Author: AutoTrader.ca

Performance Oriented Cayenne
Arv Voss, Canadian Auto Press

The Porsche GTS first joined the second generation Cayenne family last year with many distinguishing characteristics, such as the Cayenne Turbo nose, a lower stance and Porsche’s first offering of a six-speed manual gearbox with a V8 engine (with a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission optionally available).  A sport kit is incorporated into the GTS inventory, featuring special 21-inch alloy wheels, and Alcantara seating surface inserts are available for the same price as leather seating.  There’s also a different rear wing available.  This year, there are two new trim levels for the Cayenne GTS: the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia and Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition3.

2010 Porsche Cayenne GTS

When Porsche first announced their intent to build an SUV to complement the sports car lineup, there were those who felt that perhaps the German automaker was about to forsake tradition altogether.  That wasn’t the case however, as the sports car stable has continued to grow and improve, and the Cayenne, in its various forms, sold more than two hundred thousand units in its first five years, becoming Porsche’s best selling vehicle.  One must consider after all, that it’s the Porsche of SUVs.

In terms of its visual appeal, the 2010 GTS has changed little from last year’s model except for visual enhancements for the two new models.  At a glance, it still looks much like the Cayenne Turbo due to the front-end styling, but it actually features a lower, sportier stance, while maintaining most, but not all of the Cayenne’s off-road capability.  The GTS is distinguishable by its standard black monochrome finish on door handles and window trim, 10-spoke, 21-inch diameter Cayenne Sport wheels, body-colour side skirts, and red brake calipers.  The GTS positions itself between the Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo in the Cayenne pecking order.  While the GTS shares the same basic architecture as other Cayenne models, it actually has a different mission statement — it rewards the driving enthusiast with enhanced levels of sporty on-road performance, even though it sacrifices some of its sibling’s off-road prowess, due to its lower ride height, which is 20 mm lower than the Cayenne S via the standard air suspension system.  Add the larger wheels and tires and you’ve got improved agility with enhanced stability.

Power for the Cayenne GTS continues to come from an enhanced version of Porsche’s 4.8-litre V8 engine with VarioCam Plus variable-valve timing system and electronic direct fuel injection.  Engine improvements resulted in a five-percent, or 20-horsepower, increase.  The engine develops 405 horsepower at 6,500 rpm while generating 369 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm.  This, along with a lowered final drive ratio (reduced 15-percent regardless of transmission choice), enables the GTS to scoot from 0-100 km/h in a tick over 6 seconds, with a top track speed of 253 km/h (157 mph) – electronically limited.  The Tiptronic version is actually four tenths of a second quicker than its Cayenne S sibling, accelerating to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.  Not bad for a normally aspirated engine.

The engine’s power characteristics are further optimized by a specially tuned sport exhaust system, which adds a throaty, pleasing tone from its twin dual exhaust pipes.  The manual gearbox enables the GTS to deliver a fuel economy rating of 21.4 L/100km city and 13.8 highway, while the Tiptronic S transmission improves fuel economy further, rated at 18.1 L/100km city and 13.1 highway.

The interior of the GTS is uniquely tailored to provide support to the driver, and passengers benefit from specially designed sport seats, which offer deep side bolsters with Alcantara centers keeping occupants in place during spirited driving maneuvers, helping them fully appreciate the capabilities of the vehicle.  Both front seats are electrically adjustable 12-ways, with extended memory settings.  The folding, split-back rear seat is also unique to the Cayenne GTS, featuring raised bolsters and Alcantara inserts at the outer seating positions, also ensuring stable and comfortable seating for those occupants.  Despite the deep contours of the rear seat, it is still capable of holding three adults comfortably and safely.  Adding to the ambience of the cabin is aluminum interior trim and stainless-steel door entry guards with the Cayenne GTS logo.

The GTS provides the same levels of safety and occupant protection features as all other Cayennes, which includes advanced airbags; a rollover sensor; seatbelt tensioners; side curtain airbags; Porsche Stability Management; and optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control.  Convenience and entertainment options available include a DVD navigation system, Bose digital audio, and a roof transport system.

My test Porsche Cayenne GTS wore an exterior finish of GTS Red (what else, at $4,200) with a Stone Grey leather interior featuring Alcantara inserts. The base sticker for this model is set at $88,000, while a full inventory of options can elevate the final tally to $122,675, including destination but not including any Exclusive package upgrades.  The extra costs incurred included the GTS Red paint, Black leather with Alcantara inserts, Bi-Xenon headlights with washers, Porsche Communications Management with Navigation Module, heated front seats, Light Comfort Package with memory XM Satellite Radio, audio interface, floor mats, trailer hitch (without hitch ball), moonroof, ski bag, Bose surround sound, Bluetooth Phone interface, etc.

The 2010 model year also brings a few model enhancements as for the first time Cayenne customers may request trim stitching and leather in different colours, which previously had been exclusive to the sports car lines.  Through the “Porsche Exclusive” program, Cayenne customers can now get two new options: Bi-Xenon headlights finished in black and 21-inch Cayenne SportPlus wheels painted black.  The 21-inch SportPlus wheels are standard on the Cayenne Turbo S and Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 (painted Lava Grey Metallic on this model), and the 21-inch Cayenne Sport wheels are standard on the 2010 Cayenne GTS.

Porsche’s Communication Management system (PCM) now uses a touchscreen rather than a separate keyboard, and the optional navigation is now based on a 40-gigabyte hard drive.  In addition, PCM offers optional Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree cellphone use, and optional wired connectivity for external music and audio sources such as MP3 players, iPods and USB memory sticks.

This latest entry into the Cayenne clan is first and foremost, a Porsche.  And a Porsche is a Porsche, in SUV configuration or not.  I have to admit, that being a Porsche purist at heart (a ’57 Speedster is part of my garage lineup), I strongly questioned the validity or necessity of creating an SUV to become a part of the Porsche family.  I’ve since softened on the issue and realize the importance of the Cayenne offerings — they’ve actually stabilized the future of the marque by pumping revenue into the coffers, allowing Porsche the assurance of being able to continue doing what they do best — building superlative sports cars.  Their Cayenne SUVs fill a particular niche, or perhaps I should say niches due to the varied levels of performance and capability available throughout the lineup.

The GTS continues as a valued and worthy member of the Cayenne stable.  It accelerates with gusto, as one would expect from any Porsche (SUV or otherwise), it stops quickly, sticks to the road like glue and it provides comfortable, safe transportation that is exhilarating to pilot on or off road, or on a track.  It is not inexpensive when fully loaded — however, by carefully selecting options, one may bring it into a more affordable range of Luxury Sport Utility Vehicles, with the emphasis placed upon Sport.  The only negative issue that I noted was having a foot-operated parking brake in a manual transmission vehicle, making starting on an incline interesting, but not in a good way.  A hand-operated system is much preferred.

The GTS incorporates a host of standard amenities and features (far too numerous to list here) that would make for a perfectly desirable SUV in the luxury sport category.

