Our friends at Jalopnik have posted an amazing story about a time lapsed video where technicians in Framingham, Massachusetts at J. White’s Automotive spent a whole weekend swapping a rusty frame on a 2004 Land Rover Discovery for a shiny new one. For anyone that loves Land Rovers as much as we do this video is proof that you really can do anything to these beautiful beasts….
The Range Rover brand is truly iconic since people who know nothing about cars are aware of its rich pedigree of craftsmanship, luxury and performance. Resulting from this amazing brand recognition, Land Rover stands out among its competitors as one of the world’s top brands. Interestingly, today, Land Rover is now owned by India’s Tata Motors who acquired both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands in a blockbuster deal in 2008. Over the past six years, Tata has done a stellar job of rejuvenating the brand globally. Consequently, when you look at Land Rovers’ current 2014 model line-up it’s obvious the nameplate has come a long way since Maurice Wilks constructed the first Land Rover back in 1947 after being inspired by the American World War II Jeep.
Last month, we had the incredible opportunity to experience first hand Land Rover’s 2014 Range Rover Sport HSE and the 2014 Range Rover Supercharged model.
2014 Ranger Rover Sport HSE
We started behind the wheel of the newly redesigned Sport HSE model equipped with the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 which pumps out 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Redesigned from the frame up to be lighter and more nimble, (it tips the scales 800 pounds lighter than the 2013 model) Land Rover has turned its stylish SUV into a family friendly SUV for those who strive to drive a premium vehicle. Although now longer than its predecessor by 2.5 inches for a total of 191 it is still over four inches shorter than the 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan.
The Sport was a ton of fun to drive in both city and highway environments and its size works well for an urban environment as I never felt it was too big. As for overall appearance the black on black colour scheme along with the motor hood venting provides a sinister and sporty look. A few welcomed features during the last few days of our Canadian “hell” winter were the heated windshield along with the ultra comfy heated seats and heated steering wheel. Although there are several other engines offered in the Sport trim including the unreal supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 the 3.0 V6 engine is more than enough power to propel the Range Rover Sport. Land Rover estimates the V6 configuration provides a 0-60 mph performance time of 6.9 seconds which should be enough for most families aside from the Andretti’s.
Back seat of Ranger Rover Sport HSE
It’s amazing how capable this new Range Rover Sport really is and it’s a bit of a shame that few owners will ever challenge it on anything rougher than an unpaved road on their way to the cottage. Its perfect combination of subtle suspension and Brembo brakes results in excellent driving and braking capability at all speeds and it does this in spite of the beefy 4700 lb curb weight.
Hood vents on Range Rover Sport HSE
Overall, the Range Rover Sport is an amazing ride and I would truly love to have one in the driveway. Our test model came in at $86,000 CDN reinforcing the premium price Range Rover’s garner in the marketplace.
Range Rover Supercharged
Next up is Land Rover’s flagship model, the Range Rover Supercharged, which brings an out of this world level of power and size to the ring. Beginning with its regal design the Ranger Rover Supercharged is as close as you can get to having your own personal chariot. Its stance exudes confidence and poise and let’s be honest if you are driving one of these you want the world to know you have made it. Designed to compete with the big boys of high-performance luxury SUVs including the Mercedes GL 63 AMG and Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the supercharged 5.0L V-8 engine delivers a whopping 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. Kudos to the team at Land Rover as they have done a magnificent job designing this new powertrain. When you stomp on the gas pedal it provides the acceleration of a V8 supercar and launches like a cheetah. At one point during the week-long test, I seriously thought I may need some wheelie bars. The power is instant and visceral and the V8 sound that goes along with it is intoxicating. With a sizzling 0-60-mph time in the range of 5.0 seconds it is the most powerful Land Rover ever built and driving it is a sure way to get the adrenaline pumping. But the best part of all is it’s a true wolf in sheep’s clothing. Aside from the Supercharged badge on the tailgate nobody knows it has so much power. Hence, you pull up beside someone at a stoplight, and when the light turns green you might as well be in a Z06 Corvette since most vehicles will not even come close to challenging you. Having said this, I’m not condoning this type of activity as it’s illegal, but this is a risk associated with owning the supercharged V8 model.
Interior of Ranger Rover Supercharged
The Range Rover includes a host of other goodies that make life easier and driving a little safer too. To name a few there’s a surround camera system, reverse traffic detection with blind spot monitoring and closing vehicle sensing, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rain sensing wipers, an 18-speaker Meridian audio system, massaging and heated seats and best of all are the heavenly front headrests which are hands down the most comfortable headrests I have ever experienced. Although designed to be an incredible off-roader it is way too beautiful and expensive to take to the trails and I’d be surprised to hear that any of these models ever see the mud and water they are designed to tackle.
