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CONTENTS

Gran It Is

The all-new 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe ...Pg. 12

ALSO INSIDE:

VW Beetle Turbo

Performance

We take a look at some Japanese lowcost sports cars ...pg 43

The Beetle Turbo features a bold new look ...pg 16

Geneva auto show

All the latest exotic supercars from the Geneva Auto Show...pg 15

lamborghini

The creation of Lamborghini ...pg 49

company profile

Megaspeed 2013 Megaspeed 2013 coverage from Toronto, Ontario ...pg 36

BD Diesel ..pg 33

King Cobra

Starting Lines--------------------------------------------------------------- 4 First Drive: Honda Civic -------------------------------------------------- 20 2013 Performance Tire Guide-------------------------------------------- 22 RPM Test Fleet ------------------------------------------------------------ 28 Road Test: Kia Optima Turbo ------------------------------------------- 30 Plugged In: Head Units -------------------------------------------------- 41 Classic Corner ------------------------------------------------------------- 51 New Product Showcase -------------------------------------------------- 52

Tony and Angie Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1978 Mustang II ...pg 46

Parting Shots -------------------------------------------------------------- 54 RPM Apr / May 2013

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The SS Cometh, Just Not to Canada Volume 15, Issue No. 2 April/May 2013 Publisher / Editor: Dean Washington dean@rpmcanada.ca Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca Circulation: Brenda Washington brenda@rpmcanada.ca New Car Editor Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca Editorial Coordinator / Graphic Designer Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca

We were rather disappointed when GM had to dissolve Pontiac back in the dark days of 2010. It meant that one of GM’s greatest decisions, to bring the Aussiebuilt Holden Commodore to our shores guised as the G8, was short-lived. The G8 was one of GM’s best offerings, and while we were sad to see it go, we now have something even better to look forward too. The latest spec of the Commodore will once again make a return to this side of the pond, this time badged as the Chevrolet SS. Sporting rearwheel drive and a 415-horsepower 6.2-litre LS3 lifted from the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette, the SS promises to be a blast. GM claims ideal 50/50 weight distribution, 355-mm Brembo brakes and a six-speed automatic with TAPshift paddles, enabling the SS to reach 100 km/h in only five seconds. The lack of a manual is unfortunate, but the package as a whole looks brilliant, and GM will put it on sale this fall. The problem with all of this? Despite the car coming to America, Canadians have had GM turn their backs on them, deciding we are not worthy. Come on GM, share the fun.

Sales & Marketing Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca Contributing Writers/Photographers: Jordan Allan Gerry Frechette Arch Linsao Dave MacKinnon Nigel Matthews Russell Purcell Budd Stanley

Tim Hortons Offering EV Drivers a Double Double It’s a marketing scheme that makes good sense to both Tim Hortons and customers who need their daily shot of caffeine. Everyone knows that the infrastructure for Electric Vehicles is in its infancy and Tim Hortons is taking advantage of that situation. It has installed a charging station at the Oakville, Ontario franchise that allows drivers of EVs to

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STARTING LINES charge their car while getting their morning fix. Along with the franchise location, Tim Hortons has also installed charging units at its corporate headquarters as well, for company employees. At the moment, the exercise is just an experiment, but the company is looking into expanding the program. P1 To Pack Twin Power We have been eagerly anticipating the release of McLarenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s follow-up to the F1, arguably the greatest car ever built. And while the look of the new P1 is manically enticing, there seems to be a hint that the new car will not be as intuitive as the old F1. The prime reason being, despite the 737-horsepower 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 mounted amidships, motiva-

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tion will be shared with McLarenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) and DRS (Drag Reduction System) that will utilize an electric motor to ensure instant torque and throttle response. This bumps combined output to 903 horsepower and gives the P1 10 km of silent running. McLaren released the technical news at the latest showing of the car in Geneva, and while it sounds like a bench-racers dream, somehow the added attention to the latest in planet-saving technology matched to stratospheric power numbers seems to drastically detach the P1 from the brilliance of the F1 forbear. However, regardless of your own nostalgic feeling, the new P1 is a sight to behold. IIHS Releases First Top Safety Pick+ Winners In prior issues, we looked at some of the safest vehicles currently on sale in Canada in regards to the IIHS, or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, testing standards. However, there were a lot of vehicles scoring the coveted TSP score, so the IIHS recently

Publishing Schedule: RPM is published 6 times per year by RPM Media Inc. Every second month. Subscription Info: 1 year: (6 issues) $9.95 + hst, 2 years: (12 issues) $17.95 + hst. Second class mailing #40050183. General Policies: The views expressed by the writers are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. Reprints with permission only. Advertisements are accepted in good faith, but we suggest that it is in your best interest to check offers personally. Publication by rpm motoring monthly should not be taken as an endorsement of the product or services offered. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of any materials sent to our offices by individuals or organizations.

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created a higher level to motivate manufacturers to continue to strive in the effort to build better vehicles. In the latest round of testing, which incorporates a brutal small overlap test and requires cars to get Good ratings in four out of the five categories (and no less than Acceptable in the fifth) yielded five initial winners. The 2013 Volvo XC60, Lincoln MKZ, Honda Civic and the 2014 Mazda6 are all the first to receive the IIHS’s absolute best rating. The 2014 Subaru Forester has not yet been subjected to the small overlap test, so it remains with just a Top Safety Pick rating until the IIHS tests small utility vehicles, which is expected to happen later in the spring. Nissan Unveils Aussie V8 Racer The Aussie V8 Supercar series is a particularly entertaining form of motorsports featuring a fierce rivalry between Ford and Holden V8powered rear-wheel drive sedans. It has been a deeply passionate domestic series in Australia, much like NASCAR is in the U.S.A. However, we learned a little over a year ago that Nissan planned to crash the party. With GT3 and GT1 versions of the GTR racing the world over with V8 power, we figured the choice was an easy one as the GTR once ruled the Aussie tracks back in the early ‘90s. However,

Nissan tossed us a curve ball, announcing teams that would pilot the new Altima V8. While the Falcon and Commodore already feature V8 power and rear-wheel drive, the Altima required heavy modification to bring the car up to spec, and ironically sounds identical to its Ford and Holden counterparts at speed. A total of four Altimas will take to the track for the 2013 Aussie V8 Supercar season with a North American race May 17-19 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX. Porsche 911 Celebrates a Half-Century For five decades, the 911 has been the heart of the Porsche brand. Few other automobiles in the world can look back on such a long tradition and such continuity as the Porsche 911. It has been inspiring car enthusiasts the world over since its debut as the model 901 at the IAA International Automotive Show in September, 1963. Over 820,000 Porsche 911s have been built, making it the most successful sports car in the world. For each of its seven generations, the engineers in Zuffenhausen and Weissach have reinvented it, time and time again, yet it still retains the same attributes and styling it possessed fifty years ago. Not only has the 911 been a quintessential road-going sports car, its racing pedigree remains unchallenged with over 20,000 victories on race tracks, rallies, hill climbs and even in the deserts of the Dakar Rally. Volvo Opening New R&D Centre There hasn’t been much news emanating out of Gothenburg since Geely Holding took over majority ownership of Volvo. However, it seems that the Swedish-Chinese venture will establish a Research and Development Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Centre will develop a new modular architecture and set of components for future C-segment cars, addressing the needs of both Volvo and Geely. This, in theory, will allow future Volvo products to make better economic sense in the face of competition that already exploits cross-brand platform sharing to lower costs. The Centre will be run by Mats Fägerhag,

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currently Vice President of Product Strategy within Volvo Cars, and leverage on the Volvo technology leadership within Geely Holding. The new R&D Centre will employ approximately 200 full-time employees. Volvo goes on to emphasize it will be in full control of the development of its next-generation C-segment cars. Ian Callum Gets Dose of Jag History Jaguar Cars Director of Design, Ian Callum, is taking on a different sort of challenge these days. Jaguar has been diving into its past as of late, developing a historic racing team fielding classic racing Jags, and now Callum is set to build a “special” Jaguar MKII along with Jaguar restoration specialists, Classic Motor Cars. Callum has a handpicked team at CMC with which to design a car to his exact design specifications. There is not much info on the direction the project might take, but Callum hints that the classic Jag will receive subtle aesthetic and technical modifications to the stance as well as simplifying exterior and interior trim. If you are a Jaguar fan,

10 RPM Apr / May 2013

you’ll want to keep up to date with the project on CMC’s website at www.classic-motor-cars.co.uk. Kia Green-Lighting GT and Provo Concepts? There is no doubt that Kia has been on a charge lately, bringing an impressive lineup of new designs to market. While the Korean manufacturer has always injected a little more of a sporty attitude into its vehicles than its Hyundai cousins, there is word that Kia is looking to up the ante. Showing off a couple of aggressive concepts, the GT last year in Frankfurt and the Provo hybrid hatchback that debuted in Geneva this year, has got people talking. Some of those people talking are Auto Express, who quoted Benny Oeyen, Kia Europe’s VP of marketing and product planning, who said “The GT is close to being approved and going into production, but, as with all our cars, they have to be developed on a sound financial footing.” We like the way Kia is thinking at the moment - go big or go home.

STARTING LINES Rolls-Royce Pull Wraps off the Wraith With the Bentley Continental running amok with a monopoly over the luxo-barge performance coupe segment, perennial rival RollsRoyce had something to say on the subject at Geneva this year, pulling the wraps of its all-new Wraith. The big coupe shows off a new fastback design and is one of the most powerful Rolls-Royces ever, producing 624 horsepower and 800 Nm from the V12 engine married to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The result is a 0-100 time of just 4.6 seconds in a car that stays true to its lavish appointments. One new appointment is the debut of Satellite Aided Transmission. This technology uses GPS mapping data to ensure the correct gear is always pre-selected for the road terrain and driving style ahead. Really, have the ultra-wealthy become so lazy that even an automatic transmission requires too much effort?

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GM Entering Diesel Car Market with 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel General Motors will be entering the Canadian diesel car market this summer with the launch of the 2.0L turbo-diesel version of the popular sedan, the Cruze. The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, which will be the cleanest diesel passenger car engine that General Motors have ever produced, will be expected to get as low as 4.6L/100 km highway fuel consumption based on GM testing. The all new 2.0L turbo-diesel will make an estimated 148 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-96km/h (0-60mph) time of 8.6 seconds. The diesel compact sedan will have a starting price of $24,945 and will have a six-speed automatic transmission, four wheel anti-lock disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, and leather appointed seating as well as many other features.

