All Roads Articles

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.

The auto industry changes so fast that it's hard sometimes to keep up to date on everything that's happening without spending hours of our busy schedules reading up on things. Posted daily at lunchtime, Auto News On the Go features five blurbs that will quickly and efficiently give you your fix on all things car related.

The auto industry changes so fast that it's hard sometimes to keep up to date on everything that's happening without spending hours of our busy schedules reading up on things. Posted daily at lunchtime, Auto News On the Go features five blurbs that will quickly and efficiently give you your fix on all things car related.

It's no secret. In fact, even if we tried to keep it a secret, given the amount of coverage this story has garnered, people in Namibia are aware of what's going on here. Yes, Montreal's road infrastructure is kaput.

The automotive world spins at break-neck speed and it sometimes proves difficult to stay up to date on all the latest news and stories amid our ultra-busy schedules. That's why everyday at lunch hour, Roadside Reading serves up five bite-size news to fuel you up in record time.

The auto industry changes so fast that it's hard sometimes to keep up with everything that's happening without spending hours out our busy schedules reading up on things. Posted daily at lunchtime, Roadside Reading features five blurbs that will quickly and efficiently give you your fix on all things car related.

Toyota will use the upcoming IAA show in Frankfurt, Germany to present the new Prius Plug-In Hybrid, the latest addition to its green car portfolio. A revised battery pack offers greater range in full electric mode while reducing CO2 emissions by 50 percent. Pricing remains unknown and the first deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2012 or the start of 2013.

The building, located in Oakville (Ontario) hides a real automotive treasure. In fact, in this abandoned BMW dealership rests - just to name a few - a brand new E28 5-Series and a 635CSi, both stored in a typical 80s German manufacturer showroom.

I recently posted a blog pertaining to German roads and their gloriousness and the fact that our system and driving skill-set sucks. Yes, I believe that's the word I used...

I know very little, my wife will attest to that, but I do know about the car business.

We must study them, emulate them and do like them. We all know that Europe is a millennium up on us but does that mean that we North Americans will always be a thousand years behind? "That's preposterous, Matt, stop talking trash!" I won't 'cause we just don't and won't get it. What we've got is everything back-asswards.

As part of National Road Safety Week, Transport Canada is pleased to announce that fewer people are dying and suffering injuries on Canadian roads every year. Transport Canada today released statistics that confirm the continuing decline in severe road collisions.

Attending a Ford event as part of the ''Sur la route en toute sécurité'' tour, traffic safety expert Robert Poeti spoke with Auto123.com about various actions Quebec could take to make the roads safer.

Top Gear's executive producer, Andy Wilman, is the first member of the BBC and the popular TV show to comment the lawsuit filed by Tesla Motors last week, officially opening hostilities even before the judge's ruling.

Tesla Motors, maker of the Tesla Roadster electric sports car, is suing the BBC's Top Gear for libel and malicious falsehood. The company claims the test set up by Jeremy Clarkson on a 2008 edition of the show was rigged to make it look like the Tesla ran out of power when racing a Lotus.

Tesla has announced that its profits could climb by up to 50% thanks to the increased demand for its vehicles and battery packs, while reporting earnings of 116.7 million in 2010.

Fuelled by the Internet and social media, a number of public transit and eco-driving initiatives have been launched around the world. Some focus on carpooling while others like Getaround.com help non-owners have access to an automobile.

Fewer people are dying and suffering injuries on Canadian roads every year. Transport Canada today released statistics that confirm the continuing decline in severe road collisions.

As we have been used to for years now, the Insurance Bureau of Canada published its annual list of the most stolen vehicles in Canada, based on actual insurance claims information collected from companies that write almost all automobile insurance in Canada.

FREIBURG, Germany - Hansjorg von Gemmingen has driven more than 65,000 kilometers (40,000 miles) in his Tesla Roadster (http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/one-year-one-roadster-40000-miles)in one year, earning him distinction as one of the highest mileage Tesla owners in Europe.

Just a quick note to let you know that many things are going on right now at Auto123.com. First and foremost, we are very happy to welcome back Lesley Wimbush to our ranks as a collaborator. Her first review was on the impressive Tesla Roadster and next, she will report back from France after having taken the new CL-Class for a spin. This multi-talented lover of all things horse-related is and will be an asset to our team! Go Lesley!

Like most car enthusiasts I know, I've looked upon the last few years with a growing sense of unease about the future of our industry, tempered with acceptance of the inevitable. As someone who loves the exhilaration of guiding a fast car on a twisty road, yet is sick at heart at the number of rapidly vanishing species, I know it's time we ended our voracious consumption of fossil fuels and the devastating consequences of their emissions.

A bunch of improvements have been made of the Tesla Roadster, and this latest generation is called the 2.5.


Among the improvements, the Roadster gets front fascia, a rear diffuser, directional forged alloy wheels available in silver or black, larger seats with more supportive bolstering and new lumbar support, power control hardware for spirited driving in hot climates, better interior finishing, better sound insulation and a large touch-screen navigation system with rear camera.

