Archives for November 2017

Subaru announces new entry into crossover market

November 30, 2017 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

On Tuesday at the LA Auto Show, Subaru introduced the world to its newest offering, a super-sized crossover called the Ascent. Accompanied by a dog park worth of Retrievers, the automaker revealed its largest vehicle ever.

Available with seating for 7 or 8 passengers, the Ascent is clearly an attempt to capitalize on the explosive growth of the more upright utility market.

While rally fans may be left scratching their heads, this is not the first time that a niche brand has added in a line of utility vehicles in order to bolster its revenue stream. The most obvious example is Porsche, where the exceedingly popular Cayenne and Macan have funded the development of some of the most exciting toys ever to come out of Stuttgart. Jaguar, Maserati and others are all following suit, in hopes of grabbing a bit of a new to them market.

While I like the idea, I was also a Service Manager during era on Subaru’s previous foray into the crossover market. Intended to be a Murano competitor, the Subaru Tribeca was far too quirky for most and had a tendency to spend far too much time in the shop. One can only hope that the brand has done its due diligence this time around.

For size, think about a Mazda CX-9 or maybe a Nissan Pathfinder. Subaru is building heavily on the off-road culture that is being built by Crosstrek, Forester and Outback owners to promote the Ascent as a truly functional utility vehicle which is as comfortable on the trail or at a boat launch as it is dropping the kids off at school.

Subaru Canada press release

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ – Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce that the all-new 2019 Ascent was unveiled today in Los Angeles.

Unveiled on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2019 Subaru Ascent ushers in a new era for the automaker as its first-ever three-row SUV with seating for up to eight passengers. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, Ascent offers the capability, versatility and driving enjoyment Subaru’s vehicles have become known for in a family-sized package.

“Subaru customers asked for a vehicle like Ascent and we listened,” said Yasushi Enami, chairman, president and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc. “We understand the needs of Canadian families on the go, and our largest ever vehicle is perfectly suited to handle whatever our customers throw at it — or in it.”

Both the exterior and interior build on Subaru’s DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy to create an SUV with commanding presence, while remaining nimble enough to take on gridlock traffic and narrow trails with ease. Yet its interior offers an impressive amount of space for passengers or cargo — or both.

Emphasizing the functionality critical of a midsize SUV, the Ascent is available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations, with the choice of second-row captain’s chairs or bench seating, while offering enough room for a family’s worth of stuff.

Keeping whatever cargo that’s inside the Ascent safe is Subaru’s EyeSight advanced safety suite, which comes standard across the lineup and includes collision-avoidance, lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control functionality.

“Subaru Canada takes safety seriously, and the inclusion of EyeSight across Ascent’s trim lineup reaffirms that,” Enami said. “EyeSight offers a whole new level of peace of mind that protects not only Subaru drivers and their families, but all road users.”

Powering the all-new 2019 Ascent is the latest evolution of Subaru’s famed BOXER engine technology that brings with it six-cylinder performance in a more efficient package. Output from the new turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine is estimated at 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque running on regular gasoline, while its high-torque Lineartronic CVT allows Ascent to tow up to 2,270 kg (5,000 lbs.).

The all-new 2019 Ascent will be built at Subaru’s U.S. plant, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., and delivered to Subaru retailers in summer 2018.

Design

To create an SUV with a commanding presence and exceptional functionality, the exterior and interior of Ascent build on Subaru’s DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy.

Dynamic and sturdy SUV styling with a functional shape required of a three-row midsize SUV.

Tough look befitting of an SUV as well as a rich and roomy cabin has been expressed by creating a central instrument panel with dynamic and spacious feel.

Interior

To meet the needs of young families that require both comfort and ease of use, Subaru has created an interior space allowing a comfortable experience in all seats, including the third row.

Ascent offers enough room between passengers as well as ample cargo space.

Wide rear door openings allow easy access for both second and third row passengers. Steps and grips are also positioned for ease of ingress and egress.

Grips on second-row seats inspired by those found on Japanese bullet trains.

The third-row seat achieves a comfortable seating position.

For the first time in a Subaru model, Ascent adopts a new type of power rear gate with a built-in drive unit that contributes to achieve maximum cargo space.

The driver’s seat features a cushion-length adjustment for the first time in a Subaru model.

