VW's Beetle Now a Senior Citizen

By Bill McLauchlan

This month, Volkswagen’s decidedly homely yet loveable little Beetle passed another major milestone of the many it has marked in its accomplished life.

That cause for celebration was the 65th. anniversary of its arrival in North America. Well, the U.S. actually, if you want to pick nits. On January 17, 1949, a Volkswagen ‘Type 1’, or Beetle, was shipped to New York City by Ben Pon Sr., a Dutch businessman and the world’s first official VW importer. That car – and another subsequent Beetle – found buyers the same year, marking the first time that Volkswagen products were sold on this continent.

First Beetle is unloaded in New York as importer Ben Pon Sr. (left) watches.

The passage of that special day brought back some fond memories for me, not the least of which is that I took my first driving lessons in a Beetle 55 years ago. Yikes, where did the time go? A Beetle played a principal role in another memorable, if less pleasant, memory. One which, on the way uphill out of Watkins Glen after the U.S. Grand Prix, had me leaning half-way out the passenger side window in a driving rain as I barfed the remains of a dodgy hotdog consumed earlier in the day. As they say, making memories …

Incidentally, the Beetle didn’t make it to Canada until three years later in 1952 when the first shipment of eight Beetles arrived in Toronto.

A cultural touchstone for an entire generation and one of the most iconic cars in the world, the Beetle led to the establishment of the first Volkswagen of America headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. in 1955. In 65 years, those first two pioneers grew to a brand that now offers almost a dozen different models that are sold by hundreds of dealers.

By the mid-50s, more than 35,000 Beetles had crawled ashore and by 1960 nearly 300,000 had found buyers. Americans were not only drawn to the affordability and practicality of the early Beetle – helped immensely by some very clever and creative advertising from Doyle, Dane and Bernbach – but were so charmed by its unique design, its size, and its fuel economy that they’d forged an emotional bond with the cars.

2014 Volkswagen New Beetle (rear) has come a long way since the first Beetle disembarked in 1949.

From custom paint jobs to open-top Dune Buggy bodies, the Beetle fit perfectly into the counter culture of the 1960s. Almost 450,000 Beetle vehicles a year were sold in the U.S. and Canada by 1968. In 1971, the last ‘Type 1’ Beetle rolled off the production line in Wolfsburg, Germany, though branch plant production continued in other markets for some time after.

Then, after its New Beetle concept took the Detroit auto show by storm, VW introduced a production version in 1998 – a vehicle that paid styling homage to its predecessor although it sported a water-cooled rather than air-cooled engine, and mounted at the front rather than at the rear. While staying true to its roots, today’s Beetle (revised again in 2011) would be unrecognizable to buyers in the ’50s.

Sadly, Ferdinand Porsche, instrumental in the design of the original Beetle, or “People’s Car”, as it was first called, didn’t live long enough to see his creation achieve such success. He died 62 years ago yesterday, at age 75, following a stroke, three years after the first Beetles landed in America.

One Man's Cure for a Mid-Life Letdown

By Bill McLauchlan

I doubt the celebrated British poet John Masefield served as inspiration for Scott Fisher when he penned “It is good to be out on the road, and going one knows not where. Going through meadow and village, one knows not whither nor why.”

But you must admit they seem pretty appropriate given his driving ambition to take a break from the daily worries and cares involved in building and running a successful business.

You see, Scott Fisher is a man with a mission. Not the kind of mission with deadlines and meetings but a mission to reconnect with his 1967 Datsun Fairlady roadster – which pre-dates the Japanese automaker’s iconic 240Z that put Datsun (now Nissan) on the map here in the early ’70s – and discover the wide-open spaces of North America. Fisher has blogged the entire trip in detail at RoadsterRoadTrip.com, sharing an impressive array of his photographs from the road.

“I had owned a manufacturing business in Las Vegas for 16 years. I knew I needed to kinda’ get out, and unwind, and get my mojo back,” said Fisher. In his travels, he has covered more than 48,000 km (30,000 miles) to date, starting from his Las Vegas home last spring and heading up the West Coast.

“I got up into the Northwest when it was hot in the South, and I got over into the Northeast for fall, which has allowed me to keep the top down, maybe 80 percent of the time. I drove through the Polar Vortex cold snap. The car even ran well through that. Started right up, idled, didn’t seemed fazed by it at all,” said Fisher.

Now, with 44 states and seven Canadian Provinces behind him, the Nevada-based roamer has taken a detour into Tennessee to show off his red roadster to the folk at Nissan headquarters and share some tales from the road. 

The day started with a visit to Nashville’s Lane Motor Museum, a place where a car guy like Scott Fisher can check out vintage automobiles and relive a childhood memory. “This exact car would have been one of the cars I watched racing when I was growing up. Nissan brought these in and started cleaning up. I definitely didn’t think I’d be sitting here when I woke up, let alone back then,” said Fisher.

