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Ken Block spotted filming Gymkhana 10 on the streets of Detroit

October 18, 2017 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

 

I had the good fortune to interview Ken Block a couple of years ago and he talked about trying to keep the Gymkhana series new and exciting, so it is little surprise that the franchise has finally made its way to Motor City.

Youtube user Revin caught some footage of Block and the newly revamped Hoonicorn Mustang shredding pavement on the John C. Lodge freeway outside of the Joe Louis Arena and Cobo Hall.

It makes one wonder if Kenny from Da Block might be making an appearance at the 2018 Detroit auto show!

 

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Nissan announces Qashqai for the Canadian market

January 9, 2017 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Way back in the middle 2000’s, while I was still a Nissan Service Manager, we began hearing reports that a small utility vehicle called the Qashqai, which was sold in other markets, would make its way to Canada to slot under the rugged Xterra model size wise.

That model never appeared and we received a model called the X-Trail instead. From what I heard, they were similar vehicles, but we never got to compare them side by side.

Fast forward to 2017 and Nissan Canada announced this morning that Qashqai is finally coming to this country. With the company’s popular Rogue model moving up in size in its most recent version, the Qashqai will slot in beneath that model.

 

Nissan press release

2017 Nissan Qashqai joins powerful Nissan SUV lineup – brings Intelligent Safety Shield technologies, fun-to-drive performance and affordability to young, urban compact sport utility buyers

  • 5-passenger Qashqai designed for conquering everyday urban adventures, includes long list of comfort, convenience and utility features
  • Dynamic exterior offers sleek front end design with Nissan signature design cues and available 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
  • Available Nissan Intelligent Safety Shield technologies include Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection1, Intelligent Cruise Control2, Rear Cross Traffic Alert3 and Forward Emergency Braking1
  • “Right sized” Qashqai slots just under popular 2017 Rogue, Nissan’s #1 selling vehicle in Canada, and further expands Nissan’s extensive SUV lineup
  • On sale in spring 2017
  • The 2017 Nissan Qashqai stands as a stylish, nimble, fun-to-drive and affordable sub-compact SUV offering numerous advanced safety and security features

“The combination of the new Qashqai and the popular redesigned 2017 Rogue will appeal to a broad audience and offers a wide spectrum of features and price points for SUV buyers,” said Bert Brooks, senior manager, Product Planning, Nissan Canada Inc. “While we expect Rogue to continue to appeal to owners with young families, Qashqai fills a need for singles and couples who want more space and versatility than the average sedan for everyday urban use and social activities.”

The Qashqai has a 58mm (2.3-inch) shorter wheelbase and a 307mm (12.1-inch) shorter overall length than Rogue, helping make it more maneuverable in city traffic and an ideal size for tight city parking spaces. Other helpful city adventure features range from up to 1,730L (61.1 cubic feet) of cargo space (2nd row seat folded) and available innovative Divide-N-Hide® Cargo System to the Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD)4.

“From Qashqai to Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder and all the way up to the full-size eight-passenger Armada, Nissan has the perfect SUV for any buyer,” said Brooks. “Qashqai holds its own with all of its portfolio mates, just as expected of any vehicle that wears the Nissan badge.”

Sporty Exterior, Premium Looking Interior
The Qashqai exterior starts with an “emotional geometry” exterior design, presenting a strong contrast between dynamic movements of volume and geometric and sharp edges and details. The sleek, compact body projects powerful fender volume and a wheel-oriented stance, along with agile and robust lower body sides, giving Qashqai a powerful presence.

The front is highlighted by a dynamic, sporty front grille and sophisticated headlight design with LED signature Daytime Running Lights, halogen headlights with auto off function, and available fog lights. Also available are LED low-beam headlights with auto on/off function and High Beam Assist (HBA).

The Qashqai exterior also features a large rear opening and a wide rear body appearance – along with sleek boomerang-shaped taillights and rear spoiler. Other exterior details include body-colour front and rear bumpers, black wheel arches and roof molding, body-colour outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and heated outside mirrors. Also offered is a power sliding moonroof with sliding shade and roof rails. Qashqai has a coefficient of drag of 0.33.

