Most everybody agrees that Lexus makes good cars. Models like the midsize ES 350 luxury sedan and RX 350 luxury crossover Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press have helped to build the Japanese premium…

2014 Lexus IS 350 AWD F Sport Road Test Review

Most everybody agrees that Lexus makes good cars. Models like the midsize ES 350 luxury sedan and RX 350 luxury crossover have helped to build the Japanese premium brand's enviable reputation for refinement and quality over the last quarter century, and resultantly have become two of the best selling models in their respective segments.

Along the way Lexus has helped to redefine exactly what luxury is, making personal service and reliability as important to premium buyers as leather-lined opulence and technological leadership. The J. D. Power and Associates 2014 Vehicle Dependability Study, which examines reliability of three-year old models, names the 2011 Lexus ES 350 the most dependable Compact Premium Car, the 2011 Lexus RX the most dependable Midsize Premium CUV, the 2011 Lexus GS the most dependable Midsize Premium Car, and the 2011 Lexus LS the most dependable Large Premium Car. The only reason the sportier rear- and all-wheel drive Lexus IS isn't included on the list Read Full Story
It has long been acknowledged by Canada’s automotive press that the official fuel consumption ratings approved by Natural Resources New less optimistic rating system won’t mean your vehicle…

Government of Canada announces new fuel economy rating system

It has long been acknowledged by Canada's automotive press that the official fuel consumption ratings approved by Natural Resources Canada (NRC) are overly optimistic. It was also well known that the government intended to change its test procedures to more accurately measure real-world fuel consumption. Now, in a recent announcement NRC has confirmed that new improved testing procedures will be used on all 2015 light-duty cars and trucks, with 2014 models continuing to use the old test methods.

The new test methods will generate higher official fuel consumption numbers on vehicles' EnerGuide labels, so NRC is emphasizing the importance in knowing what the numbers on the label really mean, "The change will take place in 2014," NRC noted in its announcement.

"During this transition year, many dealerships will have 2014 model year vehicles alongside 2015 model year vehicles," said the NRC release. "For 2015 vehicles, the EnerGuide label will look the same but will provide Read Full Story
If you want a good example of automotive success you could do worse than point to the Toyota Camry, which has dominated Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press North America’s hard-fought midsize…

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Road Test Review

If you want a good example of automotive success you could do worse than point to the Toyota Camry, which has dominated North America's hard-fought midsize sedan market pretty much since the day it entered the segment with the wide-body XV10 series back in 1991. Success doesn't always garner goodwill, however, and despite being the most popular car in North America for the past 11 years the Camry hasn't always been the best-loved, instead acquiring a reputation for being practical and reliable, but loathsomely bland; the minivan of family sedans, if you will.

That all changed in 2012 when Toyota introduced its current XV50 series Camry. It was a well-executed and well-received update that retained all the practicality and reliability expected of Camry, but ditched the smoothly forgettable lines of the previous car for a more angular and interesting chrome-accented look, jettisoned the dated, rubbery interior for something far more upscale, and tweaked the suspension for a more Read Full Story
Mazda will be providing a sneak peek of its next-generation Mazda2 subcompact when it premieres its Hazumi Concept at the International Geneva Motor Show in March. Hazumi   is a Japanese word meaning…
Mazda will be providing a sneak peek of its next-generation Mazda2 subcompact when it premieres its Hazumi Concept at the International Geneva Motor Show in March.

Hazumi is a Japanese word meaning to "bound or spring up", and according to Mazda the name was chosen to convey the image of an untamed animal leaping. "It is particularly fitting for a small car designed to look as if it is literally bursting with energy," explained the Japanese automaker in a press release accompanied by a single teaser image of the concept. "The Mazda Hazumi expresses the ideal form of the company's next-generation subcompact car."

