For those of you confused by the model’s name, Infiniti recently switched to a new naming convention wherein all of its cars start   with the letter “Q” while its SUVs and crossovers…

2014 Infiniti Q70 3.7 AWD Sport Road Test Review

For those of you confused by the model's name, Infiniti recently switched to a new naming convention wherein all of its cars start with the letter "Q" while its SUVs and crossovers start with "QX". Thus, the Q70 3.7 is the sedan formerly known as the Infiniti M37.

As the 3.7 in the nomenclature suggests, power for the 2014 Infiniti Q70 3.7 AWD Sport comes from a 330 horsepower 3.7-litre V6 engine capable of generating 270 ft-lbs of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission directs the engine's output to the wheels. Fuel economy is rated at 12 L/100km in the city and 18 on the highway.

Other Q70 drive options include a gasoline/electric hybrid system consisting of a 3.5-litre V6 with a 50kW electric motor for a combined output of 360 horsepower. Infiniti also offers the Q70 with a 420 horsepower 5.6-litre V8 delivering 417 ft-lbs of torque.

As delectable as the output figures for the V8 sound, we found the V6 to be more than adequate for motivating the sedan. Read Full Story
U.S. federal regulators aren’t ready to embrace camera-based exterior rearview mirrors quite yet, but Nissan may help change   that when it launches its Smart interior rearview mirror in Japan…

Nissan ready to introduce smart rearview mirror

U.S. federal regulators aren't ready to embrace camera-based exterior rearview mirrors quite yet, but Nissan may help change that when it launches its Smart interior rearview mirror in Japan for 2015.

While there's nothing new about the idea of replacing rearview mirrors with a discreet camera and a monitor inside the car, most efforts to date have focused on door- or fender-mounted exterior mirrors. Two notable recent examples of this include the hyper-efficient Volkswagen XL1 (which won't be sold in North America) and the sleek, futuristic Tesla Model X (which is awaiting Tesla's appeal of the current mirror regulations). But while replacing the outside mirrors may offer aerodynamic and stylistic benefits, it doesn't offer much in the way of functional benefits and relies entirely on the electronics working correctly to provide rearward vision. For the U.S. federal government, the benefits just don't seem to outweigh the risks.

Nissan's Smart rearview mirror, however, Read Full Story
Tesla introduced its Model X crossover concept to the public back in February 2012, with deliveries initially set to begin in 2014.   But although customers have been able to reserve a Model X by…

Tesla to start delivering Model X crossover in 2015

Tesla introduced its Model X crossover concept to the public back in February 2012, with deliveries initially set to begin in 2014. But although customers have been able to reserve a Model X by plunking down a $5,000 deposit, production got pushed back and so far none of the crossovers have been built.

Now in a letter to reservation holders, Tesla has promised that the company will begin prototype production this fall, with deliveries set to begin in early 2015. The Palo Alto, California based company also promised that the production Model X will "exceed the promises made when we first showed the concept."

Two key features Tesla intends to integrate into the production Model X are standard all-wheel drive and falcon wing doors. "Not only do these doors look amazing," said Tesla, "but they also make getting in and out of the Model X so much easier than would a conventional front-hinged door." The company also confirmed that third-row seating would be available, with Read Full Story
Have you ever wondered why Mini Cooper drivers are usually smiling? They pull up beside you with silly grins pasted across their Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press faces while we, in our mundane…

2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop Road Test Review

Have you ever wondered why Mini Cooper drivers are usually smiling? They pull up beside you with silly grins pasted across their faces while we, in our mundane A-to-B appliances, continue to slog along day in and day out, only enjoying your commute when Pharrell Williams makes us feel Happy. What gives? Why aren't we having fun every moment behind the wheel too?

The very existence of the Mini has caused such thoughts amongst Canadian drivers since the early '60s, and the car still questions our priorities today. When it really comes down to it, the British brand's raison d'être makes a lot of sense. After all, if we have to drive to get where we're going, why not have a good time along the way?

