With all the recent winter weather here in Toronto, Christmas is certainly in the air. And with only 8 days left until the big day, we wanted to give you some extra Christmas cheer. So we came across a very cool video that provides both Xmas cheer along with a glimpse of some exotic super cars. Check out this choral choir of BMWs, Lambos, Ferraris, Formula One cars and Bugattis.
Recently, Lamborghini has turned to the world of viral videos to create buzz for its successor to the infamous Gallardo. To date, two videos in the viral series have been published, both are totally out-of-the-box for a brand like Lamborghini. Kudos to the folks at Lambo for experimenting. With such an iconic brand this type of thing is above and beyond as these cars tend to sell themselves.
Nevertheless, here is the most recent version where the lads from the UK arrive in Bologna, Italy to take the “official” tour at the Lamborghini museum.
As a marketer, I’m not 100% hooked by this creative, but will admit I’m getting a bit curious about the project.
On Tuesday morning, GM named Mary Barra as its new chief executive. With this announcement, Mary will be the first woman to head up a major U.S. car company.
Mary Barra – (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors)
She will succeed the current chairman and CEO, Dan Akerson, on January 15. Akerson will leave the company on Jan 15 to spend time with his wife, who is suffering from advanced stage cancer, according to GM.
Since February 2011 Barra has held what many say is the most important job in the company – senior vice president for global product development. She’s in charge of design, engineering and quality of all of GM’s vehicles across the globe and has shepherded most of the company’s recent new vehicle introductions.
Barra has risen through a series of manufacturing, engineering and senior staff positions, and is now in charge of reducing the number of platforms on which GM builds its vehicles. Her father worked as a die maker at GM (Pontiac) for 39 years.
This is great news for GM and the auto world in general. We wish Mary the best of luck in her new gig!
With the recent passing of Hollywood actor and legendary car enthusiast Paul Walker many people around the globe have turned their grief into positive action. In doing so, car enthusiasts have coordinated official memorial cruises and meets to create more awareness for the organization Paul Walker helped co-found called Reach Out WorldWide. Here in Toronto, the local car scene held several Paul Walker Memorial events this past Sunday, December 8th throughout the city.
Team RedlineNorth attended the meet and cruise event at Canadian Tire at Lakeshore and Leslie in Toronto’s southeast organized by local enthusiast Tim Knight. As usual it was well attended and included some very cool rides in spite of the cold December weather. Unfortunately, we did not capture any of our own coverage however, local enthusiast site Automotofoto’s provided some solid coverage.
Paul Walker Memorial
Kudos to the Toronto local scene for all coming together to raise awareness for Paul’s charity.
As promised in our recent review of Chrysler’s 300C sedan, we said we would look at how two of North America’s top sedans stack up against one another. This week we will look at GM’s Chevrolet Impala LTZ. Redesigned for 2014, the new Impala is built on GM’s Epsilon II front wheel drive platform (shared with the Cadillac XTS) making it larger and much more upscale than the existing model.
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet’s full size flagship sedan is totally new from the ground up, providing a muscular appearance while also providing a nod to both its rich history and Chevy’s modern styling cues. This new Impala represents the 10th generation of one of the industry’s most enduring and iconic nameplates as the first Impala was introduced in 1958. According to GM’s official press release, the Impala has been America’s best-selling full-size sedan since 2004, with total sales of more than 169,000 in 2012.
Front Seat Interior
Our tester came in the top of the line LTZ trim and comes with a price tag here in Canada of $39,645 MSRP. At this price you get a host of premium features including:
The new Impala model provides consumers with innovative styling, greater interior spaciousness and a host of advanced technology goodies never available in earlier models.
Back End Side View
The Impala offers three powertrain choices which include the 3.6L V6, the new Ecotec 2.5L four-cylinder and the Ecotec 2.4L with eAssist. Our tester LTZ model was equipped with the 3.6L V6 engine which is rated at 305 horsepower and 264 lb. ft. of torque. The 3.6L provides the highest horsepower output in this segment from a naturally aspirated V6 engine and translates into a swift 0-60 mph time of only 6.8 seconds. Hence, our tester provided ample power for all types of acceleration requirements in both city and highway driving environments.
As for fuel consumption, GM provides highway numbers of 6.9 L/100 km and city numbers of 11.1L/100 KM for the 3.6L V6. Over our week, we were a touch above those numbers but quite close overall.
As for comfort and convenience, the Impala LTZ impressed us in several key areas. First, the interior is very well-appointed making it feel far more expensive than its actual price tag. Beginning with a rich looking instrument cluster that includes a 4.2 inch screen configurable color driver information center and ice-blue lighting which enhance the “upscale” feel of the interior. Second, the chrome trim with “bleed-through” ambient lighting further reinforces the cabin’s sophisticated flair. On several occasions, both friends and family complimented how great the Impala looked overall.
