rpm-oct-nov-2014-issuu by RPM Canada

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Contents

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo makes a return to North America with the 4C ...pg 12

K900

Kia’s all-new flagship luxury sedan ...pg 16

MX-5

Winter Tires Our 2014 Winter Tire Guide ...pg 22

F-Type

The current generation MX-5 gets one last hurrah ...pg 18

ALSO INSIDE

Starting Lines-------------------------------------- 4 Test Fleet------------------------------------------28 Ford Studio 2000x--------------------------------32 Buick LaCrosse AWD-----------------------------34 The Truck Guy-------------------------------------35

Hellcat

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has astonishing power ...pg 30

GTO

The incredibly fun-to-drive Jaguar F-Type Coupe ... pg 20

Bob Brown’s custom 1965 GTO Wagon ...pg 46

Car Audio: Stage 3-------------------------------- 38 Classic Corner------------------------------------- 50 New Product Showcase-------------------------51 Parting Shots-------------------------------------54

RPM Oct / Nov 2014

Volume 16, Issue No. 5 October/November 2014 Publisher / Editor: Dean Washington dean@rpmcanada.ca Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca Managing Editor Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca Circulation: Brenda Washington brenda@rpmcanada.ca Copy Editor Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca Sales & Marketing Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca Contributing Writers/Photographers: Jordan Allan Gerry Frechette Ian Harwood Cam Hutchins Dave MacKinnon Nigel Matthews Russell Purcell Benjamin Yong

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Mercedes Finally Announces Release of the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT After months of speculation, Mercedes has finally announced the release of the 2016 MercedesAMG GT sports car which is the second of its kind to be developed entirely in-house by MercedesAMG. It utilizes a front mid-engine design with a rear transaxle, plus the use of intelligent aluminum lightweight construction for a highly dynamic driving experience. There will be two trims available for the new GT, both of which will feature the brand new 4.0litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine called the M178. The standard GT model will feature 456 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, which is reportedly enough to get it from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds. The GT S model, which will come out first in the spring of 2015 for those of us in North America, is able to get a whopping 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque out of the M178 engine and will get to 60 mph (96 km/h) 0.2 seconds quicker than the standard model. On the appearance side of things, a wide stance, arched roof line, and frameless doors create an aggressive appearance that is sure to be a head turner when it finally hits the road. A&W’s Sixth Annual Cruisin’ to End MS Raises an Astonishing $1.45 Million A&W Food Services of Canada are proud to announce that at the completion of their sixth annual Cruisin’ to End MS day on August 21st, they were able to raise an amazing $1.45 million in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and its programs that benefit Canadians affected by the 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. MAILING ADDRESS: 2460 Kingsway Avenue, Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada V3C 1T4

Tel: 604.629.9669 Fax: 778.285.2449 Toll free: 1.888.500.4591 Website: www.rpmcanada.ca

RPM Oct / Nov 2014

disease. One dollar from every Teen Burger sold across Canada on August 21st went to the MS Society in addition to money collected in donation mugs, sales of paper cutouts and online giving. Additionally, A&W donated $1 for every RSVP to the A&W Cruisin’ to End MS event on Facebook as well as every tweet or retweet with the hashtag #CruisinToEndMS. Over 800 A&W restaurants across the country hosted Cruisin’ to End MS events which included classic car and hot rod gatherings, music, and car hop service. The top five fundraising restaurants were all located in Alberta with Grande Prairie heading the list with a total of $36,047 raised in donations. Lexus Launches All-New High-Performance Luxury Coupe Lexus has decided to launch an all-new model, the RC F, which adopts a lot of the tuning and technology that went into the LFA supercar. With the new model comes a lot of firsts for not only Lexus, but for the world as well, such as being the first front-engine rear-wheel drive car in the world with a Torque Vectoring Differential, Lexus’ first vehicle to employ Active Sound Control, and also the first Lexus to feature a Sport VDIM system with EXPERT mode which only operates in order to prevent the vehicle from going in to a spin. On the looks side of things, it is clear that the RC F is made to be a high-performance machine with its low profile and aggressive stance. Inside the RC F, a small three-spoke steering wheel joins high-backed seats that hold you firmly in place when cornering at high speeds. Additionally, the multi-information display menu includes many race-like features such as G-monitor, lap timer, and other useful racing information on top of the standard audio and navigation controls. Under the hood of the all-new model will be the most powerful V8 engine in the Lexus lineup, a 5.0-litre 32-valve V8 that delivers an impressive 467 horsepower, paired to a uniquely-tuned 8-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission that features sequential shift operation and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

coupe. Firstly, the eye-catching Yuzu yellow exterior paint and full aerodynamics kit will certainly make the new model stand out, a notion further strengthened by a three-piece rear spoiler from TRD (Toyota/Scion’s in house tuning division), a TRD side fender garnish, HID headlamps, and a TRD quad-tip exhaust system.

Inside, the FR-S has also been enhanced thanks to the addition of a thicker, leather-trimmed TRD steering wheel as well as a leather-trimmed TRD shift knob. GT86 Black sport seats with FR-S signature T-pattern inserts are found in both the driver and front passenger positions, which are sure to hold you firmly in place during cornering. Additionally, the Release Series 1.0 is fitted with all of the great standard features as the normal FR-S such as an 8-speaker Display Audio sound system with 6.1-inch display, a shark-fin style antenna, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a TPMS system, and flat-folding rear seats, just to name a few.

2015 Corvette to Offer 8-Speed Automatic Transmission For the 2015 model year, the Chevrolet Corvette will be offering a GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L90 paddle-shift 8-speed automatic transmission that is made to rival the world’s best dual-clutch transmissions. Available in both the Stingray and Z06 models of the Corvette, the new transmission will not only provide lightningScion Launches its 2015 FR-S quick shifts and exceptional refinement, but also improved fuel Release Series 1.0 in Canada economy over the outgoing 6-speed automatic. Additionally, getThe 2015 Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0 has recently been ting from 0-60 mph will happen even faster (3.7 seconds) thanks launched in Canada and features both performance and appear- to wide open-throttle upshifts that are quicker than the dual-clutch ance upgrades to further enhance the appeal of the sporty 2-door tranny offered in the Porsche 911. The 8L90 features four simple 2015 Lexus RC F

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Jaguar XE S

gearsets and five clutches (two brake clutches and three rotating clutches) and uses creative packaging to enable the new transmission to fit in the same space as the old 6-speed auto. Also, due to the extensive use of aluminum and magnesium it is also

The XE will use aluminum-intensive body construction, specifically high-strength 6000-series alloy, that allows it to be very lightweight but without sacrificing any of its strength, therefore increasing performance. Additionally, aluminum has been extensively used in the suspension to further minimize the weight numbers. The 3.0 V6 engine found in the S model will be paired to a lighter version of the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls. Mazda Reveals the Next-Generation MX-5 Mazda recently unveiled the all-new fourth-generation of the MX-5 which is set to be released to global markets starting in 2015. The car was debuted with fans at events that were held simultaneously in Japan, America, and Spain. The new MX-5 will adopt both the

8 lbs (4 kg) lighter than the previous model. The overall greater performance and efficiency found in the new 8L90 is due in large part to the new 7.0 overall gear ratio spread which increases the off-the-line performance with a more aggressive first gear ratio than the old 6-speed. All-New Jaguar XE Revealed in London The newest addition to the Jaguar lineup, the XE, was recently unveiled at an event held at Earl’s Court, in London, England. The XE, which goes on sale in the UK for 2015 and here in North America for 2016, will include a high-performance S model at the top of the lineup which will be powered by a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine that generates 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

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SKYACTIV engine technology as well as the KODO – Soul of Motion design language. Although environmental and safety demands aren’t what they were when the first generation was introduced way back in 1989, Mazda has made sure this new generation stays true to the generations of old by producing the pure fun that can only be found in a lightweight sports car. The newest example will be the

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most compact of any MX-5 so far and is more than 100 kg lighter than the outgoing model. As of July of this year, Mazda has sold 940,000 examples of the MX-5 and continues to hold the Guinness World Record for the best-selling two-seat sports car.

ways both in bumper-to-bumper traffic as well as long road trips. The V2V communication technology could help alleviate many traffic accidents and improve traffic congestion by sending and receiving basic safety info between cars approaching each other such as speed and direction of travel. It will be able to warn drivCadillac to Offer Advanced Intelligent and ers and can also activate safety features such as forward collision Connected Vehicle Technologies for 2017 warning, which is a technology already found on many vehicles Beginning with certain 2017 model year vehicles, Cadillac will made today. begin offering highly advanced intelligent and connected vehicle Dodge To Offer the 707-Horsepower Hellcat in Charger Form 2015 Cadillac CTS equipped When Dodge first made the announcement about the 707-horsewith V2V Technology power 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat, many people in the industry wondered if it would also offer the same powertrain in the larger four-door Charger as well. Thankfully, for those of us who enjoy these types of cars, Dodge will release the 2015 Charger SRT Hellcat sometime in 2015. Like the Challenger, the Charger will pack a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI Hellcat V8 engine under the hood that produces the aforementioned 707 horsepower as well as 650 lb-ft of torque. These numbers will make it the most powerful production sedan in the world. The potent V8 engine will be paired to a segment-first TorqueFlite heavy-duty 8-speed automatic transmission which is capable of delivering fuel-efficient street driving as well as maximum track performance. In addition, the car will come with two different key fobs - a black one which limits the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power and a red one which unlocks all 707 horsepower.

technologies which include an advanced driver assist technology called Super Cruise and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology. The Super Cruise technology will offer users a new type of driving experience that includes hands-off lane following, braking and speed control in certain highway driving conditions. The system is made to provide more comfort to a driver on high-

Michael Schumacher Discharged from Hospital If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been following the unfortunate Michael Schumacher ski accident saga, there appears to finally be some good news to report. His medical progress has been slow but is reportedly consistently positive over the past few months, and now, according to BBC News, Mr. Schumacher will continue undergoing rehab at his home near Lake Geneva. There is a long road ahead in terms of recovery, but this certainly is a huge step forward. Schumacher first sustained his life-threatening injury in late 2013 when he hit

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his head whilst skiing in France. He endured the process of coming out of a medically induced coma at a French hospital and was then transferred to a facility in Lausanne, Switzerland where he remained until now. Sales o f A u t o m o t i v e S p e c i a l t y Equipment Products Reaches $33 Billion for 2013 It was announced recently that sales of automotive specialty equipment products reached $33 billion in 2013, which is a 6.7percent increase over the previous year, and marks the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to the SEMA Annual Market Study.