Mini categorizes fun in three different ways: Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper JCW (John Cooper Works). While any red-blooded performance enthusiast would opt for the latter if given the choice, or at least snap up the keys to the mid-grade Cooper S if they were made available, Read Full Story
What’s the next logical step for the world’s number one producer of hybrid electric vehicles? Start producing a line of full plug-in 2013 Toyota FCV Concept (Photo: Toyota) electrics? Maybe.…

Production to start on Toyota hydrogen vehicle in December

What's the next logical step for the world's number one producer of hybrid electric vehicles? Start producing a line of full plug-in electrics? Maybe. And while we can't report that Toyota doesn't have such plans in its upcoming product launch program, we're certain a hydrogen-powered electric will soon be on the way.

According to Japan Times, production of that all-new model will commence in mid-December of this year, with the first models arriving in home-market Toyota showrooms in the first quarter of 2015. This of course follows Toyota's promise that we'd see a production fuel cell car in 2015, but most didn't expect the new fuel cell vehicle until later in the year.

According to the report, production will be very low compared to its mainstream models (Prius models included), with mere "dozens" of vehicles per month rolling down the line. The new model's expected price might have something to do with its low sales, the publication expecting its MSRP to "likely" Read Full Story
BMW’s X6 Sports Activity Coupe is hardly the biggest seller for the company, moving out the showroom doors at something like   half the rate of the regular 6 Series and about one-tenth the…

Second-generation BMW X6 revealed

BMW's X6 Sports Activity Coupe is hardly the biggest seller for the company, moving out the showroom doors at something like half the rate of the regular 6 Series and about one-tenth the rate of the X5. But even lower-volume niche models need to stay ahead of the times, and so BMW has updated the X6 for the 2015 model year with an eye to upping its sports appeal while improving efficiency.

The second-generation 2015 X6 gets what BMW calls "an even more potent design presence," with a distinctly coupe-like wedge profile. Reading between the lines it would seem that BMW has put greater emphasis on that coupe-like profile for 2015, at the cost of some 165 litres of cargo space (cargo space drops from 1,691 litres to 1,526 litres).

To aid in aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, the new X6 has air deflectors on the front wheel arches, combined with air curtains integrated into the outer air intakes of the front apron and air breathers in the side panels, which all work together Read Full Story
With Alfa Romeo’s curvaceous 4C sports coupe set to herald the marque’s triumphant return to North American shores when   it goes on sale here for the 2015 model year, the big question…

Alfa Romeo appoints four Canadian dealers

With Alfa Romeo's curvaceous 4C sports coupe set to herald the marque's triumphant return to North American shores when it goes on sale here for the 2015 model year, the big question was "Where will they be sold?" Alfa Romeo is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which also owns Maserati, and conflicting rumours hinted that the 4C might be sold either through select Fiat dealers, or through Maserati dealers.

Now Fiat Chrysler has answered the dealership question, appointing 86 Alfa Romeo dealer franchises across North America and promising more to come by the end of the year. Most of the franchises appear to be Fiat dealers, although there are a few Maserati dealers sprinkled into the mix as well.

Canada gets four Alfa Romeo dealerships initially, with one in Toronto, one in Vancouver, and two in Quebec. The remaining 82 dealerships are spread across the U.S. Only 33 states will get franchises initially, with the highest concentrations in California, Texas and Florida. Read Full Story
Did you hear the news? Cadillac has come up with an absolutely brilliant way of enticing you out of $75k and leaving you grinning Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press from ear to ear about it. It’s…

2014 Cadillac CTS VSport Road Test Review

Did you hear the news? Cadillac has come up with an absolutely brilliant way of enticing you out of $75k and leaving you grinning from ear to ear about it. It's called the 2014 CTS VSport, and it's friggin' fabulous!

The other news is the 2014 CTS, a car that's completely redesigned from the ground up. I loved the previous-generation CTS, especially in Sport Wagon trim. That particular CTS body style is still available, as is a two-door coupe, but the four-door has been totally reworked to make way for the more compact ATS that slotted underneath last year. Now the CTS sedan has grown to take on the A6s, 5 Series and E-Classes of the world, let alone the TL, GS, Q70, XF, et al, and it's fully up to the task.

It's been lengthened by 127 millimetres (5 inches), albeit only 28 mm (1.1 inches) of that is between the wheels, the majority hanging over the rear end to enlarge the trunk. It's lower than the outgoing model too, by 20 mm (0.8 of an inch), which aids in handling, Read Full Story