The 2017 Qashqai is available in 10 available exterior colours – led by the bold Monarch Orange and Nitro Lime. Other colours are Mocha Almond, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Palatial Ruby, Pearl White, Glacier White and Caspian Blue

Inside, the 5-passenger Qashqai interior is designed to keep up with owners’ active lifestyles. It has the commanding ride height of a compact SUV combined with a driver-oriented cockpit that provides a sporty, fun-to-drive feel.

Qashqai incorporates Nissan’s “gliding wing” interior design, providing spatial symmetry with a sense of togetherness – combining a wide-open feeling with areas for personal space. Seating includes a standard 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with available rear seat center armrest, heated front seats and available rear seat heating/cooling center console vents. Also available are a 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather-appointed seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and heated steering wheel. Leather-appointed seating is standard on the SL grade.

Behind the 2nd row seat is up to 648L (22.9 cu. ft.) of cargo space (up to 1,730L or 61.1 cu. ft. with the 2nd row seat folded down), accessible through the wide rear door. Like Rogue, the new Qashqai also offers the innovative Divide-N-Hide® Cargo System (SV and SL grades). Included as standard on all grades are a cargo area cover and six luggage hooks (four floor, two side).

The instrument panel features Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges and 5.0-inch center meter colour display with Advanced Driver Assist™ Display. The front center console includes an integral armrest and storage comparTMent, along with a 12-volt power outlet. Qashqai SV and SL grades include Nissan Intelligent KeyTM with Push Button Start.

Standard interior features include: 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio input jack, USB connection port for iPod® interface and other compatible devices, Siri® Eyes Free6, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, RearView Monitor, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant5 (compatible smartphone required) and RearView Monitor. Also available is SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), dual-zone automatic air conditioning. The available Remote Engine Start (RES) system7 provides flexibility to start the Qashqai remotely using the keyless entry fob.

The 2017 Qashqai also has a number of available connected technology and smartphone integration features, including NissanConnectSM with Navigation, Mobile Apps and Services. It offers a 7.0-inch colour touch-screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for navigation and audio, SiriusXM® Traffic and SiriusXM® Travel Link™ (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately). NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM® (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately) is available on Qashqai SL model. Also available is Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD)4.

Two interior colours are offered: Charcoal and Light Grey, along with available Gun Metal or Piano Black finishers.

“The Qashqai interior belies its affordable pricing, with use of premium materials and long list of available comfort and convenience items,” explained Brooks. “Though more compact than Rogue, the new Qashqai fully measures up in terms of features that make driving more enjoyable for both driver and passengers.”

2.0-litre Engine, 4-Wheel Independent Suspension, Advanced Safety Technology
The Qashqai offers balanced dynamic performance – combining a responsive, efficient 2.0-litre engine with nimble handling and cornering. Qashqai utilizes the same CMF (Common Module Family) platform as Rogue, and both vehicles are available in a choice of front-wheel drive or an available intuitive All-Wheel Drive system.

Every 2017 Qashqai comes equipped with a standard 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder rated at 141 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 147 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm. The engine features Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) system, Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control) on both intake and exhaust, DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coated valve lifters, TCV (Tumble Control Valve) and an 11.2:1 compression ratio. The engine is matched with a 6-speed manual transmission or an available Xtronic transmission with standard Sport Mode Shifter and Eco Mode switch.

The nimble handling is the result of the 104.2-inch wheelbase and 4-wheel independent suspension – a front independent-strut suspension with stabilizer bar and twin-tube shock absorbers and multi-link independent rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. Responsive steering is provided by an Electric Power-assisted Steering (EPS) with Sport mode. 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist are also standard.

A selection of wheels and tires are offered, depending on grade level. Qashqai S models are equipped with 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers and 215/65R16 all-season tires; Qashqai SV features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 215/60R17 all-season tires; and Qashqai SL comes with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/45R19 all-season tires. Every Qashqai also offers a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with position monitoring and Nissan’s innovative Easy Fill Tire Alert.

