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Not getting the published fuel economy ratings? Don't be surprised
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
About 99% of the time I test new vehicles, my observed fuel economy average is higher than what the manufacturer flaunts. In some cases, my combined average is close to the city figure; the rest of the time, it's off by at least 1 L/100km.
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Lies and the boring truth
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Auto racing has enjoyed growing coverage and popularity over the years - for good and bad. We, journalists, no longer get compelling, in-depth interviews with the drivers, be it in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR or some other series. They now field questions from scrums and rely on boring, politically correct answers that were prepared for them by sponsors and PR folks.
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The future of Cadillac
Monday, February 20, 2012
I love cars. I'm all about product, shiny new metal or carbon fibre and big bold alloys on anything. That's the story that most will report on and I can't blame them 'cause that's what I'd usually do. In fact, that's what Mike Deslauriers and I did from the show floor; check out our live coverage of the Toronto Auto Show. If you like or liked it or not, let us know as we plan on doing this again.
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What's up! with Volkswagen?
Friday, February 17, 2012
Volkswagen's been keeping a secret from North Americans. It's a small secret, only 3.54m in length. It has three doors and 3 cylinders, for now that is. Do you give up? If you said "I give up," you'd be correct -- it is the up!
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Hail to the Motorcycle
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Like any motorcycle enthusiast, I have many reasons to smile when the new model year arrives. All over the world, bike manufacturers unveil their latest creations and, much to my satisfaction, most of them wind up here - Ducati 1199 Panigale, Kawasaki ER-6n, Honda NC700SA and NC700XA, Triumph Tiger Explorer, etc.
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Aladdin's cave is no more
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
For those of us who eat tires for breakfast, transmissions for lunch and Haldex AWD systems for dinner, I bring you bad tidings. This is especially true if you lust after old German cars that were stored in a safe-deposit box for 20 years. Late last summer, Endras BMW published a two-part story on Citation BMW, I can only assume a once- proud dealer of brand new BMW cars.
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Are race car drivers just big softies at heart?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It's Valentine's Day today, and you can forgive yourself for wondering if the racing world is conducive to love at first site, chivalrous undertakings and romance in general... Meh, not so much. Let's just say racers aren't the most romantic of fellas.
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Broken cars and stubborn owners
Monday, February 20, 2012
Driving any older car is like working out at the gym after a one-month hiatus: you discover parts that you didn't even know existed.
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The Inverse Relationship
Monday, February 13, 2012
I've come to believe that an inverse relationship exists between the degree of vulnerability a motorist is exposed to and the level of danger they choose to pursue. What do I mean? Simple: the less protection one has, the more risk he/she is willing to accept.
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Learning Laguna Seca
Friday, February 10, 2012
"Left! Stay left! More Left! No, no, WAY more left! Ohhh boy!" Jim Davis, a BMW performance driving instructor, was in my passenger seat. We were in a borrowed 2012 BMW 335i approaching the infamous corkscrew at Laguna Seca. Jim had been around it a million times. It was my first time.
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Crazy Cousin Billy
Thursday, February 09, 2012
We have all heard the expressions "Big Brother is watching" and "nanny state," which means that many people feel the government interferes in their personal lives too much. Who is to say that we don't really need it?
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The return of the Turbo
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
In 1996, I bought my first turbocharged car. It was a 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT. Before it, I had taken over my father's 1985 carbureted 2.0L 85-hp 4-cylinder Mazda 626 LX coupe. In a few words, my MX's 2.2L turbo, rated at 145 hp and190 lb-ft of torque, was one hell of a huge step up, power-wise.
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Save for the decals, F1 cars are identical!
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
As you've no doubt noticed while perusing Auto123.com's pages, we're at that time of year again when the new Formula 1 cars are being strutted out in preparation for the 2012 season.
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Idiots, Lights and Gauges
Monday, February 06, 2012
Modern vehicles have some interesting ways of getting you, the driver, information about what is going on around you. My latest sojourn into the entertaining realm we call vehicle instrumentation dynamics was with a Chevrolet Sonic. When I first looked at the instrument cluster, I saw a shape slightly larger, but very similar to my first satellite radio kit.
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2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan: diesel is out, hybrid is in
Friday, February 03, 2012
This will probably make diesel-engine lovers cringe, but BMW will retire the 335d from its lineup in 2012. Its 425 lb-ft of torque will be missed. On the other hand, the 2012 3 Series Sedan will host much more fuel-efficient engines, negating the true need for a diesel powertrain.
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Reluctance to change
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Are you one of those racing fans who fiercely oppose change? I'm asking you this because we've received a number of comments on our website as well as on our Facebook page and Twitter account - comments from people who clearly have a tough time swallowing the new and proposed changes to the sport.