“Boxer” Brilliance
Arv Voss, Canadian Auto Press

Subaru’s Impreza family lineup for 2009 consisted of the Impreza 2.5i, Impreza WRX, Impreza WRX STI, and in the US, at least, the all-new Impreza 2.5GT. Ya, it’s ironic that the Japanese brand chose to launch the new 2.5GT on Vancouver Island, but won’t be bringing it north of the 49th for 2010 or the near future unless a press release is forthcoming, but such is life.

2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5GT

In Canada, therefore, horsepower continues to range from 170 (2.5i) on the low end to 305 horses on the high end (WRX STI). Also available is an Outback Sport version in five-door guise only. Minor styling freshening and additional amenities appear, along with a new grille in all models. Unlike the US, there’s no navigation system available, but Bluetooth audio, an iPod and USB connection comes as part of the MediaHub accessory kit.

The Impreza 2.5GT falls into the mid-range power wise, with a 224-horsepower version of the 2.5-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder “Boxer” engine. If you’re up on Impreza lore you’ll notice that this output is similar to the old WRX. The 2.5GT comes in two models: four-door and five-door. The GT combines the high-torque turbocharged, intercooled four banger with a standard four-speed SPORTSHIFT automatic transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Vehicle Dynamics Control and Brake Assist are now standard on all Impreza models.
The new GT model provides the Impreza Premium Package equipment, not available here, with a new power glass moonroof.

Other major standard features include 60/40 split fold down rear seatbacks; the All-Weather Package, including dual-mode heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer (unique to the US as this all comes standard here); an AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, 10 speakers, SRS Circle Surround system and auxiliary audio input jack; automatic climate control system; carpeted floor mats; cruise control; digital clock and outside temperature gauge, electroluminescent instrument panel gauges, engine immobilizer and fog lights; 24-hour roadside assistance for the limited warranty period is standard too.

Additional standard features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel with switches for cruise control and the audio system; power windows and door locks; pre-wiring for XM or SIRIUS Satellite Radio; remote keyless entry; rear seat center armrest; tilt and telescoping steering wheel; variable intermittent windshield wipers; and Vehicle Dynamics Control. Five-door models add a cargo area cover, light and tie-down hooks; clear tail light lenses; rear window wiper with washer; and rear gate spoiler.

The 2010 Impreza 2.5GT utilizes the new-generation Impreza platform (introduced in 2008), which is based on a longer wheelbase, resulting in improved roominess and ride quality. The new chassis improves crashworthiness too, while the increased stiffness and reworked rear suspension allows for crisper, more agile handling characteristics.

The GT strikes a seemingly happy medium between the base Impreza and the upgraded WRX, but more importantly outperforms many of its rival sport compacts at a lower price than what Subaru has been able to offer thus far. Both the 4-door sedan and the 5-door liftback styling display more modern, contemporary treatments in their design execution, with softer, more rounded corners and edges. The new GT’s grille was inspired by the grille found on the WRX STI, which translates into a much sportier overall image.

My longer-term test Subaru Impreza 2.5GT 4-door was sprayed a Dark Grey metallic, while the interior was done in a Charcoal cloth with Silver painted trim accents. The base price was set at $26,995 USD, while the final sticker came to $27,690 USD. To put thing into perspective, a 170-hp 5-door 2.5i Limited model starts at $27,595 in Canada while the 265-hp WRX Limited will set you back $36,395. If performance is more important than luxury features, you can even get a WRX at $33,395. That would probably put the 2.5GT at about $30k if offered in Canada.

I was afforded the opportunity to experience both the 2.5i and the 2.5GT Impreza models in on and off road driving experiences in a rallye scenario, which was done in specially prepped cars with professional instruction. Obviously the 2.5GT is superior with its higher horsepower and torque ratings. Acceleration in the GT model is certainly more than adequate, particularly with the SPORTSHIFT automatic providing smooth gear changes.

The ride quality is on the firm side, but not to the point of being objectionable. The interior is ergonomically friendly, even if somewhat spartan, and the handling characteristics reach a sporty level.

In terms of its appearance, the 2010 Impreza 2.5GT continues to hint at its sporting nature, beginning with the functional hood scoop. The lines are clean and the form is easy on the eyes, certainly more emotional and a far cry from the boxiness of yore – the WRX STI claims the “Best Looking” award in its new 5-door persona, although new for 2010 it can be had in four-door guise too. It also garners the performance title in the Impreza stable. The price gets the consumer a lot for their money in the 2.5GT, but for not too much more, the WRX wraps considerably more into the equation.

The question remains why Subaru Canada has not followed the US lead in incorporating the 2.5GT into its lineup, and it likely falls into the realm of a smaller market not being able to make a business case for such a niche vehicle. This type of thing happens all the time in Canada, although since harmonization of bumper codes we had hoped it would happen less often. Nevertheless, Subaru offers Canada a significant Impreza lineup.

Demand is Up… And We Can See Why
John Birchard, Canadian Auto Press

Last year, Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe. In the US, the company posted the biggest market share gain of any luxury car brand, and likewise has done extremely well in Canada. The President of Audi of America, Johan de Nysschen, has promised that his company will increase sales to a point where they are in line with Audi’s market penetration worldwide.

2010 Audi S4 Quattro MT6

The Audi A4 and S4 constitute the cornerstone of the German automaker’s lineup. In February, the latest month for which figures are available, the A4/S4 pair generated a sales increase of 20.8% over the same month in 2009. It’s not hard to figure out why.

I test drove an S4 recently and was reluctant to give it up at the end of my allotted week. The S4 is a midsize luxury sports sedan that combines strong performance with everyday drivability in a sleek package. It is meant to compete with BMW’s 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, amongst others.

The new S4 drops the previous generation V8 in favour of a 3.0-litre V6 direct injection supercharged engine with 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The new car, if equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, charges from 0 to 100km/h in just over 5 seconds (about a half-second quicker than the V8) and is more frugal with fuel. EPA equivalent fuel economy estimates are 13.1L/100km in city driving and 8.7 on the highway.

My US-spec tester was finished in a dazzling Imola Yellow, not available in Canada, with black interior. No wallflower this Audi. The company boasts that the new S4 “features more technology than ever.” They’re not kidding. The manual for the navigation, sound and HVAC systems runs 122 pages. C’mon, Audi, just because you can install the technology doesn’t mean you should. Have you ever heard the terms “intuitive” or “user friendly?”

Apart from that, the interior is up to the usual Audi standard, which is to say excellent. From the standard S4-embossed heated front seats to the stainless steel and carbon fibre trim, the cabin is a very pleasant place to pass the time. There’s an array of communications possibilities – from iPod to Bluetooth to HomeLink and satellite radio.

Chances are you will want to know the price tag for such sporty luxury. The base S4 quattro sedan with manual transmission goes for $52,500. My test car was the “Premium” model, which adds another $4,700 and includes 19” alloy wheels, and a few other items. A package called “Audi Drive Select” costs $4,000 and brings you adaptive suspension damping, dynamic steering, and drive select controls which provide you with the means of instantly altering throttle and steering response, shock stiffness and transmission shift points. You can choose among Comfort, Dynamic and Automatic modes, giving you a sports-oriented machine one moment and a comfortable sedan for the daily commute the next. Audi’s sports rear differential can be had separately from the Drive Select package for $1,500.