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One Gran Coupe

BMW slaps two more doors on the 650i Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy BMW Canada

hy would you take a two-door coupe and add two more doors? It counteracts the whole point of a coupe - a sleek and sporty two-door performance-minded Grand Tourer. Mercedes got the ball rolling with the CLS, followed up by the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and finally the Audi A7. Yet, despite an already packed segment, BMW has joined the party, albeit quite late, with its new 650i Gran Coupe. Gran it is, as this is a deceivingly big car, making it not as manoeuvrable as BMW’s smaller performance-minded offerings, and doesn’t as much as tear up the tarmac as lumber along. The Driving Dynamics system offers five modes from fuel sipping “ECO PRO” to “Comfort+” to “Sport+,” the latter being Bavarian for “brute force and sheer bloody ignorance,” bringing the full ferociousness of the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 to roaring life. When Sport+ is selected and the right foot goes down, a great noise barks from the rear, bodies are flung back into the seats and any prior hypermiling in ECO PRO was all for naught 12 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

SPECIFICATIONS Price: .......................................................................................................$99,800 Price as tested: ......................................................................................$129,070 Engine: . .................................................................................4.4L V-8 twin-turbo Power: ....................................................................................... 445 hp, 480 lb-ft Layout: . .............................................................................. Front-mounted, AWD Weight: ...................................................................................................2,015 kg Fuel Efficiency: ......................................... 2.8L/100km city, 8.9L/100km highway

car reacts to the road. And how about those rear doors; well, it sure does make getting in and out of the two deep-dish rear seats much easier. A more dignified exit for the more mature demographic that will be lusting after the big cruiser. Not to mention, despite a sloped ceiling, there is a surprising amount of space in the back seats that are just as comfortable as the front ones and have separate climate as the turbos suck great masses of air into the big V8. Suspension zone controls and heaters. and steering are also strained for battle, but as mentioned, the great mass means this is more of a brutishly fast cruiser than a nimble After a week of driving the 650i Gran Coupe, the quirky new segmenace. ment starts to make sense after all. It isn’t so much a coupe, just a nice sporty four-door for those who want something a little more In turn, ECO PRO is the 650’s Dr. Jekyll to the Sport+ Mr. Hyde as it exciting than a 7-series, with all the benefits and luxuries of such. is part of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology, which among many Is it the “Ultimate Driving Machine?” No, invasive driver aids and things, eases throttle response, tightens shift points in the eight-speed front-biased AWD drivetrain kill the soul of a true driver’s car, but it transmission and makes use of brake-regenerated power to take the is a darn good machine. load off the alternator. All this smart tech managed to get me over two mountain passes in the middle of a blizzard at an average of only 8.9L/100 km – pretty impressive for a 2,000-kg AWD monster. The tech doesn’t stop there, as the 650i is absolutely overflowing with innovations, too much to list, but with Radar-Guided Cruise, Lane Departure Warning, digital Heads-up Display and Infrared Vision just for starters, you can guess BMW’s boffins had their leashes taken off. All this state-of-the-art gadgetry is backed up by a properly luxurious interior that just makes you feel special. with a metropolitan yet sporty architecture wrapped in just the right skins. It feels as though the design team took a cast of my body and built the rest of the car around it, giving the driver a great feel of how the

14 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

FEATURE - GENEVA AUTO SHOW Pininfarina who passed away late last year. Built on the Ferrari 458, this mid-engine 4.5-litre V8-powered masterpiece of art and aesthetics is truly a beautiful way to send Sergio off in style. Unfortunately, the Sergio is only a one-off.

Ferrari LaFerrari

Cry Havoc, And Let Slip the Designers of Exotica Manufacturers unleash their designers in an automotive orgy of design

Carrozzeria Touring Disco Volante Building a concept car paying tribute to another concept car, the Disco Volante is design house Carrozzeria Touring’s idea of what a modern version of the extremely rare 1952 sports car would look like. The original was a collaboration between Alfa and Touring as was this modern interpretation built on the backbone of the C8 Competizione, complete with old-school hand-beaten aluminum skin. Yeah, this one is a year old, but still a magnificent specimen. Italdesign Giugiaro Parcour Keeping with the onslaught of Italian madness, the Italdesign Giugiaro Parcour is a bit the bastard offspring of a Lamborghini Gallardo and Lancia rally car. The two-seater with four-wheel drive, fitted with a 550-horsepower Lamborghini V10 5.2-litre mounted amidships, is capable of accelerating from rest to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.

Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren P1 Italdesign, Pininfarina, Carrozzeria Touring, McLaren and Sbarro Moving on to something that isn’t Italian, the British P1 is he Geneva Auto Show is always a prime suspect for exotic supercar a science experiment with and limited-edition coach designers to flaunt their most extravagant wheels. Featuring 903 horsegoods. However, 2013 was an absolute orgy of scintillating new designs power derived from both a that seem to exude from just about every firm. Along with many anticipated twin-turbo V8 and a batterynew production designs due to show themselves to the world, the show fed electric motor, the P1 is as was also full of one-off specials produced by coachbuilders for the ultra-rich. sophisticated as it is ludicrous to look at. Regardless, here is a taste of what Geneva had in store.

Sbarro Réact Ferrari LaFerrari Lets start off with the most anticipated hypercar of them all, the successor to the Enzo, a car with two first names – the Ferrari LaFerrari. Sculpted by wind tunnels, built entirely of carbon fibre and powered by an 800-horsepower V12 with the addition of a 162-horsepower electric motor, the LaFerrari is truly a thing of beauty and suitable successor to the iconic Enzo. Lamborghini Veneno You may notice a lot of Lamborghini material in this issue of RPM, and that is because the legendary Italian supercar builder turned fifty this year. And to celebrate, they came to Geneva with the Veneno. Like the Sesto Elemento, the Veneno is a track-day racer built on Aventador underpinnings, and best of all, they are actually going to build it, at least a couple that is. The lucky few get a 740-horsepower V12 and a whole lot of carbon, but thankfully no hybrid electrics, though. Pininfarina Sergio Like the Enzo’s creation for company founder Enzo Ferrari, Design house Pininfarina also designed a spectacular tribute to the late Sergio

This car from the Swiss design firm Sbarro is not an EV, but an “Ecological Vehicle.” Power is produced by a Peugeot V6 with 210 horsepower that turns the rear wheels, while the fronts get two DC brushless motors that are each worth 100kW and 553 pound-feet of torque. The Réact is due to be run out in the 14th Monte Carlo Rallye of New Energies this month. Alfa Romeo 4C Finally, we end with something that may not be as exotic as the rest of this impressive collection, but there is something special about the 4C. Not only is the little 240-horsepower turbocharged mid-mounted four-cylinder going into production, it’s actually coming here to Canada. Alfa...ahem… Fiat….ahem… Chrysler won’t give any details as to when, how many or how much, but only to ensure that it is on its way. Weighing in at a staggeringly low 895 kg, it promises to give Lotuses, MX-5s and FRS/BRZs a run for their money in the fun factor. At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013 15

ROAD TEST - VW BEETLE TURBO wheels. A subtle deck spoiler and twin exhaust pipes highlight the aerodynamically sculpted rear end design of the car which is much more mature looking than that featured on the previous Beetle design. The Beetle Turbo comes decked out with the Sportline trim package which includes such niceties as the aforementioned 18-inch alloy wheels and brake calipers painted in bold red. Other exterior embellishments include a distinctive front grille with fog lights, and blackcoloured side mirrors, window trim and running boards.

The Punch Buggy Grows Up

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

As a larger individual, I often find small cars to be unpleasant to drive due to their cramped cockpits and limited interior real estate. This is not the case here. I found the passenger cabin to be very comfortable, especially in the driver’s position, as there is abundant leg, hip, shoulder and head room. Much has been improved with regard to the car’s interior appointments, and the rear seat passengers will appreciate a little more head room with the new design. I found the driver’s seat to be supportive enough for my larger frame and I had plenty of space in the footwell for my size 14 feet. The rear compartment has benefited from the car’s growth spurt, especially in the legroom department, but in reality, this space is best reserved for children and diminutive adults.

Story and photos by Russell Purcell

must admit that when the last generation of the Volkswagen Beetle hit the streets in 1998, I wasn’t very impressed. Marketed as the New Beetle, this retro-flavoured punch buggy was far too cute to appeal to a manly individual like myself. All kidding aside, the car initially proved to be a strong seller, as buyers typically embrace those products that are all-new or represent the trendy flavour-of-the-day, but the car also benefited from its ability to kindle fond memories of times past. Now referred to as simply the Beetle, or in the case of my tester, informally as the Turbo, the 2013 edition of this curvaceous runabout has sparked renewed interest in the storied model. For those familiar with the styling of the previous iteration of this car, the look of the latest edition will seem familiar, as it still maintains the basic elements that combine to pay homage to the original Beetle, the car that started it all for Volkswagen almost 75 years ago. The half-moon shape of the passenger cell remains, although the curvature of the roofline has been reduced resulting in a shorter window height that almost gives the car a chopped, custom look. The front fenders look less pronounced and the hood appears to be a little longer and its curves are likewise less pronounced. I guess this proves that while men do love curves, they don’t find them overly appealing on compact automobiles. This was a major problem for the New Beetle, as it garnered the bulk of its attention from female buyers, so the directive given to the designers of the new car was to add a hint of machismo in an effort to attract male buyers and enlarge the potential customer base.

The dash layout is simple and uncluttered, and switchgear has been kept to a minimum. The compact instrument cluster features just the necessities and is surrounded by bright alloy trim and imitation carbon fibre to add a sport-minded flair. Gone is the novelty bud vase and in its place we get functional gear like the leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, light alloy pedals, and a turbo boost gauge.

Other options on my test unit included the Connectivity Package that has media device interface with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth phone capabilities. This package is a supplement to the Technology Package which includes a multifunction touch-screen which serves The revamped Beetle debuted in late 2012 with a much more gender- as the command module for both the navigation and premium Fender neutral design. The car has grown in virtually every dimension, but it audio system. hides it well, so doesn’t look ungainly. The new model is both longer and wider than the outgoing car, but it also sits almost half-an-inch lower. A Under the Turbo’s clamshell of a hood resides a 2.0-litre, direct-inhost of additional styling modifications help give the Beetle Turbo a look jected and turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a healthy aggressive enough to capture the eye of driving enthusiasts without 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. This is enough power to give crossing the line into boy-racer design. The car seems to be ready to the car the ability to sprint from 0-100 km/h in a very respectable six pounce, as it sits perched on the bold, 18-inch, five-spoke, two-tone seconds. 16 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

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ROAD TEST - VW BEETLE TURBO The Turbo Beetle seemed to enjoy being tossed through the curves of the winding, rural back roads that comprise the bulk of one of my favourite test loops. The car accelerates with authority as the transmission clicks from gear to gear at the mere touch of the steering wheel mounted paddles. Power delivery flows strongly and consistently as my heavy foot presses down on the gas pedal in my quest for triple digit speeds. There is little, if any, evidence of turbo lag from this potent little powerplant which has been designed to deliver its optimum levels of power at a very low 1,700 rpm. That being said, I found the engine was ready to pull all the way to its redline. The wide track and stretched wheelbase help the Beetle Turbo be a much more satisfying driving experience. During my week with the car, I managed to spend some quality time tearing up some of my favourite country back roads in an effort to see if it had any significant handling faults. What I discovered is that the car exhibits crisp handling and the steering provides excellent feedback. Steering is responsive, and my inputs placed the car exactly where I wanted it to go. The chassis is well developed, and the suspension handled road irregularities very well. Under hard acceleration, the six-speed DSG transmission is a star, as I was able to flick up and down the silky gearbox at a rapid pace and in a seamless fashion. The rear of the car stays planted to the tarmac due to the relatively low centre of gravity, but the presence of a fully independent rear suspension helps as well. The delivery of power to the ground is also more efficient as the vehicle is equipped with Volkswagen’s slick XDS electronic limited-slip differential. The car’s big 18–inch alloy wheels are wrapped in meaty performance tires, so the package has a substantial contact patch and tremendous grip. Having the rolling apparatus at each corner gives the car a very tossable feel, but it exhibits very little body roll. Under extreme braking conditions – a series of controlled panic stops from 100 km/h - the car’s over-sized brakes reined in the fun and brought me to a comfortable stop in short order and without any excess drama. After an afternoon of driving that featured a series of extended climbs and descents on a mountainous test loop, I found the brakes to perform flawlessly. Pedal feel remained positive and the brakes seemed very resistant to fade. The Beetle Turbo’s new look is bold, but familiar, as it captures the essence that is the basic shape of every Volkswagen Beetle that came before it. But what this latest example offers that its forbears did not is a driving experience that rivals that of its GTI sibling. And for this, Volkswagen should be proud.