Ranger Rover Supercharged
Coming in at a price tag as tested of $127,145 the Range Rover Supercharged is certainly not for the everyman. Nope, this vehicle is designed for those who have successfully climbed the corporate ladder and/or entrepreneurial rock stars along with professional athletes and celebrities. However, there is other important group worth mentioning who have had a long history with Land Rover products and that is the British Royal family. A few years back in a story we did about the introduction of the Range Rover Evoque we also included a video of Queen Elizabeth II driving her Land Rover equipped with a manual transmission. And just this past summer, we saw Land Rover once again star as the vehicle of choice for Prince William and Kate at the birth of Prince George. Kudos to Land Rover since you could not ask for better global brand ambassadors!
Well, some things never change as we see Subaru has decided to use the old story of the bad boy stealing the Sheriff’s daughter to sell its new 2015 WRX STI model. The new ad is a mini film about a Subaru driving outlaw (Bucky Lasek) who comes to town and steals the Sheriff’s daughter. Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think.
Having recently reviewed several Cadillac models including the SRX, ATS and now the XTS we can honestly say they are all a treat to drive. Over the last few years, GM’s top brand has truly undergone a renaissance as a result of GM’s heightened attention to detail, design and performance. Seriously, as car enthusiasts what’s not to love when the car looks good, luxurious and fast?
2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport
Designed to replace both the Cadillac STS and DTS, the XTS is slightly smaller than the DTS but larger than the STS. Production began in May 2012 at the Oshawa, Canada assembly plant and the model was officially launched in June 2012. The XTS is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Here in Canada, it’s very exciting that this beauty is made in our own backyard for the North American market. In February 2013, GM began manufacturing the XTS in Shanghai, China for their domestic market.
Our XTS tester came in the top of the line AWD Platinum Vsport trim which includes GM’s new twin-turbo version of the 3.6L V6. The new engine develops a whopping 410 horsepower and 369 lb ft. of torque. All this power translates into a “pin you into the seats performance” but with the panache and demure of a 2014 luxury model. The six-speed automatic uses the same gear ratios as in the naturally aspirated XTS but with a shorter final-drive ratio resulting in a lively acceleration band. It’s so powerful I’m confident the XTS could go head-to-head with many of today’s twin-turbo V8’s offered by its German competitors.
And the truth is in the numbers, as the Vsport goes from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds and has a quarter-mile time of 13.6 seconds based on most tests. That’s super fast for a large four-door sedan.
In spite of its immense powerplant, the Cadillac is not a fuel hog by today’s standards with GM’s provided fuel economy ratings of (L/100 km): 13.2 city, 8.3 hwy. Now of course, the Vsport requires premium fuel but it’s totally worth it when you get behind the wheel.
Quite the booty
As for pricing here’s the story.
Base price: $73,745 (XTS Vsport AWD Platinum)
Options: Rear DVD ($1,995), Crystal Red Tintcoat ($1,295)
Freight: $1,700
AC Fee: $100
Price as Tested: $78,835 CDN
However, if all the Vsport’s power and features are not required you can purchase a base XTS model at a more reasonable price just above $50,000.
Plush leather interior
There is no mistake as the XTS interior is ultra luxurious with leather, wood and chrome trim blended together to create an elegant cabin environment. After driving it around town you start to feel you are commanding a rolling stateroom, only interrupted by the growl of its performance underpinnings. Some of these features include Brembo performance brakes, paddle shifters, electronic limited-slip-differential, magnetic ride suspension and an HUD (heads-up display) making the Vsport a bona fide luxury rocket-ship.
Cadillac interior
At the center of it all is the eight-inch touch screen seamlessly located in the dashboard and powered by Cadillac’s User Experience (CUE). Its features include capacitive sensing touch control with proximity sensing, haptic feedback, gesture recognition and enhanced voice recognition. This high-tech feature is very intuitive and designed for the younger tech savvy demographic Cadillac is targeting.
Cadillac XTS Vsport
The XTS competes well with its big sedan brothers as its spaciousness is impressive with rear seat room large enough to do double duty as a chauffeur driven vehicle. Also, it brings with it a massive trunk capacity of 509 litres/18 cubic ft. which is more than many of its competitors including the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8.
For those consumers who want performance in a full size sedan without reaching the over the top price tag of a Mercedes AMG or BMW M series, the Cadillac XTS Vsport is the car for you. As a Canadian made luxury cruiser with more ponies than you will ever need under the hood, the Vsport AWD Platinum model is an out-right bargain at $75,000 when compared to its European rivals. Honestly, if I had the bucks I would love to wake up to the XTS Vsport in my garage.