Ventilated front seats available for the first time ever in a Subaru vehicle.

The seven-passenger configuration uses two captain seats in the second row for the first time in a Subaru model. Enough space between these seats allows easy access to the third row.

A three-passenger second-row bench seat is standard in the eight-passenger configuration.

Safety

Intended to be enjoyed with peace of mind for the whole family, Ascent is designed to be safe and enjoyable not only in emergencies but in any driving situation. Reflecting Subaru’s comprehensive concept of safety, Ascent achieves top-of-class safety performance.

Subaru’s unique EyeSight driver assist technology and the EyeSight Assist Monitor are standard equipment on all models.

Reverse Automatic Braking reduces or entirely avoids collisions while reversing.

Side/Rear Vehicle Detection System (SRVD) detects vehicles approaching from behind.

Steering-responsive headlights offer a clear nighttime view.

High Beam Assist improves visibility when driving at night.

New front-view monitor reduces driver blind spots, helping to prevent front-end collisions.

Smart rear-view mirror uses camera mounted inside at the top of the rear window to provide improved rear visibility, even in low-light conditions.

By employing the Subaru Global Platform, Ascent offers excellent occupant protection, even for third-row passengers.

All models are equipped with driver and front passenger SRS airbags, driver-side SRS knee airbags, and SRS side and side curtain airbags—a total of seven airbags as standard equipment—for class-leading occupant protection.

On-Road Agility Meets Off-Road Ability

Together with standard Symmetrical AWD and X-Mode for enhanced rough road performance, the newly developed 2.4-litre turbocharged direct-injection Boxer engine along with the Subaru Global Platform ensures SUV capability with peace of mind and an enjoyment for both drivers and families.

Despite its smaller displacement, the newly developed 2.4-litre turbocharged direct-injection boxer engine achieves smooth acceleration equal to or better than that of competing vehicles with six-cylinder engines.

The Subaru Global Platform improves body rigidity, enhancing dynamic quality feel such as smoothness and exhilaration.

Ascent achieves both excellent straight-line stability at high speeds and smooth handling at low speeds.

Active Torque Vectoring allows superior cornering performance and hazard avoidance capabilities.

Paddle shifters allow drivers to enhancing the driving engagement.

Subaru’s distinctive Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system offers stability in various circumstances, including challenging road conditions caused by snow, rain or mud, and on the highway.

X-Mode improves performance on slippery and other difficult road surfaces through integrated optimal control of the engine, transmission and braking. Its Hill Descent Control setting gives drivers greater peace of mind by maintaining low speeds on downhill slopes.

Along with the 220 millimetres of ground clearance, Ascent ensures enough road clearance, such as optimized approach and departure angles, when encountering a slope or returning to flat terrain from a slope, as well as ramp breakover angle at the peak of a rise, that broaden the range of activities families can enjoy.

A maximum towing capacity of 2,270 kg, the most of any Subaru in history, allows Ascent to pull a camper or boat, supporting an active family lifestyle.

Lightning McQueen coming to the Canadian Automotive Museum for Christmas

November 22, 2017 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

Many years ago, Disney’s Pixar group made a big splash in the GTA when the stars of the hit movie Cars arrived at Vaughan Mills to spend a day showing off for the fans. The 2017 Christmas season is going to be even more exciting, as Lightning McQueen is spending the whole month of December at the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa!

The museum has undergone a gradual rejuvenation in recent years, with a big focus on creating activities that are fun and interactive. The arrival of the star of the Cars movie franchise is the latest in a series of fun events aimed at kids.

More details in the CAM press release

Oshawa, ON – The Canadian Automotive Museum (CAM) is excited to announce the arrival of a full scale model of Lightning McQueen from Disney Pixar’s Cars 3, now available on Blu-Ray™.

The iconic main character from Pixar’s Cars animated film franchise, Lightning McQueen is part athlete, part stock car. McQueen is voiced in the films by actor Owen Wilson and was named after the late Pixar animator Glen McQueen, who passed away in 2002. According to Cars director John Lasseter, McQueen’s shape was influenced by sports cars like the Corvette C6 and Ford GT40, as well as sports stars Muhammad Ali, Charles Barkley and Joe Namath.