"Although development of the Model S is our main focus, this shows that we still care a great deal about improving the Tesla Roadster," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "These improvements are a direct result of customer feedback and come only a year after release of Roadster 2.0, showing an exceptionally rapid pace of innovation. Where feasible, we will also offer existing customers the ability to purchase the upgrades now available in version 2.5."

The Roadster 2.5 will be unveiled at Tesla’s two newest stores: one’s in Copenhagen, and the other is in Newport Beach, California. The new car is currently available for order and will soon arrive in other Tesla stores worldwide, including its Canadian store in Toronto.

Michelle Pelletier, a master's degree candidate at the University of Rhode Island, has developed a self-healing concrete that may prove to be cost-effective, to make roads safer and to reduce pollution.

The Minister of Transport and the Minister responsible for the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec, Julie Boulet, announced today the 2009 road accident toll. For the third year in a row, there has been a significant decrease in the number of road deaths in Quebec.

Alignments are key to safety, tire life and fuel efficiency. If you've hit a good pothole, chances are you'll need one.

I just got back from the New York auto show with my buddy Phil the Photographer and we both noticed a stunning difference between both countries where warnings, hazards and general safety are concerned.

Pioneering luxury Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and electric carmaker Tesla Motors have teamed up in a worldwide partnership as the iconic Swiss brand celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Leading electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors is offering test drives this weekend in St. Moritz, the world's oldest and most prestigious winter resort.

My first encounter with Tesla came about four years ago when I landed on a video of a Roadster racing a Ferrari on YouTube. If you recall the video (I'm unable to find it at this very moment), the EV seriously spanks the prancing horse from Maranello in a drag race. At the time, EVs were very novel and most were no more than concepts or crude prototypes.

Ten full-colour, electronic overhead signs will be installed along Highways 401, 404 and the Don Valley Parkway to make driving easier and safer for motorists.

The Canadian Automobile Association and Ontario Road Builders' Association released their Top 20 Worst Roads list for 2009 today. This year close to 10,000 people voted for the road, highway or bridge in their community they wanted to see get fixed.

Tesla Roadster owner Simon Hackett and co-driver Emilis Prelgauskas completed 313 miles (501 km) in a Tesla Roadster on a single charge - a distance that appears to set a new record for a production electric vehicle.

A new EU project SARTRE is being launched to develop and test technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways. This technology has the potential to improve traffic flow and journey times, offer greater comfort to drivers, reduce accidents, and improve fuel consumption and hence lower CO2 emissions.

Prince Edward Island has some of the most beautiful scenic drives in Canada, but just like everywhere else, litter can sometimes spoil the view. However, drivers in PEI seem to have developed a very good habit: they have drastically stopped throwing their litter on the side of the road.

Information about traffic, construction and weather will soon be available to drivers on 12 new electronic traffic signs along the QEW and the 400 series of highways in Niagara Region, Hamilton, Simcoe County and Toronto.

Ontario has selected Host Kilmer Service Centres Inc. as the preferred promoter to modernize and improve 20 highway service areas located on Highways 400 and 401.

LONGUEUIL, QC,- The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated wishes to inform the public of the closure of exit 58 enabling access to the Bonaventure Expressway West (Highway 10 West) from Highway 15 North from Tuesday, July 28, 5:00 a.m., until Tuesday, August 11, 5:00 a.m., as part of the repair work being carried out on the Northern Point of Nuns' Island.

LONGUEUIL, QC, - The Jacques Cartier Bridge will be closed to traffic Saturday night, July 25, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., during L'International des Feux Loto-Québec held at La Ronde, to welcome pedestrians on the bridge deck, sidewalk and cycling path.

Highways in the Kenora-Rainy River area continue to be improved with the award of three major contracts by the province.

Ontario's first highway roundabout intersection was opened today at Highway 33 and County Road 1 west of Picton.

BLAINVILLE, QC - The Government of Canada today announced that road users in Canada will benefit from $14.2 million in improvements at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Test Centre in Blainville, Quebec.

After a successful trial period, the New Brunswick government has decided to use once again warm-mix asphalt technology for five new road construction projects in the province.

ITS AMERICA -- Aldis, Inc., a leader in next-generation traffic management systems, announced today the addition of Electromega Ltd. to the Aldis strategic sales channel serving all Canadian provinces with a more efficient and cost-effective intersection video traffic management solution.

It looks like the various education campaigns and increased police surveillance on the road are helping the province of Quebec post far better road safety stats over the first months of 2009.

As of May 19, Québec motorists will have to pay particular attention to their speed on certain parts of the highway, as that's when photo radars will be making their appearance alongside traffic cameras at red lights.

Old asphalt shingles, which are usually found on rooftops, are being given a new life in Nova Scotia: the government plans on using them to pave a road. About 20 tons of recycled asphalt shingles will be used to pave Mills Drive, in Goodwood, a Halifax Regional Municipality. This innovative recycling pilot project should cost around $180,000.