Mazda will also debut its Skyactiv-D 1.5-litre diesel engine at in Geneva, leading to speculation that the new Mazda2 will be the first model to offer the newly developed small displacement clean diesel engine. Few details are currently known about the next Mazda2, but it is expected to be offered as both a hatch and sedan (although likely only as a hatchback Read Full Story
Over the past half decade BMW has been splicing its ever-growing model lineup into smaller more personalized segments, none Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press more fractionalized than its 5 and…

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe Road Test Review

Over the past half decade BMW has been splicing its ever-growing model lineup into smaller more personalized segments, none more fractionalized than its 5 and 6 Series lines that now include the 6 Series Gran Coupe, a car that divides traditional 5 Series sport sedan buyers from those who might normally opt for a performance-luxury two-door like the 6 Series Coupe. The 6 Series Gran Coupe is finding its own niche buyers, as is the niche within a niche M6 Gran Coupe.

Yes, just like the Bayerische bunch has done numerous times before, BMW's new four-door coupe has been given the full M treatment, and just like the M5 sedan and M6 Coupe and Convertible models, the M6 Gran Coupe gets the brand's all-new direct injection TwinPower Turbo-infused 4.4-litre V8 that's good for a staggering 560-horsepower at 5,750 to 7,000 rpm before redlining at 7,200, and an outrageously tractable 500 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,500 rpm.

The full-throttle feeling off the line is shocking, Read Full Story
Remember the Scirocco? In the mid-’70s and early ’80s it was Volkswagen’s sportiest offering around the globe, even here in 2015 Volkswagen Scirocco R (Photo: VW) North America. It was…

Volkswagen updates Scirocco for 2015

Remember the Scirocco? In the mid-'70s and early '80s it was Volkswagen's sportiest offering around the globe, even here in North America. It was so successful that it caused a lot of imitators to follow suit, from the Honda Accord Coupe and later the Prelude, to the Isuzu Impulse and the list goes on and on. So, now that the Scirocco has been back on European roads since 2008, why hasn't it made it across the Atlantic to North American markets?

That's a question Volkswagen's officials can't even seem to answer, at least not convincingly. The two-door sports coupe is nevertheless one of the darlings of Volkswagen's overseas lineup, and for 2015 it will get a full redo so that it doesn't lose its savour with its many faithful fans. The revised Scirocco will soon debut at the upcoming Geneva auto show, with the biggest news hiding under the hood.

Six direct injection engines will be available, including four gasoline-powered mills and two turbo-diesels. Performance will Read Full Story
For those who like to take things literally, one of the "big" Canadian debuts at Toronto’s Canadian International Auto Show was the full-size Kia K900 luxury sedan. The South Korean automaker…

Kia introduces K900 luxury sedan to Canadians

For those who like to take things literally, one of the "big" Canadian debuts at Toronto's Canadian International Auto Show was the full-size Kia K900 luxury sedan.

The South Korean automaker evidently believes the North American market is ready for a Kia-branded rear-wheel drive luxury car, and is introducing the new model on our shores mere months after launching it in the domestic market, although Kia's marketing team inexplicably changed the car's name for the North American market - it's called the K9 back home in Korea (maybe they thought luxury cars and police dogs didn't mix well).

Based on the same BH-L (VI) platform as the Hyundai Equus and Genesis sedan, the K900 is slated to go on sale in Canada later this year as a 2015 model, and will carry a suggested retail price of $49,995 in base V6 trim.

The 3.8-litre V6 produces 311 horsepower and is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 features a three-step Variable Intake System Read Full Story
It’s no secret that McLaren Automotive has been working on a new model. Now, with less than a month to go before the latest   supercar’s debut at the International Geneva Motor Show,…

New McLaren 650S debuts ahead of Geneva show

It's no secret that McLaren Automotive has been working on a new model. Now, with less than a month to go before the latest supercar's debut at the International Geneva Motor Show, the boutique British automaker has released a selection of images of the car, together with a smattering of technical information.

The new model will be called the McLaren 650S, and will slot between the 12C and the more expensive (and now sold out) P1.

Developed under the project name "P12", the 650S will be available as either a fixed-roof coupe or as a Spider with a retractable hardtop. Power comes from a 650-horsepower version of McLaren's M838T twin-turbo V8 engine (the model name reflects the horsepower rating, with the "S" standing for "sport").

As with other McLaren road cars, the 650S is built around a carbon fibre tub chassis, with bodywork designed for both dramatic appeal and aerodynamic performance.

The styling is inspired by the McLaren P1, and previews a Read Full Story