Hill Start Assist (HSA) is also standard, along with a suite of confidence-inspiring dynamic technologies, with Active Trace Control, Active Engine Braking and Active Ride Control. 

“While many competitors in the compact SUV segment choose a rear torsion beam suspension, Qashqai offers an independent rear multi-link design to provide that extra sense of dynamic performance,” said Brooks.  “We believe that buyers coming into this segment, usually as first time SUV owners, still want to enjoy driving excitement and feel a connection to the road. The new Qashqai delivers.”

Qashqai also offers an extensive list of advanced Nissan Intelligent Safety Shield technologies. The list includes available radar-based Blind Spot Warning (BSW)8 and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) 3, Forward Emergency Braking (FEB)1, and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)9. Also available are Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)2 and Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection1.

In addition, the list of standard safety and security features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors; front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection; 3-point front and rear seatbelts, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors; LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren); and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS).

Three Well-Equipped Qashqai Models
The 2017 Nissan Qashqai comes in three well-equipped models – S, SV and SL.

Along with the long list of standard features found on Qashqai S, the Qashqai SV adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 215/60R17 all-season tires, Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control, Power Moonroof, Heated leather steering wheel, Remote Engine Start system7, Nissan Intelligent KeyTM, cruise control, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), two additional audio system speakers, leather-wrapped shift knob, Smart Auto on/off headlights, , Divide-N-Hide® Cargo System and dual illuminated vanity mirrors.

Qashqai SL models include leather-appointed front seats, 6-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps, and 7.0-inch colour touch-screen display.

Qashqai SL models also include seatback pocket on driver’s seat, Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD)4, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/45R19 all-season tires and silver finished roof racks.

Optional equipment package offered: SL Platinum Package.

The 2017 Nissan Qashqai is assembled in Kyushu, Japan.

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News/video source: Nissan Canada

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Kia announces Stinger sports sedan in Detroit

January 9, 2017 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

At the 2014 North American International Auto Show, Kia wowed journalists with the super sexy looking Kia Stinger GT4 concept. A coupe that looked poised to take on the burgeoning rear wheel drive coupe segment.

For the first time in a decade, The Garage Blog isn’t at the Detroit show, but it looks like Kia has wowed the crowd again. This time, it is with a production model for 2018 called the Stinger. This time however, it is an equally sexy performance sedan which can be had with a twin turbo V-6 churning out 365 horsepower to either the rear or all four wheels.

The target for Stinger is said to be European performance sedans. Hello BMW, you have a Korean competitor!

All of this is awesome, but I can’t help but feel a bit sad that Kia has not chosen to give us the GT4 version.


Kia Press release

Powerful all-new Fastback Sport Sedan Redefines the Kia Brand 

  • Kia Motors follows through on the promise of a production model of the GT concept
  • Designed in Frankfurt, developed on the Nurburgring, industry-leading quality by Kia

DETROIT, January 8, 2017 – At an event typically dominated by introductions from American auto companies, Kia Motors America (KMA) today stole the spotlight with the world debut of the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger (hereafter Stinger) at the North American International Auto Show.  A five-passenger fastback sports sedan poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers, the Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history and is backed by Kia Motors’ industry-leading quality and reliability.  Offered with multiple engine and drivetrain configurations and luxurious accommodations, the Stinger is planned to go on sale in the U.S. late this year.  Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch date.

“Unlike any Kia that has come before it, the Stinger really is a dream car for us, and here today in Detroit, that dream is now a reality after years of commitment and hard work from a passionate group of designers, engineers and executives around the world,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America. “From its GT concept-car origins to the years of tuning and refining on the legendary Nurburgring circuit, no detail was too small to be obsessed over, and the result is simply stunning.”

