S1
LOYALTY REBATE, CONSUMER CASH DISCOUNT, AND LEASE CASH DISCOUNT^ Up to $5,000 off purchase price is composed of $2,000 consumer cash discount, $1,500 lease cash, and $1,500 loyalty rebate. $1,500 lease cash rebate available on the lease of any new 2015 Outlander from March 3, 2015 to March 31, 2015. Amounts will be deducted from the negotiated price brfore taxes at time of lease. $1,500 loyalty rebate available on the lease/purchase of any new 2015 Outlander to current Mitsubishi owners, eligible others and delivered from March 3, 2015 to March 31, 2015. Amounts for loyalty rebates will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes at time of lease/purchase. Other conditions apply. See dealer for details.
Top Safety Pick Plus applies to Outlander GT only.
Available on Outlander GT§
BEST VALUE V6 SUV*
BECAUSE WE REALLY, REALLY LIKE YOU
FOR QUALIFIED RETAIL CUSTOMERS^$5,000 OFF
0.9% 48 MONTHS¶
FOR UP TO
ON SELECT VEHICLESLEASING
PH: 604.231.9200
3.0 L SOHC MIVEC V6 ENGINE, 227HP HEATED FRONT SEATS 7-PASSENGER SEATING WITH 3RD ROW FLAT-FOLDING SEAT 3,500 LB TOWING CAPACITY BLUETOOTH® 2.0 HANDS-FREE INTERFACE WITH STREAMING AUDIO
FAST-KEY KEYLESS ENTRY & IGNITION SYSTEM
CRUISE CONTROL WITH STEERING WHEEL-MOUNTED CONTROLS 10-YEAR / 160,000 KM POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANTY**
Auto News
Consumer Reports announces top picks among 2015 models
Tesla S is the winner
The influential US based Consumer Reports magazine has announced its top new car picks for the 2015, and for the second year in a row, the Tesla Model S is the publication’s choice for best vehicle overall. the
Tesla Model S is the publication’s choice for best vehicle overall. The Model S was chosen for its melding of technology, luxury, driving performance in a sharp looking package.
General Motor’s Buick Regal also made it as a favourite sport sedan, while the Chevrolet Impala scored highly in its large family sedan category the Regal was praised for its above-average reliability rating and driveability. The Impala, Consumer Reports found, “offers strong value and good build quality.
The 2015 Subaru Legacy won out as Consumer Reports best mid-size se-dan. While the Toyota Prius was its favourite green car, scoring highly for its smoothness and simplicity. Toyotas mid-size Highlander SUV also made the best of list.
Audi’s mid-size A6 makes the list, as best luxury car and the Honda Odyssey makes the list as best minivan.
7FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
The new member of the Porsche GT family is the Cayman GT4. This is the first time Porsche is introducing a GT sports car based on the Cayman which has compo-nents of the 911 GT3. A lap time of 7 minutes and 40 seconds on the North Loop
of the Nürburgring positions the Cayman GT4 as the new benchmark at the top of its market segment. It also makes a clear statement that Porsche will continue to promote radical two-door sports cars in the future – sports cars that are developed at the Motor-sport department in Weissach.
The engine, chassis, brakes and aerodynamic design of the Cayman GT4 are configured for maximum driving dynamics; yet the top model still retains the versatility and ev-eryday utility that are typical of the two-seat Porsche coupe. It is powered by a 3.8-litre flat-six engine with 385 hp (283 kW), which is derived from the 911 Carrera S engine. Its power is always transmitted by a six-speed manual gearbox with dynamic gear-box mounts. The Cayman GT4 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; its top speed is 295 km/h. The car’s NEDC fuel consumption is 10.3 l/100 km. The chassis – which features a 30 mm lower body position and a generously sized brake system – consists nearly entirely of components from the 911 GT3.
On its exterior, the Cayman GT4 is clearly differentiated from related mid-engine coupes. Three distinctive inlet openings at the front and a large fixed rear wing are part of an aerodynamic package which is systematically designed for downforce. Upon request,
the Cayman GT4 can be equipped even more comprehensively for sporty use. Options include the PCCB ceramic brake system; full shell seats made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), a custom Sport Chrono Package with the unique Track Precision app and a Club Sport Package.