SPECIFICATIONS Base price(MSRP):......................................................................................................................... $30,425 Price as tested: . ..................... $32,390 (includes $675-connectivity package; $1290- technology package; $1365- freight and PDI; $100- AC excise tax) Type: .................................................................................................................2-door, 4-passenger coupe Layout: .......................................................................................................Front engine, front-wheel drive. Engine: ................................ 2.0-Litre, in-line 4-cylinder, turbocharged with intercooler and direct injection Horsepower: . ........................................................................................................200 @ 5,100–6,000 rpm Torque : . .................................................................................................................. 207 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm Brakes (front / rear): . ................................................................................................................... Disc/disc Fuel economy (L/100km): . ................................................. City- 9.9 (28.5 mpg); Highway- 6.5 (43.5 mpg)

18 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

FIRST DRIVE - HONDA CIVIC Depending on model, the Civic comes with 15-, 16-, or 17-inch wheels, and all but the 17-inch Si wheel have been redesigned with a much more aggressive spoke pattern. Inside, the Civic gets a redesigned cockpit which Honda says is more driver-oriented, still keeping the unique bi-level arrangement with the digital speed readout high up near the base of the windshield. Honda has worked on making the interior look more premium, with more colour coordination, soft-touch materials, deeper dashboard grain surface, silver and chrome accents, the upper part of the dashboard and doors changed to black no matter what other colour is chosen, and so on. One must say its efforts have been successful, as the Civic looks just a bit more upmarket now.

Revamped

The Refreshed 2013 Honda Civic

The Civic has long been high on the enthusiast’s compact car list, because of how it feels to drive, but Honda set out to improve both handling and ride quality, something not considered possible not so long ago. The front and rear suspension (both MacPherson strut-type) are each stiffer with reduced operating friction, the spring rates are up, the stabilizer bars are thicker, and the steering ratio is quicker. Sounds like a proven recipe for success, and Honda claims that the Civic is better in handling and ride quality than both Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. In our brief first drive, we didn’t have those cars to drive and compare, but we were impressed with the Civic’s road manners.

Another major determinant of one’s impression of quality is interior noise level, and Honda has attacked this via improved glass technology, more Story by Gerry Frechette, body insulation, a dynamic damper on the front sub-frame, and other techniphotos courtesy Honda Canada cal solutions. Honda claims great improvement, into mid-size sedan territory, and, combined with its typically refined powertrain, the changes make for a t’s a rare instance in this day of multi-year product life cycles when a manu- very quiet little car. facturer significantly revamps one of its models after only a year and a half of a totally new model being on the market. In Honda’s consumer research, it was found that amongst all the possible (within reason) feature changes people would want on their Civic, that heated Rarer still is it when the model in question, the Honda Civic, is the best-selling front seats came out on top, and they have been added to the LX, EX and Si car in Canada, even in 2011 with the supply problems, and one which most trim levels. There are many more feawould say was a quite satisfactory compact sedan. ture additions, too many to describe in this space, but enough to make the But Honda was not satisfied with the sales performance of the Civic in the Civic an even better value. face of many new models from other manufacturers, despite an increase of over 10,000 (to 53,000) in sales in model year 2012, and the result is the 2013 Considering all the improvements, Civic, which, while not an value is a big story here. Yes, the botall-new design, sees many tom line is a bit higher on all models, in the $300-400 range; the volume LX significant changes which sedan goes from $17,740 to $18,190, for example. Not much of a bump up for Honda hopes will keep it all the improvements and new standard features. As before, Civic is available comfortably atop the sales in both sedan and coupe bodies, a choice that few of its rivals offer. There are charts. four levels of “basic to luxury” offered, plus the very sporty Si, and the frugal Hybrid, so, as they say, there is something for every taste in the Civic. There are typically a couple of words that an auto manu- Honda surprised us with all these changes to the Civic so soon after launchfacturer puts out there to de- ing the ninth generation for 2012, but we feel that this Civic should be able scribe how they want its new to last a lot longer with this “ninth-and-a-half” generation being such a strong offering to be viewed, and in offering. the case of the revised Civic, the words are Youthful and Premium. You might draw the conclusion that Honda wished to sell more cars to younger people than the ‘12 model was, and that some people thought that the execution of the ‘12 model was a bit “basic,” even in the premium trim levels. So the goals included making it more dynamic, and of a higher quality.

To draw in younger folk, and those who want to view the Civic as a sporty compact, the front and rear end designs have been completely revised. Up front, the grill opening has been considerably enlarged for a more aggressive look, while the bumper is wider-looking for a lower stance. In the rear, again, the bumper has been given a lower, wider look for that hunkered-down posture, while above it, the taillights have been extended towards the centre of the car in a way that is somewhat common these days, but one that seems to appeal to lots of people. 20 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

2013 PERFORMANCE TIRE GUIDE wouldn’t it? Don’t get me wrong, your tires are definitely important. Very important, in fact! Heck, if they weren’t, I’d be out of a job! But the fact is, that nothing in, on or anywhere around your vehicle is as important as you. You dictate what the vehicle is able to do. Put it this way; your vehicle won’t out-drive you, but you can definitely out-drive your vehicle and any of its components, including your tires! You are the component that controls all the other components scattered all over your vehicle. It all essentially starts with you. Your abilities and/ or inabilities will have a direct effect on how well or how poorly your vehicle performs. It affects that ever-so-sensitive and precise balance I’ve been talking about. For your vehicle to do what it was designed to do at whatever level it was designed to do so, it relies on your ability to match and maximize it.

Are You a Race Car Driver? Or Just Pretending?

So what does your driving ability have to do with what performance tire you should buy? It has EVERYTHING to do with what performance tire you should buy! I’ve always said that you should buy a tire that is appropriate for the vehicle you’re putting them on. This makes sense, perfect sense. But it’s just as important to match that tire to your driving abilities, and yes, as much as we hate to admit we have them, our driving inabilities as well. By doing both these things, you come closer to achieving a better balance, thus achieving better performance.

Now let’s get one thing clear here; better performance doesn’t necessarily mean more performance. It just means better balance. The best way to demonstrate this is to think about the last time you were out at a race track, whether it be an autocross track, road race track, or heck, even a drag strip. It doesn’t matter. Just think back and try to remember which vehicle had the best lap times or the fastest 1/4-mile. Was that car the one with the biggest motor and the most power? I’d be willing to say that more often than not, it wasn’t that car. And why wasn’t it? It’s all about balance. The car that was the most well-balanced amongst all By Arch Linsao of its components, driver included, was the one with the best ET’s. I’ve seen Mazda Miatas with faster autocross times than Porsche 911s. How et’s face it, we’ve all done it. It may have been a nice empty stretch is that possible? Balance. of highway on a cool brisk spring morning, or an enticingly windy road on a hot summer day with the top down and the volume up. It may You alone hold the key to achieving this balance. It starts with you being have been in a high-powered sports car, an SUV, a truck, a compact honest with yourself about your ability to drive your vehicle at the level car or a family sedan. It doesn’t matter what we were driving or where that it was designed to be driven. Once you figure out how you fit into we were driving it, we’ve all found ourselves at that one moment in time that puzzle, then you’ll be able to determine which components, in this at one point or another. case we’re talking specifically about tires, will work best with your vehicle and the way you drive. That moment where we decided that rather than slowing down and taking it easy, we’d much rather grab the wheel with both hands, let Example: If you over-estimate your driving abilities, you’ll end up with the weight of our right foot bear down on the throttle and aim for that tires that will be a bit of overkill. You’ll end up with a tire that may grip a bit perfect spot in the upcoming curve in the road that only a special breed too much for you to control properly and you won’t be able to maximize of driver refers to as the ‘apex.’ Whether we’ve done it while imagining the tire’s capabilities. It’ll simply be too much for you. On the flip side, if we were our favourite race car driver in our ultimate dream car on the you underestimate your driving abilities, you will end up with a tire you’ll track we could only dream of being on, or just imagining ourselves alone hate because it won’t ever perform up to your level and standards. This and free with nothing but an empty road ahead and time on our hands, is the case no matter what vehicle you drive, whether it be a BMW M3, we’ve all done it. a Toyota Camry, a Honda CRV or a Ford Fiesta. If you don’t choose a tire that matches your driving ability (or lack thereof), it’ll be just like We’ve all let the adrenalin and excitement get the best of us and opted to picking a tire that’s not appropriate for your vehicle. Balance will never test the fine balance between our abilities to drive our vehicle ‘spiritedly’ be achieved and the potential to achieve that balance will be limited by and our vehicle’s ability to be driven that way. The balance between all the component that is throwing it all out of balance. Don’t they say that the mechanical and electronic components being manhandled by the a chain is only as strong as its weakest link? human component. The juggling act that we’ve got to have down to a science in order to maximize both our abilities and our vehicle’s capabili- So don’t be the weak link. Don’t be the performance component that ties. All the pieces of this complex puzzle working together to achieve caused the imbalance and limited the potential of the other components harmony, to achieve balance. This ‘balance’ is what I think of when I to perform. When it comes down to choosing the best performance tire think of performance. Heck, this balance IS performance. The better the out there for you, take a good hard look in the mirror and be honest balance, the better the performance. And vice versa. with yourself when you try to evaluate your ability to drive your car and essentially, drive your tires. When you talk to your tire expert (because It’s quite a precise balance, really. And there is one key component that you know I always tell you to talk to your tire expert!) put the ego aside is essential in achieving this balanced performance. That component and be honest with them as well. They need to know your actual driving is... you. abilities, not the driving abilities that you wish you had. That way, they’ll be able to better help you find the best tire to suit your driving abilities Now, I know you were probably thinking I was going to say that the and your vehicle’s capabilities, thus helping you achieve balanced key component was your tires. But that would just be too predictable, performance.