Add another thousand dollars for genuine Silk Nappa seats; $500 for Carbon Atlas interior trim; $1,100 for the 14-speaker, 505-watt, Bang & Olufsen surround sound premium audio system; $3,200 for the nav system with voice control, DVD player, and Audi side assist that includes a backup camera and rear sensors; $500 for rear side-thorax airbags, $1,600 for the S tronic sequential shifting “automatic” transmission (or stick with the 6-speed manual), plus $750 for metallic paint and you could potentially pay up to $69,850.

Safety has not been neglected by the Ingolstadt engineers. The US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the S4 at five stars for frontal crash, side crash and rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) lists it as a “Top Safety Pick.” Audi provides the usual array of airbags, along with anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, plus traction and stability control.

The Audi S4 is the sort of car that finds the driver making any excuse to get on the road. We need toothpaste? Well, I’m off to the drugstore in the next county to get it. Pick up the dry cleaning? You betcha. Any excuse is a good one to slide behind the leather-covered, multi-function steering wheel, insert the key fob and switch on the supercharged V6. Clutch action is smooth and progressive and the gearshift lever is easily operated. Once underway, the engine pulls seamlessly from around 1,500 rpm. The engine note is well muffled. In fact, I would have enjoyed a little more volume in that department. After all, it is the sports version.

Handling is precise. “Servotronic” power steering input is crisp. The ride is firm but comfortable. Brakes are powerful, but not overly sensitive. Everything about the S4 speaks of strong performance. The quattro all-wheel drive is biased 40/60 toward the rear wheels to help eliminate understeer.

A word about the previously mentioned Audi Side Assist: Via LED lights in the outside rear view mirrors, the system can alert the driver to vehicles in the blind spot, as well as fast-approaching traffic (think entry to a freeway). The system activates at speeds of more than 30 km/h and can be very helpful in highway situations.

From the rows of LED daytime running lights up front, inherited from its more exotic brother, the R8, to the quadruple exhaust pipes in the rear, the Audi S4 is a subtly executed, slick example of the modern sports sedan. It’s not perfect, but it’s awfully close. So, if you have some loose cash you don’t know what to do with, you could always buy me one of these. I would be extraordinarily grateful.

Whoa Nelly!  The Raptor Finally Has All the Go with Its Formidable Show
Canadian Auto Press

If you haven’t seen a new F-150 Raptor on the road, you’ve missed out.  One of the coolest pickup trucks to surface in years, the Raptor was only lacking enough power to match the rally truck image its looks deliver.  Now, with the introduction of Ford’s new 6.2-litre V8, it packs gobs of gusto behind its radically modified grille.

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

The new 6.2 makes a sizeable 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque, which equals 91-hp over the truck’s base 5.4-litre V8.  Prices have yet to set, but reports have suggested an additional $3,000 USD over the 5.4 in the US.

The number 3,000 appears again in the number of preorders Ford has received for the new engine, a significant amount of pre-orders for what is supposed to be a niche product.

Additional features offered with the Raptor will include halogen lamps fitted atop the light bar, a tow kit, and blue powder-coated cam covers for either engine.

007 Transport
Brian Armstead, Canadian Auto Press

Hello, my name is Bond, Brian Bond. My mission requires me to have transportation that is stealthy, super luxurious, ultra powerful, and has accommodations for three Bond Girls.

2010 Aston Martin Rapide

Okay, I am back to reality, but my brief life as 007 continued during my test time behind the wheel of the 2010 Aston Martin Rapide.

If you’ve lived in a cave the past few decades, you may not know that the iconic British carmaker Aston Martin has had a long relationship with the James Bond movie franchise. The association began in 1964 with the film “Goldfinger” featuring a DB5, and has continued to the present, with the DBS making its first public appearance in “Casino Royale.” In 2008, the DBS made another appearance in “Quantum of Solace,” which took the marque’s total to 10 Bond film appearances.

So is the new Rapide worthy of the title Aston Martin? Would Bond drive one? You better believe it!

The Rapide breaks new ground for an Aston Martin, following the latest designer trend of being the four-door “coupe.” The front view features a signature wide mouth grille, two functional hood vents and sixteen LEDs that function as Daytime Running Lights. Overall styling is breathtakingly swoopy, yet not so extreme as to polarize the jaded Aston Martin masses. Think Porsche 911 and the new Panamera, and you can see the parallel I’m making, as Aston Martin, like Porsche, has made its name on building powerful coupes (the two-door variety!) over the years. The design is so sleek the Rapide was awarded the Best Production Car Design of 2009 as voted for by design peers in the industry magazine, Car Design News. According to Car Design News, the Rapide was chosen for “its elegant, sporting proportions combined with emotional surfaces and exquisite detailing.”

Open the four doors on the Rapide, and the car appears to take flight, as it features “Swan” doors that gently and gracefully open upward, allowing for easier access to the well-appointed cabin. Close those doors, and you are in for a treat. Start at the upper dash, and watch two tweeters rise when the audio system is turned on, part of the powerful 15 speaker, 1000 watt Bang & Olufsen “Beosound Rapide” audio system. This system is so precise and sophisticated that it has sensors mounted on the seatbelts to determine how many people are in the car and their location and will adjust the soundstage for the optimum sound experience. The centre stack features gorgeous blond wood, artfully carved to accommodate the navigation system.

Rear passengers are also ensconced in comfort, as the centre tunnel runs the full length of the interior, offering separate accommodations for rear passengers. The rear seats feature power recline, and can also fold flat at the touch of a button. This fold flat feature, combined with an already roomy storage area behind the rear seats (perfect for optional custom Aston Martin luggage!), and a unique folding partition in the trunk renders the Rapide as the first four-door Coupe/SUV!

Rear passengers can also enjoy the Aston Martin rear entertainment system with two LCD screens integrated into the back of the front seat headrests and a six DVD changer mounted in the trunk. As you recline, you can enjoy multiple media sources independently of your fellow rear companion via infra-red remote control and wireless headphones.

To put your Rapide in “rapid” forward motion, insert the crystal key fob into a slot on the centre stack, and listen to the not so subtle rumble of V12 power. Select your appropriate gear by pushing a centre stack mounted shift button. I loved this feature, as for me it harkened back to the Chryslers of years gone by with their dash-mounted, push-button trannies. The “Touchtronic 2” six speed transmission features drive by wire technology, and magnesium steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

Behind the wheel, every control just seems to naturally fall into place. The thick, leather wrapped steering wheel tunnels your focus onto the two main gauge clusters. Select the appropriate suspension setting depending on your desire for full sport capability or maximum comfort. Choose D for Drive or manipulate the paddle shifters. Step on the accelerator pedal hard. Glance in the mirror to see the ever-widening smile on your face.

That smile comes from the brutal force the V12 puts forth. The 6.0-litre unit features 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 100 km/h comes up in a scant 5.3 seconds, and the Rapide tops out at 302 km/h (188 mph). Given these impressive performance numbers, the view that most will have of your Rapide is of the rear, which features taillamps that house 360 LEDs each.

