Car FYI

Photo Credit: NASCAR Heat Mobile/704Games After a 15-year absence, the NASCAR Heat brand was revived late last year as Monster Games returned as a developer for Dusenberry Martin Racing’s (now named 704Games) official video game based on the major league stock car racing series. NASCAR Heat Evolution was released this past September for Xbox One, Sony Playstation 4 as well as Windows OS computers. While the realistic driving mode and learning curve of racing in professional stock cars were appreciated by devoted fans, NASCAR Heat Evolution gained a lukewarm reception when it was released. On Metacritic, NASCAR Heat Evolution received a Metascore of 66 with a less impressive User Score of 4.6 out of 10 based on 21 reviewers. Some complaints centred on graphics while others were underwhelmed by the experience delivered for the game’s price. The game is currently priced at $32.99 on Steam  When it comes to games for major consoles such as the Xbox One or Playstation 4, people e...

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company Despite thoughts to the contrary, hybrid vehicles utilizing electric-assist driving are not going anywhere. The frequently adapted gasoline-electric powertrain associated with hybrid automobiles enables a level of efficiency resulting in fewer gasoline emissions. Better fuel economy through hybrids also contributes to savings on gasoline that can total to quite a sum in longer terms. For 2017, almost every auto company has now introduced at least one hybrid vehicle, Ford Motor Company and Toyota have both taken the once-alternative powertrain the furthest in the marketplace. In the case of Ford, the auto company is committed to developing 13 electrified production vehicle s. Including hybrid versions of customer favourite Mustang and F-150 for the future, the blue oval’s plans also consist of implanting electrified products into fleet applications. Catering to their loyal law enforcement customer base as they fulfill their vision of electrifie...

Photo Credit: Chevrolet in Canada This year, we are seeing several new examples where the ‘sport’ portion in the term sport utility vehicle is being presented with increased grandeur. Among the super-exotic, the Bentley Bentayga has become one of the most powerful sport utility vehicles on the market generating 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque from a twin-turbocharged W-12 engine. In February, Dodge introduced a new tire-smoking Durango wearing SRT badging and producing 475-horsepower from a HEMI V-8. Besides engine performance, the latest crop of sport utility and crossover vehicles have continued to integrate agile styling as well as sharper on-road handling. Showing up to the new sport utility performance wearing its traditional bowtie, Chevrolet prepares their Rally Sport badging for a special ride on the Tahoe and Suburban. Photo Credit: Steve Fecht for Chevrolet Classified as the Rally Sport Truck or RST, the new performance appearance level is ...

Photo Credit: General Motors Canada When General Motors maintained six divisions or more vehicle brands, Buick often seemed to have an identity crisis. An upscale brand aspiring to attract a driving public above Chevrolet or Pontiac, Buick also seemed hindered to explore true luxury in concerns for upstaging Cadillac. Before 2004, Buick’s attempt to individualize itself was also being diffused by Oldsmobile’s similar persona. Dropping the iconic Riviera ahead of the 2000 model year also meant Buick went through a decade in North America with a somewhat lacking character. Buick's popularity in China was ultimately sustained the brand when General Motors went into restructuring in 2009. Photo Credit: General Motors Canada Under the new GM, a new Buick has been taking shape using greater international flavour. Increased European influence including the Cascada convertible, the segment-creating Encore premium small crossover and the Envision being one of the first Chinese...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy Can we officially proclaim the automotive season as started in Canada? We look across our southern border and see events for sports cars as well as NASCAR stock cars already won by motorsport stars in Daytona. Heading into March Break weekend, we also saw the 2017 Verizon IndyCar season opener won by Sebastien Bourdais taking advantage of some outstanding luck to surge from the back of the grid. Appeasing classic car and custom car buyers, the eye candy of the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona provided a showcase for some great masterpieces of four wheels. In the sizable International Centre in Mississauga, the first signs of motoring life for Canadians in 2017 garnered great enthusiasm inside with the 3rd annual Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo. Outside was another story this past weekend as winter decided to be a spoiler. It seems like a typical pattern in recent years that the coldest weather possible tags a ride with me to every w...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy Canadian automotive enthusiasts are on the cusp of finding some undiscovered wonders of 2017. As spring grows closer and (one of these days) the cold wallop of winter will be worn out of the Canadian air, our favourite time is when our choice car, truck or motorcycle can roam roadways idyllically. It is also a time when motorsports shift into high gear as engine noises and tire smoke will fulfill our senses. In preparations and preview of what the 2017 automotive calendar will entail, the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsport Expo fills Mississauga’s International Centre on the outskirts of Toronto. The third annual event under its current motorsport and customized vehicle focus, the 2017 Motorama Custom Car and Motorsport Expo establishes unity of speed, style as well as thrill. With prizes and honours up for grabs by exhibitors, there is a guarantee for seeing some Canadian automotive greatness from March 10th to March 12th. Part of a grand view of moto...

Photo Credit: Wakefield Canada/Copyright: The Decal Source When 40 engines ignite on the pit lane ahead of the 2017 Daytona 500, one competitor has already achieved a feat no Canadian racer had accomplished in 29 years. Cracking the field for the 59th edition of the Great American Race in an aggressive hustle from turn four to the finish line in Thursday night’s Can-Am Duel, DJ Kennington will start in the 28th place position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series extravagant season opener with a #96 entry. A shining stock car racing personality in Canada since racing at Delaware Speedway during the 1990s, St Thomas, Ontario native DJ Kennington was a mainstay on the CASCAR Super Series and has since been a regular with the NASCAR Pinty’s Series. Kennington has amassed 2010 and 2012 championships in the Canadian-based NASCAR tour as well as recorded 26 wins piloting a #17 Dodge with Castrol sponsorship. Acknowledging a 23-year long partnership with Kennington, Castrol’s paren...