Lightning McQueen will be on display in the main gallery of the Canadian Automotive Museum through December 2018. Exciting kids programming is being scheduled throughout the year in conjunction with the display, including fun Family Day, March Break, and summer vacation activities.

“We are thrilled to have Lightning McQueen on display as a starting point to connect younger visitors with automotive history” said the museum’s Executive Director, Alex Gates.

A free public reception for Lightning McQueen will be held as part of the Canadian Automotive Museum’s annual Holiday Open House on Friday, December 1 from 4pm to 7pm. The CAM opened in 1963 and maintains the world’s most significant collection of Canadian cars. Located in downtown Oshawa, the museum building is housed in a former 1920s auto dealership building. The museum is open year-round, Monday-Friday 10am to 4:30pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. For more information visit www.CanadianAutomotiveMuseum.com or call 905-576-1222

Toyota C-HR

November 17, 2017 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

As consumers continue to shun traditional cars, as in sedans, they are flocking to the various Crossover Utility Vehicle segments. The tiny little guys are arguably the coolest bunch of the segment. Not much larger than a four door hatchback, they ride higher and have a stance closer to that of an SUV than that of a car. Each entry into the segment offers their own brand of quirk, often creating polarizing reviews from viewers.

Toyota’s player in this space, which is made up of the likes of the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V, is the plucky little C-HR. The Honda and Mazda models offer styling which can best be called mainstream conservative, while the Toyota joins Nissan at the more, umm, creative side of the spectrum. True, the C-HR doesn’t seem to have lit up the weird meter like the Juke does, it definitely seems to make onlookers scratch their head a bit.

The two-tone roof and body treatment, which seems normal for the MINI camp, created the most conversation with friends and family during our week with the test unit. I actually like the look, but I was the only one who was feeling the love.

C-HR boasts quite possibly the biggest roof mounted spoiler available today.

Entering the driver’s seat shows off a beef I have with a lot of small vehicles: seat height. While I am only 5′ 10″ tall, I have short legs and a long torso, coupled with a bad back that doesn’t bend too well. Even with the height adjustable seat in the fully down position, I whack my head off the roof edge unless I consciously duck my head under the edge before swinging my butt into the seat. My 5’2″ wife and daughter do not have the same complaint. Your mileage may vary.

Once inside however, the cabin is comfy and modern stylish. One rear seat passenger did comment that the space felt a bit claustrophobic due to the high line of the window sills which curve upwards to those funky outside door handles.

The first thing I noticed when heading onto the highway was how quite the little bug is at speed. Such a quiet cabin is impressive at this price point. That serenity vanishes when one mashes the right pedal to the floor.

As is becoming popular these days, Toyota has chosen to hang a CVT unit onto the end of its lovely 2.0L four banger. To simplify the description a bit, a CVT is essentially a larger version of a snowmobile transmission, which uses a belt that is driven via a cone shaped device to increase and decrease vehicle speed based on throttle position. There are no gears to change. If the driver applies full throttle, the engine will spin to its redline and stay there until the desired speed is reached and the driver lessens the pressure on the pedal. Regardless of how well insulated a cabin is, an engine at high revs is making some noise!

It is interesting to note that unlike the offerings from Mazda and Honda, Toyota has chosen to offer the C-HR in front wheel drive only, where the others have all wheel drive available. I suppose this won’t bother some buyers, but it seems like a bit of an odd contenting decision, especially for the Canadian market.

The cargo area is spacious enough for daily life with a young family and with the seats folded would easily swallow everything needed for a couple to go camping.

Careful attention should be paid to package content, as the $24,690 base price of the C-HR is substantially more than the base price of both primary competitors. The base price does however include Toyota Safety Sense, a bundle of active and passive driver safety aids that include Pre-Collision System , Auto High Beam, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (full speed), Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist.

Overall, the Toyota C-HR is a fun and funky little ride which is definitely worthy of a look while shopping the segment.

Nissan Canada announces Micra Cup involvement to extend to 2020

November 14, 2017 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

At the season ending banquet for the popular Micra Cup Series on Saturday evening, Nissan Canada and series promoter JD Promotion & Compétition announced that their committment to the series has been extended to 2020.

