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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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2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo

March 28, 2017 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Little known fact: This guy took his driver’s test way back in 1984 at the wheel of, wait for it, a Nissan Sentra. I failed.

It wasn’t the car’s fault. The cream coloured first generation Sentra belonged to my Young Drivers of Canada instructor and was a perfectly delightful little econobox. The problem was that I was used to driving a ’78 Dodge Monaco station wagon that was just a tick under 18 feet long, a full four feet longer than the Sentra. When it came time to parallel park, a skill which I had mastered in the Mopar, my sense of geometric movement(is that even a thing?) was all out of whack. It took two tries to get the job done and I failed my test.

The Sentra has changed a lot over the years, not the least of which is its size. The current model, the seventh generation, is now 182″ in length, a full 15″ lomger that the original. Two inches longer than a first generation Altima. This seems to be a trend within the industry, where each generation of vehicle is larger than the next. So where does that leave bump in stature leave the Sentra in Nissan’s model line-up?

To be truthful, Sentra still slots in below the now much larger Altima, but it is no longer the lowest rung on the brand’s model ladder. The excellent Versa Note is the Sentra’s next smaller sibling, while the economical Micra (here in Canada at least, sorry America) is now the entry level Nissan.

Suitably, the Sentra has stepped up its interior quality game, while adding a bunch of more upscale options as buyers will expect. It has also become that tough character that many auto scribes fret over: the nice car. In other words, the Sentra is a nice car. There is nothing horrible one can say about it, while at the same time there is nothing that makes a reviewer go off his nut with enthusiasm.


Attractive styling is evident inside and out. Cargo space is decent for a small sedan and interior fit and finish are what you would expect of a vehicle at this price point. The driving experience of the 2016 model was less than exciting though, mostly due to the rather disappointing 130 horsepower generated by its 1.8L four banger. The CVT transmission offered on most models did not help, but thankfully a 6 speed manual was available, which spiced things up a bit.

For the 2017 model year, Nissan has made an effort to bump the Sentra up from being a nice car to being a sporty car with the addition of a turbo charged version. That led many of us within the enthusiast community hoping that at least the spirit of the historic SE-R models would be riding along with the Sentra SR Turbo. The bump to 188 horsepower is substantial and squashes any commentary about the car being under-powered, but doesn’t go so far as to inspire any boy racer wet dreams.

What we have here is a really nice compact sedan which has just the right amount of oomph. In other words, a nice car.

Bear in mind that I have a bit of history with the brand and I am in their corner. I heartily recommend the boosted Sentra to those in the market for a nice little sedan. I however, want more.


The company takes its motorsport seriously these days, from international endurance racing to the born and bred in Canada Micra Cup. That passion for motorsport has led the company to create a bevy of NISMO branded machines that typically back up their aggressive looks with much improved performance. I would suggest that it is only a matter of time before a Sentra appears sporting NISMO badges, big brakes, stiffer springs, fatter tires, grippy seats and noisy exhaust.

When that car arrives, and it will, I will get excited.

 

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Roadkill attacks Goodguys with the Rotsun

March 22, 2014 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

rotsun

In yet another example of why the internet is so much better that television, we have the latest episode of Roadkill. Creating a Tv show can cost a fortune depending on local union laws and if you are working within a niche, there is no guarantee that a network will actually pick up on your show. On the web, all you need is a few GoPro cameras, a DSLR or two and some mounts and you can create some pretty good content. Of course, to make great content, you need a few skills, some great content and loads of personality. Thankfully, in the automotive vertical, there are some pretty talented people, like the guys at Motor Trend and Hot Rod.

Roadkill is a show that falls under the umbrella of the former and follows the cats at the latter as they buy broke-ass cars, inject a bit of personality and head out on a road trip. Epic, television show quality entertainment without all of the annoying tampon ads.

In this latest episode, David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan take a Chevy powered ’71 Datsun 240Z from a previous show and install a stonkin’ big turbo from a Ford Powerstroke Diesel. A rattier looking Zed car would be tough to find, but by the time the guys get their crap together they are able to lay down some serious times on the Goodguys Spring Nationals autocross course. The fact that the right side door is held shut with a gate latch just adds to the charm of the Rotsun.

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2011 Kia Sportage gets boosted

September 10, 2011 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

A few months ago, our man on the East Coast, Tom Williams, reviewed the all new 2011 Kia Sportage. He summed it up pretty nicely by saying:
“In a sea of sameness, the Kia Sportage is a breath of fresh air, that has the quality and ability to back up its looks.”

For the enthusiasts among us though, there was one other line that caught my eye at the time:
“The Sportage offered peppy acceleration around town, but you won’t mistake it for a hotrod. Buyers wanting more power will have their needs met when a turbocharged Sportage debuts later this year.”

The Sportage you see above may look identical to the one Tom reviewed, but there is one rather distinct difference. This one flies! The only hints that there is a difference under the hood is the subtle T-GDI badge on the rear hatch, a pair of chrome exhaust tips and a massaged rear bumper. They’ve done such a great job making the non turbo model look and handle more sporty than the competition that any other styling cues might be overkill.
[Read more…]

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2010 Mitsubishi Evo X long timer review

May 3, 2011 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

This is not so much of a long term test, as it is a long timer test. The lovely red Evo in the pics is a 2010 model that has been on the press fleet for a long, long time. Most press cars come off the manufacturers fleet after 10 or 12,000 km, but this poor beast has well over 25,000 on the clock. Hand the keys to a hot rod to some auto journos and they become teenage hooligans again, so those 25,000 km are probably more like 100,000 km in the hands of a loving owner.