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Sales of street performance products accounted for 26 percent of sales, which was greatly helped by the renewed focus on performance models by OE manufacturers such as Scion FR-S, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger. Another market that experienced a boost in sales was light trucks, which grew 8 percent in 2013 and posted its best sales since 2007. New truck sales have continued to climb over the years, helped in large part by the major redesigns of several popular models. Another aspect of why the light truck market has seen continued growth is the SUV/CUV market, which allows aftermarket part manufacturers to diversify and expand their offerings. Due to the overall growth of the aftermarket parts market, the 2014 SEMA Show is shaping up to be the biggest yet, as the attendance is trending upward and attendees will see more exhibitors and products than ever before.

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Return of the Alfa Alfa Romeo returns to North America with the 4C

Story and photos by Gerry Frechette, additional photos courtesy of the manufacturer

posite structure, as no effort has been spared to pare weight to a minimum.

The 1,750-cc (an iconic displacement in Alfa history) aluminum four-banger delivers 237 horsepower via direct injection, variable valve timing, and a new generation of turbocharger that helps lower and flatten the torque curve, so that 80 percent of the maximum 258 pounds-feet of twist is available as low as 1,700 rpm. All this, from a mere 106 cubic inches.

here are brands in the automotive world that are so steeped in tradition, they can transcend the actual cars to which they are attached. Most are European, most date back at least several decades or even a century, and most have a strong racing history. You know all the names, and Alfa Romeo is certainly among them. But strangely, Alfas have not been sold in North America for some 20 years. And, the sports cars that were sold here a quarter-century ago were slightly less than state-of-the-art for the day. That is all to say that Alfa fans have had to wait a long time for a thoroughly modern sports car worthy of the iconic name, but now, thanks to the collaboration between Alfa’s parent Fiat and Chrysler, the new 4C has hit Canadian showrooms – all four of them that have been appointed to sell the car. From the beginning, Alfa Romeo set out to build what is commonly called a supercar, and the over-riding design philosophy is that ‘small and light’ equals scintillating performance even with a small engine. Lotus and Porsche have been the leading proponents of this approach, and now Alfa joins them with this tiny, 1,118-kg (2,465-lb) sports coupe with mid-mounted four-cylinder engine. The light weight is achieved by using carbon fibre, aluminum and composite structures instead of steel, just like Formula One and sports prototypes do. The 4C’s monocoque chassis is made entirely of carbon fibre, to which is attached front and rear cell structures, roof reinforcements, and an engine-mounting frame made from lightweight aluminum. The bodywork continues the high-tech lightweight theme, through the use of SMC (Sheet Molding Compound), a low-density, high-strength composite material that is 20-percent lighter and dimensionally more rigid than steel. Even the two seat frames are made from carbon fibre and fibreglass reinforced-com12 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

You might think that such an engine would naturally be backed up with a manual transmission, but you would be wrong, at least in the sense that there is no clutch pedal or gear lever. It is a sixspeed twin-clutch manumatic transmission directing the power to the rear wheels, with both ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Race’ modes if ‘Natural’

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the curves, with only small tabs at each front corner, and a slightly upturned tail. The design is completely in keeping with the 4C’s sporting nature, and Alfa Romeo claims it was inspired by the iconic 1967 33 Stradale model. The interior environment continues the Italian design language. The seats have minimal padding and are well-shaped for support. Adjustment is fore/aft and recline only; for height adjustment, a socket wrench is required. The minimalist approach is continued on the dashboard and centre console, while the flat-bottomed steering wheel looks more substantial, with thick, stitched leather trim and a big, bright Alfa Romeo logo in the centre of it. Comfort and convenience includes air conditioning, power windows, and a basic audio system, but not much else that would add weight to the car. With engine and drivetrain all located in the rear of the 4C, one might expect a small space for bags up front, but what looks like an opening trunk lid doesn’t actually open at mode just is not enough fun, and even ‘launch control’ capability in ‘Race’ mode to really torture the drivetrain. Manual and Automatic shifting are both available, the former via paddle shifters. In normal use, in the Dynamic mode most will want to use, the clutch take-up from rest seemed a little slower than most other twin-clutch boxes we have tried. The 4C’s outstanding power-to-weight ratio yields acceleration times in the high four-second range for 0-to-100 km/h, and a top track speed of 258 km/h (160 mph), numbers that are compatible with a ‘supercar’ designation. Handling and braking capabilities, too, are certainly up to the task of dealing with that sort of speed. But, there is more to an Italian supercar than just those aspects that can be measured by numbers. Design has to be high on that list, and here, the stylists of the 4C did a good job of making it look both bigger and sleeker than it actually is, which is about the size of a Mazda MX-5. Needless to say, there are no straight lines or flat surfaces on this body, and the curves, especially behind the passenger compartment around the side air scoops, are sensual to say the least. There are no major aerodynamic appendages to upset

14 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

all. The entire luggage space is in the far rear of the car, and is about A lot of things we take for granted – like power steering, or a strut to the size of one overnight bag. Anything else, you get to cram into the keep the rear hatch up – are missing, in the interests of low weight. Outward visibility in all rearward directions is severely compromised passenger’s foot well – or on the seat, if you are travelling solo. by the exterior design, something that the rumoured upcoming So, what is it like to drive the 4C? It’s a blast, but not without com- roadster should address. Oh...and, you will pay $61,995 for a 4C, promises. The small doors make ingress and especially egress unless you simply must be the first in your city to own one, in which an exercise in contortion for those long of leg. Settle in and push the start button, and the raucous engine right behind you, with no heavy sound insulation between it and your ears, blasts into your consciousness. Push the ‘1’ button to signify the first forward gear, decide between automatic or manual shifting with the ‘A/M’ button, pull once on the right paddle. Give it some throttle to get going. Then, give it LOTS of throttle and hang on. Steering, cornering and braking are akin to driving a high-performance go-kart. The Alfa 4C is not at all a practical car, nor is it especially luxurious. It assaults your senses with its barely muffled intake and exhaust noise, and transmits every road irregularity straight into your seat.

case you’ll be getting the $75,995 Launch Edition model that is to be available first. And yet....despite all that, or maybe because of it, we love the 4C. It is a little hell-raising hooligan of a car, all about raw emotion and high style, as Italian sports cars should be. The homes it finds will likely have one or two other vehicles in the garage, and the little Alfa will be kept for those special occasions when fun is the primary goal. Those who can afford $62K for this stylish little beast will certainly have no end of fun times with it. RPM Oct / Nov 2014 15

True Luxury 2015 Kia K900 V8 Elite

Story by Jordan Allan, photos courtesy of Kia Canada

hen word first surfaced that Kia would be producing a $70,000 luxury sedan with a V8 powerplant under the hood, I’m sure it left many people wondering what they were thinking. Despite some great offerings over the past few years, Kia still seems to carry the notion that vehicles produced by them are simply purchased out of necessity and rarely by choice.

Under the hood of the K900 is a 5.0-litre V8 that pushes an impressive 420 horsepower and certainly does not leave you feeling underwhelmed, as there is plenty of power when called upon. The engine is paired to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission that features four drive modes to ensure you’re getting the type of shifting you need depending on the situation you’re in. After spending some time driving the K900, I have concluded that this is one of, if not the, smoothest riding vehicles I have ever had the pleasure of driving. Bumps in the road are hardly felt, no matter how big, and the steering feels completely effortless. Taking harsh corners at high speeds is not recommended, as the nearly 17-foot-long vehicle clearly has focused more on the comfort side of things, rather than the performance of, say, an Audi or BMW would. That is not to say you can’t still have some fun with this full-size sedan, but do so with caution.

Due to the sheer number of Kia vehicles you see on the road today, they clearly have started to shed this idea, but some people may still When I first learned that the K900 V8 Elite that I would be testing had need some convincing. That’s where the all-new 2015 K900 comes a starting price of $69,995, my first impression was no matter how in. Following in the footsteps of the luxurious mid-size Cadenza released last year, the K900 is a large, full-size sedan chock full of all the features and technologies often found in some of its more expensive counterparts, with the ultimate goal being to show the public they can build cars that will make people think twice before choosing one of the many German or Japanese options. The exterior of the K900 shares many of the same styling cues as the Cadenza, but with a nearly 8-inch longer wheelbase, and a slightly more refined look. The front end has a large grille with LED headlights and adaptive front lighting that will always point light in the right direction, and the rear features a sophisticated look similar to that of the Cadenza. During my time with the K900, quite a few people mistakenly assumed it was a BMW, as it does share a similar look to some of the German automaker’s large sedans from the past, which I’m sure Kia does not mind. Inside the K900 is where you get the sense you are truly driving a luxury car. It is one of the most spacious layouts I have encountered and features very high-quality materials such as real wood trim, premium nappa leather seats, and a deluxe suede headliner. The 16-way adjustable front seats can be moved using the door-mounted controls, and even the rear seats were able to recline, which is a rare commodity in vehicles these days. A Lexicon (the brand of stereo most often found in Rolls-Royce) Logic-7 sound system comes standard in the K900 and uses a multi-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers placed strategically for an amazing sound. Additionally, a full-colour Heads-Up Display (HUD) projects key information onto the windshield to ensure your eyes will be facing forward at all times. 16 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

good the car is, people may have a hard time shelling out that kind of dough for a Kia. Once I got some seat time in it, my opinion immediately began to change. You get all of the features that you would find in a BMW or Lexus of the same ilk, but without quite as hefty a price tag you would have with one of those cars. Sure, 70-grand is a lot of money no matter which you way you spin it, but when you consider the comfort, technology, and safety features that come standard on the K900, it makes it that much easier to justify. If the goal truly was to shed the notion that Kia is no longer a brand that one settles for, consider it shedded.

Driving a classic is like speaking a lost language. It grabs you and demands your attention. In a classic you know when the engine’s running. You feel the ride. Fast seems faster turning heads is inevitable you always take the scenic route and getting lost is part of the plan. Because no matter where you go

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“We continue to enhance the model’s driving pleasure while meeting increasingly pressing social demands for comfort, safety and environmental issues.” Yes, those demands mean the modern-day Miata has become a bit bigger and more expensive, but coming from the perspective of someone who owns an NA (first-gen), it’s more interesting to point out what hasn’t changed. The smiley-face front bumper is present and accounted for. Rotating eyeball air vents in the interior are still there, and the gauges and controls are pretty much where they have always been. I loved that the fuel tank release is still hidden inside the centre cubby, now located up between the seatbacks. Storage space is still at a premium, and that includes the trunk that won’t fit more than a couple of weekend bags. At least now there are proper places to fit a water bottle on each door panel.