The interior sound quality with acoustic glass in the windows, extra foam in the body, and added sound deadening material in the floor pan and trunk help create a serene bubble for its occupants. GM has also recently made great strides in this area with its Buick Verano model.
As for interior space, the Impala brings its “A” game with an overall cargo space of capacity of 532L. It has a cavernous trunk and with the rear seats folded down provides an absolutely immense level of cargo space for the average family.
Backseats
These seats give an ultra level of comfort and passenger space equal to that of an airport limo. Not surprisingly, after our week with the Impala it started to feel like a modern version of Lincoln’s Town Car. With Ford no longer building the Town Car we may see the airport limousine industry start to leverage the Impala as their future workhorse.
Having the opportunity to experience the Impala LTZ model in a series of different driving scenarios we can confidently say, it straddles both the full-size sedan segment as well as the entry-level luxury segment.
With its new technology, larger size and sportier exterior this new model should be taken seriously by both competitors and consumers. As well, GM’s Impala pricing brings great value to consumers in this competitive segment as it is slightly lower than some of its competition.
As for our comparison to the Chrysler 300C, it really is not apple to apples as the latter is all wheel drive and the Impala is front wheel drive. There is also quite a delta between the two sticker prices. However, both cars are equally impressive and have a ton of great qualities. If you’re looking for a full size sedan this year, these two vehicles should be on your holiday wish list.
Overall, key segment competitors to the Chevy Impala LTZ are the Chrysler 300C as mentioned above, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis and Buick LaCrosse.
Paul Walker, 40, died yesterday in a car crash outside L.A.
Sad news today that Fast and Furious star Paul Walker has died. Walker, 40, was a passenger in a Porsche that crashed into a light pole and a tree, and then burst into flames outside L.A yesterday. Both occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.
A native of L.A., Walker rose to prominence in 2001 with the Fast & Furious franchise. He also played a number of small roles as a child actor in the 1980’s, including appearances on Charles in Charge and Who’s the Boss.
Walker was reportedly in the area of the crash to attend a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter.
Source: CBC
Initially introduced at the Tokyo Motor show, the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo, was re-launched to the North American public at this week’s LA Auto Show.
Usain Bolt with GT-R Nismo
Leveraging the world’s fastest man, Usian Bolt as pitchman of their premiere sports car model is a smart move by Nissan as this 600 HP monster is one of the fastest production vehicles ever made. With an incredible 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of in the two seconds range it’s faster than pretty much anything on the road including a Porsche 911 Turbo or a Ferrari 458 Speciale. This thing is not for the faint of heart that’s for sure.
Nissan GT-R Nismo 2015
It’s other major claim is equally amazing as it recently achieved the fastest lap time of any production car on Germany’s Nordschleife track as it broke the 7 minute and 10 second record. Check out the video as proof that Nissan means business with its Nismo series.
The Nissan GT-R Nismo will land in Canada and US middle to late next year and although North American pricing won’t be released until much closer to its availability here the Japanese car starts at 15,015,000 yen, which works out to around $150,000 USD depending on exchange rates. Yes, we know that is a lot of money for a car but seriously, as one of the fastest cars ever mass produced we think the Nissan GT-R Nismo is actually a bargain compared to its competition.
The 300 is Chrysler’s roomy full size sedan offered in both rear wheel and all wheel drive versions. It was first introduced in the 2005 model year and underwent a major redesign in 2011. RedlineNorth recently had a chance to test drive the 300C Luxury Series AWD version. First impressions we noted were the nicely appointed interior and the bold exterior styling. By the end of the test period we had a number of other reasons to like the 300C. Read on to find out why.
In Canada, the Chrysler 300 Touring starts at $34,295 with the base price of the ‘C‘ starting at $39,295 and the Luxury Series AWD version starting at $43,495. Optional equipment in our test vehicle included an upgraded Harman Kardon audio package, dual-pane panoramic sunroof and the Uconnect 8.4N infotainment system among other extras. These options brought our test vehicle in at $50,955. The 300 comes with a 5 year or 100,000 km power train warranty, with basic warranty coverage for 3 years or 60,000 km.
The 300C offers plenty of interior room
The stated fuel efficiency of our test vehicle with all wheel drive is a respectable, 11.4L/100 km city and 7.3L/100 km highway, for a full size all wheel drive sedan. During our review we did exceed these estimates by a marginal amount with a combination of 50/50 city and highway driving.