The interior of the Cayman GT4 is designed so that the driver and front passenger can experience unfiltered driving enjoyment. They sit on sport seats, upholstered in a com-bination of leather and Alcantara, which are distinguished by very good lateral support. The new GT4 sport steering wheel guarantees ideal control and direct steering feed-back due to its compact dimensions.
Technical aspects of the new GT sports car are based on the 911 GT3. As a mid-engine sports car and a prime example of driving dynamics in its class – it follows the concep-tual tradition of such cars as the 904 GTS, 911 GT1, Carrera GT and 918 Spyder.
GT sports cars from Porsche embody the most passionate connection possible between everyday driving and the race track and thereby the sporty core of the brand: Intelligent Performance. Four out of five drivers of Porsche sports cars with this classification also use them on the race track.
The Cayman GT4 celebrates its world premiere in early March at the Geneva Interna-tional Motor Show.
The New benchmark in its Class: The 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4
Sports Car Corner
8 FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
Auto Trends Weekly special supplement
What to expect from Europe’s Most Exotic Sport Cars!
New Bugatti Chiron will deliver
1500 horsepower
In 2016, Bugatti is allegedly set to release the Veyron-replacing
Chiron. It’s a car that will have 1500 horsepower and a 0-60 mph
time of 2.5 seconds. Said to be lighter than the venerable Veyron
it replaces, the Chiron will have better handling too. Although the
W16 engine will have a reported 1500 horsepower under the hood
with direct fuel injection, boosting power from 1,200 to 1,500 it will
remain hybrid free with a top speed of around 288 mph – still keep-
ing its reputation as the fastest car on the planet. Price is projected
to be in excess of $2.5 million.
Pagani Huayra The Pagani Huayra made its debut as the successor to the Pagani Zonda and hand built using the most exotic materials available. The Huayra is powered by a Mercedes AMG-equipped 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine, producing 700 horsepower, with 738 lb-ft. The Pagani features center-mounted quad exhaust tips and a carbon fiber rear fascia and two active flaps for the rear. The Huayra can storm from 0- 62 miles per hour in just 3.2 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 250 mph.
Ferrari 488 GTBThe Ferrari 488 GTB is a replacement for the 458 Italia and gets better with evolutionary changes. The 488 GTB’s engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre unit and produces 660bhp at 8000rpm and 560lb ft at 3000rpm. Performance? The 0-62mph sprint takes 3.0 seconds - Its top speed will be 205mph-plus.
2016 Audi R8: Audi’s new supercar
It’s an all-new design, but remains unmistakable as an Audi R8, with its
sleek low profile, huge side blades details and wide squat rear. Power will
range from a base model making 540 hp and a V10 Plus trim with over
610 hp. Audi says the R8 will do a 3.2-second sprint from zero to 100 km/h
thanks to lighter construction. Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel drive is
standard, although the famed manual transmission may be replaced by a
seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. Still, the R8 will
remain as one of the fastest car on the planet.
Koenigsegg Regera – Swedish built supercar The Koenigsegg Regera is built in Sweden and is a plug-in hybrid hypercar – powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine with a dry-sump oil system. On its own, the V8 engine delivers 1,100 brake horsepower. However, once one of the three electric motors kick torque increases 221 pound-feet of torque, while the remaining two power the rear wheels and produce 192 pound-feet each. The power from this system is routed through a new Koenigsegg Direct Drive transmission, which replaces the standard gear-based trans-mission. Top speed will be around 250 mph.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Porsche is once again breaking down the barrier between sports cars and race cars in the
new 911 GT3 RS which celebrated its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva International Auto
Show. modifications to its drive system, aerodynamics and lightweight design enhance
performance The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a four-litre flat-six engine with 500 horsepower
and 338 lb-ft of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission and acceler-
ates the high-performance sports car from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and to 200 km/h
in 10.9 seconds.
9FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
Special Supplement by Veeno Dewan
Ferrari 488 GTBThe Ferrari 488 GTB is a replacement for the 458 Italia and gets better with evolutionary changes. The 488 GTB’s engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre unit and produces 660bhp at 8000rpm and 560lb ft at 3000rpm. Performance? The 0-62mph sprint takes 3.0 seconds - Its top speed will be 205mph-plus.
McLaren 650SThe British built McLaren 650S is clad in exotic carbon fibre and alloy and
with a 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 207mph is no slouch.