Once in motion, ride quality and handling are excellent. Damping is well controlled, even when the Rapide is in its “sport” handling mode. Never does this car beat you up, as that would be very un-Bond-like.

For the first time in an Aston Martin, the Rapide features a “Dual Cast” brake system. The discs are made from cast iron and aluminum. The new technology provides dynamic advantages in the form of reduced unsprung mass with a brake that is 15-20% lighter than a standard cast iron brake. In addition, greater braking performance, reduced corrosion, and less wear are all benefits associated with the new system. The Rapide also features a new Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), which provides assistance in emergency braking situations. HBA identifies when the driver requires maximum braking performance, from the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed, and automatically boosts the brake pressure up to the ABS control threshold for as long as the driver keeps the brake pedal pressed down. The result under ideal conditions is substantially shorter braking distances.

Rapide pricing is set at $215,000, with only a few options like cooled seats and the aforementioned rear seat entertainment system available. This model is a very strong indication that Aston Martin is a player in the “affordable” supercar class.

Reaction to the Rapide from passersby was quite interesting. Several gave me the “thumbs up,” while several others looked at me with disdain as if I was too much of a snob to matter.

But that is the life as Agent 007, err, as a test car reviewer. Me and my Bond Girls (my daughter, mom and sis!) are off on another adventure, covering immense swaths of ground very quickly in the 2010 Aston Martin Rapide.

Faster than an Enzo and More Universally Appealing
Canadian Auto Press

For a small company, relative to mainstream brands, Ferrari has a full lineup of models and updates them more often than a lot of major players.  Each is special, but some are more special than others.  Enter the 599 GTO, a car that the prancing horse brand holds in such high esteem that it’s endowed it with a name as legendary as the iconic marque itself.

2010 Ferrari 599 GTO

It all started with the 250 GTO of the ‘60s, followed up by the radical 288 GTO of the ‘80s.  Now the latest to wear the Gran Turismo Omologato badge is about to shake up the supercar status quo when it makes its first public entrance at the Beijing Motor Show later this month.

The 599 GTO bridges the gap between the larger volume 599 GTB Fiorano and the track-special 599XX.  It gets the same 6.0-litre V12 as the Fiorano, a descendent of the Enzo, but output goes from 612 horsepower to 661, while torque increases by 9 lb-ft to 457.

Torque, critical at takeoff, will be less of an issue in the GTO thanks to the result of a weight loss program that sees the new model some 195 kilos (430 lbs) lighter than the 599 GTB Fiorano, at 1,495 kilograms (3,295 lbs).  This allows a charge to 100 km/h in only 3.35 seconds, while the terminal velocity is a mean 335 km/h (208 mph).  Was it coincidence that the GTO’s sprint time to 100 and top speed arrive are near identical twins (other than the decimal point)?  Probably, but impressive just the same.  Another stat that should impress is the 599 GTO’s Fiorano track lap time of only 1 minute, 24 seconds, which, if you’ve kept track, makes it quicker than the Enzo.

Stylistically the GTO is reworked from the GTB Fiorano, with a new vented hood, revised front splitter, revamped side sills, new diffuser, rear spoiler, and wheels of course, the latter featuring 10 spokes and a 20-inch diameter, plus the inclusion of F1-style wheel donuts to improve aerodynamics.

Considering the state of the world economy it’s amazing to some that a £300,000 (equivalent of $461,000 CAD) sports car can find 599 buyers, the limited allotment available, but Ferrari never seems to have a problem finding buyers for its specialty cars, or its more mainstream ones.

Watch Out Lexus LS… Hyundai’s Equus is On Your Tail
Canadian Auto Press

It doesn’t seem like all that long ago that Mercedes-Benz guffawed at the thought of the Japanese entry-level brand Toyota entering the luxury segment with its Lexus nameplate, followed quickly by Nissan’s Infiniti brand and Acura by Honda.  Mazda nearly came to the fore with its own upscale marque but sold its Millenia sedan under its namesake brand after much speculation, which is what Hyundai seems to be doing with its luxury models.

2011 Hyundai Equus

First it was the Genesis sedan and then, in performance at least, the Genesis Coupe followed.  Now the Korean automaker is taking on those same Japanese premium brands and the Europeans that inspired it all with a full-size premium sedan of its own, the Equus.

We’ve reported on the Equus a number of times before, even last year when it showed up at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in home market trim, but as for what will be available here it’s all been speculation.  Now we’ve got the facts yet again from NYC where the car debuted this week in North American specification, and it’s quite an impressive ride.

The North American-spec Equus pulls most of its design cues from the much-loved Genesis sedan, a good thing.  Just the same, it would hardly look out of place beside a Mercedes S Class or Lexus LS, with a fairly distinctive and quite large horizontally ribbed and centre-split chrome grille, LED-enhanced headlamp clusters, large fog lamps set into the sporty lower valance, Mercedes-like chrome finished rub mouldings on the bumpers, narrow turn signal indicators integrated into the side mirror housings, lower side sill chrome mouldings, and long and gracefully arcing side window cutouts enhanced with deep tinted glass.  The taillights are Genesis-like, but also aren’t unlike those found on the LS or 7 Series BMW, while chrome trim appliqués add richness to the overall design.

Speaking of richness, the interior won’t let any luxury car aficionado down.  Supple perforated leathers and fine woods will ensconce occupants in hedonistic opulence, coupled with the latest infotainment hardware and capped off with a similar rear seating ottoman system as offered by Lexus in its top-line LS models and Maybach’s much-revered super sedan, with room for two divided by a rear centre console with seat and audiovisual controls plus a mini fridge.  The seats will also feature ventilation, heating and massage.  Nice touches like an analog clock just below the large-screen navigation system add a little olde-world charm to the real world of modern technology, while audio sounds come via a Lexicon stereo system.

The car should perform well despite a curb weight that’s likely over the top, due to a 385hp V8 connecting through to a six-speed automatic transmission.  Expect pricing to sit in the $50,000 to $60,000 range in USD, with a Canadian (CAD) MSRP slightly higher.

Replacing the regular owner’s manual will be a “multimedia tablet” device that should wow friends and neighbours.  Just which aftermarket electronics company will supply the tablet is yet to be announced, although an iPad was shown on the big screen at the car’s introduction, so it might get the nod.  Not only will the tablet replace the owner’s manual, not only offering a more manageable source of information but also capable of being updated regularly, the device will be able to manage customer/dealer interactions such as service appointment scheduling.

As Hyundai repositions its brand toward the entry-level luxury segment, it will also deliver a premium ownership experience that will not only include the new Equus, but also the Genesis sedan and Coupe, by only selling top models at specially chosen dealerships.

If Hyundai’s Genesis sedan is any indication of how well the Equus will perform and how impressively it will be crafted, Lexus and other premium brands had better keep a close watch.  And the Equus appears even more upscale and better finished than the Genesis.