Last Hurrah 2015 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition

The Anniversary Edition comes with a lot of neat little add-ons, like a special emblem with global number (my test car was No. 0663), ubiquitous red stitching, a hand-painted Takumi Red gradient dash panel, and something you definitely don’t see in a Miata everyday: offwhite leather seats with the 25th anniversary logo on the head restraint. The regular features from the NC carry over as well, of course, such as the black power retractable hardtop that opens/closes in less than 12 seconds, smoked headlamp housings with HIDs, built-in corner bumper

Story by Benjamin Yong, photos courtesy of Mazda Canada

ith the international unveiling of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 taking place in early September, all eyes were focused on the new fourth-generation platform of the legendary roadster. But that doesn’t mean the outgoing NC model doesn’t deserve a last hurrah - and the 2015 25th Anniversary Edition provides the perfect way to do just that. I had an opportunity to review the vehicle that celebrates a quarter of a century since the first Miata was unveiled on February 9, 1989 at the splitters, and 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels. There’s no doubt that the car continues to look great even in its later years, and turned plenty of heads everywhere I went in it. Even though it doesn’t feel quite as nimble as my own little NA, it darts through corners just fine, and does so in a much more comfortable and controlled manner. Producing 167 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 140 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, the NC loves to rev, begging you to grab the shift knob and run through each of the marvellously tight six gears (there’s an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters available, but what fun would that be?) You can hear the air being sucked through the intake when you launch in first, a burble of happiness emitting from the dual rear exhaust tips. The 2015 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition retails for $40,925. Getting your hands on one is another story, though, as Mazda only made 250 of them. If you aren’t one of the lucky few, the redesigned 2016 MX-5 should be available sometime next year.

SPECIFICATIONS Chicago Auto Show. Created to service a market at the time that sorely needed an affordable, two-seat open-top lightweight RWD sports car, today’s version largely still embodies that initial vision. “Right from the first generation, our philosophy for the MX-5’s development has remained the same: create a car that delivers true driving pleasure and is an irreplaceable partner for the people on board — and onlookers, too — brightening and cheering their mood,” says MX-5 program manager Nobuhiro Yamamoto in a news release. 18 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

Base price (MSRP): .............................................................................. $40,925 Type: ........................................................two-door, two-passenger convertible Layout: ................................................................................. front engine, RWD Engine: ........................................................................................ 2.0L DOHC I4 Transmission: ........................................................................... 6-speed manual Power: . .............................................................................167 hp @ 7,000 rpm Torque: ........................................................................... 140 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm Curb weight: . ...................................................................................... 1,182 kg Brakes: .........................................................................front/rear disc with ABS Fuel Consumption (L/100km, city/hwy): .................................................9.7/7.1

Becoming a Benchmark 2015 Jaguar F-Type S Coupe

Story and images by Russell Purcell

performance driving. The sculpted bodywork comes complete with chin spoiler, hood and fender mounted air intakes, subtle side skirts, and a rear diffuser. Nothing looks tacked on or superfluous, as the design team focused on both form and function. Under the car’s long bonnet resides a 3.0-litre, supercharged V6 engine that produces 380 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an eight-speed “QuickShift” ZF transmission, the Jaguar F-Type S Coupe will hustle to 100 kilometres-per-hour in a mere 4.9 seconds, and is capable of reaching a terminal speed of 275 kilometres-per-hour.

aguar scored a home run when it rolled the stunning F-Type Road- There seems to be an abundance of torque available at all times, as the ster into showrooms last fall, as the slinky roadster represented the compact supercharger utilizes a sophisticated boost control system which company’s first real sports car design in over four decades. helps to ensure that the torque curve rises steeply over a broad range of engine speeds. The use of a water-cooled intercooler helps to reduce the The F-Type’s stunning good looks and phenomenal performance helped temperature of the intake air, which in turn helps promote greater power reinvigorate the Jaguar brand, and customers started to queue up at and efficiency. Jaguar dealerships to get their hands on one of the sexy beasts. As Jaguar is a luxury brand, it was important to engineer the car with a Hoping to capitalize on this success, Jaguar has just released its follow- high level of refinement. As a result, the Jaguar engineers have employed up model, a fixed-roof variant of the car known as the F-Type Coupe, It is an innovative system of counter-rotating balancers in an effort to enhance expected that this new car will appeal to those individuals looking for a dy- the smoothness of the engine, and the end result is truly impressive. namic automobile, engineered to satisfy the needs of enthusiast drivers. In an effort to improve efficiency, the F-Type S Coupe features Jaguar’s Both F-Types share Jaguar’s classic long-hood, short-tail design, but in Intelligent Stop/Start system which will automatically shut off the engine my humble opinion, the swoopy bodywork of the Coupe model has the whenever the car comes to a complete stop, only to re-fire once you touch most curb appeal. The look is reminiscent of the glorious Jaguar E-Type the gas pedal to get back underway. Coupe of the 1960s, a car that is an icon due to the fact that many believe it to be the most graceful automobile ever designed. The F-Type S Coupe represents one of the most dynamic handling and responsive automobiles on the road today, at any price. When the car is The F-Type Coupe looks quick even when at rest, as the car has an ag- set in Dynamic mode, it really comes alive. The advanced sport suspengressive stance, wide track (for its size), and bodywork carefully sculpted sion becomes a little more firm, and the driver is better able to feel what in the wind tunnel. The presence of advanced lighting systems front and the car is doing through the seat and controls. rear help give the car a modern, edgy presence, while big alloy wheels, an active rear spoiler and twin trumpet exhaust tips add a sporty flair. The eight-speed ZF transmission incorporates a Sport mode which the driver can engage by sliding the console-mounted shift lever into a side As was the case with the roadster model, the F-Type Coupe is available in gate. three flavours. The first two are fitted with a supercharged V6 engine, while SPECIFICATIONS the top R model derives its motivation from a fire-breathing 5.0-litre V8. Jaguar suspects that most buyers will hurdle past the base model and demand the keys for the feature laden S variant, which seems to offer the most bang for the buck. As a result, the car we were graced with was the S model. One look at the car and it is immediately apparent that it has been designed for high20 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

Base price (MSRP): .............................................................................. $84,900 Price as tested: . ................................................................................... $95,100 Type: ......................................................................... RWD, front-engine coupe Engine: ................................................................. 3.0L supercharged DOHC V6 Power: . .............................................................................380 hp @ 6,500 rpm Torque:................................................................. 339 lb-ft @ 3,500-5,000 rpm Transmission: ..................................................... 8-speed auto with paddle shift Brakes: ...................................................................... Four-wheel disc with ABS Fuel consumption (L/100km): .. City 10.8 L (26.1 mpg); Hwy 7.3 L (38.7 mpg)

When left to work on its own accord, the “QuickShift” gearbox seemed to select shift points early in an effort to reduce the consumption of fuel. By using the steering

™

PERFORMANCE & MILEAGE Asymmetric Tread Design

wheel-mounted paddles to select my own shift points, I could explore the upper end of the tachometer and extract a much higher level of smile-inducing performance from the car.

Designed for Superior Wet and Dry Performance

For the most part, the F-Type S Coupe tracks straight and true, although there is a hint of understeer when you drive the car aggressively through tight radius turns. It never felt unsettling, but it was a gentle reminder that you need to pay a little more attention when driving the car in anger.

Delivers Crisp and Tight Steering Response UTQG 300 AA A

The F-Type S Coupe proved to be a well-balanced design with its 50/50 weight distribution, and the car will go wherever you choose to point its shapely nose.

Smooth Easy to Clean Sidewalls

The car’s interior is stylish, but not over the top. Jaguar designers kept the look and layout of the dash uncluttered and all business, as this is a driver’s car. All controls and switchgear are well-placed and remain highly visible, and most become intuitive to use in short order.

Lightweight Construction Available in 23 high performance sizes

The sport bucket seats have been designed to help you battle g-forces and hold you securely in place when you are driving at the limit. The taut leather hides are high quality, and obviMickey Thompson

ENHANCE YOUR STANCE WITH STREET COMP SC-5 WHEELS

ous care has been taken with regards to the standard of fit-and-finish. Taller individuals will appreciate the slight recess that has been carved into the headliner to allow some extra space for your head, but individuals over six-foot-four inches-tall may find the car rather tight. The list of standard features is long for this car, but in order to get many of the latest technological safety features, you will have to consult the option list. Luckily, pricing for most of the extra features is far more reasonable than that of rival brands. The Jaguar F-Type Coupe is such an impressive automobile with regards to performance, styling and value, that I suspect that it will become a benchmark for many cars to come.

STREET COMP SC-5 WHEELS FIT NEWER MUSTANGS, CAMAROS & CHALLENGERS Wide stance • Deep lip & flush fit • Staggered fitment options • Three finishes available

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think about them, I will make you eat those dreaded words. And at some point in that process, I’ll have blown your mind. Okay, are you ready? Wait for it... stop calling them ‘snow tires.’ It’s as simple as that. If you think of them as just snow tires, you’re missing the whole point. Yes, they do quite well in the snow. But that’s not all. Not nearly all. Not even anywhere close to all. They’re so much more than that. Which is why, from now on, you’re not going to call them snow tires. You’re going to call them ‘winter tires.’ See what I did there? Let that sink in for a minute. Seriously, just think about it. If you start thinking of them as winter tires as opposed to just snow tires, it completely changes the way you think of them, and probably also changes your opinion on the need for them in a city that doesn’t see a whole lot of snow (in comparison to some of our neighbours to the north and to the east).

2014 Winter Tire Guide Story by Arch Linsao, photos courtesy of the manufacturers

or all you ‘Westcoasters’...

Yes, that’s right. This year’s edition of my winter-tire-rant is dedicated to my fellow Westcoasters. And in particular, my beloved Vancouverites. Those who seem to find enjoyment in making me cringe with those ear piercing words, “Oh, we live in Vancouver, it barely ever snows here. We don’t need snow tires.” These words that I hear every year have pretty much become the bane of my existence. So here is how I respond.