Summer means hot fun under the sun... and major roadwork across the country. Too often, drivers are not careful enough near these sites despite the clear warning signs, putting their lives and other people's in danger. To further educate motorists on the importance of safety around roadwork areas, Quebec's Ministry of Transport along with provincial police authorities (SQ) invited journalists to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, where a simulated construction site recreated actual hazardous situations.

Want a cool used car? With the second-generation Audi TT now on sale, first-generation machines are rapidly finding their way onto dealer lots as trade-ins. Audi put attention to radical styling on the map with the first-generation TT- which competed with the likes of the Nissan 350Z, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Honda S2000, BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxter. None of these managed look quite as unique as the Audi. It tends to be considered gorgeous- though some say it's akin to an overturned bathtub. It all depends on who you ask.

When the first TT hit the streets, it was immediately applauded for its distinct, sensual, sexy sheetmetal. With its multiple curves and its sloping roofline, the initial TT turned heads wherever it went. As years went by, we've gotten used to the TT, and other cute little sport coupes have come along, which kind of relegated the TT onto the back burner. Audi has to retaliate.

When the Honda S2000 made its debut in 1999, it tossed the small sportscar world on its ear. Up until that point, only the Mazda Miata and Porsche Boxster had gained any kind of lasting traction with drop-top aficionados who also had an undying love for the open road.

To help celebrate the arrival of Audi's incredible R8 sports car, the German carmaker launched an unprecedented trip across Canada on September 12th which concluded in Victoria, B.C. earlier this week. The trip allowed select members of the Canadian news media an opportunity to drive the machine in relay from its starting point in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

These two Porsches are what a sports car is all about in the mind of the average fan: nimble and powerful. In addition to the open-air experience provided by their retractable top, they boast another attribute that's rarely seen on comparable machines: cargo room. We recently had the opportunity to test both models.

Introduced in 2000, the Honda S2000 was once featured on the cover of Motor Trend with the headline "Vette Threat?" underneath. Maybe so, maybe no. It had looks that were off the wall for a Honda product and it packed an engine with a higher output per litre than the world's best at the time. Enzo Ferrari would have been rolling around in his grave.

I ask you: "What can be better than a hot sunny summer's day at the wheel of a convertible with the one you love by your side?" Those that answered "Nothing" probably own a convertible or a roadster and have experienced such a day when all the planets are aligned in perfect harmony. Mazda has enjoyed tremendous success with their roadster; best of all, Mazda has been infusing its vehicles with small doses of Miata-ness to the great pleasure of fans of the brand since 1990.

Raise your hand if you were surprised to hear that the 3.4-litre flat-six-cylinder engine from Porsche's Cayman S coupe is now available in the Boxster S roadster for 2007. Hmm... Not many hands, I see. This really shouldn't be too big of a revelation if you have any awareness on how Porsche does business (i.e. relentless, year in and year out refinement). In fact both Boxster models now share powerplants with Porsche's hardtop Boxster; a.k.a. the Cayman.

Birmingham, Alabama - The executives of Porsche America have just confirmed their decision to produce a Limited Edition Boxster sporting the same orange paint as last year's 911 GT3 RS. Initially, this project was supposed to be a mere styling exercise, but in light of the strong reaction from enthusiasts and owners, the German automaker chose to manufacture 500 units for 2008: 250 base models and 250 S models.

My first series of tests with the 2008 Audi TT had to be cut short because of the atrocious weather conditions that recently besieged the Greater Montreal area. But neither the lashing rain nor the strong winds or the heavy melting snow prevented me from appreciating the masterfully executed design of the new, second-generation TT. The result is even more remarkable considering that it's always risky to alter a design that holds a special place in contemporary automotive history.

West Palm Beach, Florida - How about playing a little game? Let's pretend, for just a moment, that money doesn't exist. Forget all about it. I'm not kidding. No dollar signs, no green (or brown) bills... nothing.

As if the conventional S2000 weren't competent enough on a track, Honda showed off a club race-inspired edition of their little roadster. Honda says the S2000 CR will be sold alongside the regular model, which should quell rumors of the car's demise at the end of 2007.

As you're reading this, the 2007 Nissan 350Z is quietly arriving in American showrooms, awaiting customers after a performance coupe that combines power, safety and heritage into a menacing package.

At the Lamborghini stand, the LP640 Roadster is on display. Essentially a topless version of the standard Murciélago, it it powered by the same 6.5-liter V12 engine that twists out 640 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque.

Mazda has added a power metal top to it's MX5. It increases the weight and cost of a classic affordable roadster that was about as perfect a balance of price to performance and weight to power as could be. Tampering with perfection on this level seems to defy logic. Spock would be turning over in his grave.

Mazda's MX-5 has been living large for the last 17 years. When introduced way back in 1989 as a '90 model, it was an instant hit and has been pretty much unrivaled ever since. Someone had to do something about it, but I don't think anyone was expecting that someone to be General Motors.