Instantly recognizable as a direct evolution of the concept that preceded it, the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger design was overseen by Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors’ chief design officer, and his talented team of designers in Frankfurt.  Ride and handling development was looked after by Albert Biermann, head of Kia’s Vehicle Test and High Performance Development and his group of engineers in Korea and on the grueling Nurburgring racing circuit.

But what makes a true gran turismo?  This question was the foundation for a years-long journey that began when the GT concept was first unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.  Although every Kia design study has a purpose, the GT concept was something considered by many outside the company as little more than a dream for a brand known for producing mass-market transportation rooted in value.  But the GT ignited embers of passion that sparked a fire within the organization and over the next five years that fire would grow beyond fantasy and morph into reality.

Once the Stinger was green lighted, that gran turismo question became a mantra as development commenced.  Coming from Kia, the design had to be bold.  And it was.  But it also had to be nimble and fast while also luxurious and quiet.  It had to achieve the perfect balance of ride and handling and seat five comfortably with room for luggage. It had to be a lot of things, but most of all, it had to be an authentic gran turismo.  And it is.

Design

Turning a concept into a production car is no small task and Schreyer looked no further than Kia’s Frankfurt studio – the birthplace of the GT concept – to bring the Stinger to life.  “A true gran turismo, a car for spirited long-distance driving, is not about outright power, hard-edged dynamics and brutal styling, all at the expense of luxury, comfort and grace,” notes Gregory Guillaume, chief designer, Kia Motors Europe.  “The Stinger has nothing to do with being the first to arrive at the destination – this car is all about the journey.  It’s about passion.”

From its sleek front clip through its svelte flanks, and up to its powerful haunches, the Stinger exudes a muscular confidence.  Key to its road presence are the rear-wheel-drive proportions; a long hood and short front overhang, an extended wheelbase to deliver a spacious cabin, and a long rear overhang with strong shoulders.  The Stinger’s stance and visual balance are designed to lend the car an air of elegance and athleticism, rather than boy-racer aggression.

The wide front and rear track, along with the recessed contours along the doors, enhance the visual power of the Stinger’s shoulder line as well as its fastback silhouette.  Other purely functional elements of the exterior design – the front air curtains, wheel arch gills, smooth underbody, and integrated rear diffuser – aid its aerodynamic efficiency.  The rear valance houses four oval exhaust pipes. Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille sits proudly between complex LED headlamps.

The low-slung cabin with its steeply raked windshield and backlight, sits toward the rear of vehicle, creating a fast silhouette.  Inside is a space dedicated to the thrill of driving while cossetting the occupants in luxury.  Available ultra-soft Nappa leather covers the deeply contoured seats and the driver’s seat has available air-cell bladders in the seatback and bolsters for optimal support and comfort.  A confident dashboard creates a strong horizontal plane for the driver to work.  The center console is intuitively split into two specific areas: the infotainment controls sit neatly below a large color touchscreen, while the climate and ventilation controls nestle beneath.   Front and center of the driver is a thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a single instrument binnacle with a combination of analog and digital instrumentation.  The large gauges are ringed in metal and accentuated with sweeping red needles.  A color TFT screen between the gauges relays performance data such as cornering G-forces, lap times and engine-oil temperature, along with ancillary information such as the trip computer, driver settings, navigation and diagnostics.  Aeronautically-inspired spoked circular vents are found front and rear and a tasteful satin chrome trim piece encircles the cabin.  The effect is a feeling of cocooned intimacy.  But the long wheelbase allows for generous front and rear leg room and the low seating position provides ample head room front and back.

Chassis

Joining the company from BMW in December, 2014,  Albert Biermann’s first look at the Stinger signaled to him a car that had to live up to its stunning design from behind the wheel.  “I think for the Kia brand, the Stinger is like a special event,” notes Biermann.  “Because nobody expects such a car, not just the way it looks but also the way it drives. It’s a whole different animal.”