And why should you think of them as winter tires? Well that’s because that’s exactly what they are. Tires meant for use during the winter. Not only in the snowy winter, but ALL WINTER. They’re meant to be used during winter... when it’s cold. Too cold for the regular all-season tire or summer tire that hardens up and turns into a hockey puck in the winter. They’re designed to withstand those cold temperatures and stay soft and flexible, giving you traction when it’s cold... when it’s wet... when it’s icy... when it’s slushy... and yes, when it’s snowy. I realize we don’t get a lot of snow in the lower mainland, but we sure as heck get all the other things I just listed. And we need winter tires specifically for those conditions. In all honesty, it’s worse here with the lack of snow because of how wet it is and how cold it gets. The combination of wet weather and freezing temperatures doesn’t always result in snow, but is surely does result in slippery ice. And without winter tires, you don’t have a chance. I don’t care how good of a driver you are, or how good your vehicle’s all-wheel drive system is, you don’t have a chance. It doesn’t take much. Just one small patch of ice will send you (or one of the cars around you) in a direction you didn’t intend to go. Just one small patch of ice will prevent you (or one of the cars around you) from stopping when you need to. With winter tires, you’ve got that much more control, that much more stopping power, that much more confidence, and that much more peace of mind.

So there you have it. Changing one word in your vocabulary can change Firstly, I’m going to start by changing what you call these ever-so-impor- the way you look at tires. Get rid of the ‘snow’ in front of tires and replace tant pieces of rubber. And by changing what you call them, I’m going to it to ‘winter.’ Now that changes the whole definition from something you change the way you think about them. And by changing the way you don’t think you need, to something you can’t imagine not having. Featured: Winter Slalom KSi State-of-the-art looks and the ability to take you where you want to go throughout the winter make the BFGoodrich® Winter Slalom® KSI Key Snow & Ice the RIGHT tire for all types of cold weather adventures. The KSI features winter regenerating compounds, which are micro-pores that provide grip mechanism for continued traction on snow and ice. The optimized sipe configuration offers better block stability for improved handling and wear, plus enhanced cornering and braking on snow, ice, slush, wet and dry roads. More hydroplaning resistance and deep snow traction come from full lateral grooves and increased tread voids. BFG’s Etec System, or equal tension containment system, is available on most sizes which basically provides a consistent footprint and maximum tread contact under any speed, giving you better control on the road no matter what the weather. Featured: Blizzak WS-80

Bridgestone engineered the Blizzak™ WS80™ so you can conquer the cold, snow and ice. With a suite of features that deliver trusty traction in all winter weather, it’s easy to see why Blizzak is ‘the official tire of winter.’™ Mighty Molecules are a new Hydrophilic Coating that reacts to the elements for confident stopping power on snow and ice. Advanced Multicell Compound® with Nano Pro-Tech® works at a molecular level to remain pliable in cold. New Cavity Shape distributes contact pressure uniformly across the entire footprint area for even wear and dry, ice and snow performance. Bite particles act like microscopic studs providing confident road grip and braking on ice. 3D Zigzag Sipes create biting edges without sacrificing block stiffness. Increased block edges by 20 percent (compared to WS70) for better handling on snow and slush. 22 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

The Best Tires For The Worst Days

40 30 20

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Great tires – great price With TOYO winter tires you can rest assured you’re driving on cutting-edge technology, designed to handle any cold weather condition. Plus, with this limited time offer, you’ll also know you drove a good deal. Ask your TOYO Dealer for details. TOYO TIRES …engineered for the real world. R E BATE O FFE R E N DS D ECE M B E R 15TH , 2014

toyotires.ca

Featured: ExtremeWinterContact

Performing superbly on dry and wet pavement in cold temperatures, the ExtremeWinterContact is built to conquer the road with confidence - even in the coldest winter weathers. Its compact outside tread with elevated lateral grooves and inclined longitudinal grooves provides improved dry handling, and the high sipe density and highly flexible compound allow for swift removal of water in wet conditions and reduced braking distances in snow and ice. Maximum void and grip edges in the centre contact patch with traction ridges within the grooves allow for excellent traction and braking in the snow. Featured: SP Winter Sport 4D

Dunlop winter tires feature specialized tread compounds and advanced tread designs that help provide superior traction on ice, slush and snow. Dunlop’s technology advancements help our tires provide grip, handling and the driving excitement you deserve. 4D sipe system has self-interlocking sipes that maintain tread block stiffness to help provide excellent handling. Entire sipe system combines to create even pressure across the tread face, which helps increase snow handling performance and cornering grip. V-shape grooves and deep snow notches help enhance snow traction and performance. Special tread compound helps adhere to wet and icy surfaces. Featured: Espia EPZ

The ESPIA EPZ provides superb traction even in the harshest weather conditions. Specially designed canyon sipes and a micro-glass fibre rubber compound allow the EPZ to “claw” the roughness of ice and stubbornness of snow in a non-studded alternative to the traditional winter tire. With sizes ranging from 13-inch to 17-inch, the EPZ covers many of today’s popular OE fitments. The Espia EPZ is the perfect choice capable of conquering mother nature at her worst on a daily basis. Featuring canyon sipes technology to help create additional biting edges which enhance snow and ice traction, circumferential grooves to maximize hydroplaning resistance, shoulder wave sipes to provide a stronger resistance to wandering or “tread squirm”, and a dual-purpose tread pattern that is able to handle both deep snow and compact ice with superior traction Featured: Winterforce

The Firestone Winterforce is “siped and studdable” for good winter performance. Its directional, computermodelled tread design helps to deliver confident snow, wet and ice traction. The Firestone Winterforce is designed to deliver a quiet and comfortable ride to get you to your destination regardless of the weather conditions. Its directional tread pattern optimizes wet and dry performance and its high sipe density threedimensional tread pattern makes for confident snow, ice and wet traction. Also, being pinned for standard studs provides additional traction potential for severe conditions. Featured: Altimax Arctic

The Altimax Arctic has unique grooves and sipes, combined with a modern compound, offering high performance at low temperatures. Its innovative Quad-Tech Smart Tire Technology provides improved handling and exceptional traction on snow and ice. It also features a multi-angle sipe system with 270-degrees of sipes and biting edges that maximizes traction in any direction of travel. The directional tread pattern with its centre stability rib provides enhanced straight line stability and water evacuation, while the Reactive Contour Technology reacts to different road conditions to maintain optimum contact with the road surfaces. And of course, its silica tread composite allows for cold-weather flexibility for increased snow and ice performance. 24 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

Featured: Ultra Grip Ice WRT

The Ultra Grip Ice WRT stops shorter on ice versus its leading competitors, thanks to a specialized ice tread compound that offers enhanced traction on snow- and ice-covered roads from season to season as well as its two-dimensional blades in the centre zone of the tire that provide increased stopping and starting power on ice and snow. Add to that the 3D TredLock technology blades in the shoulder that provide wet and winter traction by locking together for confident grip in the corners and a directional tread pattern that channels away water and slush. Featured: I*Pike RS W419

The new I*Pike RS from Hankook is the next generation of studable winter tire, packed with advanced technologies to enhance performance and driveability. Some key design features include 3D grooves and sipes which offer efficient water evacuation and maximum braking and handling, innovative spuit holes which perform by absorbing and evacuating water from the tire’s contact patch, and an aggressive 2-in1 tread block design to provide increased snow traction. Hankook has also optimized the stud pin arrangement used in the design of this tire to include 16 stud rows, ensuring effective braking and handling on icy surfaces. A twolayered “Snow Tread Design” tread structure helps to secure the pins. And by placing the stud rows closer to the tire’s centre compared to conventional studdable tires, they are able to offer superior ice grip. Featured: Solus Vier KH21

The Solus Vier KH21 is now branded as a true all-weather tire, snowflake rated, for the harmony of driving in any weather condition. The KH21 features a directional pattern for outstanding wet performance - Optimal performance in all weather conditions - Multi sipes for snow performance - Wide lateral grooves for enhanced hydroplaning resistance.

Featured: Pilot Alpin PA4

The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tire provides safe winter driving year after year, with controlled power. It offers exceptional control in snow and ice and improved braking distance from its exclusive tread design, StabiliGrip, and 3-D sipe technology. Improved braking distance is achieved using a formula of full-silica-based rubber compound, Helio Compound+, which allows the tire to remain flexible in low temperatures for better winter performance, stopping over 5 percent shorter on snow, ice and wet roads. The Pilot Alpin PA4 is also certified by ultra-high-performance vehicle manufacturers, such as Porsche. Featured: Winguard Snow’G

The Winguard Snow’G performance studless asymmetric winter tire from Nexen will make driving through any snowy passage more comfortable than ever. The tires are engineered for a quieter ride and they utilize five random pitch variations and a minimized block edge. Three deep grooves are featured on the Snow G’s to prevent hydroplaning and to improve traction during very wet or snowy conditions. RPM Oct / Nov 2014 25

Featured: NT90W

With advanced 3D interlocking and multi-wave siping, and a silica-infused compound, the NT90W is engineered for severe winter driving conditions. It is a studless winter tire sized for crossover vehicles, SUVs and passenger cars and made with a unique blend of natural materials that improve winter traction. Crushed walnut shells bite into ice and snow while bamboo charcoal helps absorb water off the road surface. Nitto’s NT90W helps you stay connected with the road, even in adverse weather conditions of ice and snow. Featured: Winter Sottozero Serie II

For demanding drivers, the Winter SOTTOZERO™ Serie II guarantees excellent performance on dry and wet roads, and in the presence of snow. In temperatures below 7C, it counters aquaplaning more effectively than an all-season or summer tire. The asymmetrical tread pattern is divided into two distinct elements: the inner area expels water effectively while the external area ensures high levels of grip on snow with its more rigid and spaced blocks. These features on the W270 version are enhanced by the exclusive patented twincompound solution. Characterized by low rolling resistance, the Winter SOTTOZERO™ Serie II also provides low noise levels, enhancing comfort in the cabin. It also features a new temperature dynamic compound and uses patented IBS technology for sipe construction, which all equates to enhanced handling and grip in both wet and dry conditions, and increased tire rigidity and contact patch even on irregular surfaces. Featured: Observe G3-ICE

The Toyo Observe G3-ICE winter tire is designed for tough winter driving conditions combining excellent winter performance with driving comfort. Equipped with Toyo’s Microbit studless tire technology and an advanced directional tread pattern, the Observe G3-ICE is ready to handle snow, ice or slush and offers superior ride comfort. Featured: Tiger Paw Ice & Snow II