With action like racing fans haven’t seen since the demise of the legendary Honda Michelin Series of the Seventies through to the early Nineties, the Micra Cup has provided incredible excitement for fans and racers alike.

The series wouldn’t have happened without the passionate involvement of automotive journalist and long time racer Jacques Deshaies and Nissan Canada’s Didier Marsaud. In a time when entry level racing has become increasingly difficult to market, the duo have worked tirelessly to create an affordable racing program that has been noticed around the world for its success.

Ontario auto journalist Brian Makse is a series regular.

Series press release

Mississauga, Ont. (November 12, 2017) – On Saturday night, JD Promotion & Compétition and Nissan celebrated the third season of the Nissan Micra Cup in Quebec with an annual gala event for those involved in making it a success – including drivers and their teams, partners, series organizers and staff from Nissan Canada. At the event, Joni Paiva, president of Nissan Canada Inc., announced that Nissan Canada and JD Promotion & Compétition have extended the Nissan Micra Cup contract for three more years, with races to occur in both Ontario and Quebec once again.

“The Nissan Micra Cup has grown a lot over the past three years – we’ve preserved the exclusive, but welcoming and professional series theme, and have opened our doors to a much larger audience,” said Joni Paiva, president, Nissan Canada Inc. “The Nissan Micra Cup is more than just a motorsport series. It is a testament to the reliability; affordability; and quality inherent not only in the Micra, but all Nissans in the portfolio. The Nissan Micra Cup is also another way for us to connect on a deeper level with the general public, the fans, Nissan owners and Nissan dealers, and we’re thrilled to bring the family spirit of the Nissan Micra Cup back to Canadian tracks for three more years.”

The Nissan Micra Cup was launched in 2015 as Canada’s most affordable racing series, with all drivers using identical, almost stock Nissan Micra S race cars offering fun behind the wheel and reliability. In its inaugural year, the Nissan Micra Cup took place in Quebec only, and in 2016, it expanded to Ontario, bringing new drivers and even more excitement to the track. In 2017, the vision for the Nissan Micra Cup evolved even further. With the goal of attracting more than just racing enthusiasts, the Nissan Micra Cup put on a number of special consumer-focused events and invited Nissan Micra owners to attend the race weekends free-of-charge.

Of note is that Nissan Canada was the main automotive partner for the 2017 Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R). About 700 Nissan customers were invited to the race weekend, and were witness to a free concert, From the Track to the Stage, featuring Nissan Micra Cup driver and Quebec comedian, Michel Barrette, as well as winner of La Voix 3, Kevin Bazinet. This initiative brought a much larger audience to the GP3R race weekend, increasing the reach of the series.

“Since its launch in 2015, the Nissan Micra Cup has been a huge success, at all levels, both in Canada and even internationally,” said Jacques Deshaies, owner of JD Promotion & Compétition and the series promoter. “In three years, the Nissan Micra Cup has become a leading racing series in the national motorsports community, while also remaining the most accessible and affordable. We are very proud of this 100 per cent Canadian achievement and look forward seeing it grow and evolve even more over the next three years.”

Over the past three years, approximately 25 cars have competed for the championship title each season, with drivers from very diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience. To date, the entry list has included drivers ranging from 18 to 64 years-old, four women, five international drivers and representatives from 12 Nissan dealerships. Additionally, the Nissan Micra Cup races have featured a number of well-known professional drivers from NASCAR and other prestigious racing series, including Richard Spenard, Louis Philippe Montour, Karl Wittmer, Bertrand Godin, Aaron Povoledo , Patrick Dussault and Jesse Lazare, to name a few.

Several celebrities also took part in the series and competed on the track at a number of Nissan Micra Cup race weekends. In addition to Quebec comedian Michel Barrette, Canadian figure skater and Olympic medalist, Elvis Stojko, Quebec actor Jeff Boudreault and TV anchors Carl Nadeau and Benoit Gagnon, had nothing but positive things to say about their experience racing behind the wheels of their Nissan Micras.

Another highlight is that both of the Nissan Micra Cup championship winners, Olivier Bédard in 2015 and 2017, as well as Xavier Coupal in 2016, were recipients of the Gilles Villeneuve Trophy, one of the most prestigious annual awards in the world of Quebec motorsports.