Then he headed down the highway to Smyrna to tour Nissan’s Assembly plant.
The extensive road trip has become more than just a chance to decompress and enjoy driving a machine from a simpler time. It is a connection with the natural beauty of a continent and the hospitality of its people that has given Fisher a renewed optimism for life.

“Pretty much anywhere I stop people will come up and talk to me. The car is like a little ambassador. Like traveling with a puppy, people want to come up and look at it, pet it,” he said.

Part of Scott’s Tennessee stopover was a tour of the company’s Smyrna assembly plant, where he witnessed a level of modern automobile manufacturing automation that was not around when his Fairlady rolled off the line at the Shatai plant in Japan in the mid-1960s.

It was a day of unusual hustle and bustle for a man on a year-long journey travelled at his own pace, stopping and taking in landmarks and natural beauty whenever the opportunity presents itself. “I feel like I’ve got a better sense of the country than before I started, for sure,” said Fisher.

Then it was off again, down the Natchez Trace Scenic Highway toward more undiscovered states and beautiful scenery passing by as the soothing sounds of a 45-year-old carbureted Datsun purr under the hood.

“I’m planning on taking my time down through Mississippi, and then getting over into New Orleans. The trek that began as stress relief has become something much bigger; a blog started for close friends and family now has legions of followers. And for Scott Fisher, a man of many talents, the next curve brings a window of discovery to be shared with an old friend.

Porsche's P1 and 918 Bridge Past and Present

By Bill McLauchlan

For most of us who can remember that far back the first Porsche branded design was the chunky 356 that emerged from its rudimentary production facility in Gmund, Austria, in 1948. In a run of succeeding versions the 356 put Porsche firmly on the map in Canada and the U.S. in the Fifties and early Sixties.

But, in fact, the very first vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche dates back to 1898 with the electrically powered “Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton" model, known as the “P1” for short. Now we learn, after 115 years, the original and unrestored P1 has been recovered from a warehouse and untouched since 1902.

To mark the occasion, this phantom from Porsche’s past has been put on permanent display at the company’s museum in Stuttgart, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Designed and built by the 22-year old Porsche, the P1 took to the streets of Vienna, Austria on June 26, 1898. During the build process, he engraved the code P1 (standing for Porsche, number one) onto all of the vehicle’s key components, thus giving the electric vehicle its unofficial name. It was the start of a legendary journey that has taken Porsche all the way to today’s latest 918 Spyder – a sensationally fast, lightweight, hybrid electric challenger to Ferrari and McLaren for the “green” supercar crown.

With that in mind, it’s worth taking a look at how the P1 and 918 Spyder are similar in some ways yet so strikingly different in others.

For instance, the P1’s highly compact rear mounted electric drive produces three horsepower and for short periods up to five hp could be achieved in overdrive mode, allowing the P1 to reach speeds up to 34 km/h (21 mph). Its modern 918 relative, fed by 312 lithium-ion batteries feeding juice to a pair of electric motors (one for the rear wheels, another powering the front set) can do 150 km/h (94 mph) in electric mode alone. Alone, you ask? Yup, there’s also a 600+ hp 4.6-litre V8 assisting the hybrid mix. Combined the three different propulsion sources contribute 875 hp and help the Spyder attain a 340 km/h (211 mph) top speed.

The P1’s speed is regulated by a 12-speed control unit and its overall range could cover up to 79 km (49 miles). The 918, courtesy of a 7-speed transmission, has a zero-emission range of up to 30 km (18 miles) on its electric motors alone and can do up to 150 km/h (95 mph) in electric mode.

One innovation where the P1 differs, however, is in the Lohner alternating vehicle body, which was mounted on a wooden “chassis” and allowed it to be a coupe style or an open Phaeton design. The modern 918 Spyder employs a state-of-the-art carbon fibre chassis and when you stow the removable roof panels you pretty much sacrifice any luggage space. We could go on, comparing packaging, instrumentation, brakes, etc., but I think you get the picture: 115 years makes a hell of a difference in some ways and none at all in others.

But back then, and still today, Porsche came out ahead in competitive terms. An all-electric race over 38 km (24 miles) was held in Berlin in 1899. With three passengers aboard, Porsche steered his machine across the finish line 18 minutes ahead of the next finisher. He also came out on top in the efficiency category, as the P1 recorded the least amount of energy consumed.

Five years on from the museum’s 2009 opening, the P1 will form the centerpiece in a display that introduces visitors to the first part of the newly structured product and motorsport history exhibition, bridging the gap between the past and present-day developments.