The recently redesigned Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow II features a highly siped tread surface, deep tread grooves and a winter adapted tread compound which translates to dependable traction on ice, snow, slush and wet road conditions. Increased cold-weather grip is a result of a winter polymer compound that maintains molecular adhesion and tread flexibility at low temperatures. Durashield Construction and a computer-optimized variable pitch tread aid in durability and reduced road noise. For enhanced ice traction, the tire is pinned for studs. Featured: ADVAN Winter

The ADVAN Winter has a new advanced compound that features micro-silica. Designed specifically for the Bentley Continental GT, the Audi S8 and the Audi S6, the ADVAN Winter is every bit as much a performer as the prestigious cars it was designed to adorn. The ADVAN Winter has a new advanced compound that combines micro-silica and Zeruma with a flexible polymer, providing increased flexibility, greater durability and a bigger driving footprint. With sophisticated tread features that slice through snow and offer a commanding performance on ice, the ADVAN Winter belongs on the world’s best cars. 26 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

TEST Land Rover LR4

Price: .............................................................................................. $70,990 Engine: . ........................................3.0L DOHC 24-valve Supercharged V6 Trans: ............................................................................ 8-speed automatic Power: .............................................................................................. 340 hp Torque: ........................................................................................... 332 lb-ft Curb Weight: .............................................................. 2,566 kg / 5,657 lb. Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) ............................... 14.6/10.5 New for 2014: The LR4 received some significant styling and powertrain upgrades for 2014. Segment Competitors: Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Lexus GX 460, Toyota FJ Cruiser, BMW X5, Volkswagen Touareg The Skinny: The LR4 is the mid-range offering in the Land Rover lineup and continues to raise the bar when it comes to luxury and refinement. It features a rugged yet classy look that remains true to the Land Rovers of old, but with all the great modern technology of the 21st century. Pros: Provides a high-up, comfortable seating position with great vision all around, plus you can’t go wrong with a Supercharged V6. Cons: The dial-style shifter definitely takes some getting used to. The Verdict: The LR4 is a true example of a vehicle that can literally do anything, from running normal errands around town to long trail runs to your favourite camping spot; all in a very luxurious package, we might add.

Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible

Price: ........................................................................$57,955 (price as tested) Engine: . .......................................................................6.2L OHV 16-valve V8 Trans: ................................................................................. 6-speed automatic Power: ....................................................................................................426 hp Torque: .................................................................................................420 lb-ft Curb Weight: .................................................................. 1,886 kg / 4,158 lb. Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) . ...................................13.4/8.3 New for 2015: The Camaro remains largely unchanged after a refresh in 2014, other than the addition of a new colour option. Segment Competitors: Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, Hyundai Genesis, Porsche Cayman The Skinny: The Chevrolet Camaro SS was designed to be a true muscle car and we were not dissapointed. It features old-school looks and newschool technology. Launch control makes sure you put every bit of that 426 horsepower to the ground off the start without too much spinning, and the exhaust note reached when you do is certainly addicting. Pros: The overall look of the Camaro screams muscle car, as does the huge 6.2L V8 engine under the hood. Cons: Steering does feel a bit heavy and sightlines are certainly limited in the convertible version. The Verdict: While its practical uses are hard to think of, the Camaro is an ideal vehicle for having fun during a track day or just simply taking a Sunday cruise.

Volkswagen Passat TDI

Price: .............................................................................................. $28,575 Engine: . .............................................. 2.0L DOHC 16-valve turbodiesel I4 Trans: ............................................................................ 6-speed automatic Power: .............................................................................................. 140 hp Torque: ........................................................................................... 236 lb-ft Curb Weight: .............................................................. 1,542 kg / 3,400 lb. Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) ................................... 6.9/4.9 New for 2014: The Passat is relitvely unchanged from 2013 except for doing away with the five-cylinder gas engine option, making way for a new 1.8L turbocharged four. Segment Competitors: Mazda6, Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Malibu, Acura TLX, Lincoln MKS, Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy. The Skinny: The Volkswagen Passat is a perfect vehicle for those who want the practicality of a large sedan, but also want to have a little fun. Although the 140 horsepower of the TDI diesel engine doesn’t scream performance, the 236 lb-ft of torque is surely enough to get you going quickly. Pros: One of the better-looking vehicles in its class and the fuel efficiency on our TDI test model was quite impressive. Cons: The diesel engine can be a tad noisy at times inside the cabin. The Verdict: VW’s Passat provides the practicality you’d expect from a large sedan, but is also able to pull you in with its good looks and fun factor. 28 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

FLEET BMW M3

Price: ....................................................................................................$74,000 Engine: .............................................................. 3.0L DOHC 24-valve turbo I6 Trans: . ................................................................................ 7-speed automatic Power: ....................................................................................................425 hp Torque: .................................................................................................406 lb-ft Curb Weight: ................................................................... 1,631 kg / 3,596 lb. Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) .....................................13.9/9.7 New for 2015: The BMW M3 returns in 2015 after producing the final model of the 4th generation in 2013. It now features a 4-door sedan design thanks to BMW splitting the 3-Series to include the new 4-Series coupe. Also new is the departure from a naturally-aspirated V8 engine to a turbocharged inline six-cylinder. Segment Competitors: Audi S5, Nissan GT-R, Lexus IS F, Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG The Skinny: The M3 is a stunning beast and it makes no effort to hide what it really is, a race car in street legal clothing. The 3.0L turbocharged V6 instantly makes you forget about the outgoing V8, the handling and suspension are second-to-none, and the head-turning looks put a smile on your face each time you get inside. Pros: Obviously, the sheer power of the M3 is incredible, and don’t even get us started on the exhaust note produced when you step on it. Cons: Not something BMW was going for, but if you’re not careful, you will find the gas needle dropping very quickly. The Verdict: Now that it has four doors, the M3 is as practical as it is fun thanks to a respectable amount of room inside, plus all of the goodies that come with the M badge.

Ford Fiesta

Price: .............................................................................................. $20,535 Engine: . ....................................... 1.0L EcoBoost DOHC 12-valve turbo I3 Trans: ................................................................................ 5-speed manual Power: .............................................................................................. 123 hp Torque: ........................................................................................... 125 lb-ft Curb Weight: ............................................................... 1,151kg / 2,538 lb. Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) ................................... 6.2/4.3 New for 2014: Ford is now offering its 3-cylinder 1.0L EcoBoost engine in the Fiesta to go along with a minor refresh that includes an updated exterior and more standard features. Segment Competitors: Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Spark, Toyota Prius C, Mazda2, Nissan Versa Note. The Skinny: The Ford Fiesta has been rather popular ever since its return to North America, thanks in large part to its affordibility and practicality. While it obviously isn’t the biggest car in the world, it still provides adequate space to haul around kids or cargo and won’t break the bank at the gas pump. Pros: You’d expect the 3-cylinder engine to feel sluggish, but thanks in large part to the turbocharger, you hardly notice it at all. Cons: Those of you with wide feet may find yourself hitting pedals you did not mean to. The Verdict: The Fiesta has proven to be a favourite in the compact class ever since it returned to North America in 2010, and the 2014 model should be no different.

Mitsubishi RVR AWC Limited

Price: . .......................................................................................... $26,498 Engine: . ............................................................... 2.0L DOHC 16-valve I4 Trans: .....................................Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Power: . .......................................................................................... 148 hp Torque: . ....................................................................................... 145 lb-ft Curb Weight: ..............................................................1,470 kg / 3,241 lb Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) . ................................ 8.5/6.7 New for 2014: The RVR receives a reworked audio system for 2014 that features a 6.1-inch touchscreen and rearview camera. Segment Competitors: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5 The Skinny: The Mitsubish RVR (sold as the Outlander Sport in the U.S.) is a compact SUV that provides excellent efficiency and more cargo and passenger room than it probably gets credit for. The 2.0L Mivec engine provides adequate power and exceptional fuel efficiency and new technologies inside, such as a better audio system and rearview camera, are sure to keep it competitive in its class. Pros: We were pleasantly surprised at the cargo room of the RVR, plus the 2.0L engine achieves very good fuel economy numbers. Cons: Our test model was equipped with the CVT transmission, which provides an interesting experience, to say the least. The Verdict: Although its class is a very crowded one, the RVR has done enough with the addition of interior features plus outstanding efficiency to remain a contender in its segment. RPM Oct / Nov 2014 29

Insane Power 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Much work has been done on the Hellcat’s aero performance, as such an engine wants a lot of fresh air, and generates a lot of heat to extract. The left-front parking lamp is now an air intake, and the hood has large vents to remove heat from the engine compartment. There is a large splitter up front for down force, and other aero appendages low on the body sides and under the rear.

Story and photos by Gerry Frechette, additional photos courtesy of Dodge

Other than those body mods, and the ‘Supercharged’ script on the front fenders, there is not a lot to distinguish a Hellcat visually from an SRT. And that is probably a good thing, as this car can do things that will quickly get he Horsepower Wars continue unabated, nowhere more so than the attention of anyone in the vicinity. amongst the “Detroit Three” auto manufacturers. This is nothing new, of course, as we saw all this half a century ago at the dawn of the muscle Not that we have tried it, but from photos we have seen, smoky burnouts car era. It lasted a decade, before various outside forces conspired to are easily done. Of course, the best place for those is at your local Street Legal drags, where the Hellcat will run low-11’s all day long on street tires, bring it down. or high-10s on drag radials, at over 120 mph. We have heard the claims Well, the war is certainly on again. Only a few years ago, 500 horsepower that the car will also reach 200 mph, and if a car this big and heavy can was considered to be a lofty number, that is, until 600+ horsepower was do that, we would be very impressed. the top end in domestic showrooms last year. But this year, the latest shot has been fired by Dodge, with a new Challenger called the SRT Hellcat. It Unfortunately, our short drive in the car did not include a drag strip, but was delivers an insane 707 horsepower, which jumps it clearly above Dodge’s conducted on a nice rural two-lane road where we could get a feel for what own previous standard-bearer in the power wars, the 645-horsepower Viper.