There is a plethora of equipment featuring new five-spoke alloys, Ultra
high performance Pirelli tyres and the option of carbon race seats. With 641
horsepower from the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 there is also a torque increase
from 443 lb-ft to a 500. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox has been
refined to improve drivability, shift smoothness, and outright performance.
Lamborghini Aventador SuperveloceFor the 2015 model year, Lamborghini has released yet another special car- Aventador Su-
perveloce. The SV will be powered by a 6.5-liter V-12 developing a heady 740 horsepower
– an increase of 40 horsepower over the standard Aventador – and the same 509 pound-feet
of torque. The Superveloce will be a thinly disguised race car with revised aerodynamics to
increase its downforce. The Aventador SV is capable of sprinting from 0-62 mph in just 2.8
seconds all the way to a top speed of 217 mph.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Porsche is once again breaking down the barrier between sports cars and race cars in the
new 911 GT3 RS which celebrated its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva International Auto
Show. modifications to its drive system, aerodynamics and lightweight design enhance
performance The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a four-litre flat-six engine with 500 horsepower
and 338 lb-ft of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission and acceler-
ates the high-performance sports car from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and to 200 km/h
in 10.9 seconds.
New Maserati Gran Turismo will be hard focused as a performance coupeMaserati is hard at work with a replacement for the Gran Turismo coupe. However the next generation will be more performance, rather than luxury orientated coupe. The convertible will apparently be discontinued and faster, more agile car will replace it. The engine choice is expected to be with a Maserati V8 with up to 560 hp in top form or the company’s latest twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 with power of-fered depending on state of tune from 350bhp to 520bhp
10FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
Kia Canada presented the Canadian Premier of the brand’s most aggressive concept car ever when the wraps came off the GT4 Stinger at the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS). Kia’s eye-catching design language moves in
a bold new direction with the introduction of the GT4 Stinger. The concept pushes the boundaries of performance with a rear-drive 2+2 sports car that places man and machine in harmony on the road or track. It comes as no surprise that the GT4 Stinger is the wild style child of Kia’s California design team, home to its 2012 predecessor, the Track’ster concept. And like the Track’ster, the GT4 Stinger’s racy appeal is more than skin deep. Beneath the low wedge of the GT4 Stinger’s hood
resides a tuned version of Kia’s proven 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected (T-GDI) four-cylinder engine putting out an impressive 315 horsepower.
That power is put to the ground via a close-ra-tio six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Flanking the grille on both sides are vertical LED headlamps, and front-brake cooling vents intricately molded into the bum-per provide a clean, smooth appearance. A carbon fiber front splitter mounted below the bumper provides added down force for the car at high speed to keep the GT4 Stinger’s front tires firmly planted to the tarmac.
The long hood gently rises to meet the cowl. Two chrome accent pieces add visual interest to the otherwise ripple-less pond of Ignition Yellow sheet metal. The hood closely embraces the front wheel arches, creating two protrud-ing muscular fenders above the front tires. The result is a pronounced edge at the vehicle’s shoulders that eventually becomes the belt line.
Continuing around the car, the transparent A-pillars provide a more than 270-degree view from the driver’s seat. The layered slots cut into the pillars reduce weight while improving outward visibility.
The interior is purposeful in design and practical in nature. A pull of the billet-aluminum door handles reveals incredibly lightweight doors, but their gener-ous width makes dropping into the molded leather race-inspired bucket seats a breeze. There is no carpet, only a rubber floor mat underneath the billet-alumi-num pedals. Front and center to the driver is a thick D-shaped steering wheel and red LED-illuminated instrument panel with large tachometer and gear indicator.
Continued on Page 12
Feature
Kia Canada reveals GT4 Stinger Concept
11FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLYAuto Review
- By Veeno Dewan
2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI Highline: Classic family hatchback is hard to beat
The Volkswagen Golf has always been one of my favorite cars and for good reason: It has a great heritage, decent build quality, fine engineer-
ing and has always been a practical, fun to drive car. It is also available in a number of per-mutations to suit different buyers and driver needs. The fast and exciting GTI and Golf R models offer superb perfor-mance and of course the five-door and three-door model hatchback format of-fers great flexibility.
Our tester was a well-optioned Tornado Red 5-door Highline edition with the superb 2.0 Liter diesel TDI engine pro-ducing 150 horsepower. Transmission options include: a manual gearbox or as on our tester, a 6-speed DSG auto-matic. The Highline added such niceties as 17” inch Geneva allow wheels and all-season tires, 12 way power driver seat, KESSY keyless access and a pan-orama tilt and slide power sunroof. Also added was a Fender premium audio sound system and LED signature daylight running lights amongst other goodies.