Setting the manufacturing hard-points of the body-in-white would define Stinger and the engineers looked carefully across a landscape dotted with contenders.  At 114.4 inches, the Stinger’s wheelbase is longer than the Audi A4, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS, BMW 4 Gran Coupe and even the Lexus GS and Mercedes CLS1.  It’s also longer overall (190.2 inches) and wider (73.6 inches) than the others in the segment, allowing for spacious accommodations.  The Stinger’s cargo area is also larger than many in its class, with enough space for full-size luggage or golf bags and a power liftgate with Smart Trunk functionality is available.

Riding on a chassis comprised of 55 percent advanced high-strength steel, the Stinger provides an ultra-stiff foundation for the ride-and-handling engineers to work with.  This rigidity also contributes to reduced NVH and a quiet cabin.  The MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension has been tuned to provide optimal feedback to the driver.  A Kia first, ride-damping and vehicle handling traits may be modified by the driver through an electronically adjustable suspension known as Dynamic Stability Damping Control.  While always reacting predictably to the driver’s inputs, depending on road conditions and driving style, the Stinger can be tuned to respond with more agility through corners as the system softens the front shocks and firms up the rear.  Conversely, improved high-speed stability is achieved when the system stiffens the front shocks and softens the rear.  The system is accessed through five drive modes (another Kia first): Personal, Eco, Sport, Comfort and Smart.

Standard variable ratio Rack-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) offers razor-sharp feedback through direct mounting of the electric motor on the steering rack, enhancing steering response and reducing unwanted vibration from transmitting through the column.  Steering boost is also adjustable through the five selectable drive modes.

Powertrain

If the chassis symbolizes the bones of a gran turismo, then surely the available powertrains represent its heart.  Oriented longitudinally and set rearward beneath the long, sculpted hood, a choice of two turbocharged engines are available.

While both engines are still under development, the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II engine produces an estimated 255 horsepower at approximately 6,200 rpm.  Max torque of 260 lb.-ft. is available from 1,400 – 4,000 rpm.  Performance credentials are further enhanced through the available 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine, which is anticipated to produce 365 horsepower at an estimated 6,000 rpm and offer max torque of 376 lb.-ft. from 1,300 – 4,500 rpm.  Kia is targeting 5.1 seconds to 62 mph and a top speed of 167 mph with the twin turbocharged V6.

The Stinger features a second-generation eight-speed rear-drive automatic transmission.  First offered in the K900 luxury sedan, the gearbox has been designed in-house and rewards drivers with crisp shifts and maximized fuel efficiency.  More typically found in aviation- and racing-engine applications, the transmission features Kia’s first use of a Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber (CPA) torque converter to help reduce torsional vibrations through the drivetrain.  Drivers can let the gearbox manage shifts on its own or may selectively run through the gears via paddle shifters mounted aft of the steering wheel.  As with the suspension and steering, up to five different shift patterns may be selected through the vehicle’s electronic drive-mode system.  Throttle mapping is also adjusted accordingly.

Recognizing that passionate drivers may not always reside in optimal climes, the Stinger is Kia’s first sedan available with rear- or all-wheel drive.  Rear-wheel biased for optimal control in the wet or dry, the AWD system features a new Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control system which monitors driver inputs and road conditions and automatically applies power and braking force to the appropriate wheels to maintain course in adverse conditions.  Rear-drive vehicles get the benefit of a mechanical limited slip differential to help evenly distribute power through the rear wheels.

A choice of alloy wheels and tires are also offered.  The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder models ride on 225/45R-18 performance tires while the 3.3-liter V6 is shod with staggered ultra-high performance rubber; 225/40R-19 in front and 255/35R-19 at the rear. Vented Brembo®2 disc brakes are standard on the 3.3-liter twin turbo and feature quad-piston front calipers and dual-piston rear calipers.

Advanced Technology & Convenience

Offering luxurious amenities and unexpected features have become part of Kia’s DNA and the Stinger continues that tradition.  Multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) seamlessly work together to enhance the driving experience.

