Car FYI

Gold-wrapped Kia EV9 electric crossover vehicle (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024)  As is often the case, the warmer weather and the ample sunlight prove extremely inviting in 2024. With the season nearing in an end in Canada, I personally reflect on several months of satisfying events with automotive-centric entertainment. While occurring in early June, the 2024 Georgian College Auto Show captured the spirit for what would be experienced during the summer. First of all, I wish to share how this year’s summer had done a great deal to override a very unpleasant spring. The thing I’ve realized as I have lived more than four decades on this planet is bad things can happen to me but very few people actually care. In truth, we all go through moments of disharmony and for me I attempt to remain aware of this when I go through my own. I regret that this is not the attitude I receive from some people in this world I attract who are too selfish and ungrateful. At least one per...

Photo Credit: Mazda Canada As a company with 100 years of knowledge with 70 years inside the auto industry, Mazda has settled securely into a philosophy of building compact, affordable vehicles. However, even though their customers are looking for high value transportation, they continue to crave a level of fun on four wheels. A compact car that has earned a great deal of respect for the Japanese auto company in recent years recognized as AJAC’s 2020 Canadian Car of the Year as well as the World Car Design of the Year, the fourth generation Mazda3 immediately drew attention on delivering a new level of refinement and elegance for a family-oriented price tag. A year after the popular redesign, the Mazda3 is bolstered by increased performance coming through the benefit of turbocharging for the 2021 model year.  Mazda’s first turbocharged gasoline engine developed in concert with their Skyactiv technology, the Skyactiv-G 2.5T powerplant adds deeper, more alluring responsiveness and dr...

Photo Credit: Mazda Canada To live for a century is truly a journey worth celebrating for any individual or entity. For 2020, the company today recognized as Japanese automaker Mazda commemorates its 100-year milestone with a range of special edition vehicles. Available with all products with exception to the new CX-30 crossover, the 100th Anniversary Edition Mazda lineup features unique appointments allowing Canadian buyers to claim a piece of the celebratory cake later this year.  The Mazda 100th Anniversary Edition models are presented with a Snowflake White Pearl exterior paint combined with an interior finished in red and Garnet Red. On the convertible Mazda MX-5 sport roadster, a red retractable soft-top is also part of the special commemorative line. All models will also be richly accented by 100th Anniversary badging inside and outside with the location for the logos including floor mats, wheel caps and on the key fob.    Founded in 1920, the auto company started ...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy Despite the fact many of us are still enjoying the second-half of the summer of 2017, auto companies have already geared themselves for the future. With months remaining, we are already setting sights on 2018 vehicles in dealerships and on the road. A brand-new Toyota Camry, the super-sleek Kia Stinger and perhaps the odd Tesla Model 3 are some of the centerpieces for a year yet to come. For manufacturers, realizing the technology and designs for 2018 involved several years of development prior to the customary auto show debut. During the same time the 2018 automotive reality is taking shape, Mazda is launching a profound vision for their brand 12 years beyond next year. Described by the automaker as “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030", long-term intentions of Mazda to flourish towards the end of the next decade through addressing environmental, safety and customer enjoyment factors. Systems adhering to the Mazda Proactive Safety philosophy aims to consid...

Photo Credit: Mazda North American Operations While some races of the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule have yet to see a green flag, spectacular news items during July have pumped-up enthusiasm for the 2018 season. Before the month has ended, next season’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship promises two all-new, heavy-hitting DPi efforts guaranteeing to kick the level of sports car racing competition to new heights. Last week, rumours were confirmed when heavy motorsport player Team Penske broadcasted plans to rejoin sports car racing in association with Honda’s luxury brand Acura in time for next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. Team Penske’s more than five decades of operations is notably celebrated by 16 Indianapolis 500 wins but also possesses success through previous sports car ventures including a 1969 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As impressive as a single win in the ultimate French endurance classic can be, Reinhold Joest’s race team perfecte...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy An unofficial homecoming event for me each year, the Georgian College Auto Show has been a constant source of joy for me. An show put together by students of the automotive sales and marketing programs, the outdoor exhibition carries its own unique charm. Not as flashy as the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, the vivid collection of vehicles organized by students still represents the majority of auto manufacturers producing automobiles for the North American market in a positive light. Instead of the beaming of fluorescents and large turntables, the campus' field and the warmth of a natural, cooperative early June sunlight is all that is needed to bring out beauty on four wheels. An annual event since 1985, I've personally attended every Georgian College Auto Show since 1997. Ever since I've been going to the auto show (including years when I attended the college as a student), the campus has changed and the cars have evolved. The f...