“We are very excited to announce the extension of the Nissan Micra Cup in Canada,” said Michael Carcamo, global motorsports director, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “The Nissan Micra Cup represents the most affordable racing platform in Canada. Along with competitive drivers and exciting race venues, the Nissan Micra has proven its durability and reliability in the most intense environment, motorsport racing. We look forward to more great racing in the years to come and we congratulate all the participants of the first three seasons.”

More details on the 2018 Nissan Micra Cup calendar to come in the winter.

For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup, please visit http://www.micracup.com/main.

Bold and Beautiful: 2017 Infiniti QX80

November 13, 2017 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

Years ago, I loaded the family into the first generation of Infiniti‘s mega-sized luxury SUV, then known as the QX56. We were headed for Pocono International Raceway, where the annual International Motor Press Association Test Days event was taking place. More importantly for the kids, the final destination was the newly opened Great Wolf Lodge.

We loaded that bad boy full of the assorted flotsam that accompanies a family of five on a week long road trip, no doubt adding to the truck’s overall weight substantially. Normally, I wouldn’t consider extra load to be much of an issue with a vehicle with an already sizable heft but I realized a weak point in the vehicles chassis as soon as we encountered the Appalachian mountains. Naturally, the climb was of no concern, but what goes up, must come down and we first discovered how woefully under-braked the truck was when slowing for an exit ramp on a long and steep downhill with a 75 mph speed limit. The pedal faded so badly that I almost overshot the ramp and nearly made a mess of the leather seats.

So what does a tale about a 10 year old predecessor have to do with a modern vehicle? Nothing really, except that we recently spent a week with a 2017 Infiniti QX80 and made a point of putting it to work. To write a review saying that the QX80 is huge, gorgeous and luxurious would be an insult to readers’ intelligence. One does not need to be told these things, one just needs to open their eyes. Some QX80 buyers however will actually want to make use of the big truck’s utility aspect, so we thought we would see how it likes to work.

As beautiful as the exterior shape is, Infiniti has elevated the interior of the QX80 to a true world class contender. Quilted leather abounds, with real wood and metal accents for good measure. It goes without saying that the seating is comfortable and just about every modern convenience one can think of is built in.

Fold down all the seats and one is presented with a gargantuan cargo area. One might even compare it to the mighty Hercules cargo plane except for one nagging issue: The seats do not fold flat. In fact, they are tilted upwards like a ramp. So much so that cargo needs to be loaded into the flat rear area first to prevent smooth bottomed items loaded into the front from sliding aft when loading. Even still, when loaded carefully the QX80 swallows a prodigious amount of stuff.

Remembering that the QX80 is a proper truck, it is no surprise that there isn’t even a tiny bit of sag in the suspension when the cargo area is heavily loaded with cases of pop, water, full coolers and other stuff needed for BBQ events.

Hidden behind the rear bumper fascia is a seriously heavy duty looking trailer hitch, which is easily revealed with the twist of two plastic trim buttons. Utility hidden by beauty. Our small BBQ event trailer was dwarfed by the luxo-truck, which towed the kitchen on wheels without complaint. Again, the added tongue weight on top of the full cargo area elicits no droop of the rear suspension.

Thinking back to my opening bit about the QX56, it is important to note that the QX80 did not exhibit a single sign that we were putting it to work, even when fully loaded, with a loaded trailer attached. It just soldiered on, keeping its occupants comfortable and the driver confident.

At a tick under ninety five grand for the Canadian market, the QX80 isn’t for everybody. If the only off-roading you will ever do however is making a spring visit to the gravel parking lot at the Muskoka Store, then the big Infiniti makes for a more stylish alternative to say, a Range Rover. The QX80 offers more interior space and arguably more comfortable appointments than the British SUV, at a fraction of the price.

Review: Fiat 124 Spider

November 8, 2017 by Tom Williams 1 Comment

When Fiat returned to North America in 2012 after a thirty year absence, Italian car enthusiasts rejoiced. What we got was the 500, a (very) small hatchback with a very big personality most cars in its class lack. Which was perfectly acceptable, but the problem was, unlike in Europe, most North Americans really had very little emotional attachment to the 500. On these shores, our fondest memories of Fiats past were the angular X1/9 Targa and the 124 Spider. In fact, during its run from 1966 to 1982, more 124 Spiders were sold in North America than in Europe. After a two year run being sold as a Pinninfarina, the car was gone, for what we assumed was forever.