In the United States, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year3.  This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, and 71,000 injuries annually.  A Kia first is the new Driver Attention Alert (DAA)4 system to help combat distracted or drowsy driving.  The system monitors a number of inputs from the vehicle and the driver and will sound a warning chime and display a graphic in the instrument binnacle that it’s time to take a break from driving if it senses the driver’s attention level has been significantly reduced.

Forward Collision Assistance (FCA)3 with integrated Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)3 with pedestrian detection can detect a potential collision with another vehicle or pedestrian and help bring the car to a halt.  Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC)3 maintains a pre-set distance between the Stinger and the vehicle in front and can bring the car to a full stop in congested traffic.  Lane Keep Assist (LKA)3 actively monitors the vehicle’s intended lane and will alert the driver with an audible warning along with providing steering input to help maintain the vehicle’s position.  Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)3 scans the area behind the vehicle when backing from a parking space and will alert the driver with an audible warning if cross traffic is detected.

Connectivity, entertainment and vehicle information can be as important as a dynamic driving experience and the Stinger comes to market with the latest infotainment systems.  The height-adjustable color Head-Up Display (HUD)5 display enables the driver to see key driving information reflected on the windshield glass, including speed, turn-by-turn navigation, audio and cruise control settings and Blind Spot Detection information.  Resting within the center console is a wireless Smartphone charging pad and Bluetooth®6 hands-free operation is standard while many of the vehicle’s subsystems may be accessed through the steering-wheel-mounted controls.

Long-distance travel is a hallmark of the gran turismo ownership experience and there is a trio of high-performance audio systems designed to turn the interior into a dynamic concert hall as the miles blur by.  The base audio system for the 2.0-liter turbo features six-speakers and a seven-inch haptic touchscreen with the latest version of UVO, Kia’s award-winning telematics systems.  The standard system found in the 3.3-liter twin turbo ups the speaker count to nine and includes an external amplifier.  The available premium Harman/Kardon®7 audio system pumps out 720 watts through an external amplifier to provide crystal-clear music.  With 15 speakers and Kia’s first under-seat mounted subwoofers tucked beneath the driver and passenger seats, the system features Clari-Fi™8, a patented music restoration technology that rebuilds audio signals that are lost in the digital compression process.  This technology returns a high-fidelity listening experience to any compressed digital source.  The system also comes equipped with next-generation QuantumLogic™9 Surround Sound technology, which extracts signals from the original recording and redistributes them into an authentic, multidimensional soundstage for playback that is clear, refined and full of detail.

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2013 North American International Autoshow wrap-up

January 19, 2013 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

Dario & George

While @thegarageblog on Twitter has been crazy active over the past week or so, things have been pretty quiet here in The Garage Blog. Why? Well, truth be told, I am so busy with my real job that I don’t have time to keep up with The Garage. For those of you who don’t know, my real job isn’t really a job at all. Instead, I am a freelancer with a daily and weekly gig over at the Toronto Star’s Wheels.ca, so when I’m done writing (I’m never really done) I really don’t have the energy to come here and write more.

So, my own coverage of the 2013 NAIAS is going to be limited to a shit load of pictures.

I will tell you that the absolute highlight of the show for me was turning a corner and seeing the Borg-Warner Trophy, in all its glory, standing out in the open, waiting for me to drool on it. Rather than just the usual gearhead drool, this was a chance for me to truly experience a bit of family history that I have never actually been close enough to embrace. Seeing my Grandfather’s Cousin’s name and face on the trophy was quite the moment for me. You can read more about my connection to George Robson here.

Now, head past the jump to see all sorts of stuff from the show.
[Read more…]

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Hyundai makes dreams come true in Detroit with launch of Veloster Turbo

January 14, 2012 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

I can’t remember a car that has been so universally loved as the Hyundai Veloster and yet causes auto writers to squabble over whether it was underpowered or people were just missing the point. The point is that the Veloster was not marketed as a sports car, rather as a sporty urban runabout. The problem is that it is so damn cool, not to mention so well balanced, that it practically screams out for more power. There is a reason that AJAC members voted the Veloster as a top contender in its class for the Canadian Car of the Year scoring though, as it is just that good.