Practical Forte Five-Door to Add More Functionality to Popular Model
Canadian Auto Press

Kia’s new Forte has been a major hit due to high-quality, lots of standard features, great pricing and attractive styling, but that’s not the only reason it’s finding new owners at a brisk pace.  The Korean automaker also offers multiple body styles, so far a 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe, the latter dubbed Koup.

2011 Kia Forte

Kia will expand its North American entry-level lineup to include a new Forte 5-Door to fill a void left by the old Spectra5, an important model for active lifestyle buyers needing a larger compact.

While the Forte five-door is totally changed from the C-pillar rearward, with arguably better styling than any rival, the front fascia has been modified slightly as well, with a look that apparently will at least find its way onto the sedan.

“We have been promoting the Kia brand evolution over the past few years and backed it up with dramatic gains in quality and value while adding world-class design every step of the way,” commented Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA.

The Forte five-door will sport Kia’s port-injected 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre inline-four-cylinder engine lineup already offered in the Forte sedan and Koup.  Like the two existing models a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic continue shifting duties.  For the latter transmission, paddle shifters on the steering wheel will now be available too.

The Forte has received praise for its well designed and surprisingly upscale interior, although the five-door will get a new centre console that can now be upgraded to include a navigation system.  Proximity sensing remote access will be part of an upgrade package along with pushbutton start.

Kia won’t wait long to get the Forte five-door out to dealers, so expect to see them at your local dealer within months.  No doubt the new body style will be a big seller, especially here in Canada where liftback models sell extremely well in the compact segment.

What’s unknown is whether or not Kia will call it the Forte5 or the Forte Five-Door, the former to maintain a naming strategy used with the Rio5 and Spectra5.  Forte5 certainly has a ring to it, and would serve the model well if chosen.  The pre-production model shown in New York had no official badging, only a license plate placeholder showing Forte as the name.

Making fast cars faster
By Nauman Farooq

Hennessey Performance has been around for awhile now. They first made headlines when they started tuning the Dodge Viper back in the early 1990’s. They had turned a fast car into an absurdly fast car.

Hennessey Performance

In recent years they have tuned everything from Chevrolet Corvette’s to the Ford F-150 Raptor truck. But these masters of speed weren’t content, and they recently began work on a project that would require more than just adding some turbos and superchargers.

The result is the Hennessey Venom GT, a fully modified version of the Lotus Elise. While it shares some basic structure to the Elise, the Venom GT is much bigger and packs a 1000 hp punch.

Having just completed this project, Hennessey were all set to unveil their latest creation at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. Sadly, the only piece they have was sitting in England and they weren’t able to ship it to New York in time for the show.

To fill up the space they had, they brought along some of their other modified muscle cars.

Most notable among which is the new Chevrolet Camaro HPE700. This limited edition Camaro (only 24 will be built) features the engine out of the Corvette ZR1. Now just installing this mammoth motor into a pony car would normally be enough, but the guys at Hennessey can’t be described as normal. They tweaked this 6.2-liter, supercharged V8 to produce 725 hp and 741 lb/ft of torque. As a result, this Camaro can go from 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, and covers the ¼-mile in 11.3 seconds, while doing 202 km/h. Keep the pedal buried until it runs out of gears, and you’ll see speeds reaching 330 km/h.

So be in no doubt, this is one serious muscle car. To ensure you don’t confuse it with just another ordinary Camaro, Hennessey has given the car unique 20-inch wheels, but most notably, the nose is modified with a new grille that even covers the headlamps. The look is very menacing indeed and gives a hint of the aggression this car has.

But what if Camaro’s are not your choice of muscle car, what if you prefer the Dodge Challenger? Hennessey has you covered there too.

Their Challenger HPE600 features a supercharger bolted onto the 6.1-liter HEMI, V8. End result as you’ve guessed it is 600 hp. It also produces 585 lb/ft of torque, which would come in handy when overtaking slower moving traffic.

The modification to the Challenger’s looks are a bit more subtle. The hood scoop is the easiest giveaway, but also spot the unique wheels and lowered suspension.

These modifications and plenty more are available for your car right now, so if you fancy tuning your muscle car, check them out.

By Nauman Farooq

Famed Italian car designer, Sergio Pininfarina, head of the Pininfarina design studio, and the force behind all Ferrari designs for the past 50 years once said; “We design beautiful cars to attract beautiful women.”

Booth Beauties of 2010 NYIAS

Something tells me he would have been very happy at the 2010 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), because there were lots of beautiful cars, adorned with even more beautiful women.

With competition in the car industry getting tougher and tougher, car companies need all the help they can get to keep ones attention. It seems that both Audi and Chrysler firmly believe that the shorter the skirt the longer they can keep ones attention. Not going to argue about their methods. So here is a look at some of the beautiful ladies working at this years NYIAS. Enjoy!

By Nauman Farooq

The auto industry is a roller coaster, with plenty of ups and downs. Just take auto shows as an example. Less than a decade ago, these shows were bigger and offered much more variety. Nowadays, due to the weakened economy, many car companies have become very selective about which auto shows to take part in.

2011 Scion tC

As an example of these budget cuts, Ferrari and Maserati decided to skip the 2010 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), which is strange because one would think Manhattan, N.Y. would be the ideal place to market high end exotics.

One could say the absence of such car companies would be the “Worst” part of this show, but then there was one car present there that I am sure many would wish wasn’t there at all.

I am talking about the 2011 Scion tC coupe. Scion (which is a division of Toyota) likes to say the 2011 tC is an all-new car, but the fact its wheelbase is exactly the same as the last tC, says that this is mostly just a re-skin.

At least the old tC was good looking. The new tC looks like it wasn’t styled to attract young people, but instead to attract those of retirement age, which is strange because Scion is a brand that was created to cater after the first time car buyers.

Making matters worse, the new tC is powered by the same engine you’ll find in a Toyota Camry, one of the most boring cars on the planet. It has a 2.5-liter; four-cylinder engine which produces 180 hp. Power goes to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Toyota plans to launch the Scion brand into Canada later this year, so unfortunately our roads will one day be filled with these ugly duckling coupes.

Personally, I’d prefer to see our roads filled with the latest (and “Best”) version of the Lamborghini Murcielago. It’s called the LP 670-4 SV, and it is the last version of the Murcielago (a replacement model is coming next year).

SV, which stands for Super Veloce (Super Fast in plain English), features a 6.5-liter, V12 that produces 670 hp and 487 lb/ft of torque. Power is sent to all-wheels via a six-speed paddle shift gearbox they call E-gear. As you’d imagine, its performance numbers are quite stunning. 0-100 km/h is dealt with in 3.2 seconds, while top speed is 342 km/h.

However, there are two big reasons why you won’t see many Murcielago SV’s running around town. First is due to its limited production numbers, since Lamborghini is only producing 350 SV’s, out of which Canada may get around 5 cars. And secondly, with a price tag of about $525,000 it certainly isn’t cheap either.

However, if I could have driven any car out of this years NYIAS, it would have had to be this one.

Volkswagen Polo, Camaro and Audi R8 crowned
By Marc Lachapelle

Volkswagen became the first repeat overall winner in the World Car of the Year awards as announced at the New York Auto Show on April 1. The German carmaker’s fifth-generation Polo ‘supermini’ took the top prize in the seventh annual edition of these awards after a three-month selection and voting process. Volkswagen had first won the coveted award for 2009 with its sixth-generation Golf.