Interior wise, the Golf is roomy with two comfortable bucket seats up front and a roomy rear bench seat and ample rear cargo room. The cabin is still sublime-ly efficient and neat as a pin, with a choice of trim and
sporty, meticulous detailing. Standard equipment includes a dash mounted 5.8-inch entertainment
touchscreen unit featuring satellite radio, Bluetooth and navigation. Our tester rang in at a base price of $32,395 with the optional multimedia package add-ing another $2,195 to the cost. Final cost came in at
$34,590 plus $1,395 and $100 Ex-cise Air Conditioning tax
Handling is the best part of the Golf offer excellent handling, steering and braking. Fuel economy is not bad either. Horsepower improves by 10, now 150 hp at 3,500 rpm, while torque is unchanged at 236 lb-ft. The TDI is smooth, tractable and is one of the best diesel unit on the market. For the price it hard to find a car of this pedigree Fuel ef-ficient, comfortable and eminently refined the Golf TDI With its bul-let proof diesel TDI engine is still amongst the best hatchback in its segment.
Highly recommended.
2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI Highline priced from $32,395
16065 Fraser Highways, Surrey, BC V4N 0G2
604-594-4466www.PINNACLE-CSL.com*$99 Bi weekly bond on 4.9% oac 60 months
2005 Hummer H2 SUT32” Rubber Fuel Rims
At Pinnacle every vehicle goes thru a comprehensive 3RD Party Mechanical inspection.
At Pinnacle We Do everything we can to make your purchasing Experience as transparent and as pleasurable as possible.
We want you as our customer for life
2012 Jeep Grand CherokeeOverlander
2009 Jeep SaharaUnlimited Lift Navigation
2004 Ford ExpeditionEddie Bauer
2006 Dodge Grand CaravanSE 7 Passenger
2008 Jeep PatriotNorth Edition
2014 Chrysler 200 TOURING
2009 Ford EscapeXLT
2012 Dodge Grand CaravanSXT, STOW N GO
2014 GMC 2500 SierraCREW CAB SLE 4X4
2006 Hummer H3SUV
2005 Dodge MagnumSXT
STK: PC1898
STK: PC1848
STK: PC1862a
STK: PC1726a
STK: PP1711a
STK: PC1738b
STK: PC1938
STK: PC1885b
STK: PC1879
STK: PC1911
STK: PP1842a
STK: PP1795a
$21,990
$39,990
$24,990
$7,990
$4,990
$10,990
$18,990
$13,990
$16,990
$49,990
$14,990
$8,990
12FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
Looking for new tires for your ride. It could be a minefield these days as
everyone need these very im-portant black rubber dough-nuts to get around. You think it is expensive? Well, spare a though for our cousins in some provinces who have to have snow tires by law. That’s two sets of tires per vehicle! Have a high performance BMW or a Porsche…the right high speed performance tires can cost you a couple of hun-dred bucks each!
The tried and trusted way of buy-ing tires is by visiting a tire dealer. They usually have the tire you need in terms of size and type (All season, summer winter or snow and perfor-mance. the advantage is that it’s a one stop shopping place assuming you have done some preliminary price shopping and comparison.
Another option is to buy tires online. Buying and fitting new tyres in a garage is less hassle but may cost you more. It’s often cheaper to buy tyres online, but only if you feel confident enough and know tires. Always check a few websites b e f o r e parting with your cash. Various website can give you instant quotes and compares prices and are good tools for researching the market.
Enter the tyre width, diameter and load rating (from the car’s manufacturer handbook) to work out the cost of delivery. Remember to factor in the price of getting the tyres delivered, fitted and balanced at a garage.
Tyre quality. Before you buy, check the quality of the tyre on internet review websites that usually lists all pub-lished tyre tests and will give you a good idea of how the tyres you’re buying stack up against the competi-
tion.
Saving your TyresKeeping the correct tyre pressure is essential for safe braking and handling. The recommended tyre pressure for your particular car can usually be found in your own-er’s manual. Driving on tyres that are not correctly in-flated can make this dangerous, as they will wear down quickly and puncture more easily. Keeping a check on tyre pressure once a month can prevent this. On the flip side, driving with tyres that are inflated too much can also cause braking and handling problems. In both cases, the car will not be using the full width of the tyre tread. Driving safely and carefully within the speed limit
will reduce general wear and tear on your tyres.