22 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

ready anytime

EXTREME SPEEDS, EXTRAORDINARY G-FORCES, PUNISHING BRAKING – the track delivers the perfect variety of punishment to serve as the ultimate testing ground for new tire technology. That’s why Yokohama has been a part of the American Le Mans Series since it began in 1998. It’s why we’ve been selected as the spec tire for the FIA World Touring Car Championship. And it’s why the 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge is running only on Yokohama tires. So when you mount a set of ADVAN Neova® AD08 tires onto your car, know that you’re driving with the most advanced racing technologies available today.

www.Yokohama.ca

2013 PERFORMANCE TIRE GUIDE Featured: g-Force Sport Comp 2

Silica-infused COMP-2 compound is derived from racing technology and delivers sharp steering response and leading grip in wet and dry conditions. This means faster acceleration featuring the best dry traction versus its competition on track. The tire’s Performance Racing Core is an internal structure that features a reinforced construction that delivers increased responsiveness, control and durability which results in 30 percent better wet and 8 percent better dry grip, and provides more control for precise cornering. Sport Tread Design provides proven stability and maximum cornering power while “g-Hooks” provide biting edges for grip at any cornering angle. This also stops your car up to 4.8 metres shorter in the wet and 2.7 metres shorter in the dry, for more control coming into corners.

Featured: Potenza S-04 Pole Position

Redefine your image of ultra-high performance with the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tire. Drawing on vast experience in premier motorsports and partnerships with some of the world’s finest automakers, the Potenza S-04 Pole Position will help you unleash your high-performance vehicle’s full potential. A silica-rich performance compound molded into an advanced asymmetric tread pattern delivers confident wet and dry performance. The continuous interlocking centre rib and large stiff outer shoulder blocks contribute to enhanced responsiveness and cornering. Try a set and feel the rush.

Featured: ExtremeContact DW

The ExtremeContactTM DW has pushed the envelope in performance with completely new technology exclusive to Continental Tire. The ExtremeContactTM DW delivers excellent traction and responsive handling in both wet and dry conditions, plus improved ride comfort, all while delivering better mileage at industry-leading rolling resistance levels. Unique “chamfered edge” dry road surface technology generates greater acceleration, grip, handling and braking traction in dry conditions by concentrating on maximum surface contact. This results in increased traction. High void-to-tread ratio improves water evacuation for outstanding wet traction. Dynamic Temperature Distribution provides an excellent combination of traction, long wear and reduced rolling resistance. Featured: SP Sport Maxx

As a luxury sport vehicle owner, you will truly appreciate the exhilaration the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx delivers. At the top of its class, this tire enhances the performance and appearance of the world’s most high-powered machines. The Multi-Radius Tread provides superior dry handling during all stages of cornering. Twin-Hydro Paddle Technology features highly-engineered tread regions which efficiently pump water out from under the footprint for responsive handling on wet roads. This equates to quick, turbulence-free water dispersion. It also features 5-pitch technology to reduce road noise.

Featured: Azenis FK453

The AZENIS FK453 is the latest generation of Falken’s steadfast ultra-high performance tire, available in a wide array of diameters, from 17-inch to 22-inch, along with staggered widths, making this tire versatile, resourceful, dynamic, and powerful. In addition, FK453 features the latest developments in noise-absorption technology, and incorporates a high-silica compound that presents better dry and wet grip. The multiple nylon-reinforced layers allow for better high-speed stability, an important asset based on the driver’s exacting demands. Asymmetrical tread design with large outside shoulder blocks provides enhanced cornering and better braking while reducing tire noise. 24 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

2013 PERFORMANCE TIRE GUIDE Featured: G-MAX AS-03

G-MAX is a dominant ultra-high performance tire that delivers precise response in dry and wet conditions. When interlocked tread blocks work together, they improve handling and reduce heat for increased tread life. Visual Alignment Indicators and Replacement Tire Monitor Technology aid consumers in detecting wear and misalignment.

Featured: Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

Revolutionary handling for an exceptional ultra-high performance driving experience. Features include a new tread design with motorsport resins which help in providing superior dry handling, a lightweight racing-derived construction for reduced unsprung mass which enhances steering position and handling, and active braking technology that offers enhanced stopping power on wet and dry roads. Also features an advanced tread block pattern to reduce excessive road noise.

Featured: Ventus V12 Evo

The Ventus V12 Evo is a new concept in ultra-high performance tires that delivers superb control and braking. Multiple Tread Radius (MTR) is an innovative tread design which, combined with HPSR compound technology, provides superior precise control and responsiveness required for performance under extreme driving conditions. Solid centre rib block enhances braking and ensures optimal ground contact pressure and control response at high speeds, while a wide linear groove and Y-shaped pattern design provide efficient water drainage, aiding in wet traction.

Featured: Ecsta XS

The ultimate in street handling and grip, the Ecsta XS is designed for the most extreme handling and grip capability in normal street use. Built to be used on the street as well as the race track, the Ecsta XS provides the steering response and dry grip of a race compound tire with the added street use durability for driving a vehicle in everyday activities. The Ecsta XS is also legal for use in SCCA â&#x20AC;&#x153;STâ&#x20AC;? class events. If your passion includes driving your vehicle to the racetrack for a lapping day and returning home on one set of tires no matter what the weather, the Ecsta XS is the tire for you. The extreme handling, traction and cornering grip are achieved with a combination of a low void asymmetric tread with circumferential grooving, ultra-fine carbon black compounding and ultra-wide tread contact with highly-rounded shoulders, which also provide an optimized footprint shape during high lateral loads. Featured: Pilot Super Sport

Born from endurance racing, Pilot Super Sport gives you the exhilaration of driving our best performing street tire. This tire is up to 12 percent better handling, two-times longer lasting and better-braking than its leading competitors. This is accomplished through the use of Variable Contact Patch 2.0 and Twaron belt package, a Le Mans-inspired tread compound on the outer shoulder and the latest generation of wet-oriented elastomers on the inner portion of the tread. The tire is inspired by the same engineering that has powered 13 consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013 25

2013 PERFORMANCE TIRE GUIDE Featured: NT05

The NT05™ is a max-performance tire that was developed through extensive computer simulation modelling and on-track testing. These rigorous development procedures helped produce a street tire that provides precise and responsive handling and performance. Knowing the tire is responding to your inputs will inspire your confidence. The continuous centre rib combined with larger outer shoulder tread blocks provide consistent contact with the road for a high level of dry performance. The specifically-formulated tread compound and reinforced internal construction were engineered to emphasize dry road response, traction, handling and high-speed capabilities.

Featured: P Zero

Offering ultra-high performance, P ZERO™ has been chosen as the original equipment for the most powerful, performance-driven cars on the market. Characterized by an asymmetric tread pattern that improves braking and performance, P ZERO™ is noted for its enhanced performance and control. Excellent in wet conditions, it reduces the risk of hydroplaning, and offers increased safety and handling. State-of-the-art nano-composite compound ensures the maximum grip and stability essential to sports driving. The tire’s structural integrity improves steering response and ensures uniform tread wear. A special “S-shaped” groove in the tread reduces interior noise levels, enhancing driver comfort. The P ZERO™ is truly a benchmark in its segment and ideal for all of the finest sport and exotic cars.

Featured: HTRZ III

The HTRZ III offers maximum performance across a range of conditions. Combining Euro performance with street tuner appeal, the HTRZ III delivers enhanced wet and dry traction, exceptional handling, smooth ride and a new level of maximum performance. The five-rib asymmetrical design of this tire give it exceptional lateral stability, high-speed handling and turn-in response. Its four straight, wide grooves and siped tie-bars aid in water evacuation for increased wet traction.

Featured: Proxes T1 Sport

The goal of Toyo Tires is to ensure that your Toyo replacement performance tires not only maintain the performance qualities built into your original equipment tire designed for your vehicle, but exceed them. The Toyo PROXES T1 Sport meets this challenge by offering an ultra-high performance tire, which provides performance characteristics expected from a PROXES tire with added comfort and stability for a luxury performance ride. The centre rib and wide blocks provide high-speed stability and increase the tire contact area. Both of these combined with an asymmetric tread pattern add up to a tire with improved braking, cornering and handling performance and quick responsive steering. Finish it all off with wide, straight grooves to provide a wide water channel for excellent wet weather performance and traction. Featured: Advan Neova AD08

For those wanting to drive every day during the week and take it to the autocross or track on the weekend, the Advan Neova is a great choice. The Advan Neova AD08 is Yokohama’s Extreme Performance summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sports coupes and performance sedans that have a passion for sport driving. The Advan Neova AD08 is designed to provide high levels of traction, responsive handling and driving control on dry and wet roads. Tiny slits in groove walls help effectively distribute stress loads to minimize uneven wear. A new compound delivers unprecedented street-tire grip in wet or dry conditions, while improving tread wear. Specially-placed steel inserts help resist lateral deflection while providing superior handling control and cornering. Extra-wide, continuous shoulder blocks enable stability during high-speed cornering. Low void-totread ratio keeps more rubber-to-road contact for maximum performance. Wavy centre ribs add stability and quick steering response during high-speed driving. Outer rib walls are rounded to reduce uneven tread wear. 26 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

RPM TEST FLEET Audi S4

Price: ......................................................... $57,800 Engine: .......3.0L Supercharged DOHC 24-valve V6 Trans: . ....................................... 7-speed automatic Power: ......................................................... 333 hp Torque: ...................................................... 325 lb/ft Curb Weight: ............................ 3,935 lb /1,785 kg Fuel Consumption: (L/100 km – City/Hwy) 11.7/7.7 New for 2013: Slight exterior styling refresh, aluoptic side mirror housings, unique grill, splitter, diffuser and exhaust design differentiate it from A4 sibling. Three-spoke steering wheel, adaptive cruise control. Segment Competitors: Infiniti G37, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS, BMW M3 The Skinny: The S4 takes everything that Audi offers with its A4 and adds a 3.0L TFSI engine that makes 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Also added are electro-mechanical power steering, Quattro all-wheel drive, and optional sport differential. The S4 also gives buyers the choice of a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission, both of which have received rave reviews. Pros: Incredibly fun to drive, has tons of power and great handling, plus a very well laid-out interior. Cons: Maybe a little pricey, but some would argue it’s worth every penny. The Verdict: This is one of the best sport sedans on the market today.

Cadillac XTS Luxury

Price: ....................................................... $51,975 Engine: . ..................... 3.6L DOHC 24-valve V6 Trans: . .....................................6-speed automatic Power: ....................................................... 300 hp Torque: .................................................... 264 lb/ft Curb Weight: ..........................1,812 kg / 3,995 lb Fuel Consumption: (L/100 km – City/Hwy) 12.1/7.2 New for 2013: Cadillac’s all-new sedan, bigger than the CTS, is powered by a 304-hp 3.6L V6 engine, and is the first Cadillac model to include the CUE infotainment system. Segment Competitors: Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80, Hyundai Genesis, Chrysler 300, Lexus GS The Skinny: The Cadillac XTS was designed to replace the now defunct DTS, and remain a larger option than the CTS. It also is the first Cadillac to feature the CUE infotainment system, which is standard on all trim levels. The 3.6L V6 provides enough power, and even though it’s smaller than some of its past brethren, you are able to comfortably seat five adults. Pros: Fun to drive and big enough to be family car, features tons of great safety equipment like lane departure warning system, back up camera, and front and back sensors. Cons: A little too much road noise enters the cabin The Verdict: A great looking machine that is fun to drive and loaded with all the bells and whistles.