Reborn Camaro voted Best Design

The Volkswagen Polo racked up a total of 761.1 points. The second highest scoring entry was the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 747.1 points, followed by the Toyota Prius with 715.4 points and two German luxury compact utility vehicles: the BMW X1 with 691.6 points and Audi Q5 with a tally of 683.4 points.

The jury of 59 automotive journalists from 25 countries had first selected ten contenders from a list of thirty nominated vehicles in January. A second vote in February yielded final scores after candidates were judged on merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal.

The sole Canadian judge on the jury this year was Ottawa-based journalist John LeBlanc. WCOTY awards co-founder Gerry Malloy is one of program’s directors and Beth Rhind is its Executive Manager. Both work out of Cobourg, Ontario.

Audi R8 takes Performance Car title… again

Another German entry achieved the notable feat of winning the same category for a second time in three years. After taking the World Performance Car award in 2008 with the original R8, Audi repeated this year with the new V10-powered version of its first exotic sports car. For the record, Audi also won the World Performance Car trophy in 2007 with the RS4 sedan.

The Audi R8 V10 topped fifteen rivals with a total score of 173 points. In second place was the Porsche 911 GT3 with 107 points, followed by the Ferrari California with 88 points and a closely-matched duo of British entries, the Jaguar XFR sedan with 75 points and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage coupé with 74 points.

Reborn Camaro voted Best Design

The all-new, fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, launched as a 2010 model after a seven-year hiatus, was chosen as the World Car Design of the Year by the same international jury. Results of this, and all of the WCOTY awards’ secret ballots were again tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.

Journalists were presented with a list of four contenders chosen by a panel of five automotive design experts from the original group of new vehicles nominated for this year’s WCOTY awards. The three finalists were announced at the Geneva Auto Show in March. In addition to the winning design from Chevrolet, the two other standouts were the Citroën C3 Picasso and the Kia Soul.

BlueMotion is Greenest

Volkswagen accepted another trophy in this edition of the WCOTY awards. The automaker won the 2010 World Green Car prize with its BlueMotion technologies, as used in various Golf, Passat and Polo models. Based on VW’s common-rail diesel engines, these technologies combine measures and systems such as engine start-stop, energy recuperation and reduced rolling resistance to achieve outstanding fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Jury members were presented with a list of thirteen contenders selected for their environmental-friendliness by a panel of three experts in ‘green’ technologies. This was considered necessary, given the variety of green technologies and the complexity of many.

BlueMotion’s win is a vindication of sorts for the internal combustion engine since the other two finalists for the Green Car award were (in alphabetical order) the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, both powered by gas-electric hybrid systems.

New wagons dominate 2010 NYIAS
By Nauman Farooq

Generally, station wagons have not been very successful in North America. People on this continent have much preferred to buy an SUV or a cross-over rather than a wagon.

Acura TSX Sport Wagon

So it has certainly come as a big surprise to see all the new wagon models recently going on sale. Honda just launched the Accord Crosstour a few months back, and Subaru came out with another new Outback wagon.

More surprisingly, Cadillac recently launched the CTS Sport Wagon (now also available in “V” trim); Kia has just announced production of their Forte wagon, and now onto the latest addition to this list, the Acura TSX Sport Wagon.

The TSX (which is the European Honda Accord) has been around for a few years already, and while in Europe they had always offered it as both a sedan and wagon, the addition of the wagon in our showrooms is all new for 2011.

At their press conference at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, Acura said that the “TSX Sport Wagon delivers flexible utility and generous interior space – perfect for those with a growing family or an active lifestyle.”

Oddly, in their press-release, they completely forgot to mention exactly how much room this new wagon actually has to offer. Looks like it has plenty of space though.

What is mentioned is that this new sport wagon will only be offered with one engine. While the TSX sedan can be had with either an I4 or a V6 engine, the TSX Sport Wagon will only come with the 2.4-liter, double over head cam (DOHC), i-VTEC, inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produces 201 hp and 172 lb/ft of torque. In the Sport Wagon, only the five-speed automatic gearbox is offered (sedan version can also be had with a six-speed manual), and drive only goes to the front wheels.

So it won’t be the wagon of choice for an enthusiast, nor will it be the choice of vehicle for someone looking to haul a big family, as the TSX Sport Wagon is only a five passenger vehicle. But thanks to its low opening tail-gate and its long, spacious trunk, it will be perfect for carrying pets.

The TSX Sport Wagon will be in showrooms by the last quarter of this year with prices starting around the $35,000 mark.

Cobalt Z22 makes its mark
By Nauman Farooq

Chevrolet and the “Z” badge goes a long way back. It started out in the late 1960’s as an option code for the Camaro. The Z/28 package turned a humble pony car into a galloping horse.

Chevrolet Cobalt Z22

So successful was the “Z” package, that Chevrolet later started offering the package as an additional trim package on some of their cars. Along with the Z/28, there was the Z34 Lumina, the Z34 Monte Carlo, and most recently the Z24 Cavalier.

Ever since Chevrolet replaced the Cavalier with the Cobalt in 2005, Chevy enthusiasts have been waiting for the next “Z” package.

Now the wait is over, a new “Z” package has arrived for the Cobalt coupe, and its called the Z22. However, unlike its predecessors, this “Z” is not a performance package. The new Z22 package is all about enhancing the cars looks.

So the new Z22 package includes a body-colored rear spoiler, chrome exterior package, fog lights in the front bumper, 16-inch aluminum wheels, and some “Wicked tattoos.”

These new tattoo style decals were designed with the collaboration of General Motors Quebec dealers and Cossette, an advertising and design agency. They have come up with three distinct design patterns that customers can choose from to have on their car.

These additions are an affordable way to make your car stand out from the rest. Chevrolet says, “this model aims at targeting younger consumers such as adults from 18 to 34 year old. It appeals to young men that care about their appearance and the look of their car.”

General Motors also says this new “sport” package is only offered for a limited time. So if you’re in the market for a sporty coupe with some added style at an affordable price ($109 bi-weekly payments on 72 month finance, with $0 down), drive over to your local Chevrolet dealer to find out more.

A green car with active aerodynamics
By Nauman Farooq

Green is the key word in the auto industry these days. Not only are consumers more sympathetic towards climate change and the effect cars have on our environment, with the price of gasoline going up every year, they don’t mind saving a little at every fill up.

Chevrolet Cruze Eco

So far the solutions towards getting better fuel economy have been restricted to diesel and hybrid powertrains, but Chevrolet has now come up with a rather ingenious, simple and cost effective method to achieve incredible fuel economy.

Chevrolet just showed their latest system at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, in their latest economy car, the Cruze Eco.

This model features a 138 hp, 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with variable-valve timing and a turbo charger. The idea is that the power is there from the turbo when you need it, but when cruising, this small displacement engine won’t be drinking much petrol.