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A good riding position = life insurance
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Everyone knows what the motorcycle racing position looks like, but its advantages aren't often recognized. A good riding position that is properly executed in a corner ensures your safety and instils confidence, whether cruising down the highway or tearing up the track. It's like life insurance, for both you and those you share the road with.
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'R' You Aware?
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Are you aware that Volkswagen is planning to bring its mighty Golf R to Canada? This unit towers above the Golf GTI in terms of raw performance, and features VW's 4MOTION all-wheel-drive capability to ensure its 256 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque aren't wasted on madly spinning front wheels.
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The Hotel Valley Ho in Arizona
Friday, January 27, 2012
Walking down the curved second-floor balcony, looking for my room, I feel as if I'd stepped out of a time machine. Surrounded by palm trees, orange trees and a retro-chic décor splashed in turquoise, burnt orange and lime green, I'm suddenly overwhelmed by goosebumps.
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Pillow Talk
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
It sure sounds like grist for the rumour mill. But how I came to share a pillow case with a well-known auto-writer and on-air personality is a story that started out innocently enough.
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A real human tragedy
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I've received plenty of feedback on my January 19th article, The consequences of Peugeot's withdrawal from endurance racing.
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The Acura conundrum
Friday, January 20, 2012
I've not been kind to Acura over the last three years. Today, I was redeemed. As this week is Montreal Auto Show (http://www.auto123.com/en/news/2012-montreal-auto-show-a-lot-to-see-this-year?artid=139581) week, the Honda/Acura people decided to set up a lunch with a handful of auto journalists to talk about the brand.
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Bill 48 is useless
Friday, January 20, 2012
The discussions over Bill 48 continue to gather interest. As we all know, arguing on the Internet is about as useful as yelling at a donkey, trying to get it to listen to you.
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Are affordable sports cars making a comeback?
Monday, January 23, 2012
Walking down the halls of this year's Montreal Auto Show, I'm getting the feeling that manufacturers are trying hard to give affordable sports cars another chance.
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Racing in the desert
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Did you happen to watch parts of the latest Dakar Rally? Auto123.com covered the event, obviously, although it was modest coverage. To tell you the truth, while I understand the fascination, this type of auto racing never managed to excite me. Driving at crazy speeds over sand dunes without proper safety measures seems pretty reckless and foolhardy.
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Hand-Crank Windows and Skidding Tires
Monday, January 16, 2012
I had a startling reminder of just how far economy cars have come in the last several years. I was saddled with a 2009 bare-bones Ford Focus as a temporary ride while my car was being repaired. I jumped into the loaner, which had been delivered to my office, and headed for the parking gate. As I rolled up to the card-reader, my hand fumbled for the power window switch: mistake No. 1.
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Winners at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show: Us
Friday, January 13, 2012
The 2012 edition of the Detroit auto show was quite the event. With roughly forty unveilings of production and concept cars, this year's big show was, in a word, good.
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My heart she pumps for Calabogie
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Because I suffer from withdrawal in the winter, withdrawal from something vital like an addict who goes cold turkey, I will once again share with you one of my track day experiences. Kind of like my last blog, this entry explores the world of an Ontario circuit, a recent track with baby-butt-smooth pavement that I just can't get enough of.
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Loss of Police Interceptor Poses Challenges
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Now that Ford has discontinued the venerable Crown Victoria, police departments throughout North America are scrambling to adapt their sedan needs to more modern replacements. The Ford Taurus, Dodge Charger and Chevy Caprice are in a three-way race to be the prodigious cruiser.
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Gilles Villeneuve, 30 years later
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Time sure flies. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve's tragic death. I know most of you didn't get the opportunity to know the man or are too young to remember watching him race. You're familiar with the name, but you can't grasp the aura that surrounds this illustrious F1 driver.
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The automotive world and me
Monday, January 09, 2012
Just as the automotive world is vast and varied, so are those of us whose lives are entwined within it.
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How is Comfort Designed into Car Seats?
Monday, January 09, 2012
Hogwarts students are lucky! All they have to do is put on a hat and it will tell them how life at school will go. In the Muggle world we live in, things are a bit more difficult. A good example is how car seats are designed.
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The debate surrounding Bill 48 rages on
Friday, January 06, 2012
Following the publication of an APA press release about Bill 48, we received an interesting comment from a reader. I thought a response was in order.
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Would you trade in for the same car?
Thursday, January 05, 2012
My ride for this week is a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer sedan, a car that has been virtually unchanged since its redesign in 2007. Back then, I summed up my 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer ES review by praising its aggressive looks and solid feel.
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Drivers' resolutions for 2012
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
The start of a new year always inspires a number of good resolutions. Some people plan to get in better shape or stay Zen, while others want to quit smoking or volunteer for a charity cause.