Nissan Pathfinder Platinum

Price: ......................................................... $35,248 Engine: ..............................3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 Trans: . ............ Continuously Variable Transmission Power: ......................................................... 260 hp Torque: ...................................................... 240 lb/ft Curb Weight: ............................ 1,972 kg / 4,348 lb Fuel Consumption: (L/100 km – City/Hwy) 10.8/7.9 New for 2013: The Pathfinder is all-new for 2013, featuring new exterior styling over a 500 pound-lighter unibody structure, new drivetrain, and a much roomier interior. It is now powered by a 3.5L 260-hp V6 engine that is paired with an Xtronic CVT. Segment Competitors: Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, Dodge Durango, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Acura MDX, Honda Pilot The Skinny: This is the biggest Pathfinder to date, yet it is an impressive 500 pounds lighter than the previous version thanks to a new unibody system. It offers a very smooth, quiet ride, but can provide enough power for some fun when called upon and the interior layout of all the controls is easy to understand and use. Pros: Offers a smooth, quiet ride, and enough room to be comfortable in every seat and still have enough room for any cargo. Cons: The Pathfinder is moving further away from the fun, two-door compact that debuted in 1986. The Verdict: The Pathfinder is a big, comfortable, versatile vehicle that can do just about anything you ask of it.

28 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

ROAD TEST - KIA OPTIMA TURBO

Making Waves The 2013 Kia Optima Turbo Story and photos by Gerry Frechette

The power is directed to the front wheels through a six-speed “Steptronic” (manual-shift with paddles) automatic transmission with shifts that are crisp and positive in nature. Of note, all the transmission’s sportiness is in its manual-shift capability; there is no “sport” mode in full automatic “leave it alone” usage. There is, though, an “Active ECO System” that optimizes engine and transmission management to reduce fuel consumption at the push of a button on the steering wheel. Engaging it, you’ll find the transmission gets to a higher gear quicker and stays there longer, essentially.

ia is making big waves in the auto business, having had another stellar year in 2012, after completely redesigning its line-up in the past few years. Its vehicles have gone from being non-descript to some of the most distinctive on the road. The Optima mid-sized sedan, introduced a couple of years ago, is ageing well and remains one of the more appealing such cars on the road.

The sportiness pretty much ends there, other than slightly larger brakes in front (12.6 versus 11.8 inches), as Kia has chosen to equip this “basic” Turbo the way the regular non-turbo EX is, with 17-inch wheels, regular ride-biased suspension (McPherson struts up front, multi-link design at the rear), and a slightly disconnected feel in some circumstances from the electric motor-driven steering.

Exterior and interior design has been totally revamped on Kias, and the Optima is one of the sleekest mid-size sedans on the road, with muscular proportions and a classy look. The model we drove was the EX Turbo, the EX being the mid-range model overall, and the entry-level for the turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which pumps out 274 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque as low as 1,750 rpm, and on regular unleaded gas, no less. It is no wonder that a V6 is not available, because the added weight and expense are no longer necessary.

To get the sport suspension and 18-inch wheels with bigger tires, one must step up (to the tune of almost $5,000) to the top-of-the-line SX model. The EX isn’t an especially engaging driving experience for the enthusiast, beyond the very capable engine and drivetrain, but it certainly provides a refined and unruffled ride in normal use. The place you will obviously spend the most time in the Optima is.... well, inside, and there, the impressions are good. The interior is roomy and comfortable, and the seats quite supportive, both front and rear. The appearance is a bit monochromatic (like, all black), so some contrasting tones would be nice, but the dashboard design is sweeping and high-visibility. Ingress and egress are as expected - no problem in front, and “duck your head” in the back. Once in there, though, the sloping roofline does not exact too large a price in headroom, and a taller person can “sit behind himself.” A central armrest with two cupholders folds down, and it is big enough to have storage, but it doesn’t. The trunk is capacious enough, but as we’ve come to expect these days, its opening is not especially large, and the large curved hinges will swing into the available space, diminishing the actual cargo capacity in those immediate areas. Given its pricing, one must be impressed by the level of standard equipment on the Optima EX Turbo. It includes heated powered leather front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, tilt and telescopic steering, Bluetooth connectivity, rearview camera, and the useful

30 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

ROAD TEST - KIA OPTIMA TURBO UVO Infotainment system (developed in conjunction with Microsoft) that allows drivers to quickly access music files, change radio stations, and make phone calls, all through voice-activated controls using Microsoft speech recognition technology. It also offers a hard drive for storage and all the physical device connectivity you could want. It must be said that the UVOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s screen is a bit smaller than what most might be accustomed to, and manoeuvring through the radio options was bit frustrating, in that only three pre-sets are shown at a time without calling up more in another menu.

SPECIFICATIONS Base price: ........................................................................................... $29,095 Price as tested: . ................................................................................... $30,495 Type: ........................................................... 4-door, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan Layout: ................................................................................. Front engine, FWD Engine: ...............................................................................2.0L DOHC Turbo I4 Transmission: . ..............................................................................6-speed auto Power: . ..................................................................................................274 hp Torque: . ............................................................... 269 lb-ft @ 1,750-4,500 rpm Curb weight: . ...................................................................................... 1,535 kg Fuel Economy (L/100km, city/hwy): .......................................................9.2/5.8

In our time with the Optima Turbo, it achieved 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in 80-percent urban driving with a light right foot, according to the on-board computer, versus an EnerGuide rating of 9.2 city/5.8 highway. Not bad for a turbocharged engine, no matter which numbers you go with

The only option on the EX Turbo is a full-length panoramic sunroof (for $1,400), and while the car is very well-equipped for the major- Considering its room, comfort, performance, design, and technology, ity of those looking at it, it is perhaps easier to mention some of the the Kia Optima Turbo is one of the best values for the money in a equipment not available on it, to give an idea of the step up that mid-size sedan. must be taken. To get the desirable options such as the aforementioned 18-inch wheels and upgraded suspension, plus Infinity premium audio system, Xenon HID head lights, Navigation System, and leather seats with sport cloth trim, plus numerous other comfort items, one must move up to the SX. Fair enough; even it is a good deal at $33,995. Yes, that is the most one can spend on a non-hybrid Optima. It goes without saying that every possible safety and security feature is on board, including six airbags (fewer than some of the newer competition), four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, traction and stability control system, vehicle stability management, immobilizer and alarm.

32 At The Wheel RPM Apr / May 2013

Leaders In Diesel Performance There are many reasons why you may want to improve the performance of your diesel truck. Increased power and efficiency will help make towing the family camper or heavy piece of work machinery more efficient and reliable. Then there is the growing world of diesel drag racing or sled pulling where he who has the most power - wins. Regardless, the diesel truck has now become one of the easiest and most popular vehicles to improve, but you don’t want to put just anyone’s parts on your baby. Anyone can claim huge power gains, likely at the cost of your torque converter or transmission. That’s why you want to trust your hardearned dollars to an award-winning manufacturer with decades of experience in the industry, which pioneers new products with a reputation for building products of the highest quality. That company is BD Diesel.

Roth work for Fred Holmes Fuel Injection on the west coast, where he set up a turbocharger division, and then took over Valley Fuel Injection in Abbotsford. With a business of his own, Roth pioneered the first exhaust engine brake for light-duty diesel trucks, designing a butterfly valve system for Cummins-powered Dodge pickups in 1989. Now, as a manufacturer, Roth wanted a new business name dedicated to this side of the company, and BD Diesel was born. The Exhaust Brake was a huge success North America-wide, particularly in the RV market, as it extended trailer and brake life. This sparked a domino effect, as Roth could see the benefit of further powertrain improvements. BD Diesel then went to work building a stronger, more durable and efficient stator and lock-up clutch for

Background BD Diesel is derived from “Big Daddy.” A fan of a couple of “Big Daddy’s,” (Roth and Garlits) founder, Brian Roth, is actually trademarked as “Big Daddy Roth of Canada.” This Saskatchewan farm boy has been mixed up in the diesel business since he was a kid. Getting his Red Seal ticket as a mechanic, he worked rebuilding air valves and suspension in the heavyduty industry, which led him to take a specialist training course on turbocharging. This started a journey that saw Special Advertising Feature

Leaders In Diesel Performance Turbos – With a strong relationship with Borg Warner, BD Diesel is able to build several performance level kits for diesels or match units for your gas engine. Diesel kits are tailored to each job and truck, developing anywhere between 50 to 650-horsepower gains in light- and heavy-duty trucks. Intercoolers – Exclusive in the market, BD uses extruded aluminum cores and cast end tanks to produce a truly cutting-edge cooler design, and utilizes fins on the inside of the cooling vanes that double the cooling surface that either air or fluids travel through, vastly improving their efficiency. torque converters, which automatically, pardon the pun, evolved into building durable high-performance transmissions. With his son Christian, BD Diesel increased its product range to be the first manufacturers of electronic control systems for the diesel market. Finally, in 2001, a return to turbocharging brought Roth’s journey full circle when BD Diesel started offering several powerful kits and rebuilding services of all diesel and gas stock turbochargers.

Transmissions – BD Diesel builds ultrastrong transmissions for GM, Ford and Ram trucks, packing them with bearings instead of bushings, billet shafts, revised oil circuits, extra clutches and hardened internals to handle up to 300 percent greater torque.

Today, BD Diesel’s inventory of performance diesel parts is truly Torque Converters – BD Diesel casts immense, covering off Ford, GM and Ram trucks as well as RV and its own stators that multiply the torque at lower rpm’s for more efficient opmarine applications. eration, while also offering up to three times more clutch lock-up material, Mechanics of the Business Since BD Diesel’s inception, the company has continued to grow and machined billet front covers. in spite of tough economic environments, building up into a 65,000 square-foot facility, and now regarded as a world-class manufacturer. Electronic Control Units – BD Diesel’s This comes as no fluke, as Roth has developed a crack team of spe- newest creation for HD diesels improves fuel economy, and as well, cialists at the top of their fields around him, and has invested heavily it created several control units to increase the efficiency of your in state-of-the-art equipment and a functional, well-organized facility transmission, in light- and heavy-duty trucks. in which to house it all. A product is only as good as the people and Airflow – BD Diesel creates exhaust manifolds, inlet piping and ERG machines you have to build them, and BD Diesel has the best. cooling pipes that increase the flow, velocity and pressure of airflow Organization is key for an efficient shop, and BD Diesel has been for optimum performance in light- and heavy-duty trucks. leaned out for maximum efficiency and reduced waste. Every departInjection – Common Rail systems make ment has its own space that is strategically placed to keep the flow diesel engines incredibly efficient, and of parts well-organized. Work time is enhanced with assembly lines BD Diesel is equipped with the latest and quick tooling changes on any one of the shop’s many state-ofBosch equipment to precisely tune flow the-art CNC machines. Production lines are changed continually to in performance injectors and rebuild keep a constant flow of product, utilizing “just in time” manufacturing older technology pumps for any diesel. to avoid inventory overflow, while keeping back orders as non-existent as possible. In the slow winter season, workers are utilized for rebuilding and developing racing parts for the several teams they Suspension – Whether it is a gas or diesel powered truck, BD Diesel builds several different suspension parts from caster and track adjustsponsor over the competition season. ment items to sway bar links. In order to get parts finally shipped out reliably, the warehouse operates like a well-oiled machine. Pickers scurry about with computerized Bringing together the right people and machinery allows BD Diesel check sheets, filling orders, checking off every little detail, ensuring to offer the highest-quality products, coupled with a highly advanced Research and Development department that creates unique new your order gets shipped out correctly. products that bring home top industry awards. That includes five SEMA awards since 2008. The Best New Pickup/SUV/Van Product Products So what exactly does BD Diesel build for your truck, you are likely 2009 was awarded for BD’s Ford 6.4L Super Air Scoop. Its Stainless wondering? Well, the catalog of parts designed to improve your diesel Manifold won the Global Award at SEMA 2012, while its Turbine Divert truck, RV or boat is just too immense to list here. However, here is Valve won three Global Awards at SEMA 2010. just a taste of BD Diesel’s more popular creations: Services Exhaust Brakes – BD Diesel utilizes air-operated butterflies in the However, BD Diesel doesn’t just make high-quality, well-developed path of exhaust flow to brake the engine with increased back pres- performance diesel parts; they also provide a myriad of rebuilding sure. Similar applications include their award-winning Turbine Diverter services. The original business, Valley Fuel Injection (VFI) is one of valve for turbos without Variable Geometry, improving turbocharger the most reputable reman companies in North America when it comes to rebuilding vital parts for older and new diesel engines. response time and strength throughout the rev range. Special Advertising Feature