The result is economy figures in the region of 5.8-liters/100 km. That is truly impressive, but it achieves this by not just a clever engine, but also clever aerodynamics. The Cruze is already a very slippery car, but the Eco model gets extra help from features like the “Aero Shutter.” This feature operates a flap in the bottom grille. In city driving, the flap is open, allowing as much air to circulate through the car as possible. But at highway speeds when there is enough air to cool the turbo, the flap closes to make the car more streamlined. These applications of active aerodynamics are a worlds first, and Chevrolet needs to be commended on this clever idea.

It has to be noted though that while the Cruze Eco will be available with a six-speed automatic gearbox, to achieve the economy figure mentioned above, you will have to have the six-speed manual version. The manual gearbox features an ultra tall sixth-gear, which helps keeps the revs down and hence keeps the consumption down too.

Also worth noting is that the Cruze Eco also features ultra-low resistance tires from Goodyear. And while these tires might cut down on rolling friction, they also don’t have much grip, so the Cruze Eco won’t be the ideal car to carve through a twisty mountain road.

The Cruze Eco will be available in the last quarter of this year, and while no exact Canadian pricing has been announced yet, you can bet it will be cheaper than even the cheapest hybrid on the market.

New look for an aging model
By Nauman Farooq

Facelifts are big in Hollywood. Many in the industry believe that a well executed nip and tuck can prolong ones career by a few years. Nowadays, even car companies are going that route.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-class

Rather than come up with an all-new vehicle, car companies are doing mild styling tweaks to keep their aging models looking fresh. These facelifts are becoming more and more popular since most car companies have been a bit strapped for cash and this is an easy way to get a few more years out of an old product.

Mercedes-Benz is the latest company to jump on the facelift train with their 2011 R-class.

The R-class originally was launched back in 2006, and is as close to a luxury minivan as you can get. While it offered great practicality and impressive performance, its sales have been anything but stellar. It was reported a few years back that even Mercedes-Benz executives thought this model was a mistake. One might have expected Mercedes-Benz would kill the model the first opportunity it got, but no. At the 2010 New York International Auto Show, a newish R-class made its World debut..

The new model, which will be on sale this summer, can most easily be recognized by its new nose, which ties it to its C-class sibling. While it also features new tail lights, its profile remains pretty much identical to its outgoing model.

Inside, hardly anything has been changed at all. However, its six passengers (optional seven-seat configuration also available) will be happy to know that it now has eight airbags to protect them in case of a crash. The front seats also feature NECK-PRO active head restraints which can minimize injury in those nasty tail-end accidents.

The biggest change has got to be with its drivetrain, or the lack of options available for it now. While the original R-class was offered with diesel and petrol engine options, including an AMG version, the new R-class will only be available inNorth America with two engines, atleast for the time being.

The R350 4MATIC features a normally aspirated, 3.5-liter, V6 which produces 268 hp and 258 lb/ft of torque. The R350 BlueTEC 4MATIC features a 3.0-liter, turbo diesel V6 which produces 210 hp and a truly phenomenal 400 lb/ft or torque. Both models send power to all-wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Each would sprint from 0-100 km/h in about 8.2 seconds and top out at 210 km/h. Pretty impressive for a minivan.

Prices for the new R-class has not been announced yet, but expect them to be similar to the 2010 model, which starts at around $55,000.

New mid-size sedan is big on style
By Nauman Farooq

The Kia Optima (Magentis as it’s called in Canada) has been around for 10 years now, and is probably one of the most overlooked cars in its segment of mid-sized sedans.

2011 Kia Optima

While it has always been a good, reliable car, due to its boring exterior design and cheap plastic interior, it is one of those cars people don’t notice much.

They will however notice the one though. Unveiled last week at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, this new Optima might just get enough attention to cause people to walk into lamp poles.

While style is a very personal choice, this new Optima will undoubtedly get praise from everyone. No matter which angle you look at it from, it will please you. The nose of the car is highlighted by the wide mouth grill and swept back headlights. The side profile shot reveals just how sleek and sexy it truly is with its coupe like A-pillar and C-pillar design. Around the back, you see the car tapering off elegantly, with beautifully styled tail-lights and exhausts.

So this honestly is one of those few cars that looks right from all angles, and for such a car to have a Korean badge is even more remarkable. One shouldn’t be too surprised though, after all it was penned by Peter Schreyer, whose past credits include the original Audi TT and the Volkswagen New Beetle.

Thankfully the design theme carries on in the interior too. It looks almost as good from the inside as it does from the outside, and perhaps even more importantly, the quality of the fit and finish is much better than most cars in its segment.
It is well equipped too with standard power-windows, locks and mirrors. Customers can spec optional equipment such as a reversing camera, navigation system and eight-way power driver’s seat.

For powering down the road, at first only the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine will be offered. This unit produces 200 hp thanks to direct-injection technology. While the V6 engine option has been discontinued, in a few months time, a 2.0-liter, turbo charged, four-cylinder engine will answer the need for more power. This turbo unit will produce 274 hp, which is quite impressive. For the more eco-minded motorist, a hybrid will also be offered later in the year, based on the 2.4-liter motor. In all models, power is sent to the front wheels via six-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel mounted pedal-shifters.

Throw in standard features like six airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction control, and it sounds like a really good deal. Add its 10-year/160,000 km powertrain warranty and this car might just be one of the best deals in the auto business. Its competition might start losing sleep very soon.

Infiniti launches new flagship SUV
By Nauman Farooq

In the Middle-East, one of the most popular SUV’s around is the Nissan Patrol. Its ruggedness and off-road capabilities has made it a favorite among those who like to play in areas where roads don’t exist.

2011 Infiniti QX56

In North America we sadly don’t get the Patrol, but now we will be getting something that is almost its twin brother. Meet the 2011 Infiniti QX56, a vehicle that shares quite a few parts with the new Patrol.

However, while the Patrol is targeted as an extreme off-roader with luxury bits thrown in as well, the new QX56 is targeted towards the premium SUV buyer, whose off-roading adventures are usually limited to parking on the green at the golf course.

While mechanically the new QX56 looks like it can drive over any mountain thanks to its new 5.6-liter, V8 (with variable valve timing) which produces 400 hp and 413 lb/ft of torque. Couple that with its new seven-speed automatic gearbox, and a robust four-wheel drive system, this certainly has the goods to go off-road.

However, when you look at its 22-inch wheels and low running boards, you can see this SUV is aimed more at the urban jungle rather than the African jungle.

To combat the city streets, the new QX56 is loaded with new technology. It has lane departure warning (LDW) and prevention (LDP) systems, a new blind spot warning system (BSW), intelligent cruise control (ICC), distance control assist (DCA), intelligent brake assist (IBA) and a forward collision warning (FCW) system. All these systems will hopefully keep its driver out of trouble.

Oh, and to top it all, it has Infiniti’s “Around View Monitor” system that literally turns parking into a life-sized video game. This system projects the image of the vehicle on its dashboard screen and shows you the view all around by combining views from all its different camera’s. In reality it looks like an image beamed from above the vehicle. This system is very clever and really very cool indeed.