You may also want to try rotat-ing your tyres every six months to make sure that the tread wears evenly. The usual meth-od of doing this is to swap the tyres diagonally, so that the
right front tyre moves to the left back tyre, and the left front tyre moves to the right back tyre. It may be the case though those tyres can only be used on either the right or left side of the car, so it is best to check your own-er’s manual before doing this.
Used tiresIf you are going to buy used tires from a tire shop, ensure they match in sets of two (front and rear axles). There is a legal tread requirement so ensure the dealer measures this. Don’t get tires that look badly used, worn, split, damaged or with an uneven tread pattern – mo matter how
good the price.
You can get some pretty good deals on used tries and can save a fortune. However, be aware and don’t cut corners when it comes to condition.
Getting tires properly fittedWhichever method you choose to buy dealers, ensure you go to a good tire dealership to have them correctly mounted and balanced. Don’t underestimate the im-portance and skill level of good tire fitters, who have the knowledge, experience and the proper tools and machines to ensure tires are fitted properly and safely. A task not to be tried at home!
Tip of the Week
THE 4-11 ON TIRES Buying tires is Not the
Hassle it could be!
In keeping with the track theme and taking inspiration from sports and competition cars of the past, interior door handles have been replaced by red-stitched pull straps. In fact, the GT4 Stinger makes due without the luxury of a stereo. “The audio system starts under the hood and the speakers are the exhaust pipes,” said Kearns. Underway, the GT4 Stinger’s free-flow exhaust burbles and blurts unabashedly and is music to the ears of driving enthusiasts everywhere.
While there are currently no plans to bring the concept to production, Kia has a his-tory of delivering production vehicles that bear a strong resemblance to the concept that preceded them, and the GT4 Stinger provides a possible and highly provocative glimpse into Kia’s future.
Continued from Page 10
Kia Canada reveals GT4 Stinger Concept
- By Veeno Dewan
13FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
www.HAREMOTORS.com
NEW IMMIGRANTS - BAD CREDIT NO CREDIT - BANKRUPTCY - DIVORCED - PAST DUE COLLECTIONACURA, AUDI, BMW, CADILLAC, CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, DODGE, FORD, GMC, HUMMER, HONDA, INFINITI,
14FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
Introduced just recently, the new 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Elec-tric Vehicle (PHEV) is expected to travel up to 35 km on electric power and can recharge in as little as two and a half hours with a Level 2 charger. Once
the maximum electric-only range has been reached, the Sonata PHEV goes on to perform just like a regular hybrid vehicle. The company also introduced an all-new Sonata Hybrid. Sonata Hybrid continues to visually differentiate itself from other Sonata models with purposefully unique wheels and front and rear fascias that improve aerodynamics while highlighting its advanced technol-ogy and efficiency. The 2016 Sonata Hybrid is expected to deliver improved fuel economy over the previous generation Sonata Hybrid.
Although the Sonata PHEV is very technologically advanced, it will behave much like the regular Sonata Hybrid from the driver’s seat. A 9.8 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, roughly five times larger than the Sonata Hybrid’s bat-tery, is expected to give Sonata Plug-in Hybrid an all-electric range of up to 35 km, farther than any other intermediate PHEV sedan.
Sonata Plug-in Hybrid uses a six-speed automatic transmission with Hyun-dai’s Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED), a 50 kW electric motor, in place of a torque converter. This electric motor is 32 percent more powerful than the motor used the in regular Sonata Hybrid and allows EV operation at higher speeds and for greater duration. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder GDI engine is combined to the electric motor to power the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid once the battery is depleted. Sonata PHEV’s Nu engine produces 154 horsepower and
140 lb. ft. of torque and the total system output is 202 horsepower at 6,000 rpm.
Sonata PHEV is expected to deliver an estimated 2.5 L/100 km combined in EV mode. In charge sustaining mode, the Sonata PHEV is expected to return 6.2 L/100 km in the city, 5.5 L/100 km on the highway and 5.9 L/100 km combined. Recharge time ranges from two and a half hours at a 240V Level 2 charging station to five hours using a standard 120V outlet.
The Sonata PHEV will be available nation-wide later in 2015. Sonata PHEV buy-ers will be eligible for a provincial tax credit in Ontario and Quebec.