including a simple oil change or complete overhaul. To finely tune your new turbo and ECU systems, a 1,500-horsepower chassis dynamometer is also equipped on-site, allowing the specialists to get the absolute most out of your upgrades as well as show proof of data. BD Diesel also holds several biannual dyno days at the shop, offering awards for best-built and best-looking trucks. Think you have what it takes to win? At the age of 60, Roth says he will never retire completely, as son Christian takes over the reins as company VP. He loves the industry, enjoys coming to work and working with the people, and with mechanical situations. Thanks to this dedication, BD Diesel has come a long

VFI is a factory-certified Bosch, Stanadyne, Delphi and Zexel calibration and repair lab. It is one of ten injection shops in North America to have Bosch Common Rail computerized overhaul and testing equipment and parts for rebuilding, testing and measuring highly complicated Common Rail and Direct Injection components. As industry leaders, they hold themselves to the highest standards, as work is completed in clean rooms that are dust-, temperature- and humidity-controlled. VFI is just as popular when it comes to remanufacturing of turbos. Any turbo, be it import, domestic, or even Class 8, is cleaned, machined and rebuilt using the latest in remanufacturing technology. This is all way in the last couple of decades and Roth has no reservations about to meet strict measurements and exacting standards to ensure long keeping the business growing. Keeping up with the rate of technology life and reliable service. is challenging as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very easy to fall behind in this era of constant change. Yet, not only is BD Diesel succeeding, it is pushing forward, Drive-In Service continually offering new state-of-the-art products and services for a Of course, not everyone has the time or tools to outfit their truck with constantly evolving market. BD Diesel performance goodies. For this reason, BD Diesel has drivein service available at its satellite shop, also located in Abbotsford, To learn more about BD Diesel and the massive list of performance B.C., stocking all the BD-specific parts you could ever want for your parts it produces to make your truck faster and more powerful, check truck, along with the bonus of being a full- fledged mechanicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop. BD out online at www.dieselperformance.com or talk to a representaBD Diesel factory specialists can professionally install the parts you tive at 800-887-5030. See what the leaders in diesel performance need on top of any other mechanical services you might require, can do for your truck.

Special Advertising Feature

Megaspeed 2013

Story and Photos by Dave MacKinnon

ince I was in high school, I have been making the trip to Toronto’s International Centre each March to take in one of the largest custom car shows in Ontario. The show has evolved over the years, having hosted IASCA and dB Drag Racing sound-offs in the past (of which I participated as a judge), but was always a mecca for incredible custom cars and trucks of every conceivable form and generation. This year’s show was no different, and hosted the largest number of celebrities in recent memory. The Grand Marshal was car enthusiast and former professional wrestler Bill Goldberg. Last year’s Grand Marshall, Mike Holmes, was also there to sign autographs. Mr. Chip Foose was on hand on Sunday courtesy of BASF, and though the head hoonigan himself wasn’t on hand, Shining Monkey had the Ford Fiesta of Ken Black in their booth. Two stunning hot rods from Troy Trepanier were there, as were 36 Speed & Sound RPM Apr / May 2013

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several famous cars from customizing legend George Barris. The awesome â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;68 Pro Touring Camaro of Rick Nash and the jaw-dropping Ridler-competing, Detroit Autorama best truck-winning â&#x20AC;&#x2122;56 Hauler of Mike Meron were ready to be drooled on. Sport Compacts were well represented all over the show. Gone are the days of useless add-ons, having given way to massive power adders, on-the-ground stances and

38 Speed & Sound RPM Apr / May 2013

stunning attention to detail. Rides from NEXTMOD, Nine-O-Five Rides, Maxwell Motorsports, Garage16.CA and more represented the scene with dignity. A stage alive with DJs, vendors with audio equipment from Lightning Audio and Diamond Audio and every manner and style of wheel from FAST, DAI and more were on hand in Hall 5. The Megaspeed show was the largest itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been in many years, and the car count was higher as well. This is THE destination for car lovers in Eastern Canada each spring and is a perfect motivator to get you working on your own project now that the snow has pretty much melted.

40 Speed & Sound RPM Apr / May 2013

PLUGGED IN

Head Units Story by Dave MacKinnon, photos courtesy of Manufacturers

ou may have noticed a trend, but I am on a bit of a Sound Quality kick lately. We recently looked at the install of a set of Dynaudio components in custom pods on the dash of my Jeep and some serious electrical upgrades. It won’t be long before we go through some more builds, but in the meantime, we need to talk about how it all begins… No, not cave men, head units! I’ll date myself if I tell you that back when I started, a pull-out tape deck was state-of-the-art - even crazier if it had a full-logic mechanism for fast forward, rewind and auto-reverse. Now, you can get a great CD player for $150-$200 and many companies’ best units are less than puts have lower output impedance to help negate the effects of interconnect reactance for better signal transfer. Stereo separatwice that. So what’s the difference? tion improves and the perceived space around each performer When it comes to all-out sound quality, you reach a point of becomes more defined. needing to raise the bar and the cost increases exponentially to gain any rewards. In home audio, a great system can cost You will hopefully notice we haven’t talked about iPod, Bluetooth, $20,000, but an awesome one is a half-million. In the car, it’s HD radio, USB or even aux inputs. At this level, the focus is on harder, because you have fewer choices, as the bulk of the car pure quality. Store-bought CDs. Digital re-masters of the greats. Single microphone recordings with no compression. This is audio business is now at lower price points. about pure and unmolested high-end sound reproduction. Yes, And so to the basics of high end – what do you get when you your iTunes collection will sound good, but you will quickly realdecide to step up the game and go to a ‘better’ head unit? ize just how bad that collection sounds compared to a quality Usually, the first thing is a change from a 1-Bit D/A converter original CD. Find yourself a copy of the 20th Anniversary edito a 24-Bit unit. 24-Bit D/A converters simply do a better job tion of Jennifer Warnes’ Famous Blue Raincoat and sit back, of converting the digital signal recorded on a disk back to an relax and experience each song again for the very first time. analog signal. The reason for this, in simple terms, is the ability You know it’s high-end when you hear details, instruments and to resolve music with more accurate timing, greater resolution focus like never before. and fewer microscopic errors. What do you hear? Your music is clearer and more detailed, especially in the midrange and high Once you have heard a truly high-end mobile entertainment frequency ranges. You don’t need high-end speakers to hear system, well, it’s a memory you won’t ever forget. Do yourself it; I’ve personally witnessed the difference on stock speakers a favour; go have a listen to one at a local shop. Take your favourite CD. You might just want to build your own high-end in one of my cars. system. And your life will be better for it. The next thing you get is signal processing - the ability to configure and tune the system with features built-in to the head unit. Most often, this means going from simple high- and low-pass 12 dB/octave crossovers to including a band-pass midrange crossover, and steeper slopes of 18 or maybe 24 dB/octave. The equalization power often increases as well, offering more bands of adjustment for finer tuning of the system. What I think is perhaps the most important addition is time alignment. This allows you to input a delay (in milliseconds) on each output so that you can make the sound of all speakers arrive at the listening position at exactly the same time. This, when tuned properly, is absolutely stunning. It can take ‘good’ speaker placement and make it near perfect. The result is music that is perfectly balanced left to right across your dash with a focused and detailed centre image. The dash becomes the stage for the performance and you can pick out each performer in his or The Alpine CDE-HD149BT features 6-Channel 4-Volt her position. preamp outputs with high and low pass crossovers. A You also get ‘specs.’ Quieter background noise (called Signal to Noise Ratio), higher voltage preamp outputs that let you turn the gains on your amps all the way down. Those preamp out-

5-band parametric or 7-band graphic EQ features a total of 7 presets. The large dot matrix display makes it easy to navigate the menus and features. Speed & Sound RPM Apr / May 2013

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Outfitted with a 96kHz 24-Bit D/A converter, the HX-D3 from Clarion is focused on pure sound reproduction. 8-Channel, 8-Volt preamp outputs, 5-band parametric equalization, 4-way electronic crossovers and Âź-inch step time alignment offer lots of power for system tuning.

The KD-A925BT from JVC has MySoundEQ 5-band EQ with digital time alignment. It offers speaker size-specific presets to speed the tuning process. 6-Channel, 5-Volt preamp outputs have high- and low-pass crossovers available.

Part of the eXcelon series from Kenwood, the KDC-X997 features 6-Channel 4-Volt preamp outputs, a 13-band graphic equalizer and a 3-line OEL LCD Display. The KDC-X997 includes presets for vehicle type and seating location, but also offers discrete time alignment control in the Pro Setup mode.

The Pioneer DEH-80PRS features 6-channel, 5-Volt preamp outputs with low, midrange and high crossovers for true 3-way system building. Quite unique is the ability for the deck to automatically adjust time alignment and equalizer settings with the included microphone.