The rumours have been coming so hard and fast about the launch of a Veloster Turbo that it had to be a case not of if. It had to be a case of when. The when turned out to be earlier this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, when the company announced that the 2013 Veloster would indeed be available with a 201 horsepower, turbocharged 1,600cc four cylinder.

All is right in the World when one of the best cars on the road receives the one thing it needed most!

Check out our gallery and the Hyundai press release with all the deets after the break.
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Lexus stuns the crowd with LF-LC concept at Detroit

January 13, 2012 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Every single surface of this machine has the most sensual curves. Without sounding too soppy, the LF-LC is absolutely gorgeous. Do I care that it is a hybrid? Nope, not one bit!

Check out our gallery and the Lexus presser after the break.
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2012 NAIAS Part I: The Bloggers Descend Upon Dearborn

January 11, 2012 by Tom Williams 1 Comment

With media days behind us and the 2012 North American International Auto Show now open to the public at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, there is much to be said about the show itself, and what The Garage was able to see. While we’ll get to what happened on my day at the show when it opened to the press on Monday, my visit to Cobo was just one part of my journey to Michigan. This year, The Garage was honored to have been asked by Ford to be their guest for the show, and much more. Ride shotgun with me as I share my experience in Dearborn and Detroit.

On a clear, and actually comfortable January morning here on the Connecticut coast I left in my current test car, a 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited. Exciting it is not, but in just over an hour I was at Bradley International Airport just north of Hartford, the Highlander providing a quiet, comfortable ride and a good stereo and always easy to use navigation. Check in was a breeze and a two hour flight later, there I was in Detroit. Ford chauffeured me to The Henry in Dearborn where I would be staying.

It being the NFL playoffs, I wandered down the the hotel bar to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Denver Broncos. I sized up a fellow a couple seats down, who turned out to be a fellow blogger out of London, UK, who specialized in writing about auto design. Not a car journalist, but having visited Aston Martin and Bentley’s facilities, I could see why he was here. After enjoying a local micro-brew, we had to quit the game and prepare for our dinner.

Having been able to relax a bit, I was invigorated and excited to have our dinner at the Henry Ford Museum, a major tourist attraction for the area. This evening, as guests of Ford, we were treated to a sneak preview of the Driving America Exhibition that opens to the public on January 29. The Henry Ford Museum is absolutely massive, with too much to describe here. The building we were in is just a small part of the complex. Taking up 60,000 square feet with 100 vehicles of all sorts, this is a car museum like none other. This is the automobile, and automobile culture as generations have experienced or watched. While a first generation Prius or Dodge Omni may seem odd additions to a museum collection, these were significant cars for what they were. There is a little bit of everything here, race cars, Ford GT40 (seen above), icons like the Willy’s Jeep, even a fully restored diner and a train. Check the image gallery below for more.

Most impressive, and what awestruck many of us the most was the presence of two extremely historically significant cars, the Lincoln Continental that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in, and the Lincoln Continental President Ronald Reagan was shot while attempting to enter. You will note JFK’s car was fitted with a fixed hardtop before it was returned to service for President Johnson. While the car was originally painted Navy Blue, this Continental was been black ever since the car was rebuilt after the assassination. It’s a powerful part of American history to behold.

After admiring the cars, and impressive interactive stations visitors will be able to use, it was time to hear from the man at the head of this gathering of bloggers for Ford-Scott Monty, Head of Social Media. Gathered together this evening were 146 bloggers assembled from 16 countries. It would be a hectic few days together, we were told. Following dinner, I met up with a unique, small group of men whose blogs focused on parenting from a dad’s perspective. Interesting, I thought, but when I pressed to see if they reviewed cars, they did not. I confess, I was confused-why has Ford flown out all these people to a car show, but aren’t auto journalists?

