I’ve driven three different versions of Toyota’s new Corolla, and while S trim is my favourite to look at and the most fun around Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press corners, and the…

2014 Toyota Corolla LE Road Test Review

I've driven three different versions of Toyota's new Corolla, and while S trim is my favourite to look at and the most fun around corners, and the more powerful LE Eco is my favourite off the line, this simpler LE is nothing to sneeze at either. Truly, even the base Corolla CE is good looking, with sporty styling that turns heads despite being an entry-level model in the rather common compact sedan class, and the LE is a steady step above that.

Ok, to be fair there aren't many noticeable changes to the Corolla LE's outward appearance over the CE, except for larger 16-inch wheels with covers. My particular tester, however, came with everything Toyota has on offer, other than adding the LE Eco or S package, so therefore a nice set of circular fog lamps added sportier flare to the front end design while those aforementioned 16-inch rims were done out in aluminum, and a mighty fine looking design at that. The final detail visible from the outside, albeit more noticeable inside, is Read Full Story
Last month Mazda teased the public with a single close-up image of its Hazumi Concept’s headlight. Now the Japanese maker   has debuted the subcompact at the International Geneva Motor Show…

Mazda Hazumi Concept revealed in Geneva

Last month Mazda teased the public with a single close-up image of its Hazumi Concept's headlight. Now the Japanese maker has debuted the subcompact at the International Geneva Motor Show and unabashedly admitted that it foreshadows the next-generation Mazda2.

The Hazumi Concept incorporates the four key pillars of Mazda's current vehicle engineering philosophy: SkyActiv Technology, Kodo "Soul of Motion" design, Mazda Proactive Safety, and Mazda Connect next-generation connectivity systems.

"Mazda Hazumi indicates the exciting direction of Mazda's products which, with no exception, will deliver Mazda's unique driving pleasure," said Mazda president and CEO Masamichi Kogai. "We hope that they will enrich people's lives, and help build a strong and lasting bond between Mazda and our customers."

Hazumi is a Japanese word meaning to "bound or spring up", and Mazda says the name was chosen to convey the image of an untamed animal leaping. "It is particularly fitting Read Full Story
Amongst all the sensible city cars and hatchbacks and green-thinking hybrids to be presented at the International Geneva Motor   Show, one car stands out as entirely unconcerned with fuel economy,…

Koenigsegg debuts 1,322-hp Agera One:1 megacar

Amongst all the sensible city cars and hatchbacks and green-thinking hybrids to be presented at the International Geneva Motor Show, one car stands out as entirely unconcerned with fuel economy, cargo space or other dully practical considerations. Instead, the Koenigsegg Agera One:1 is all about power and speed. Massive power and stupendous speed.

Making its official debut at the show, the Agera One:1 will deliver an astounding 1,322 horsepower and 1,011 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V8, enough to push the car to a claimed top speed in excess of 450 km/h - faster than a Bugatti Veyron and faster than the Hennessey Venom GT.

The power will be transmitted to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox with an electronically-controlled differential to help ensure maximum grip. As with previous Koenigseggs, the body and chassis will be built of carbon fibre, with Koenigsegg claiming a further 20-percent reduction of mass thanks to new production Read Full Story
If you want to really grab attention at an international motor show, the formula is easy: create a stunningly beautiful car. Maserati   understands this, and stole the show in Geneva with its sensuous…

Gorgeous Maserati Alfieri Concept debuts in Geneva

If you want to really grab attention at an international motor show, the formula is easy: create a stunningly beautiful car. Maserati understands this, and stole the show in Geneva with its sensuous 2+2 Alfieri Concept coupe.

More than just a pretty face, the concept is in fact a fully functional prototype that according to Maserati "says much about the design DNA of future Maseratis." Designed by a small team working in Maserati Centro Stile under the lead of Marco Tencone, the concept was named for Alfieri Maserati, the most prominent of the Maserati brothers and founder of "Officine Alfieri Maserati" in Bologna a century ago.