Other cool features in this eight-passenger vehicle include an optional 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system and a DVD entertainment system for its rear seat occupants. While Bluetooth hands-free phone system and XM satellite radio are part of this vehicles impressive standard equipment.

The new Infiniti QX56 has just made its World premiere at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. Look for it in our showrooms by this fall.

A station wagon for the family racing-driver
By Nauman Farooq

The Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is one fine automobile. I should know since I just drove one from Toronto, Canada to New York, U.S.A. and back.

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

On this long drive, it proved to be very comfortable, handled beautifully, and was as reliable as a Swiss time piece. I liked it a lot, but chances are I’d like the one they just unveiled at the 2010 New York International Auto Show even more.

I’m talking about the new Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. This rather harmless looking station wagon has essentially the same 6.2-liter, supercharged V8 that you’ll find in a new Corvette ZR1. While it might be detuned slightly for the Caddi-wagon, it still packs a 556 hp punch. That means, this shopping cart has more punch than the Audi R8 V10 supercar.

With a torque figure of 551 lb/ft, it is no wonder that the CTS-V Sport Wagon will sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, while its top speed is close to 300 km/h. Thankfully it also comes equipped with massive Brembo brakes, to bring you down to legal speeds. So not only will this wagon do the school and grocery run, it will do that while embarrassing some proper sportscars too.

It won’t just keep up with sportscars in the straight line, it can play ball even through the corners thanks to independent suspension all around with magnetic ride damping. Plus this chassis was tuned at the Nurburgring race track in Germany, so be in no doubt, it will handle as well as it goes.

However, unlike in the regular versions of the CTS Sport Wagon, which can be had with optional all-wheel drive, the CTS-V version is only available in rear-wheel drive format.

You do get a choice with the transmission though. The enthusiasts will undoubtedly pick the six-speed manual, while a six-speed automatic with steering wheel mounted pedal shifters is also available for those looking for a fast, daily cruiser.

Perhaps the best thing about this CTS-V Sport Wagon is that it is a bit of a sleeper. Just looking at it, most people won’t have any idea what sort of power is harnessed within. Those with a keen eye will spot the bonnet bulge, the 19-inch wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, and those massive dual, chrome-tipped exhausts.

The interior is pretty much the same as in any CTS; however the CTS-V does get performance seats with suede inserts. For those who might be taking their car to the track a lot might want to opt for the Recaro racing seats from the options sheet.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon will be available at your local GM dealer by late summer with prices starting at about $75,000.

Diesel Performance
Chris “Emmy” Jackson, Canadian Auto Press

Mercedes had planned to upgrade the GL-Class back in 2006, when the ancient G-Class was scheduled to be redesigned. Enthusiast outcry granted the G-Class a stay of execution, however, and now the GL-Class shares showroom space with the vehicle it was slated to replace. Mercedes’ largest SUV offers three-row seating, unibody construction and a new, more fuel-efficient clean diesel model.

2010 Mercedes GL350 BlueTEC

Of course, with the state of the market, the obvious criticism is similar to that leveled at big luxury sport-utes like the Lexus LX 570 and Land Rover Range Rover: do we really need another great big luxury SUV? The GL350 had a lot to answer for when it arrived in my hands; could it adequately justify its existence?

The GL350 has a long-nosed, almost station wagon-like look that combines a contoured hood with an upright greenhouse. Elegant creases and character lines give the big Mercedes the look of neatly pressed formal wear, and bear a family resemblance to the new compact GLK-Class sport-utes. As a result, the GL350 looks somewhat smaller than it is. The roof rack and windows are trimmed with aluminum brightwork, while LED daytime running lights and available curve-illuminating headlamps remind onlookers that this sport-ute’s on the cutting edge of technology. Twenty-inch wheels are shod with run-flat tires so the GL350 doesn’t need to carry a spare tire.

The interior is equally familiar for drivers of E-Class and ML-Class Mercedes products, as its design splits the difference between the two. The E-Class’ electronic column shifter and instrument panel are combined with the odd console grab handles and rounded air vents of the ML. The whole cabin is draped in leather and burl walnut wood, and includes handsome ambient interior lighting. Three-row seating is the GL350’s primary reason for existence; the first two rows are large enough for adults while the third-row will accommodate adults but is best used for short trips. With the third-row seat folded, the GL350 offers over 1,200 litres (43 cubic feet) of cargo space, easily accessed via the obligatory power tailgate.

On the technology front, Mercedes’ latest-generation COMAND system offers a six and a half inch display screen for its standard Bluetooth phone interface, six-disc in-dash CD changer and the Sirius Satellite Radio and iPod/MP3 interface. Voice control is also available for the optional navigation system. A panoramic sunroof with a sliding forward section sheds light on the nicely appointed cabin. To keep passengers entertained on long trips, the GL350 can be ordered with a 610-watt harman/kardon audio system and rear-seat DVD entertainment.

The GL350 is powered by a 3.0-litre all-aluminum, 210 horsepower, direct-injection turbodiesel V6 that produces up to 400 pound-feet of torque. Though 210 horses is not a lot when it comes to motivating a vehicle that weighs over two tons, remember this is a turbodiesel, and the healthy torque figure ensures that keeping up with traffic is never an issue. The payoff comes at the pump, where the GL350’s equivalent of 10.2L/100km freeway mileage on the US EPA cycle gives it a comfortable range. This range is a significant edge in the practicality contest, because it’s not as conspicuous a consumer as its competitors from Lexus or Land Rover, who struggle to make 15-16L/100km. The diesel engine’s high torque also enables the GL350 to tow up to 3,400 kilos (7,500 pounds). Mercedes’ “BlueTEC” system, a specialized two-stage exhaust treatment system cleans the emissions enough that the GL350 meets the most stringent pollution restrictions. More importantly, the 3.0 diesel is a supremely quiet engine, offering V8-like power and torque without the twitchy throttle or fuel thirst that comes with a big eight-cylinder powerplant. The transmission is a smooth seven-speed automatic that makes the most of the engine’s torque, and the GL350 never feels slow or underpowered in spite of its 2,450-kilo (5,400-pound) curb weight. 4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard equipment.

Double control arms up front and a four-link rear end combined with Mercedes’ AIRMATIC suspension provide this big sport-ute with carlike comfort. The system has been modified to provide variable-height applications, enabling the GL350 to boast more than 30 centimeters (twelve inches) of ground clearance when the AIRMATIC is at its highest setting. Traction control is integrated into the system. Off-road assistance in the form of hill-start and hill-descent controllers is also available. Mercedes’ PRE-SAFE collision avoidance and mitigation system is standard on the GL350. PRE-SAFE closes any open windows and the sunroof in the event of a rollover, pre-charges the brake system, and brings any reclined seats to full upright position. This SUV feels secure enough that a rollover seems unlikely, though, thanks in part to variable-effort power steering and strong standard anti-lock brakes.

GL350 pricing starts at $69,000, and includes the AIRMATIC adjustable suspension, sunroof and most amenities. Got a large group to haul in comfort? The Mercedes GL350 will move up to seven passengers in style and with ease. If the road gets rough–or disappears entirely–along the way, it’s prepared for that as well.