How I found myself scrabbling around on a cold garage floor trying to breathe life back into a car that should have gone to the knackers years ago
A few years back, after at least 25 years of driving various Morgans, I sold my 1955 Plus-4 Special and bought a 1976 Triumph TR6. Some might counter that I jumped from the frying pan into the fire by acquiring a Triumph, but after some 10 years of ownership, I’m still a happy camper. The…
The fuel economy of today’s car is miles ahead of what it used to be but manufacturers aren't done yet
Arguably the biggest challenge facing automakers has to do with the environment: How to make their products more fuel efficient and cleaner running, while consuming fewer natural resources and leaving a smaller carbon footprint. Air conditioned seats, illuminated cup-holders, and cars that park themselves are fine and dandy, but people (and governments) want automobiles that…
In the economy market, this model has always been a cut above the rest
Car buyers have plenty to choose from in the economy market segment. Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, etc., all have tons of models available and, by and large, they’re pretty good. But one model has always been a cut above the rest when it comes to getting maximum bang for the buck – at least, as…
Today’s automobiles are full of safety features and more improvements are added every model year
In a dramatic video that made the rounds on the Internet a few years ago, a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is crashed into a 1959 Chev Bel Air in a front offset collision staged by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Despite the prevailing wisdom that older automobiles, with their heavier construction and greater use…
Rapid adoption could cause an 11% spike in Canadian electricity demand, requiring utilities to make significant infrastructure investments
A new report the presence of an estimated 13.2 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 will change Canadian energy demands. The EY Canadian electric vehicle transition – the difference between evolution and revolution report was released on Monday. It says Canadian sales of electric vehicles grew 165 per cent year over year in…
Better traction, more contact with the road and even studs – winter tires give you superior control and quicker braking
I hate to say it, but winter is just around the corner. In fact, in many places in Canada it’s already snowing, with sub-zero temperatures all over the place. Better get ready for coldness and the best place to start is where the rubber meets the road. Let’s start with the obvious: Get winter tires…
Combining the best of both internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery electric (BEV) technology
Just when you think you’ve settled on the perfect mate for your daily commute, a new love interest shows up. Canadians have slowly started to accept that electric vehicles (EV) will replace good old fashioned gasoline-powered cars as their daily driver. But industry leaders say EVs could eventually be eclipsed by a more convenient technology:…
But year-to-date sales are still down 3.8 per cent through the first nine months of this year
After a definitive downward trend through the first half of 2019, vehicle sales appear to have reached a bottom in Canada, turning modestly higher in the third quarter, according to a report released on Wednesday by TD Economics. But the bank, in its Canadian Auto Outlook update, said year-to-date sales are still down 3.8 per…
Curbside pickup day in my community is a combination of Mardi Gras and Canadian Pickers
One of the biggest criticisms about the automobile is that it can isolate people. We drive around in our own cocoon and the rest of the world is reduced to a series of images floating by the window. This, say those who study these things, tends to make people feel disassociated from one another and…
This all-electric car offers range, jump, comfort and practicality – but it’s not cheap
The first thing that occurred to me when I picked up the all-electric 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric were the two words: range anxiety. It’s the paranoia of driving more than a block or two for fear of running out of battery power and being stranded. Part of the reason for this is that most electric…