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Crash and insurance companies
Monday, January 02, 2012
So there you are sitting in your car, minding your business at a traffic light, when the next thing you know, you're halfway through the intersection. What the hell happened? You quickly realize you were rear-ended. Lovely.
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A lasting impression
Friday, December 30, 2011
At this year's Christmas family get-together, the women stayed in the kitchen and got dinner ready while they shared the latest gossip, complimented each other on what they're wearing and talked about how cute the latest newborn of the family is. You know -- emotional and spontaneous conversation.
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Stoned Again
Thursday, December 29, 2011
I was stoned again while driving a local highway. I had the family with me this time, and they were all rather frightened by this event - and so they should be. There's a lot of risk involved in being stoned while driving at highway speeds on a dark evening.
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AWD, yes again
Thursday, December 29, 2011
It's AWD season. It's that time of the year when roads get greasy, traction goes south with the geese and driving conditions are at there most challenging. I personally love it!
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If it's too good to be true...
Monday, December 26, 2011
I'm casually shopping for a good used car, and I'm particularly looking to find a relatively pristine 2nd-generation Acura Integra. Arguably one of the best cars Acura ever sold, I fell in love with the Integra's surgical steering, straightforward cabin and rev-happy engine. It was also a gorgeous looking car - as long as it was equipped with a rear spoiler.
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Will you visit an auto show in 2012?
Thursday, December 22, 2011
We're done in regards to new-vehicle press events for 2011, as the year is winding down and Christmas is only a few days away.
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Brands by regions
Friday, December 23, 2011
My good buddy and Research-assistant extraordinaire Olivier Delorme sent me this link about the world map of Facebook auto fans a little while back. It depicts a broken map of the world with fancy colours and pie charts. Then, on the pie charts, I noticed car brand names. I was hooked.
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Racing with a $500 car
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I first heard about the Chumpcar series at the start of the 2011 season. It's an extraordinary concept which involves driving in real, honest-to-goodness races behind the wheel of a car that did not cost more than $500.
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Famous Cars introduction
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
I want to take you back to when you were 7 or 8, or maybe 17 or 18, or perhaps even last week. You're sitting in front of the television with your Mom & Dad, or possibly you're in the back row of the movies with your favourite girl/boy, when all of a sudden the screen is filled with an automotive vision of awesomeness!
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Worthless contracts
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
In the good old days of Gilles Villeneuve, Alan Jones, and Niki Lauda, a Formula 1 driver contract was no more than one page thick. Thirty years ago, a handshake meant more than a signature at the bottom of a piece of paper.
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Girlie car or not?
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Face it, most of you guys out there will look at a Mazda MX-5 as it drives by and think "girlie car." C'mon! Admit it! Clearly if you do, you know little or nothing about the car. What about a Volkswagen Beetle? A MINI Cooper? I knew it.
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Get Checked
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The only thing worse than having something is having something and not knowing it. There's a lot of crap going around. Sometimes, there are symptoms. Leaks, for instance. Or reduced performance.
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The cars in my life
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Like most North Americans, cars have played a pretty major role in my daily life. They've also played their part in many of my happiest memories: Sunday drives in the country (in the days when people still did that), road trips with friends, family holidays. As much as I'd like to see my car only as a tool that gets me from A to B, I have to admit; it's more than that. Growing up in an immigrant family, I understood that owning a vehicle was an achievement.
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When the automotive bug bit me
Monday, December 19, 2011
Some might say they always knew what they wanted to be when they grew up: a doctor, a teacher, a surfer; these are all childhood dreams that often turn into reality. For me it was a little more complicated than that. I had great dreams and aspirations of becoming a vet, a la James Herriot (yes, I read one too many of his books when I was younger).
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Welcome to Heels & Wheels
Monday, December 12, 2011
At the risk of sounding cliched and perhaps even a little bitchy: It's not just a boy's game. You've all heard it said before, but this time we really mean it. Welcome to Heels & Wheels, a site driven by women who drive for a living and love every minute of it.
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Why can't we all be courteous drivers?
Friday, December 09, 2011
I am thankful that I don't work a Monday to Friday 'normal' job that would have me driving to and from work every day during rush hour traffic. For me, it is the biggest advantage of working at home. I can look out my window while I drink my morning coffee and smile at all the craziness outside.
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Turning over a new leaf
Thursday, December 08, 2011
The Nissan LEAF is Auto123.com's Green Vehicle of the Year for 2012. There is a lot of negative energy surrounding electric vehicles, but I believe this to be a technology worth pursuing, particularly if you are a gearhead. Ask yourself what other type of powerplant provides 100% of the motor's torque at full load and zero rpm?
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Penske Racing drops Kurt Busch
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
The crew chiefs of the NASCAR Sprint Cup have been playing a real game of musical chairs these last two weeks. Kind of like the hockey coaches: Next please!
