Aurora Banner
|
Newmarket Era
|
Georgina Advocate
|
East Gwillimbury Express
SALES • LEASING • SERVICE QUICK LANE • PARTS
15815 Yonge Street, Aurora
1-888-263-3849 1-800-465-0411
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Mid-cycle refresh
ROAD TEST
ROAD TEST
for Nissan’s compact
Rob Beintema
Metroland Media NEWPORT BEACH, CA: Taro Ueda was leaning into his subject matter. The circle of Canadian and American automotive journalists tightened around him as Nissan’s vice-president of design stretched across the hood of the car using green painter’s tape, started tracing the new styling lines of the 2016 Sentra. He was emphasizing the stronger three dimensional characteristics of the shapes, the crisper edges, the renewed V-Motion familial cues tying this “Smalltima” more closely to its bigger siblings, Nissan’s Altima and Maxima sedans. But lest we submerge too deeply into “design speak”, all you really need to know is that Nissan felt this 2016 Sentra update was important enough for the company to spend three times more than usual on a makeover happening less than four years since this seventh generation B17 Sentra model first debuted. Frankly, the exterior changes are still about as subtle as Sentra styling has always been. But everything from the “A”pillar forward is brand new - new front fascia, hood, V-Motion grille and fenders. The new, sharper edged boomerang-shaped projector headlamps (a la Nissan Z) have a more sophisticated style, with upscale models getting nicely integrated LED signature accents instead of the disco hose light look of the past. In back, a new rear fascia and new taillights, again influenced by the boomerang lighting theme,
Chris Traber
Metroland Media
2017 Audi A4 loaded with useful features
Posing on the streetscape of Balboa Island in California is a red 2016 Nissan Sentra SR, made over with a mid-cycle refresh that features 20 per cent new parts, new exterior styling enhancements, new dynamic and connective technologies, and ride and handling improvements.
complement the revisions. New 16and 17-inch wheel choices complete the exterior changes. Slip inside the new 2016 Sentra and you find a new TFT (thin film transistor) LCD flat panel gauge display with crisper resolution and, in higher trim levels, a new 5.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist display. New available technologies include Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), along with a new NissanConnect
Services system. Some of the changes inside are simpler and more obvious - new soft touch materials usually found on more expensive models, new seats and tactile fabrics, a new console with improved storage, a new shifter knob and a new chunkier, Z-inspired steering wheel. We’re rolling now and you notice that the new steering wheel connects nicely to a crisper steering system with a thicker steering shaft and improved electric power steering controller mapping.
There are a lot of changes you can’t see, like the 500-plus new parts (20 percent of the content) that help make up this new 2016 Sentra. Like a boxed front tunnel stay bracket adapted from the Juke NISMO RS to increase body stiffness. And like the retuned suspension design with 10 percent stiffer springs, adjusted damper rates and stiffer rear bushings that have also helped to reduce body roll and improve driving feel and control. Turn to page W2
LEFT: Seen here in leather-appointed SL trim, the 2016 Sentra cabin adds a new TFT (thin film transistor) LCD flat panel gauge display, new soft touch materials, a new console with improved storage and a new chunkier, Z-inspired steering wheel. RIGHT: With slight engine tweaks to smooth power delivery for the 2016 model year, Nissan’s 1.8-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with a twin Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC) system (similar to the flagship Maxima system) makes 130 hp and 128 lb/ft of torque.
If the 2017 Audi A4 was to be anthropomorphized, it’d be a cheetah in a dinner jacket, powerful, poised, pretty and lightning fast. Newly arrived at HJ Pfaff Audi in Newmarket, the A4s are an amalgam of stunning German engineering, sophisticated technology and soulpleasing aesthetics. The latest A4 line up, be it the Komfort, Progressiv or Technik, offer subtle design changes from their predecessors. These include a bit more height and length, ergonomic door handles that lift up, not out, a frameless review mirror, door mounted side mirrors, a lower hood line, a lighter body and enhanced aerodynamics and visibility. “Sophisticated and silky smooth,” synopsized Apex Driving Team member Jeff McKague, on hand to co-pilot test drives of the Technik in the aftermath of an early April York Region snow storm. The high performance driving pros were a good Pfaff idea, considering the plethora of A4 features most drivers of mortal machines would be unfamiliar with. Slide into the cockpit, be enveloped in the sport seat, push button start the 2.0-litre, 16 valve, turbo charged, inline 4 cylinder 252 hp engine and marvel at the logical digital instrumentation. Ease of use toggle controls on the console and steering wheel allow you to manage all functions safely and efficiently. The new push button shifter engages the automatic 7-speed transmission, or, if you’re in the mood to emulate a F1 speedster, opt for the manual paddles. Turn to page W3
The A4s are an amalgam of stunning German engineering, sophisticated technology and soul-pleasing aesthetics.
Nothing But The Best Sales Event. Enjoy the best of our 2016 lineup with 3 months payments waived and $1,500 in cash credits on select models. 2016 CLA 250 4MATIC TOTAL PRICE: $40,081*
2016 GLA 250 4MATIC TOTAL PRICE: $40,581* Lease rate
Lease payment
Plus receive
Lease rate
Receive up to
Lease payment
Plus receive
Receive up to
1.9% $398 3 months $1,500 1.9% $398 3 months $1,500 **
45 months *Taxes extra.
†
**
$1,940 down
payments waived
††
OR
in cash credits
**
45 months
†
**
$2,390 down
payments waived
††
OR
in cash credits
*Taxes extra.
Mercedes-Benz Newmarket, 230 Mulock Drive, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 9B8, 905.853.6868, www.newmarket.mercedes-benz.ca © 2016 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 2016 CLA 250 4MATIC with optional Premium Package ($3,800), Premium Plus Package ($1,300) and Sport Package ($2,500)/2016 GLA 250 4MATIC with optional Premium Package ($3,800) and Premium Plus Package ($1,900) shown above, Total Price $47,681/$46,281. Lease and finance offers based on the 2016 CLA 250 4MATIC/2016 GLA 250 4MATIC are available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on approved credit for a limited time. *Total price of $40,081/$40,581 for advertised vehicle includes MSRP plus all applicable dealer fees. **Lease example based on $398/$398 per month for 45/45 months with a down payment or equivalent trade of $2,390/$1,940. Freight/PDI of $1,995, dealer admin fee of $395, air-conditioning levy of $100, EHF tires, filters, batteries of up to $29.70, PPSA of $51.15/$51.15 and OMVIC fee of $10 are due at signing. First month’s payment plus security deposit of $400/$400 and applicable taxes due at lease inception. MSRP starting at $37,500/$38,000. Lease APR of 1.9%/1.9% applies. ††As a cost of credit the incentive for cash customers of $1,500, is only available to customers who do not finance or lease a 2016 CLA 250 4MATIC/2016 GLA 250 4MATIC through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Total obligation is $23,228/$22,783. 18,000/18,000 km/year allowance ($0.20/$0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). †First, second and third month payment waivers are capped for the 2016 CLA 250 4MATIC/2016 GLA 250 4MATIC up to a total of $400/$400 (including taxes) for lease programs and up to a total of $600/$600 (including taxes) for finance programs. Vehicle license, insurance, registration, and taxes are extra. Dealer may lease or finance for less. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details or call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Relations Centre at 1-800-387-0100. Offers end May 1, 2016.