A Big Victory for the Small Car

By Bill McLauchlan

Looking back across the past half-century, some exceedingly special cars have passed through the annals of time. None more so than British Motor Corporation’s original Mini, a Sixties car that became an icon around the globe. A car inextricably linked with the Flower Power decade but still in production today, albeit in more modern form and under BMW ownership.
  
Back then, the sportier Mini-Cooper version became a British icon – largely due to Paddy Hopkirk and his victory in Europe’s famous Monte Carlo Rally. Small car, huge win.

It’s now 50 years since one of the most spectacular victories in the history of international motor sport. On 21 January 1964, the Mini Cooper S won the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time. It was the pairing of Northern Ireland’s Patrick (“Paddy”) Hopkirk and his co-driver Henry Liddon that pulled off the big surprise, resisting the supposed superiority of significantly more powerful rivals in their small British car. Its faultless run over country roads and mountain passes, ice and snow, tight corners and steep gradients laid the foundations for the underdog-turned-giant-slayer to cement itself in both the hearts of the public and the annals of motor sport legend.

Indeed, the classic Mini’s dominance of the Monte Carlo Rally continued over the years that followed, Hopkirk’s Finnish team-mates Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen adding two further overall victories – in 1965 and 1967 – to the British manufacturer’s collection.

Now 80 years old, Paddy Hopkirk’s eyes still light up when he recalls the driving qualities of his winning car: “Although the Mini was only a little family sedan, technically it had a lot of advantages. Its front-wheel drive and front-mounted transverse engine were a great advantage, and the fact the car was smaller and the roads were plowed, they were quite narrow, so I suppose that was an advantage. We were very lucky – the car was right, everything happened at the right time and came together at the right moment.”

It was the legendary “Night of the Long Knives”, the penultimate stage of the Monte, which put the Mini Cooper S with car number 37 and the now famous licence plate 33 EJB on course for victory that winter of 1964. Hopkirk crossed the finish line just 17 seconds off the pace set by his chief adversary Bo Ljungfeldt in the far more powerful V8-powered Ford Falcon. The handicap formula at the time – designed to even out the weight and power differences between the various cars – meant the classic Mini actually led the way in the overall standings. And Hopkirk defended his advantage in the sprint through the streets of Monte Carlo that rounded off the rally. At the winner’s ceremony he shared the cheers of the crowed with his team-mates. Timo Mäkinen’s fourth-place finish and Rauno Aaltonen’s seventh overall set the seal on the success of the Mini Cooper S and ushered in the era of the “Three Musketeers” in the Monte Carlo Rally.

The classic Mini’s victory was celebrated with particular excitement in its native Britain. Hopkirk received a congratulatory telegram from the British government and the Beatles were also among those leading the applause. “I got a telegram from the Beatles,” remembers Hopkirk. “That was followed by a photograph of the four of them autographed to me saying: ‘You’re one of us now, Paddy.’ And it’s very nice to have that nowadays.”

The triumph of the classic Mini in the Monte was lauded as a sensation by motor sport fans around the world. But this wasn’t a success that came entirely out of the blue: the small car developed by Alec Issigonis, then Deputy Technical Director at the British Motor Corporation, possessed an inherent sporting talent from birth. The first person to spot this potential was John Cooper. The sports car designer was the driving force behind construction of a more powerful version of the car. The Mini produced only 34 hp at launch, but its front-wheel drive, low weight, wide track and comparatively long wheelbase made it an extremely agile four-seater and paved the way for its forays onto race circuits and rally courses.

As early as 1960, big-name racing drivers like Graham Hill, Jack Brabham and Jim Clark were spotted testing the cornering flair of the John Cooper-tuned small car on the Silverstone race track. However, the classic Mini was most at home in rally competition. Pat Moss, sister of grand prix driver Stirling Moss, piloted it to wins in the Tulip Rally and Baden-Baden Rally in 1962. And by the following year, the diminutive British car was ready to burst into the public consciousness at the Monte Carlo Rally. Preceding years had been a tough learning experience for the works team, but now they would make people sit up and take notice. Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk drove the 55 hp Mini Cooper to a 1-2 finish in their class, which was good enough for third and sixth places overall.

It was clear that the classic Mini was better equipped than any other car to pull off the classic David vs Goliath act. John Cooper had long suspected that the car had what it took. Back in 1959 he instructed Roy Salvadori to drive a prototype to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The journey itself turned into a race between Salvadori and fellow racing driver Reg Parnell at the wheel of an Aston Martin DB4. The result confirmed what Cooper had foreseen in his mind’s eye: the Cooper-prepared classic Mini arrived around an hour earlier than the much more powerful Aston.

Identifiable from a distance with their tartan red bodywork and white roofs, the six small racers dispatched by the BMC works team for the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 were – at least on paper – fighting against the tide once more. The Mini Cooper S lined up at the start for the first time. Its new four-cylinder engine now had an increased 1071cc capacity and output had also been boosted to around 90 hp. This was a lot more than in previous years but still modest in the face of competition from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE and Ford Falcon, whose six-cylinder and V8 units had three or four times more power at their disposal.