42 Speed & Sound RPM Apr / May 2013

PERFORMANCE

Pocket Exotics Japan’s little low-cost sports cars are as fun as any V8

Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of Suzuki, Honda, Mazda and Toyota

Despite all the Porsches and BMWs and Mercedes I get to drive, it is cars like the Scion/Subaru FRS/BRZ twins and the Mazda MX-5 that put the biggest smile on my face. They are back-to-basics, no ho says you need great screaming gobs of power to have a frills no gimmicks, good wholesome fun to drive. It is for this reason fun sports car? Today’s performance-inspired cars are reach- I was quite disappointed that Smart chose not to bring the little ing epic numbers, as hot versions of the BMW Z4, Nissan 370Z, mid-engine version of the fortwo, the Smart Coupe and Roadster, Porsche Boxster, Mercedes SLK and Audi TT are all cranking out to these shores. However, little do many know, but the Japanese were the ones that started this whole “building light little sports cars well over 300 horsepower. on micro-car platforms” deal. And they did it well. That’s all well and good, and great fun for that matter, as long as you don’t get caught. The sad fact for the modern idiot looking for If you follow the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) scene, you will a performance car is that they are not looking for the car with the know of the Kei cars. Translated as “lightweight,” Kei cars are subest handling abilities and intuitive “one-with-the-car,” feeling, but per-small, lightweight compacts, vans and utility trucks, all with a they do their shopping online, looking at who has the biggest num- standard 660-cc maximum capacity three-cylinder engine mounted bers. This is why true car guys don’t buy modern cars, they buy in the rear producing anywhere between 39 to a maximum of 63 old ones, because old cars are void of ridiculous state-of-the-art horsepower. Yeah, 63 measly ponies may seem like nothing, but in a technology, modern safety equipment and aids that only dull the car that only weighs 700 kilograms, that is something different. If you feel of the road. Old, small, nimble cars are fun; that’s just a fact. are under the age of 30, you’ll likely not know just how much fun a pathetically-powered Austin Mini, VW Rabbit or MGB could be. Here is a compilation of Japan’s finest micro-sports cars, pocket exotics designed to give drivers a fun-to-drive car for minimal cost.

Honda Beat We start off with the plucky little Honda Beat. The last car to be approved by Soichiro Honda himself before he died in 1991, Honda built 33,600 of these little mid-engine runabouts between 1991 and Speed & Sound RPM Apr / May 2013

PERFORMANCE 1996. Believe it or not, Pininfarina was the company that penned the bodywork. Unlike other Kei cars that made use of a turbocharger to get the most out of the little 660cc engine, Honda stayed true to its roots, using individual throttle bodies to inject all three cylinders separately to reach the 63-horsepower maximum. While Kei cars were infamous for having a top speed (at redline) of 90 km/h, the Beat reached a limited top speed of 135 km/h at 8,100 rpm. Suzuki Cappuccino Suzuki’s answer to the Beat came in the form of the Cappuccino, a similarly-engineered Kei platform converted into a sports roadster. However, Suzuki took the little Cappuccino in a slightly different direction than most Kei’s and mounted the turbocharged three-cylinder mid-front with rear-wheel drive like classic sports cars, earning itself a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Extensive use of aluminum kept the weight down to 725 kg as performance was a focal point despite the pint-sized dimensions. Suzuki later added a torquier engine and even a limited-slip differential. The car’s sporty demeanour meant that the car was a popular racer for low-displacement championships in Japan as well as a popular tuning platform. One unique attribute of the Cappuccino was its roof. Three removable roof panels meant that the car could be used as a closed coupé, T-top, targa, or, when the rear window and roll bar were fully retracted, a full convertible. Mazda Autozam AZ-1 We leave the best, though, for last - the true pocket exotic. Mazda’s little Autozam AZ-1 had a certain flare that made it just a little more attractive than the rest. It was powered by a turbocharged 660cc three-cylinder mounted amidships, but it was the design exercise that made the AZ-1 stand above the rest. Looking like an old AW11 MR2 that had been left in the dryer for far too long, there are many classic supercar characteristics one can pick up; not so subtle are the gullwing doors. The AZ-1 actually started life as a Suzuki prototype, but as Mazda and Suzuki were sharing Kei technology, Mazda took over the project and when the car finally came late to production, they slotted it in under their new Autozam name for economical cars. Only 4,392 units were ever built, making it a low-production pocket exotic, and the most sought-after for today’s modern classic collectors. Even more rare is the Suzuki version dubbed the Cara that only saw 531 cars produced from 1993 to 1995. With the exception of a few models briefly making it to Europe, the Japanese kept the pocket exotics all to themselves. However, if you see something you like, there is a trickle of old cars being brought into Canada by JDM importers. Many of these have been seen on West Coast docks, so they are available. While they may not be the safest cars in the world or the best for Canadian winters, you can bet they would likely be one of the most fun-to-drive you’d ever try. 44 Speed & Sound RPM Apr / May 2013

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Angie’s King Looking back at Turbine-powered concepts

Story by Cam Hutchins he 1970s was a wasteland for gearheads trying to buy cool new cars. T A few things emerged to take the wind out of car lover’s sails. High insurance premiums for many muscle cars, a gas embargo and then spike

in gas prices, and then the introduction of smaller and less-powerful cars in general. The Mustang II for 1974 was a much smaller Mustang with an available V6 that was vastly underpowered.

Convincing the son it was a car to be sold - and sold quickly - a new paint job and interior were needed. One of the repairs needed was a motor mount and a parts car needed to be bought, since no reproduction parts were available at that time. Unfortunately, the parts car was in awesome shape...much too good to be parted out, so another parts car was needed. Not knowing there is no 12-step program for this addiction, Tony Hall started looking for another Mustang II.

Hall had always loved cars and had fixed up a few ‘60s Mustangs and even Weighing considerably less than the larger earlier models, it should have at a couple of the Fox-bodied generation. For Hall, much of the enjoyment least been somewhat peppy...but the V6 did nothing to warm any car guy’s heart. It had just over 100 horsepower, and the re-introduction of the V8 in 1975 with a measly 128 hp was nothing to brag about, either. Many car nuts feel the only thing a Mustang II was good for was its amazing independent front suspension and steering rack. The styling was very good for a smaller car. Being based on a Pinto chassis for cost savings, the design guys at Ford did an amazing job with the looks of the car. I am sure it helped to have the hottest blonde dream of the era driving a cool Mustang II on a hit TV show, Charlie’s Angels. The Mustang sold well, but did not have the staying power, and by the late ‘80s, they were almost all gone from daily use. So how does this lowly, most-hated Mustang get to be resurrected? At one time, the local Mustang Clubs did not even want to allow them in. Tony Hall was not in the market for a car, let alone a project car for his wife, but when their oldest son came home with a modified 1977 Mustang Ghia with HellBoy painted on the sides, he ended up inheriting it. 46 Rods & Classics RPM Apr / May 2013

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Brand new Coddington wheels finished the car, and the 2009 season saw many awards for “Angie’s King.” Seeing as it was finished, Hall heard at a Mustang show from a friend about a 1923 T-Bucket with a Jaguar rearend located on Vancouver Island. The price was right and after seeing the TBucket, Hall laughed at the idea of stripping the Jag rear end out of the hot rod and placing it in the Mustang, just to get back at all the Mustang II’s that had their front ends ripped out and placed in Hot Rods. The more he thought about it, he could not resist the temptation to install the Jag IRS rearend into Angies car. An 8-inch rearend was put in the ‘23 T Hot Rod and sold for almost the same price that was paid for it. After the 2010 car show season, some more freshening up of “Angie’s King” was needed, so the hopped up 8-inch rearend, the original heavy bumpers as well as the single Holley carb were history. Dual Edelbrock Enduroshine four-barrels were installed with a matching polished Airgap Edelbrock Manifold. The bumpers were replaced by custom-designed fibreglass tucked bumpers that Hall designed himself. The bumpers were fabricated is in putting together the car, and the puzzle of finding parts to restore the by Scott Rods in Ohio and are available to other Mustang II owners. Over Mustang II was very appealing. Hall was introduced to the Internet, and 120 pounds were saved with the new bumpers. knowing the value of the parts, started to acquire all sorts of them including various colours of interior parts, and made them available to other The installation of the IRS was a little more complicated. The Jag rearend Mustang II guys. A new business opportunity opened up with Hall’s wealth was modified by a company called Mr. Roadster with the axles, u-joints, of knowledge and parts. One wall of his hobby business’ wall is lined with and swing arms all beefed up to handle the extra horsepower. The unique design has the centre section permanently mounted, so fabrication and different-coloured consoles. installation of a special cross member between the frame rails was underOnce the collecting started, more great Mustang II’s kept showing up. Hall’s taken. Special care was needed to make sure enough room was available wife Angie wisely decided enough was enough and told Hall so after 12 for the inboard disc brakes. Mustang II’s. Knowing it is better to ask forgiveness than permission, Hall bought a yellow King Cobra and immediately phoned his wife to tell her he The Mustang’s leaf springs were removed as were the shocks, exhaust pipes, gas tank and the rear leaf spring perch, while the front spring perch had bought her a car...and also another black parts car. was utilized for the forward connecting arms. A round fuel cell was installed This yellow car was originally owned by a couple in Vancouver until the late in the spare tire well. The custom low-profile aluminum roll pan finishes off ‘90s, and then it went to a new owner in Langley. The car was left alone and driven a little until Hall bought it in the summer of 2007. After paying for Angie’s new car, the fellow mentioned he had a black T-roof King Cobra also for sale...and Hall bought it as well. To further involve Angie, the car was named “Angie’s King” and a new interior was designed using black vinyl with yellow piping and King Cobra logos embroidered into the seat backs. The rust-free car had a small number of dings that were repaired, and a new coat of yellow paint was sprayed and is brighter than the Ford original. An aftermarket Ford-licensed hood decal was applied and the car was ready for local cars shows. The general public was eating the car up, the local Mustang clubs had warmed to Mustang II’s, and more modifications for “Angies King” were planned. The engine compartment was detailed and Canadian Carburetors provided the Roush 5.0-litre crate motor. Fifteen-inch “Blade Twist” wheels were installed and the car was shown this way during the Summer of 2008. It was also shown at an International Mustang meet in Oakville, Ontario in 2008, winning second place in specialty modified. Once the 2008 car show season was over, a full dress up package was tackled. The outside received shaved door handles with remote entry, as well as a new paint job. Full detailing of the underside followed, with chrome frame rail connectors and engine cradle and the installation of “Heidts” stainless steel control arms and a new lower profile rad and dual fans. The engine compartment was painted body colour and fully detailed and signed by Chip Foose, Gene Winfield, Brett Wagner and George Barris here in B.C., while the air cleaner was shipped to be signed by Jack Roush.

the rear end, while allowing for a great view of the polished spinning shafts and rear discs. The exhaust had to be dumped before the rear wheels, and a custom exhaust system was designed and built by Hall and his crew. After installing the new carbs, the bigger and taller hood scoop was faced forward to feed the new carbs. A new decal needed to be designed as well, to fit around the larger scoop. After all this work, the three year-old paint showed well, but Hall decided to address any slight imperfections and a new deeper yellow was applied along with new decals. The original Ford Decals have a one-piece clear carrying membrane that tends to yellow with age. The new multi-piece decals by Axe Graphics are a work of art on the new “Screamin’ Yellow” paint. Plans are still in the works for a sweet Gear Vendor overdrive system that will complement the 4.11 gears to make it a true cruising machine. The car has won over 60 awards and the likes of George Barris and Chip Foose are sure to stop by at car shows to see what else has been added to the King of King Cobras. Although starting with a stock King Cobra, Angie’s King is so far elevated above what Ford had originally designed as to be a completely new car. The new tucked bumpers reduce the length by 12 inches, and the larger hood scoop and custom graphics are one-of-a-kind. But the true gem of the car is the polished Jag independent rear end with its flashing gleaming shafts and custom roll pan, and Hall has been heard more than once telling guys to go check out his wife’s rear end.