I’d have time to consider that later. Our dinner broke up quickly afterwards, which left me just enough time to jump a cab ride to join The Man In Charge, our own Gary Grant who was holding court at The Volt Lounge in GM’s Renaissance Center in Detroit. Though we both work hard to bring you the content here at The Garage, I usually only see Gary once a year, if that, so it was a pleasure to spend some time together and talk with other auto journalists and photographers.

But the guests of us at Ford had a very early morning ahead of us, leaving for Cobo at 6:30am to be ready for the 2013 Ford Fusion world debut. Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Editors Note: Ford Motor Company paid for my travel, food, and accommodations, but I was not compensated in any manner for my time. The opinions expressed here are my own.

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2012 North American International Auto Show at a glance

January 11, 2012 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Well, the media preview of the 2012 North American International Auto Show has come and gone. It was a bit of an odd year for me, as my duties over at Autoblog Canada kept me in the media room and off the show floor for most of the time. Hell, I didn’t even attend a single press conference during the show! That meant that I was actually able to use what little time I had at the show to shoot some of the highlights while the crowds were at the other end of Cobo Hall.

The night before the show, I was fortunate to attend the reveal of the Cadillac ATS. As cool as the ATS is, the fact that it was unveiled in the studio where Harley Earl and his team built clay models in the Fifties was definitely the coolest part for me. In fact, the highlight of the entire show for me happened during the cocktail party following the reveal, when I spent 20 minutes hanging out with GM’s Global VP of Design, Ed Welburn, talking about the history of the building and the iconic cars that were brought to life within its walls.

Our east coast man, Tom Williams, spent more time on the show floor than I did, so he’ll likely be sharing more insights about the show. I did however manage to get out and shoot most of the show, so my contribution over the next few days will be a ton of photo galleries. After the break, is my first gallery of some of the highlights of the show.
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Have autoshows priced themselves out of relevance?

January 17, 2011 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

I just got around to thumbing through the Toronto Star’s Wheels section from Saturday afternoon. As one might expect, the issue is full of stories about the Detroit Auto Show, or as they call it, the North American International Auto Show.

One story caught my attention more than the others. Jim Kenzie poses the question: “Is the Detroit auto show still relevant in 2011?”

While Kenzie tackles a few trends that he noticed at the show, he finishes up with:

“While it still seems the buying public wants to kick a real tire before buying a car, they can find out everything they could possibly want to know about the vehicles from the Internet. Do they need the glitz and glamour that an Auto Show provides to maintain their excitement?”

As an optimistic gearhead, I’m going to answer with a resounding YES!

The funny thing about my response is that I, personally, haven’t planted my derrière inside a car at any autoshow in years. A couple of years ago in Toronto, I considered it rather amusing that I actually straddled a motorcycle but didn’t sit in a car.

At Detroit last week however, I actually noticed several traditional media journos who were sitting in one car or another playing with switches, just like a regular show goer. That is not to say that auto writers aren’t regular people, but they often don’t get fired up about sitting in a new car.

I believe that consumers and tire kickers alike still like to wander aimlessly around a convention hall full of shiny new cars, where they can get behind the wheel and make vroom vroom noises to themselves. You can learn all you want from one of us online writers, but you still can’t get that new car smell or feel the supple leather against your own hide. Perhaps one day, but not yet.

If car shows are still relevant, even with the overwhelming amount of information available online, then why aren’t show attendance numbers better? Perhaps the answer lies in the almighty dollar. Information on the net is free for the most part, usually paid for through some type of advertising. Free information. Granted, it can be a challenge to determine who the experts are, but spend some time and you’ll find some great info for free.

Just for comparison sake, here are the daily adult ticket prices for some of the bigger North American shows.
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The boys, girls and wildlife of the 2011 NAIAS

January 14, 2011 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

What car show would be complete without the ever present booth professionals? This year, Detroit offered up a few twists on the usual. A native dressed dude from Kia was strutting around with his pecs out and a gigantic feather head dress, while the folks at ZF brought along a real Amazon. Six foot Five & wearing 4 inch heels and a skin tight silver suit! There was even a bit of wildlife cruising the show floor.

Something for everyone after the break!
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