Photo Credit:Chris Nagy It was another wild weather outing for me trekking down to Toronto on Thursday for what is one of the most special annual traditions for me. On the plus side this year, the worst temperature I endured was only -17 degrees Celsius instead of -23 degrees Celsius. You may ask me what propels someone to undertake foot travel when the vile force we call winter is at all might. The 2016 Canadian International AutoShow is the answer I proudly give. Since 2009, my devotion to automotive journalism has been rewarded with an advance viewing of some of the greatest new cars and special displays. Always logging around a healthy weight in equipment for what works out to be roughly ten hours of attendance at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, I return tired but incredibly fulfilled with what has been presented to me. Some would think ten hours is more than enough time to absorb all the information at a display for automobiles. I must beg the pardon of those i...

Photo Credit: Mazda North American Operations The Tokyo Motor Show is one of the longest running Asian auto shows, the Japanese exhibition has gained a reputation for showing the world many possible futures for the automobile. Hosted as a biennial event, Japan’s native auto companies is tasked with assembling some bold ideas in concept car forms featuring far-out styling and radical new technologies. Back in 1964, Mazda showed the Cosmo sports car displaying a different engine concept. For the 2015 edition of the Tokyo Motor Show is guaranteed already to be living up to the aspirations days ahead of the doors opening to the public. Among a vast line-up of concept cars premiering in Tokyo is Mazda’s revival of their rotary engine technology. Photo Credit: Mazda North American Operations A front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car, the Mazda RX-Vision Concept is explored as a continuation to the spirit of the Cosmo as well as the RX-7 high-performance car. Shaped thro...

Photo Credit: Mazda North American Operations At the beginning of the Bruce Springsteen music video for his classic hit "Born to Run", I remember him saying "Nobody wins unless everybody wins". In a world where these victories are difficult to come by, it is truly amazing when a great number of us benefit positively. With one special model of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 sold in the United States last weekend, there were plenty of winners. The Launch Edition version of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is dressed-up version of the top-tiered Grand Touring model of the new roadster. Accounting as the first 1,000 models of the fourth-generation sports car, the MX-5 Launch Edition also includes Advanced Keyless Entry and comes with a branded Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker. Priced aa $30,495 for a six-speed manual or $31,570 for the six-speed automatic gearbox model, preregistration was required on a special website for the opportunity to buy a limited issue 2016 Mazda MX-5...

Heavily popular in much of Europe to the point they would sometimes outpace gasoline engines, diesel powerplants exists as a niche item in North America. Large-scale interest in diesel powerplants in North America was a by-product of high gasoline prices in 2008. Although gas prices have dropped from impairing highs, many auto companies were still committed to offer diesel engine options. Attached to building small, affordable cars, Japanese auto brand Mazda created an uproar in 2012 when they pledged to include a diesel engine as part of their upcoming Mazda6 sedan and CX-5 crossover vehicle for North American consumers. Part of Mazda’s campaign to convince American and Canadian audiences to the effectiveness of their so-called SkyActiv-D engine took place in sports car racing. After three years, there have been signs Mazda’s diesel marketing tool is running out of momentum. Since May, it has been rumoured the SpeedSource team fielding Mazda’s diesel-powered prototype effor...

Photo Credit: General Motors 2014 is coming to a close providing what has been a year's worth of memories. As a follower of automotive culture, I have been highs and lows shaping what has been the past 12 months. The auto sector for 2014 consisted of exciting new designs, evolutions in technology and visions of a thrilling future. Conversely, some high-profile fails have also left a negative impression. With the conclusion of 2014, I want to some automotive-related highlights for this year. The following is Car FYI's first grouping of Most Spectacular Vehicle Launch of 2014: (Tie) 2015 Ford Mustang and 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata For 2014, despite all the movements in the realm of electric-powered driving and autonomous driving technology, the human driver has been rewarded handsomely. A new crop of gasoline-fuelled sports cars and high-performance vehicles has explored new heights in design as well as horsepower. Arriving ahead of the Ford Must...