48 Rods & Classics RPM Apr / May 2013

HISTORY PLUGGED IN

Strong Like Bull

The creation of Lamborghini Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of Lamborghini

Touring to build the chassis and body that would house the V12, and the Lamborghini 350 GTV was born, shown to the public at the Turin hey say that competition brings out the best of humankind. I tend Auto Show of 1963. to agree with that assessment, and there is likely no better proof of that theory in the automotive world than that of the rivalry between The new engine was an all-aluminum, four-cam short-stroke 3.5-litre Italian exotic manufacturers Ferrari and Lamborghini. In the case of V12. Featuring four big bore valves per cylinder, it developed an Lamborghini, the creation of a company that built some of the world’s impressive 350 horsepower and would become the base unit from most exotic and unique vehicles with performance to match, came from which all future V12 engines would inherit their pedigree. The body the hatred of another car maker, Ferrari. The rest is history, but how we Scaglione-Touring put together was a classic Italian 2+2 Grand Tourer. After the Turin Auto Show, the car would go into production as the got to this point is one of the great stories in automotive lore. Lamborghini 350 GT with the factory building 130 of them, which at Ferruccio Lamborghini was a boy fascinated with engines from an the time was a great success. On the heels of the 350, came the 400 early age. During World War II, he joined the army and was luckily stationed on the island of Rhodes, which did not see any conflict due to its remoteness. However, this remoteness meant that when cars, trucks or motorcycles broke down, repairs would have to be made with reused parts. Lamborghini became known as a wizard at mechanical improvisation and became very much in demand at fixing engines.

After the war, he returned to his home near Modena in northern Italy where the agriculture industry was booming. Using parts found on derelict military vehicles, he started a tractor manufacturing business that would soon flourish, allowing him to start building his own engines. As with any gearhead, Lamborghini had a passion for fine cars and owned several Maseratis, Oscas and Ferraris with the success of his businesses. However, he was unhappy with the quality of these GT and the 400 GT 2+2 that used a 3.9-litre V12 and would become vehicles, in particular their engines. one of Lamborghini’s greatest classics. Living near the home of Ferrari, Lamborghini decided he was going to give Enzo Ferrari a visit, furious about a clutch that had broken in his However, as successful as these cars were, there was one car that 250 GT. As the story goes, Enzo had no time for a tractor builder and made Lamborghini the supercar giant that it is today, the magnificent dismissed Lamborghini and his unimportant quibble. This infuriated Miura. Strides ahead of its time, the Miura stunned companies such Lamborghini who decided that if Ferrari was not going to build a quality as Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar by introducing the world automobile, he would. And so the wheels were set in motion for the to the first supercar. creation of not only a great car company, but an epic rivalry as well. The Miura, appropriately named after ferocious fighting bulls, was built Lamborghini first found a very talented engineer named Gianpaolo in a way only Formula One cars were built in that era. Who in their right Dallara who had previously worked on a Ferrari V12 engine to help mind thinks of taking a massive V12, turning it sideways and dumping create the first Lamborghini V12 car engine. He then enlisted Scaglione- it in behind the seats? Well that’s exactly what the engineers at LamRods & Classics RPM Apr / May 2013 49

HISTORY PLUGGED IN

The problem was, despite building iconic machinery that will forever be known as some of the most prestigious vehicles of all time, Lamborghini just wasn’t building many vehicles, and financially the company was struggling. During the period from 1968 to 1995, no fewer than seven different owners operated the company, while Lamborghini Needless to say, the radical ideas of the Miura turned out to be a bril- gave up control in 1974 and retired to an estate on the shores of Lake liant success. However, how do you improve on such a game changing Trasimeno, in the province of Perugia in central Italy. At the age of 75, car? Well, you go even crazier and design the LP400 Countach. Yeah, Ferruccio Lamborghini died at his estate in February 1993. However, that’s what you do. the car company that bears his name would live on. borghini did, creating the first ever mid-engine exotic sports car while simultaneously beginning the art of building raving mad mid-engine sports cars. The Miura’s layout was the pioneer that every exotic and high-performance car would adopt thereafter.

Following the Countach, the Diablo took over the reigns as the premier V12 powered super exotic, leaving the likes of the Jalpa, Silhouette and crazed LM002 4WD to die off along with the ‘80s. However, it was at this time that Lamborghini came under the control of Audi AG. When they took over in 1999, Lamborghini only sold 265 vehicles worldwide. A massive restructuring took place that injected German efficiency and discipline into the wild Italian brand. Many loyal followers did not like this more sanitized version of the crazed, manic builder of exotic supercars.

Now, who in their 30s didn’t have a picture of the iconic Lamborghini Countach on their bedroom wall, I ask? If you didn’t have a Countach on your wall, you were likely driving a Toyota Corolla with automatic. Regardless, the Countach was something special. Covered with wings, vents and slats, it would put you into a seizure just looking at it. It had doors that scissored up instead of out, and of course, was powered by an even more potent version of the 4.0-litre V12, although this time mounted longitudinally. While the Countach was the epitome of Lamborghini madness, it came during a very difficult time. The oil crisis in the ‘70s was causing the company turmoil as customers were made to wait two years for a car. A wealthy Canadian, Walter Wolf, played a major role in supporting Lamborghini and developing the Countach during these difficult times. However, Lamborghini eventually sold all his remaining stock in the company to a Swiss investor. With new Swiss ownership, the company began to grow once again, as the Countach was developed further under him, from the LP500 S right up to the impressive QuattroValvole. While the Countach was the poster child for the Lamborghini brand, the company continued to build extravagant, yet lesser-known GTs throughout the ‘70s like the Espada and its shorter-wheelbase brother, the Jarama. Both cars followed in the traditions of the 400 GT, making use of an updated 3.9-litre V12. To combat the more affordable Ferrari Dino and Maserati Merak in 1973, the Urraco 2+2 mid-engine sports coupe made its debut with a 2.0, 2.5 and later a 3.0-litre V8. 50 Rods & Classics RPM Apr / May 2013

After only four years, Lamborghini went from 265 units to 1,305, with help from the new entry-level exotic, the Gallardo. The brand’s name has now been solidified in the history books as it turns fifty years old this year, and it even shows stability for the future. Many don’t like the new Lamborghini; there seems to be a lack of soul left in the cars, but the Germans have loosened the reins and that old Italian flair is starting to show through once again with special track day versions of the Gallardo and Aventado dubbed the Sesto Elemento and Veneno. So, as the madness starts to return to the maddest car builders of them all, we wish Lamborghini a happy fiftieth and hope to see another fifty years.

CLASSIC CORNER

Bond Bug an Eye-Catcher By Nigel Matthews

he name Bond is all the rage these days, with the recent release of the movie Skyfall, but to the best of my knowledge, a Bond Bug has never appeared in any of the movies. The Reliant Bond Bug was an unconventional three-wheeled two-seater, and at a stretch, I suppose you could call it a sports car. It was built in England from 1970 until 1974, and was designed by industrial designer Tom Karen, who is probably best known for designing the Bush TR130 radio that had a place in most British homes during the 1960s. Some of his other achievements include designing the Scimitar GTE, Princess Anne’s choice of sports car, and the design artwork for the iconic 1970s’ Raleigh Chopper bicycle. The Bond Bug was created through the combined efforts of Karen’s body design for a chassis designed by John Crosthwaite, who was working at Bond Cars Ltd. Crosthwaite was well-known for his race car chassis design, having worked with Cooper, Lotus, Mickey Thompson, Intermeccanica, and Reliant. Towards the end of his career, he worked for Hyundai. The wedge-shaped microcar was very different from the conventional three-wheeler which was considered an inexpensive and slow form of transportation. The Bug was neither, capable of 126 km/h. If one opted for the high-performance 700ES model (750 cc engine producing 31 hp), the retail price was $1,970, $28 more than a practical four-seat Austin/Morris Mini 850.

compartment, if you had opted for the 700ES version, you would be treated to seats with a bit more padding, and an important accessory of the era - an ashtray. You’d also get padding over the engine cowl (which protruded into the passenger compartment, but did help reduce engine noise and heat reduction), two mud flaps, a rubber front bumper and something that is quite handy, a spare wheel. When it came to the available colours, the Bug was a bit like the early Model T Fords (which were all black). In this case, the Bug was available in any colour you wanted - as long as it was tangerine orange. Six examples were specially commissioned in white for a Rothmans cigarette promotion.

The total production run was 2,270 examples. My research indicates that 117 are known to still be in use and on the roads in the UK, with five exGetting into a Bug involves lifting up the canopy and stepping in, not an amples registered in the USA, four in Canada, and one of those in British easy task if you are tall. Once you have manoeuvred into the passenger Columbia.

The Shorty Mustang By Nigel Matthews Ford had put the Vincent Gardner-designed two-seater Shorty Ia fMustang into production, it would have beaten AMC to building such car by four years. The AMX was the only American-built, steelbodied, two-seater GT built since the 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbird, built specifically to compete with the Corvette.

Gardner’s design career began early; he won the Fisher Body Craftsman Guild competition when he was still in high school. His first job was with the famous Gordon M. Buehrig, and he became part of the team that designed and built the Cord 810 in 1935. Gardner’s first involvement with the Ford Motor Company was in 1950, when he designed and won a competition co-sponsored by Motor Trend Magazine and Ford. He called his car VEGA, stemming from his name Vincent E. GArdner, and it was a lightweight aluminum roadster built on a Ford Anglia chassis, with Ford V8 power and Cord-inspired pop-up headlights. The competition rules stated that the winning design on paper would win the Anglia chassis and $500. Ford held the rights to the winning design and insisted that the car be built using the $500 prize money! Gardner managed to convince Henry Ford II to open his wallet, securing $8,000 to build the car. Ford liked it so much that they displayed it in their 50th anniversary celebrations. It sold in 2006 at the Barrett-Jackson auction for $378,000. The 1965 Shorty Mustang was built by Dearborn Steel Tube Co. on a pre-production Mustang chassis. The body, made entirely out of fibreglass from the firewall back, was used in Ford’s traveling road show. That is where the current owner, Bill Snyder, first spotted the

car and vowed to own one. That dream took a long time to come true because the car did not go into production and was supposed to be crushed. To save the car from this fate, it is alleged that Gardner stole the prototype and hid it behind a bricked up wall in a rented warehouse in Michigan. The rent was not paid, so the bailiff moved in and the Mustang was discovered. Ford had already been paid out for the theft claim, so the car became the property of the Insurer. It caught the eye of a car enthusiast Executive at the Insurance Company and he purchased it. Snyder’s 50-year dream came true when he spotted the car for sale in a car magazine. The Shorty Mustang was displayed at this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Florida in the “What were they thinking?” class.

Nigel Matthews is the Sales and Marketing Director for Hagerty Canada. Hagerty is the world’s leading specialist insurance provider for collector cars and boats. Contact him at nmatthews@hagerty. com or visit www.hagerty.ca Rods & Classics RPM Apr / May 2013 51

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Parting Shots is where we share those photos that defy classification. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen something fourwheeled (or otherwise) that you would like to share, please send it to partingshots@rpmcanada.ca

What benefits could be had from a half bike, half car vehicle?

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