Come the 21st century, Mazda teamed up with Alfa Romeo to share the costs of developing a replacement for the MX-5, and giving Alfa Romeo its own two seater, rear wheel drive sports car. However, it was later decided that Alfa Romeos should only be built in Italy. Yet with Fiat, this already wasn’t an issue, and the brand seriously needed a halo car. Thus, the 124 Spider was to be reborn, but this time built in Japan, on an MX-5 platform. What could we expect?

Some people jokingly call the Spider a ‘Fiata’, but the truth is, the Spider has a unique look all its own. At the time I had the test car, I actually owned a 1981 Fiat Spider. Parked side by side, it became instantly clear that Fiat designers took many cues from the original. The double hood bulge, ‘scalloped’ headlights, and the upkick just behind the doors are all classic elements. Yet this is by no means an exercise in retro design. The 124 Spider looks thoroughly modern. Most importantly to Fiat fans, although based on Japanese underpinnings, the Spider looks distinctly Italian.

Stepping inside, it becomes immediately clear you are sitting in a close relative of the MX-5. One glance and it is plain to see the gauge cluster is straight from Mazda. The same goes for the infotainment system and display, which is unfortunate, as the rest of the Fiat family uses the superior system sourced from Chrysler. Unique to the Spider is its own steering wheel, which is a delight to hold. Although the cars share seat frames, the Fiat has different padding, which was comfortable and did a fine job holding me in place. As in any two seat roadster, the cabin is snug, and larger driver’s might not find it ideal. There’s no glove box, the ‘cupholder’ is a joke, and unlike my old Spider, there’s no parcel shelf behind the seats to conveniently toss a bag. Finally, if you are hoping to keep the Italian vibe going, skip the black pictured above. Fiat offers a saddle interior, and the color chosen would compare to what you would find in a 1960’s Ferrari. With the contrasting black dash top and stainless trim, it shouts Italian style.

An important feature that distinguishes the 124 from the MX-5 is that Fiat brings its own engine to the party. In this case, it is a turbocharged 1.4L four, lifted from the 500 Abarth, rated at 160hp. Buyers can choose between a six speed manual or automatic. You want the manual. Although it is not the latest MX-5 box (it couldn’t handle the torque from the turbo), it is an absolute joy to snick through the gears. While the Spider is a perfectly livable car doing the daily commute and cruising along the shore, the car truly does not come unto its own until you find a country road. With the top down, I headed to the northeast corner of Connecticut, carving my way through roads in the woods dotted by roadside lakes, gleefully pushing it into corners. Now, the Spider was in its element. Impeccable handling, confidence inspiring brakes and telekinetic steering all combine for a sublime driving experience. Allegedly tuned slightly softer than the MX-5, the upside is after a day of spirited driving and making the trip back home, I arrived feeling perfectly refreshed.

The 124 Spider can be had in three flavors-the spartan Classica, the luxe Lusso, and the more aggressively tuned Abarth. Our test car was the Lusso. With option packages including the Convenience Group (auto dimming rearview and exterior mirrors, heated exterior mirrors, rear park assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, alarm, universal garage door opener), Visibility Group (auto levelling LED headlights, headlight washers), and Sound and Navigation Group (GPS nav, nine speaker Bose audio and XM satellite radio). Including destination, our 124 Spider has an MSRP of $32,375USD.

Being built on an MX-5 chassis, there was never really a question of whether the 124 Spider would be a fun car to drive. For enthusiasts, particularly this one who owned an original 124 Spider, was if the new, Japanese built car carried on the spirit. In sum, this new Spider very much does carry on the spirit of the original in a modern package with the available technology and safety features that were once unimaginable. And of course, the inevitable comparison of the Spider and the MX-5 upon which it is based The Garage has not driven the new MX-5, but with the Spider being slightly heavier and more softly sprung, the Spider is considered a more relaxed car, especially over long distances, with the MX-5 favored if going on the track or regular, intense canyon carving is your forte. Regardless, we should all consider ourselves lucky that whichever your preference for a two seat sports car, you can choose what suits your needs.

Archives for November 2017

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