Competitors
We will be reviewing the XTS’ little sister the CTS Vsport later this summer so keep your eyes out for that review.
Most of the time we stay out of the politics of the auto industry but as a legit auto blog we need to talk about today’s big story. Yes, I’m talking about Toyota Motor Corp’s epic $1.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding its four-year criminal investigation focused on whether Toyota was up front in reporting problems related to unintended acceleration troubles.
Logo credit: Toyota UK
Under today’s agreement, the company will admit that it misled U.S. consumers by making deceptive statements about two safety issues affecting its vehicles. As a result, Toyota will pay a $1.2-billion financial penalty under a “deferred prosecution agreement.”
Many insiders are saying this deal could serve as a template for how U.S. authorities approach a similar investigation into General Motors Co.
Who knew it could get any better? Seriously, the Tesla Model S is one of the most amazing cars sold today and bar none it is the best electric car available in the world. Yes, the Model S is sold at premium prices but what you are paying for is the most state of the art disruptive electric automotive technology ever invented. Jalopnik auto blog recently shed some light on a US based aftermarket company called TSportline who has the honour of being the world’s first electric car accessory tuner specifically focusing on the Tesla Motors brand. Check out their promotional video which reveals what a $82,000 upgrade on an already existing $123,000 Model S price tag looks like.
Even if trucks are not your thing, as an auto enthusiast you need to check this site out. It’s called Liftedtrucksaddict and it’s on Instagram…It has something for everyone as the trucks range from mildly “over the top” to absolutely totally “downright absurd”. Although these trucks are true decadence in today’s era of conservation there is still something about them that makes you want one as a new summer toy.
Unfortunately, as a big city dweller these trucks are not an option for me so I will just have to dream. So here’s to those fossil fuel burning good old boys…..and gals.
Here in Canada we have very strict street racing laws and they are a good thing don’t get us wrong. However, that does not mean the allure of racing on public roads among enthusiasts is fully extinguished. Autoblog Canada has posted a very cool video from Vice Japan that profiles illegal racer Eikichi Nagayoshi of Japan’s southern island Okinawa. Having spent a year in the “Land of the Rising Sun” and travelling to Okinawa I can honestly say it is one of the most unique places in the world so it’s no surprise its car culture is 100% authentic.
The video focuses around Nagayoshi’s admiration of his customized 1,000 horsepower Toyota Aristo (better known to us as a first-generation Lexus GS) that he claims can hit 330 km/h (205 miles per hour). In typical Vice style the video is shot in a documentary view providing a close-up encounter with Japan’s enigmatic underground racing scene. Scroll down to check out the video, but make sure you have the “CC” button clicked, because several portions are subtitled.
At this week’s Geneva Motor Show, Chrysler announced the launch of the new 2015 Jeep Renegade, the brand’s first entry into the small CUV segment. This is a big deal for Chrysler for a bunch of reasons and its success is critical. Although Chrysler’s overall sales are going very well in 2014 this is largely a result of record-breaking Ram and Jeep model sales. The 2014 Ram truck, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Cherokee have all broken sales records this winter. However, all is not totally rosy since sales of the Dodge Dart are not nearly as stellar adding significance to the small-sized Jeep Renegade launch. However, even with the stakes this high, our bets are on Chrysler since its most recent joint Fiat design is the award-winning 2014 Jeep Cherokee which makes us believe things from a product perspective have never been better.
Source: Jeep.com
Designed in America, crafted in Italy, the 2015 Jeep Renegade highlights the Jeep brand’s global resources and focus on providing unique products to customers in more than 100 countries. It will be built at Fiat’s Malfi, Italy factory while its power trains will be sourced from the US, Italy and Brazil. North American availability will be announced at a later date.
Source: Autoblog.com
The boys at Autoblog.com have already published an exhaustive review of this new innovative entry so kudos to them for examining all the angles as the news is still hot of the press. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel soon to do our own RedlineNorth review.
Many of you likely saw the video Pepsi Max created last year that went on to become a huge viral hit. We are talking about this one that showed a disguised Jeff Gordon (champion NASCAR driver) taking a local dealership salesman on the wildest ride of his life. That video was supposedly captured on a hidden camera but actually ended up being debunked as a fraudulent video by Travis Okulski, a writer for Gawker Media’s Jalopnik blog.
A year has now passed since the first video and Pepsi MAX and Jeff Gordon apparently had something to prove so they have created a follow-up Jeff Gordon 2.0 video. By all accounts this new video is for real and destined to become another massive viral hit as it’s already at over 13 million views.
Although Travis is getting some serious online coverage within the mainstream media it must be slightly humbling since the world can now watch him scream like a little girl in the video.
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