The heart of the 2016 Sonata Hybrid is the downsized 2.0-litre Nu GDI four-cylinder engine (replacing a 2.4-litre MPI engine) paired with a six-speed au-tomatic transmission that houses a more powerful 38 kW electric motor and clutch where the torque converter would normally be found. Sonata Hybrid’s Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED) delivers the same responsive, engaging driving characteristics Sonata owners expect while improving fuel economy through the use of the larger electric motor.
Sonata Hybrid’s gasoline engine produces 154 horsepower and 140 lb. ft. of torque. The electric motor produces 38 kW (51 horsepower) and 151 lb. ft. of torque. Hybrid system net power is 193 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Sonata Hy-brid is expected to achieve up to 6.0 L/100km in the city, 5.2 L/100km on the highway and have a combined rating of 5.6 L/100km.
Hyundai Launches New 2016 Plug-In Hybrid and All-New Hybrid Sonata Sedan
Hybrid Corner
15FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.caAUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
1996 Dodge Grand CaravanThis vehicle has just landed, details to follow soon! If you can’t wait though, email us at [email protected] or call (250) 545-2261 right away! $2,995.00
Chevrolet Pickup 1981396 HOT ROD STEP SIDE SHORT BOX BLACK BEAUTY RESTORED MAY TRADE, $8,995. Call: 604.754.6569
Infiniti M35 x 20064 Dr, White, 160,000 km, new tires new breaks excellent condition every option available, $12,750. Call: 604-513-3612
Volvo 740 1989180,000 km, WAGON NO RUST CLEAN LOW KMS BOOKS RECORDS AUTO 4CYL SOLID $2900 OBO 604 535 5997
Ford Taurus 2006102 KMS MINT COND 6 CYL AUTO 4 DR SENIOR OWNED $4,200. Call: 604-535-5997
Ford Freestar Sport 20067 Passenger van, full power equipped,V6, Auto, Air, Tilt Cruise, CD Stereo, Leather, Low KM, All original, looks
and runs perfect, a real nice van! $4800 Call: (604) 366-0444
CHEVY ASTRO 2004 fully loaded, excellent running van for sale. $2,499 OBO. 778-772-1313
DODGE DAKOTA 2004Excellent running pickup, fully loaded, available for $3999 OBO 778-772-1313
Call: 604.356.3950
BOOK
and mesh together, and the quality and texture of each part of the cabin feels- this is pure Mercedes - Benz all the way.
The huge 8.4-inch infotainment screen is pure modern technology and along with the C-400’s COMAND control inter-face makes for a very intuitive system to use. The small, ergonomically COMAND control wheel is housed partly by a pro-tective pod and uses a touch pad with a haptic feedback feature. Once you get the hang of the COMAND system you can use simple finger gestures to initiate infotain-ment features and menus.
As with all Mercedes- Benz, the driver ergonomics are superb with a multi- ad-justable seat and power-adjustable tilt-ing-and-telescoping steering wheel that can accommodate any drivers shape or height. Front seat comfort for both occu-pants is excellent. Rear seat passenger have only marginally decreased space and enjoy their own fully cosseted cabin.
On the road, the V6 engine is a strong,
lively unit that is happy to deliver power when you need it seamlessly. It can be docile and unobtrusive until you use a heavy right foot which can make it accel-erate with some vigour. The 3.0L twin-turbo V6 produces an impressive 329 horsepower (at 5250 rpm, and 354 lb-ft of torque at 1600 rpm) so giving the C-400 a decent turn of speed if needed in any situ-ation. Official Canadian Energy guide fuel economy figures are: City: 11.1 L/100km, Hwy: 8.4 L/100km Brakes are also delight-ful with firm predictable stops without drama or over modulation.
In summing up, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-400 is what it is – luxury and quality with incredible engineering and finishing. It is expensive when fully loaded, but worth every dollar- especially when it is time for a trade in or upgrade. A true everyday lux-ury car in every way.
2015 Mercedes –Benz C-400: Base price, $43,000 to $51,400 plus options, freight and taxes.
2015 Mercedes Benz C-400 4MATIC Continued from Page 1
16FRIDAY Mar 06, 2015www.swmediagroup.ca AUTO TRENDS WEEKLY
Meet the Best Deal Team today!
Avail the Best Deal at CARTER GM NORTHSHORE always.