This car has had its wheels refinished recently and yet all 4 BBS rims look like they were sourced from a scrap yard. The car has been repainted and looks like someone decided to detail it with steel wool. Overall, Journos Behaving Badly have beaten the living daylights out of this 4 door rocketship. In other words, this is the perfect vehicle to see how the Mitsubishi’s flagship stands up to the real world.

The first time I drove an Evo X (it might have even been the same car) was shortly after it was released and I was still working as a Subaru dealership Service Manager. This may surprise some of you, but I thought that the WRX Sti was just ok. Yes, it was fast, it just felt a bit too mature for the juvenile that still lurks within my soul. Getting behind the wheel of the first version of Mitsubishi’s weapon to be sold in Canada was a revelation. This was how the STi should feel. The car felt rough and raw, like a race car that isn’t happy until the driver starts to pile on the throttle. It darted around on the road on acceleration and even worse under braking, because the suspension was set up for a quicker turn in, just like a race car. Here was a car that appealed to the hoon in me.
[Read more…]

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Boosted at Performance World

March 22, 2011 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

While sifting through photos of Performance World that I shot for another publisher I write for, I noticed that there was an awful lot of cars with assisted breathing. From superchargers to some of the biggest turbos I’ve ever seen, this is some heavy duty performance equipment!
[Read more…]

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2010 VW GTI: is it the best pocket rocket ever?

February 1, 2010 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

Like Tom, I recently tested a 2010 GTI though mine was a 2 door DSG with all of the same options plus navigation. Perfect for my recent drive to Detroit for the NAIAS. My full review will be posted over in Driven Wheels, but Tom made a few comments that I wanted to address myself.

Given that I’ve done all of my competitive driving in small front wheel drive cars, you could say that I am a lover of the little car. In fact, my GTI experience began way back in 1981 as I was involved in building a ’79 Rabbit that emulated the Euro car a year before we got the real GTI. Yes, we got it in ’82 in Canada. So with all that time playing with pocket rockets, it might come as a surprise that I have a craving in my nether regions these days for the rumble of a V-8. The raw, primal feelings that second gear in a muscle car creates have overcome my being.

So why is it then that I am so in love with the GTI?
[Read more…]

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Could this Cobalt owners’ parents be siblings?

July 4, 2008 by Gary Grant 2 Comments

08cobaltssturbo_hi001.jpg

Once in a while you come across a statement that is so terribly funny that it can only be called EPIC. The following quote comes from the Cobalt SS Network, from a sadly misinformed enthusiast. One can only hope that he learns something from the 20 pages of comments.

So we all know that the supercharged engines need the intake bypass valve so they work in reverse. Otherwise the supercharger would just suck all the air out of the cylinder. So knowing that, how does the turbocharged version work in reverse? The engine is trying to suck air backwards, yet the turbo wants to spin forward so I don’t see how it works. Is there some sort of exhausting intake bypass valve on the turbo version? Also, if it does have the valve, does that also mean that it can make boost in reverse? Like how much boost? Like 5 psi or does it go over 20?

Can anyone help me sort this out?

Of course it gets even better when he pops up again on page 2

wow, lots of replies already, thanks guys

Real reason I’m asking because a friend is getting a 93 Corvette and he wants to race me. I said we can race to 30 mph because I think if I go from reverse I’ll get better weight transfer and beat him, but I’m concerned about making full boost since the turbocharger will be spinning backwards.

I damn near shot my KFC lunch across the room a second time after I read that one!

Via Los Jalops

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2008 Chevrolet HHR SS: Retro boogie

July 1, 2008 by Gary Grant 2 Comments

As we headed towards Mosport for the vintage festival last week, it seemed fitting that we were cruising in Chevy’s retro styled HHR. Fortunately, this was no plain Jane grocery getter either. We were headed for some twisties where the turbocharged 2008 HHR SS could get it’s boogie on. With pie wagon styling, substantial chrome wheels and pumping out 260 ponies this machine was just perfect for a dragging the cooler and cameras up for a day at the track, not to mention a few dance steps along the way.

ss-turbo.jpg

Over the past years, we haven’t owned a car with overly sporting intentions. Reason? Kids. A herd of them. There hasn’t been too many vehicles conceived over the years that are capable of hauling a family of 5 and a bunch of their junk that can do double duty as a weekend warrior. The two jobs have distinctly different needs. Lately though, several automakers have managed to combine the needs of a parental taxi with the wants of an autocrosser.
[Read more…]

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Track test: 2008 MINI Cooper S

September 22, 2007 by Gary Grant 16 Comments

cooper-s-6.jpg

It is such a shame that cameras don’t catch the colour orange in all it’s glory cause this MINI Cooper S wears a coat that is eyeball searing shade of dayglo. Fortunately this little shoebox won’t be mistaken for a pylon any time soon. This thing is quick!

I’m somewhat ashamed to say that this was my first ever drive in a modern MINI and it’s already in its’ second generation. Why? Well, the opportunity just never presented itself. Over the past few cars I’ve heard terms like rollerskate, go kart, formula car applied to the MINI and I was eager to get on with MINI experience.
[Read more…]

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