The interior of the 300C is well refined with a leather trim throughout. The analogue clock adds a nice touch, as does the blue backlighting to the instrument panel. Additional nice to haves in our test vehicle included the heated seats and steering wheel, which warmed up quickly, along with the steering wheel mounted shifters. While not a big fan of paddle shifters in an automatic car, they performed adequately in the 300C. The addition of the dual-pane sunroof which covers 70% of the roof gave the interior a very open and airy feeling.
Leather trim permeate the interior cabin
The interior cabin offers plenty of leg room both in the front and rear seats and provides a pleasantly quiet ride even at highway speeds. In addition, a technology feature standard on all models is the humidity sensor, which continuously monitors the windshield for risk of fogging and automatically adjusts the interior climate level to prevent the windshield from fogging up. We thought this was a nice touch.
The 8.4 inch touch screen utilizes Chrysler’s Uconnect system and is one of the more intuitive menu systems on the market. We also appreciated the ability to balance the audio in the vehicle through the touch screen allowing you to target zones within the vehicle. Overall, the sound system in the 300C was above average with very nice acoustics in the interior cabin. This is thanks to the upgraded 19 speaker, 900 Watt Harman Kardon system GreenEdge speaker and amplifier technology.
Combined, these features and the interior fit and finish truly did make the 300C Luxury Series live up to its name. If we were to point to any improvement in the interior cabin it would be in regards to more usable storage space for every day items like smartphones and keys, along with larger cup holders but we’re bordering on nitpicking here.
Blue illumination compliments the instrument panel
Optional with the 300C is a number of safety systems including a forward collision warning system, a blind spot monitoring system and a rear cross-path detection system. The latter providing a warning when backing out of a parking spot as to whether vehicles are approaching. We found the systems worked very well in everyday traffic, identifying potential hazards and were a comfort knowing they were there and in use.
The 300C offers unique styling
At this week’s 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show one of the models making a big splash is Porsche’s all-new 2015 Macan crossover. Marketed as Porsche’s new entry-level compact crossover with all the comforts of its Cayenne but with a lower starting price. Designed for the soccer mom’s tasks during the week while also providing owners with a solid weekend track day partner. It all sounds pretty good eh? We sure think so, and it does not hurt their pitch person is the “out of this world” Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova.
Porsche Macan – Photo C/O Forbes.com
Set to go on sale in the first half of next year, the Macan will be available in both an S and Turbo trim levels. Prices will start at $49,900 but as is often the case with luxury rides the price ranges dramatically as you choose various options making the total price sky rocket. For example, decide on a Macan Turbo and you’re looking at a base price of in the $72,000 range. Nevertheless, Porsche has kindly provided all its pricing information through its very cool new online configurator.
As for the name, according to the UK’s Car Magazine Porsche continues to leverage its wild naming convention as the name Macan “is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger and combines suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics” – core characteristics of the new off-road car. Well, not sure I love the name but I do eagerly await getting behind the wheel of the Macan for a test drive at some point in the near future.
Created from a passion for motor sport in the late 60s, when original founder Jean-Pierre St-Jacques built Magnum’s first formula race car, Magnum Cars is now entering the lightweight supercar segment with the introduction of its MK5. The brainchild of his son Bruno St-Jacques, himself a well-rounded and successful race driver, the Magnum MK5 aims to offer an incredible driving experience to the enthusiast.
Magnum Mk5
Featuring an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 460 bhp per tonne, remarkable handling with cornering forces of over 2Gs, Quebec based Magnum Cars has officially entered the greatest segment in the automotive world. Having recently completed its development program, including three years of extensive track testing, the Magnum MK5 is now ready to be unveiled to car enthusiasts around the globe.
This elite world of street-legal race cars tailor-made to suit the needs of the wealthy track enthusiast is not for the faint of heart. Between the difficult design challenges and the safety certifications to make it street legal this creation is a real gem of engineering. Keeping with its focus of being a “burn rubber” track car, the MK5 is powered by a modified Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle engine that develops its peak power at the 11,000 rpm range. It’s performance numbers are impressive to say the least:
With pre-orders already taken, Magnum MK5’s will be built on order at an initial annual production rate of 20 cars. Deliveries are projected to start by late 2014.
The Magnum MK5 price will start at $139,000 USD (excluding taxes and delivery). The base price includes many features such as carbon-fiber bodywork and seats, removable racing steering wheel, data-logger system, cockpit adjustable brake bias, rear-view camera & monitor, 6-point racing harnesses, fully adjustable racing dampers and anti-roll bars, ultra-high performance tires, 18-inch ultra-lightweight alloy wheels, and limited-slip differential.
Optional features including a variety of street and track packages will also be offered so that MK5 owners can personalize their car.
Hopefully, we will be lucky enough to see one of these beauties on a track day soon.
Source: Magnum Cars
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