Anyone who knows about drag racing 50 years ago knows that a blown 392 Hemi was the way to go in a fuel dragster, and that is exactly what Dodge has done to create the Hellcat’s engine. To a perfectly adequate 485-horsepower 6.4-litre ‘392’ Hemi V8, Dodge added a supercharger and upgraded all the internal components. The key word here is ‘forged,’ as in crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods. It’s all strong, high-end parts here. The cylinder heads are aluminum, and actually have hemispherical combustion chambers. Behind this mill is your choice of a beefed-up eight-speed automatic with manual-shift capability, or a six-speed manual borrowed from the Viper. The Hellcat we drove had the automatic, and given that things happen in a BIG hurry when you move your right foot even a bit, we are thinking that the auto box would be the logical one to have. It shifted up or down quickly and smoothly. And, if fuel efficiency even means anything here, the automatic is the better choice. Weight and size are something all new-gen Challengers have never been short of, but the Hellcat adds nearly 200 pounds to what a ‘regular’ SRT weighs, meaning it tips the scales at 4,439 pounds, with 57 percent of that weight on the front end. Those sort of numbers are not usually that conducive to a pleasantly sporty driving experience aside from straight-line acceleration, so Dodge has added massive sway bars, Bilstein suspension, 15.3-inch brakes up front with six-piston Brembo calipers, and Pirelli PZero 275/40ZR20 tires made specially for this car. Note the ‘Z’ speed rating. 30 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

it can do. The initial impression is the whine of the blower, at any speed. At high revs, it is like a banshee wail. The Hellcat handles pretty well, all things considered. There is no getting around its size, but the suspension work masks its weight, and even in the tightest corners, the Hellcat turns in and stays flat. Higher-speed stability is great. But it’s the acceleration that will put the grin on your face. It doesn’t seem to matter what gear you have chosen. Drop the hammer at, say, 80 km/h in second, third or fourth gear, and the Hellcat pins your body in the seat and launches you to whatever speed you dare to go. Does anyone need 700 horsepower these days? Probably not, but when there is a war going on, he with the biggest weapon tends to win.

Ford Animation Studio Makes Private Videos W

ith all the equipment of a mid-sized movie effects company, Studio 2000x — Ford’s in-house animation studio — cranks out blockbusters all the time. But they’re not for the general viewing public.

Story by Benjamin Yong, Photos courtesy of Ford

quite a bit of artistry before we lay down any rendering — there’s a lot of storyboarding, testing and prototyping the environment that tells a story of that vehicle sitting in an upscale neighbourhood in a downtown metropolitan city.”

“It’s kind of a research studio. We do high-end animation and And, like any great cinematic piece, music is an integral component visualization for early product development themes,” says Jeffrey as well. It’s something Nowak says they didn’t pay as much attenNowak, chief designer and lead animator with Ford. tion to in earlier days, which has since made a huge impact on how their creations resonate with the people that view them. “They’re not just developed for internal use. Those animations are also used to communicate design ideas across the company “Music is incredibly important. Look at George Lucas with Star to other stakeholders, engineers, marketing, sales. They’re great Wars — music was a huge part of that product. We’re finding the tools to galvanize people’s views of what a product is going to look same thing, a lot of work goes into finding the right piece to get like and get them championed around that product.” the right feel,” he says. Looking at a video of the Ford Edge posted by 2000x on YouTube, it’s virtually impossible to tell that the vehicle was digitally created. From the shiny yellow paint to the incredibly detailed interior shots, everything looks real. Actually, a part of it is.

Nowak speaks with a lot of authority when discussing his projects at Ford, and rightly so, as the designer has spent the last 18 years of his career with the American automaker. Coming from what he calls a conventional, classically trained car design background, he started with clay modelling and moved through the ranks, becom“The lighting has been captured,” he says, using a specialized ing more involved with the digital domain as computer technology camera. Everything else, though, is a rendered 3-D computer- evolved. generated animation. What’s surprising is how closely the process of making such a video mimics what people might see at A few flagship models he had a major role in include the 2007 the theatre. Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, 2006 Ford Explorer and the highly successful 2004 Ford F-150. Based out of Ford’s global “We’re totally inspired by Hollywood. Everybody on the animation headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, Nowak now leads a team team loves movies and we kick around ideas, like how Michael of 10 dedicated designers/animators who have been working on Bay does really cool lens flares,” he says. the latest products like the new 2015 Mustang and the aforementioned Edge. “It’s all about telling a story, it’s not just a cold, simplified turntable animation. We’re trying to grab an essence of an emotion. There’s “We’ve got a pretty talented group.” 32 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

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help make the LaCrosse immediately recognizable as a Buick. The LaCrosse’s aerodynamic shape helps the car cheat the wind, and active aero shutters are employed on the car’s lower grille to help further control air flow and improve the car’s fuel efficiency. The LaCrosse features a wide stance and a relatively long wheelbase. These facets help the car deliver a smooth ride and inherent stability. The independent suspension helped keep the car tracking straight and true, but avoids making the car feel floaty like big Buicks of the past. Fit-and-finish is on par with the best offerings from Europe or Japan, and the cabin layout conveys a sense of spaciousness. All panel and seating surfaces work well together, but the optional Sangria leather seemed like a step backwards, mostly due to the burgundy colour.

Proving Popular 2014 Buick LaCrosse AWD

The front seats offer excellent support during hard cornering, while at the same time proving comfortable enough for long distance touring. All instrumentation and controls were easy to see and reach from the driver’s position, and I found their use intuitive in short order. The rear cabin seemed enormous. In fact, I had so much legroom that I felt like I was seated in a limousine. The test unit had been ordered with a heavy helping of optional equipment, including twin, rear-seat mounted, LCD entertainment screens which only added to the limo ambiance.

Story and photos by Russell Purcell

The top-of-the-line LaCrosse benefits from the addition of all-wheel drive, which should help it gain some sales traction in the Canadian marketplace. uick is a brand on the rebound, after parent company General Motors All-wheel drive models come fitted with a 3.6-litre V6 engine under the hood decided that they had to reinvent the luxury division after it began to and a six-speed automatic. This engine features direct injection and Flex Fuel slip into oblivion. capabilities, and produces 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque.

What was the problem? Well, Buick’s customer base was ageing, and without a brand makeover, the company was not having any luck attracting new customers into showrooms. Buick was struggling to hold on to what remained of its market share as the brand seemed to have limited appeal to consumers under the age of 60. Add to this the arrival of an onslaught of competitors both foreign and domestic, and things did not look good for the survival of the storied Buick nameplate. The designers at General Motors kicked off a new era when they brought a new Regal to market in 2011. The Regal had been designed as a sports sedan in hopes that it would attract young buyers and help reinvigorate the Buick nameplate. The car was impressive and proved popular with Canadian consumers due to the fact that it was stylish, well-equipped, and a solid performer. The all-wheel drive model comes equipped with basically every option and tipped the scales at a beefy 1,772 kilograms, so I was surprised at how The Regal became the foundation for a design philosophy that would effortlessly the engine and gearbox hustled the car up to highway speeds bring us the smaller Verano sedan, and our subject vehicle, the full size without hesitation. LaCrosse. Acceleration is brisk, not laboured, and the smooth-shifting transmission The LaCrosse has all the makings to get younger folks behind the wheel as proved a pleasure to use. This slick and efficient gearbox offers manual it is stylish, well-equipped, and full of technology. It carries a similar shape mode (Driver Shift Control) capabilities which made short work of freeway to the Regal and many of the styling cues that help give the new Buicks on-ramps and helped with driver confidence when executing passing a distinctive look and much more curb appeal. The waterfall grille, triple manoeuvres. VentiPorts on the hood and oversized headlamps with LED accent lighting There are two trim packages offered for the LaCrosse AWD - Leather and SPECIFICATIONS Premium 1. Both are well-equipped and feature all the niceties one expects in an executive-level sedan. Buyers seeking a little more luxury can order Base price (MSRP): .............................................................................. $43,655 Price as tested: . ................................................................................... $54,925 the Premium 1 package which adds ventilated front seats and a powerType: ........................................................... Front-engine, AWD, full-size sedan operated rear sunshade. Engine: ..............................................3.6L, 24-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC V6 Power: . .............................................................................304 hp @ 6,800 rpm Torque: ......................................................................... 264 lb.-ft. @ 5,800 rpm Transmission: . ..............................................................................6-speed auto Brakes: ........................................................................... 4-wheel disc with ABS Fuel consumption (L/100km): ......... City 12.2 L (23 mpg); Hwy 7.5 L (38 mpg)

34 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

The Buick LaCrosse AWD should prove popular with those Canadian consumers looking for all-weather traction, but who are wary of purchasing a CUV or SUV.

The Truck Guy

2015 Ford Transit

Is it a brand new design, or have we seen it before?

Story by Ian Harwood, photos courtesy of Ford

riving down the road, you see quite a variety of work vehicles - cube vans, flat decks, service trucks, and pickups, to name but a few. The days of the traditional van have gone, except for a few that have seen more than a little action in their lives. Consumers looking for a work van want more head room in the back to carry out products to the job site, or perhaps use it as a portable office or shop. Enter the European vans that, to us in North America, look different. The Mercedes Sprinter van is a classic example. It started with a few on the streets and now it is the template for other vans to aspire to be. The 2015 Ford Transit is new to us, but has been around for many years in Europe, a success there and very possibly a huge success here. The looks scream European, but it fits in right at home here in Canada. The headlights and front grille look just like most Ford products, and in fact, I found myself doing a double-take when I first came across one. In the cab, I found plenty of room and could see myself working in this all day, jumping out to make deliveries and working very comfortably. The Transit Van is available in three body lengths - 320 cm (126”), 363 cm (143.7”), and 436 cm (172.2”), and three roof heights – 211 cm (83.2”), 255 cm (100.7”), and 279 cm (110”). There is an available Crew Chief option that helps you track your fleet. A GPS-enabled black box is mounted in the vehicle and records detail information like location, speed, and fuel economy. It can also tell if the driver’s seat belt is in use. Power The available engines are 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 with 275 hp, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with 310 hp and a 3.2L I5 Diesel with 185 hp, all mated to a 6speed automatic transmission. RPM Oct / Nov 2014 35

Safety Safety is important, and a work van should be a safe place to work. The Transit van offers driver and passenger airbags, side curtain and front thorax side airbags, anti-lock brakes, and three-point seat belts. If the SYNC option is chosen, a distress call is made for you when the air bag goes off.

the rear bumper and a wall. I thought a van of this height would be more problematic on the highway with the crosswinds, but on a trip across the new Port Mann Bridge being passed by a large semi, I felt very comfortable. It is very much like driving a minivan. I highly recommend a test drive.