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Small block and big block V8? What's the difference?
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Simple question isn't it? Everyone thinks that it has to do with engine displacement; you know, 396 Ci or 455 or whatever your favourite American car maker says is the most badass number. It turns out that this is not always actually the case. Or is it?
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My Life
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
I am not a car expert; I just play one on TV. "Expert" is a pretty strong word, and I cringe a bit when people describe me as such. Having only been in this industry for six years, I learn something new every day. I think that's what people like about my reviews and my personality.
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Games, gadgets & other cool stuff
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Starting today, Auto123.com brings you a series of articles on the increasingly widespread and sophisticated new gadgets and accessories developed by automakers for today's tech-savvy drivers.
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Track days: the speed freak's nirvana
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Motorcycle gearheads and thrill seekers, you have to try this once in your life. There's nothing like a track day to feel exhilaratingly, blisteringly alive.
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Top 5 car brands in Canada for 2011
Monday, December 05, 2011
I know, the year's not over yet. However, with only the month of December to go, we can already list the top 5 bestselling car companies in Canada, and in the right order.
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Money for Nothing
Friday, December 02, 2011
You've undoubtedly encountered them. Every large city has them. They establish themselves curbside at major intersections where they coax - or often intimidate - money from captive motorists.
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Shifting Gears
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The times they are a-changin' - at least they are for me. About nine months ago everything changed for my husband and I. We found out we were going to have our first child. From excitement to fear to anxiety to pure panic, we've gone through every emotion you could possibly associate with having your first child. And now we are days away from welcoming our first-born son into the world (I promise this blog will turn car-related soon).
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F1: Who impressed you the most?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The 2011 season ended on Sunday at Interlagos, Brazil with the checkered flag going to Red Bull Racing's No. 2 driver, Mark Webber.
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They don't make them like they used to
Monday, November 28, 2011
Every Sunday morning, my wife and I watch a great show on television. For 90 minutes, we get to see a little bit of everything, be it recent events, profiles, music or many other interesting stories. On a recent cool and wet Sunday morning, one of the segments was on toasters. Did you know that there are people who spend over $5,000 for 90-year-old toasters? Crazy, I know!
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Regular, not super
Friday, November 25, 2011
Toyota Canada announced the launch of the 2012 Lexus RX this week. No major news here, although the press release mentioned that the luxury crossover can now run on regular unleaded fuel.
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Must-have winter features
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Fellow Canadian wintertime driving enthusiasts, rejoice! Winter is almost here. Mother Nature will soon dump frigid nastiness all over our roadways. That makes driving delightful for those who'd rather hit the road with a cup of hot chocolate in a snowstorm than stay in and think about shoveling.
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Parking Wars
Thursday, November 24, 2011
It's interesting how we, as humans, tend to make life more difficult for ourselves on a daily basis through silly actions, words and circumstances. Sometimes, all you have to do is step back and observe the world around you to realize things could be so much simpler and happier for us all if we just took a moment to observe and consider the world around us.
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Is Normand Legault the next Bernie Ecclestone?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
For the past few years now, there have been rumours about the identity of Bernie Ecclestone's successor as F1 supremo. Who will take up the reigns when the man known in F1 circles as Mr. E finally decides to retire?
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Brand image
Monday, November 21, 2011
I may be late to the party, but I've finally watched Fast Five; you know, the latest instalment of The Fast and the Furious five-ology.
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Too many, too fast
Friday, November 18, 2011
At the 2012 Toyota Camry press launch last month, the Japanese brand was proud to announce that between now and the end of 2012, no less than 20 Toyota, Lexus and Scion models will be added, completely redesigned or face-lifted.
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Vehicular adoration
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; we've all heard this said, time and time again. There are those who believe it, those who don't understand it, and those still who disagree with it entirely. Subjectivity is something we auto journalists deal with on a daily basis, beholding beauty (or a lack thereof) is part of our job descriptions.
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Patrolling the Water - Like Patrolling the Streets
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
In most port cities, the police patrol the waterways in addition to the mean streets of town; Vancouver is one of those cities. Interestingly, policing the water has many parallels to policing the roads. There are speed limits to enforce, and reckless and impaired drivers to nab. I spent time with the Vancouver Police Marine Unit and had an opportunity to see the work firsthand.
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A horrible run
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
For some inexplicable reason, a horrible run of tragedies has currently hit the world of motor sports. This feels like May 1994 when Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna both died at the San Marino Grand Prix. However, this time, the Grim Reaper claimed the lives of drivers from many different racing series.
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News & Events Multimedia
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"You're not going to take your steamer trunk as if you were going on a lengthy vacation if all you want to do is a little shopping at your local supermarket!" - No, Swiss automotive visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht isn't hiring out as an experienced travel consultant these days who has seen much of the world.
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