Underpinning the concept is the same naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 as in the GranTurismo, hooked up to a six-speed electro-actuated gearbox, although Maserati CEO Harald Wester said that the Italian automaker may consider offering both V6 and V8 engine options if a production version is built. He also said to expect a "super lightweight chassis." Read Full Story
Following the debut of its Concept Coupe at Frankfurt and Concept XC Coupe at Detroit, Volvo is using the Geneva International   Motor Show to reveal the third in its series of concept cars: the…

Volvo to introduce new Concept Estate at Geneva auto show

Following the debut of its Concept Coupe at Frankfurt and Concept XC Coupe at Detroit, Volvo is using the Geneva International Motor Show to reveal the third in its series of concept cars: the Concept Estate.

Like the previous two concepts, the Concept Estate draws on the heritage of Volvo's iconic P1800 from the 1960s and '70s, with the Concept Estate drawing in particular from the 1800 ES coupe station wagon of 1972.

The likeness is part of a fresh design language being created by Volvo's recently-appointed design chief Thomas Ingenlath to go with Volvo's new Scalable Platform Architecture. This architecture allows for short overhangs and easily adjusted proportions, with the only real restriction being the length between the front axle and the cabin firewall. It will be used to underpin larger vehicles from the S60 sedan to the seven-seat XC90 crossover, while a Compact Modular Architecture will be used for smaller vehicles including the S40 and V40.

"The Read Full Story
If you’re one of those people who are interested in Scion’s FR-S, but have been holding off on purchasing one until the company Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press puts in a bigger engine,…

2014 Scion FR-S Road Test Review

If you're one of those people who are interested in Scion's FR-S, but have been holding off on purchasing one until the company puts in a bigger engine, wait no more. Not because Scion has put in a bigger engine - the 2014 FR-S is essentially unchanged from the 2013 version - but for two equally compelling reasons:

First, there is no plan to put a bigger engine in the FR-S. "A faster version … would be at the top of most people's wish lists, but like the cabriolet, it is hard to justify a business case to push either model into production based on the current sales," explains Gerald Killman, European vice president of research and development for Scion's parent company Toyota. Sales are by no means moribund: combined North American sales topped 20,000 units in 2013, which is up a healthy 35 percent from 2012 and "generally within original expectations" according to Scion USA vice president Doug Murtha. But it's still nothing close to the 80,000-plus Mustangs that Ford Read Full Story
We’re pretty sure that before last week most Canadians hadn’t thought they’d ever again see the day that a new car could be   purchased for under $10,000, but Nissan shocked all…

New Nissan Micra hatchback to replace dated Versa Sedan

We're pretty sure that before last week most Canadians hadn't thought they'd ever again see the day that a new car could be purchased for under $10,000, but Nissan shocked all with the $9,998 base price of its new 2015 Micra hatchback.

Now we find out that the new Micra will effectively replace the Nissan Versa Sedan, a subcompact four-door that up until now has been the Japanese brand's cheapest model at $11,898.

The Versa Sedan has found new entry-level buyers for Nissan in Canada, but the model hasn't done as well as hoped for. In the U.S., however, it sells much better per capita, so the Versa Sedan will stay and the Micra, a hatchback designed for the European market and now Canada, will remain unavailable.

This isn't the first time Nissan has chosen a different tact for the Canadian market than its U.S. division. Ahead of the Rogue compact crossover, Nissan sold its X-Trail to Canadians from 2005 through 2007, a model unavailable in the U.S.

Read Full Story
The Lexus RX has been a marketplace winner since it was first introduced back in 1998. Its status as one of the earliest luxury Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press crossovers on the market allowed…

2014 Lexus RX 350 F Sport Road Test Review

The Lexus RX has been a marketplace winner since it was first introduced back in 1998. Its status as one of the earliest luxury crossovers on the market allowed it to quickly secure a position as the segment's top-selling vehicle, and it has held onto that spot ever since, even while facing an ever-growing roster of competitors such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti QX70, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Porsche Cayenne, and Volvo XC90.

Based on the domestic market Toyota Harrier, the RX is now in its third generation, with the current version having arrived in early 2009 as a 2010 model. That's a long time ago in automotive years, and now that Toyota has launched the fourth generation Harrier (which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 2013), a new RX is expected for 2015.

In the meantime, while the Lexus faithful await their new prescription for luxurious utility, Lexus spiced up the RX lineup in 2013 with the RX 350 F Sport version. Read Full Story