Fuel Efficiency: L/100 km (city/highway): 16.9 / 12.5 Roadworthy The power rack-and-pinion steering set up helps this van drive like a dream. Turning is very easy and backing into loading bays is a piece Sticker price: of cake. The optional backup camera helps to dial in the proximity of Starting at $30,052

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The Full Monty Stage 3

This Audi A5 trunk features a trio of Mosconi amplifiers that hover above a pair of LCD televisions. The images on the televisions are controlled by the Apple Mac Mini PC centred between the amplifiers. Built by: Vibe Car Audio – Red Deer, AB Story by Dave MacKinnon, photos courtesy of the manufacturers

ere we are at the culmination of our three-issue project – to take your audio system to new levels. With each issue, we have raised the bar in terms of product quality and installation complexity. Here, in Stage 3, we are talking about the best of the best – full custom, premium products and amazing sound. Let’s start it off at the front – unfortunately, there aren’t too many truly amazing source units left on the market; the ones that are still available are CD players. Sure, there are high-end multimedia units that sound good, but their focus isn’t on extreme, all-out sound quality. Two choices worth considering; if you need to have all the gadgets – USB, Bluetooth, iPod control and compressed media playback, then the Pioneer DEH-80PRS is a great choice. It includes Burr-Brown 24-Bit D/A converters, Dual 16-band equalization, 3-way crossovers and a 5-volt preamp. If you want to really take things to the penultimate level, then there

The cream of the crop when it comes to mobile source units. The ultra-high-frequency 24-Bit D/A converter ensures the cleanest, most detailed reproduction of your CDs. There are no bells and whistles – just incredible accuracy and detail from the Clarion HX-D3. crossovers, an external 30V power supply, 8-volt preamp and a copper-plated chassis set the reference mighty high!

Premium performance and all the convenience features you could want sum up the Pioneer DEH-80PRS. It even includes a microphone to automatically establish a base-line equalization curve and time alignment settings. is only one source unit left on the market – the Clarion HX-D3. This thing has a tuner, and plays CDs. That’s it. No USB, no MP3/WMA, no satellite radio. Nothing. But it sounds amazing! Dual 96kHz 24-Bit Burr-Brown D/A converters, 4-way active 38 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

Up next in the food chain will be your processor. You aren’t going to take your system to this level without having full and complete control over crossovers, time alignment and equalization. There are several options out there – Arc Audio PS8, Audison BitOne and Mosconi 6to8DSP are the three most popular units. Having a processor pretty much means that you are going to be running a fully active system, with no passive crossovers on the speaker wires. This means you have full control over the signal sent to each speaker, and that you will be dedicating an amplifier channel to each speaker in the car – from the tweeters to the subwoofers. This gives you incredible control over time alignment – a ‘trick’ used to delay the output of the speakers closest to you so that the sound they produce arrives at your ears at the same time as the speakers the furthest from you. This lets

The ARC Audio SE amplifiers were designed by industry veteran Robert Zeff. They not only offer extended frequency response, but are amongst the tightest, most controlled amplifiers in the industry.

The new Bit Play HD from Audison will play back 24-bit/96kHz FLAC files for the highest of source resolution and detail. It will also play AAC, MP3, OGG and WAV audio files, and MPEG, AVI, MKC, FLV and XVID video. You can control it from an iPhone or Android device. your installation ‘tune’ the soundstage of your vehicle, putting more than just power – you want extreme linearity, extended you front row at your performance. Most of the processors on frequency response and an excellent damping factor. The dampthe market can, or will be able to, accept a digital signal input. ing factor can be thought of like the ‘torque’ rating of an amp. You can feed the output of your iPod into these directly, and

If you are looking for something a little different, the Model One from Luminescence Stereophonic is a 2-channel vacuum tube amplifier. Sweet, musical and detailed with stunning transparency are just some The Mosconi 6to8 DSP combined with the AMAS system al- of the attributes of this amazing lows you to stream ultra-high resolution audio from phone Canadian-built creation. or tablet without any loss of quality. This is a perfect audio source solution for vehicles that won’t allow you to remove High numbers mean the amp has more control over the motion of the speaker cone, so they sound faster and tighter. the factory source unit. Speakers are going to get interesting in a Stage 3 system. They are critically important to the overall performance of the system. I have a phrase that I over-use quite often, but it’s worth running through one more time. “The best electronics in the world

The Morel Supremo 2-way set features a carbon fibre/Rohacell

assuming you converted your CDs to, or purchased music in woofer cone powered by a dual neodymium magnet motor and a high resolution format like ALAC or FLAC, the sound quality a low-resonant frequency soft down tweeter for smooth and will equal or exceed that of a store-bought CD. detailed frequency response and amazing dynamics. Amplifiers in a Stage 3 system are to be the best of the best. are nothing without good speakers.” Speakers are the link to Great big Class A/B amplifiers with oversized power supplies your ears. The only link. If they are not up to the task in terms will be the most popular choice for these systems. You are after of accuracy, detail and speed, no amount of processing can 40 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

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ultimately determine just how good the system will sound. Recall that our goal is to emulate the accuracy and detail of the original recording as closely as possible. To place the music out in front of us, most Stage 3 systems will employ a 3-way front stage with subs in the rear. You will have a midbass driver in the door and a midrange and tweeter up high in the door, in the A-Pillar or on the dash. The

The Dynaudio System 362 features a unique 3-inch dome midrange and an 8-inch woofer for solid bass in the front of your vehicle.

The Focal Ultima 3-way speaker set were derived from the technologies in the Grand Utopia EM home loudspeakers and SM9 studio reference monitors. improve them. You can adjust tonal balance, but not the rest. Legendary products like Focal Utopia, Dynaudio Esotar, Illusion Audio Carbon, Morel Supremo, Hertz Mille and Audison Thesis have been joined in the past year by Focal Ultima and AudioFrog GB. Ranging in price from $2,000-4,000 up to $25,000, all of these speakers represent the best the industry has to offer. They utilize exotic materials like Kevlar, Carbon Fibre, Titanium and Beryllium to offer incredible detail, speed and accuracy. AsmallsampleofthenewGBSeriesofproductsfromAudiofrog.AllAudiofrog products offer state-of-the-art materials and class-leading performance, but Installation of your speakers is going to be the absolute most are unique in that they are one of the few, if only, speaker manufacturers to important aspect of the Stage 3 system. Their placement will focus on including as many installation and integration options as possible.

RPM Oct / Nov 2014 43

midrange driver should ideally be capable of playing low enough to create a stable soundstage in front of you.

The awesome Illusion Audio C12 XL subwoofer features exotic materials and an exotic design. The dual underhung voice coil geometry allows for extremely fast and detailed response for lightning-fast bass. chrome finish to mimic what came from

The second part of the installation of your speakers is the creativity used to integrate them into your vehicle. We want the speakers to look like they belong in the car – not tacked on as an afterthought. A good fabricator will work to match the grain of leathers and vinyls, texture of plastics and add trim and accents in suitable paint or the factory.

This 1963 Impala convertible features four Clarion subwoofers and a pair of Alpine amplifiers that slide out from the back wall of the trunk area. Built By: BPG Autosound – Richmond, BC

We aren’t going to get into pricing here. There are simply too many variables. We left off Stage 2 at about $7,500 plus taxes for a complete system.. You can easily double or quadruple that, depending on what you ask for. What we will talk about is finding a qualified shop to design, fabricate and tune your system. When you go shopping, ask to see and hear systems they have built. If the shop is an IASCA accredited facility, all the better. The training and experience that comes with building competition level vehicles is crucial to making their customers happy with their investment. Think this is all silliness? Think that people don’t spend this kind of money on their car audio systems? Consider that the highend home audio industry has thousands of speakers priced over $10,000. In fact, you can spend that much money on a single set of speaker cable. Yes, the wire that goes from your amplifier to your speakers. You can spend that again on interconnects between your CD player and your amplifier or preamp. There are lots of wealthy people who spend $100,000-plus on home audio systems.

No matter what, even if you don’t want to have your own system built, if you get the opportunity, ask to have a listen to a system like this. I can guarantee that you will hear your music like you have never heard it before. You will appreciate high-quality recordings. You will hear room ambiance and be able to pick out individual The same goes for the subwoofer enclosure and amp rack. performers and instruments in the recording like never before. Creative materials including automotive style paint, aluminum, The impact, dynamics and realism of the musical experience rival plexiglass and multicolour LED lighting are just some of the ways sitting right in front of your favourite performance in a live venue. It’s an amazing, life-altering experience! fabricators can take your installation to the next level.

The hatch area of this Porsche features a painted fibreglass subwoofer enclosure for four JL Audio subwoofers. Built by: SoundsGood Auto Services – Coquitlam/Burnaby, BC

Shon Besharah of Ottawa, ON built the trunk of this Camaro at Sonus Car Audio in Clarksville, TN. Shon is a genuine master when it comes to aluminum work - and it’s all cut by hand! 44 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

Custom Wagon

Bob Brown’s 1965 GTO Wagon Story and photos by Cam Hutchins

ontiac Chief John DeLorean was a marketing genius and singlehandedly created the Muscle Car Era we all take for granted. Buy even geniuses are not infallible, and as evidence, there is a certain Stainless Steel car in a “Snow” storm. But in the early ‘60s, stuffing a big-car motor into a midsized car was not rocket science, but when the 389 V8 engine found its way into a Pontiac LeMans, magic was made. The GTO took off sales wise, and a whole new genre of cars was launched by all manufacturers. One local GTO enthusiast thinks DeLorean did not go far enough, and the young family man of the ‘60s would have loved to have his cake and race it too! Taking the LeMans/Tempest wagons and offering the GTO package would have been an easy way to satisfy a whole segment that loved wagons, but wanted a muscle car. After restoring and owning pretty much every type of 1965 GTO, Bob Brown decided to do something about his quest for a Muscle Wagon. Growing up in Victoria before moving to Richmond, Brown was aware of the GTO from car magazines, but they were not for sale in Canada as new cars. He bought his first Pontiac in the early 1980s, and it was a 1965 LeMans that was a rare 4-speed car, more rare than the other GTO at the auction. Then, he would always buy Pontiacs, clean them up, and sell them to support his habit. Fast forward to 1999, and a pristine 1965 Tempest Model 233 wagon is found and brought home from the States. It was a one-owner California car, painted white with blue interior. Priced new in 1965, the Model 233 wagon (5,622 units sold) was $2,549.65, and the Model 235 wagon (10,792 units sold) “Custom” was $2.633.00. Starting in 2000, Brown removed the stock 326 V8 and twospeed automatic transmission and still has them in stor46 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

age. The wagon was dismantled and a frame-off restoration rearend is a 12-bolt, 3:55 “Eaton Posi” unit built by I.W.E. was started with all pieces being upgraded to GTO specs, and many NOS (new old stock) parts were installed since To make sure the GTO wagon is as sure-footed as the regular GTO, a Brown had been collecting 1965 GTO parts for many years. rally suspension, quick-ratio steering box and front disc brakes are used. Although the rear brakes are left as drums, they are aluminum. The engine is a 1975 Pontiac 455 rebuilt by S.D. Performance, and with a single Holley 750 carb, packs a 425-hp punch and The Tempest “A Bodies” are fundamentally all the same design 530 lb-ft of twist! It is backed by a 200 4-R overdrive transmis- with a conventional ladder type frame with particularly well-desion that allows the wagon to cruise all day at low revs. The signed A-arm front suspension with coil springs. The engines

RPM Oct / Nov 2014 47

are rather far forward in the chassis causing them to be a bit fore and when told it is “one of one,” they say they would have nose heavy, but the stellar four-link rear suspension offers great bought one back in the day. Talk about your market research. handling and “hook up” during acceleration. With Pontiac gone, we can only wonder if the Goat Wagon would The restoration/recreation took two years and the frame is powder coated black, while the body is painted in a Hot Rod European red similar to Porsche and Ferrari’s. All the stainless and chrome is the best possible, and what could not be restored is NOS or original from parts cars.

have put Pontiac on top of the GM Divisions back in the day... and maybe kept them around?

Some of the badges and trim pieces are not available as recreations. The interior is created from a seat kit that was craftily installed on the bench seats using the main seating pieces with a modified surround over the front and back bench seats. GTOs did not come with bench seats. The custom dash has all the right gauges including a tach, and the car came with a dealer-installed under-dash AC unit. Now the steering column is a Flaming River unit. Other goodies include a transmission cooler, HEI Distributor, and Pertronix ignition system. A car is not always the sum of all its parts. Many people seeing it for the first time immediately say they had never seen one be48 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

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some of British Leyland’s darkest days. The poor build quality was a result of industrial disputes between the workforce and management, in addition to a three-day work week caused by the coal miners’ strike. The humpty-dumpty (egg-shaped) car got off to a bad start and was nicknamed the “All-aggro,” obviously related to some of the following problems.

Award Long Time in the Making for Austin Allegro British equivalent of Edsel: 40 years after its launch, declared ‘Britain’s Worst Car’ in online poll

They leaked, had severe rust issues and the rear window would literally fall out if the car was jacked up in the wrong location. And what were the designers thinking by fitting a “quartic” (square) steering wheel? They claimed it made steering easier and provided more room for the driver’s legs. That bright idea was dropped when they launched the MKII. Despite the negative publicity, the rust-prone Allegro became an icon in 1970s motoring. During its 10-year production run, British Leyland sold 642,350 units. Various UK police departments purchased 657 of them as “Panda Cars” - so-called because they were originally painted with large panels of black and white.

Story by Nigel Matthews

Believe it or not, the Allegro was the fifth-best selling car in Britain at one point. Mechanically, it was bulletproof because it used the reliable BMC t’s been 40 years since the Austin Allegro was launched and it has finally A-Series engine. won an award. Many expats or subscribers to public TV will recall the Allegro playing a Its name may have been a moniker for “fast, cheerful and lively,” but the starring role in TV classics like The Professionals, Doctor Who, The New award is not as exciting. It has been declared “Britain’s Worst Car” in an Avengers and my favourite, The Sweeney. online poll conducted by the digital motoring magazine iMotormag.co.uk The photographed example was this year’s you-never-know-what-willMany considered the Allegro Britain’s equivalent to Ford’s disaster of the show-up-moment at May’s All-British Field Meet In Vancouver, an event ’50s, the Edsel. I have not missed since day one.

The Allegro was introduced to replace the Austin 1100 and 1300 range, The Department of Motor Vehicles in the UK reported that more than 1,000 which we knew in Canada as the Austin America. It came about during examples are still registered and in use today.

$15 investment in 1948 for 1933 Lincoln Dual-Cowl Phaeton Has Soared in Value as a Result of Doing Nothing Story by Nigel Matthews

he Lincoln Motor Car Company was founded in 1915 by Henry M. Leland and a group of investors.

Leland was one of the founders of Cadillac, which came about when a group of investors squeezed Henry Ford out of the ownership of his second company, the Detroit Automobile Company. Soon after they took control, it was renamed Cadillac and was later purchased by General Motors. Henry Ford considered the US$8-million acquisition of the bankrupt Lincoln Company in 1922 a great personal triumph given the previous history and ill feelings between him and Leland. Ford and his son Edsel quickly turned things around and Lincoln became one of America’s top-selling automobiles. The KB series launched in 1932 featured attractive coachbuilt bodies placed on a lengthy 145-inch wheelbase rolling chassis fitted with a 67-degree, 448-cid, V12 engine, which produced 150 hp through a three-speed manual gearbox. The pictured 1933 Lincoln Dual-Cowl Phaeton was one of the cars I judged in the preservation class at the 2014 San Marino Classics in California. The car is owned by Howard Henkels, who has owned it since 1948.

50 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

He told me he paid $15 for the car. I immediately made him an offer to double, triple or even quadruple his investment but he declined; a wise move, as the car is probably worth $250,000-$300,000 today, and is even more valuable because it is absolutely untouched. All he has done to it is changed the oil, kept air in the tires and enjoyed 40,000 miles behind the steering wheel. He recently thought about painting the wire wheels, but changed his mind knowing that this would lead to other work and perhaps a complete restoration.

Nigel Matthews is the director of sales and marketing for Hagerty Canada, LLC — Hagerty is the world’s largest specialist provider of collector car insurance and provides many resources that support the classic car lifestyle. Contact him at nmatthews@hagerty.com or visit hagerty.ca

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE Change the Way You See the Road JL Audio Releases New TW1 with GE Nighthawk Headlamps Thin-Line Subwoofer Drivers

GE Nighthawk headlights are made for just about everything on wheels and are available in long lasting LED form as well as xenon-charged headlamps that put out more than 120% more light on the road than other products. Both styles of headlights offer superior light quality; provide exceptional visibility, and long lasting performance. These products can be seen at the AAPEX Show in the GE Booth from November 4th-6th, plus you will be able to catch a glimpse of what’s to come for 2015.

JL Audio’s all-new TW1 subwoofer drivers have been designed with JL’s patented Thin-Line woofer technology making it perfect for tight space installations. Both the 10TW1 (10-inch) and 12TW1 (12-inch) options offer amazing fidelity thanks to DMA-optimized motor systems and highly linear FEA-optimized suspension systems. They feature JL’s ConcentricTube suspension technology that is able to keep the mounting depths very compact. The 10TW1 requires only 4.36 inches, while the 12TW1 needs only 4.62 inches. The cast aluminum alloy frame features a special shape to permit multiple woofers to be mounted close together.

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2013-2015 Cadillac CTS/ATS Programmers from DiabloSport

DiabloSport has decided to make its Trinity and inTune programmers available for owners of 2013-2015 Cadillac CTS or ATS with the 2.0-litre turbo engine option. When running 93 octane gas, the programmers are able to provide impressive gains of up to 50 horsepower and 60 lb-ft of torque. The units come pre-loaded with performance and transmission tunes such as a 93 and 91 octane performance tune, a firm shift transmission tune, hard shift transmission tune, and factory HP Tune/Factory transmission tune, all of which provide different power gains or shifting performance. For more information please go to www.diablosport.com

Parts For Any Mopar

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VarsityChrysler.com RPM Oct / Nov 2014 51

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE Intercooler Upgrade Package for Ford Focus ST from Vortech New from Vortech Superchargers is a Ford Focus ST intercooler upgrade which is a sure way to get more power out of your already powerful hot hatchback. The intercooler is a direct swap with the stock unit which makes for a simple installation with absolutely no cutting required. Installing the new intercooler is a sure way to increase both the torque and horsepower of the vehicle and it is compatible for use with or without Ford OEM active grille shutters. For more information please go to www.vortechsuperchargers.com

Auto Meter’s Boost Controller Now Available Auto Meter is now offering a Boost Controller that is packaged in a 2 1/16-inches gauge housing and is perfect when trying to extract maximum performance from your forced induction vehicle. The in-depth tenability provides tons of power and the intuitive programming goes right through the gauge, meaning no separate software or laptop is necessary. High and low boost settings can be switched between with the push of a button and provides a perfect balance of performance and efficiency. On top of that, there is a long list of features the controller provides such as boost by RPM, one touch gear capture, peak recall, and pro control output, just to name a few. For more information please go to www.autometer.com

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Corsa Performance Exhaust Cat-Back System for 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS Owners of the 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS with the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine now have the option to upgrade to a performance exhaust system with the three-inch cat-back, dual rear exit system from Corsa. The system features Corsaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patented RSC (Reflective Sound Cancellation) Technology which is designed to produce an aggressive sound under acceleration while creating a dronefree experience during cruising. The system, which uses four-inch polished or black Pro-Series tips, features a non-restrictive straight-through design which is able to reduce back pressure, thereby improving the horsepower. For more information please go to www.corsaperformance.com

New Remote Start Security System from Silencer

Silencer Security Systems (a division of Magnadyne Corp.) is unveiling the new SL-72 remote car starter with security system which uses an advanced two-way 915MHz spread spectrum technology with up to one-mile range. It utilizes a two-way LCD transceiver remote and a slim one-way remote transmitter to control all functions of the system. Additionally, the SL-72 uses a patented two-way window mount antenna with blue LED lights to ward off possible thieves when the LED lights are flashing. The main unit has a DBI port that works with both ADS (idatalink) and Fortin data modules.

HOOD PROTECTORS & SIDEWIND DEFLECTORS Easy Installation / Maximum Protection / Available in Smoke or Chrome

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For more information please go to www.magnadyne.com RPM Oct / Nov 2014 53

This Corvette owner thought he deserved two spots... obviously the Jeep owner disagrees. He must’ve gained a ton of power from this.

Something is definitely going to go wrong here.

Something tells me this wouldn’t fly on our roads.

How do you miss that much wet cement?

Parting Shots is where we share those photos that defy classification. If you’ve seen something four-wheeled (or otherwise) that you would like to share, please send it to partingshots@rpmcanada.ca 54 RPM Oct / Nov 2014

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