The 33rd edition of the Monte Carlo Rally began – as was traditional at the time – with a nod to the origins of the event, the cars starting from nine European cities before converging on the French city of Reims. The Hopkirk/Liddon partnership got their journey with the Mini Cooper S under way in Minsk, while for Rauno Aaltonen and Tony Ambrose the Monte adventure started in Oslo, and Timo Mäkinen and Patrick Vanson set off from Paris. The classic Mini successfully negotiated all these journeys and all six works cars were able to take their place in the 277-strong field in Reims. The first stage of the rally to Saint-Claude brought together the two cars which were to define the 1964 Monte from start to finish. Bo Ljungfeldt roared to the top of the time sheets in his Ford Falcon, but Paddy Hopkirk remained hot on his heels in his Mini Cooper S.

The next leg of the rally was made up largely of mile-long flat-out sections, but Hopkirk refused to let his big-engined rivals build up a decisive advantage. The “Night of the Long Knives” would become the day of reckoning; this was the classic Mini’s chance to demonstrate its talents to the full. “It was quite snowy that year, so we had done a lot of practising and preparing,” explains Hopkirk. “The Mini was particularly good downhill, and all the tests were up and downhill, so what we lost going up, I think we made up for going downhill.”

A nice silverware haul for Hopkirk (left) and Lidden (right)

Irresistible handling, correct tyre choice, Hopkirk’s gifts at the wheel and the snow – which slowed the bigger cars down – all came together and ensured that Hopkirk was able to take over the lead on the 1,607-metre (5,270 ft) Col de Turini. However, it remained a tight contest all the way to the finish, with Bo Ljungfeldt, as expected, again posting the fastest time on the final stage through Monte Carlo. However, Hopkirk was also squeezing everything from his Mini Cooper S once again and hung onto his advantage to wrap up the win. “It’s not like rallying today when you know where you are. I had to do the final circuit, then the journalists told me I had won and I couldn’t believe it. It surprised the world and us, so it was very nice,” recalls Hopkirk.

Paddy, though, insists that the Monte win wasn’t the high point of his career. He insists he is even more proud of his later Mini victories in the 1967 Acropolis Rally and in the French Alpine Rally. Second place in the first London to Sydney (Australia) Marathon is another highlight in his memory bank.

Topless Jag Touched by Scandal Seeks Sugar Daddy

By Tom Mack

If you’re old enough to cast your mind back half a century, and have the financial means to indulge in a little risqué activity, then here’s an intriguing temptation to consider. It may involve some undercover work, clandestine travel and nerves of steel – financial, that is.

A gorgeous 1959 Jaguar XK150 convertible, with connections to one of the most famous British political scandals of all time, goes under the auction hammer next month in Silverstone Auctions’ sale, February 22nd and 23rd.

The car was owned by Dr Stephen Ward, the osteopathic physician at the centre of the Profumo Affair in 1963. Ward was the man who introduced John Profumo, Conservative MP and Secretary of State for War, to longstanding friend, model and showgirl Christine Keeler, who at the time was also allegedly in a relationship with a Soviet spy.

The subsequent revelations of their affair led to Profumo’s resignation amid fears of a national security breach. After the scandal surfaced Ward was prosecuted with living off the earnings of prostitution and took his own life just as his trial was coming to an end.

Commenting on the car, Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “Few Jaguars can boast such a fascinating ownership record and one that seemingly defined the era when it was first driven. Few cars offered at auction have such an amazing connection to such important events in British political history.”

The zaftig XK150 benefitted from a ground-up restoration in 1990. Both the interior and bodywork are in superb condition, having only covered 15,300 km (9,500 miles) since.

The sale of the car comes amid heightened interest in the scandal, which marked its 50th anniversary last year, the launch in December of a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Ward, based on the affair, as well as for calls for Ward’s conviction to be overturned.

If your travels take you to the other side of the pond in mid-February, it might be worth your while to drop by the auction for a more intimate inspection of this scandalous beauty. You never know, it could be the start of a long-term affair.

For more information on the car visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1959-jaguar-xk150-drophead-coupe-2932

Kudos for Caddy's Eco-Conscious Coupe

By Tom Mack

You must admit the main meal of a performance coupe with a side order of lithium-ion batteries is a bit of an oxymoron. But if the thought of reducing your car’s carbon footprint is something you’d relish then this news is bound to spark your interest.
   
Green Car Journal today awarded the Cadillac ELR electrified luxury coupe its 2014 Green Car Technology Award for its Regen on Demand system, which allows the driver to use paddle shifters on the steering wheel to temporarily regenerate energy and store it as electricity in the battery pack for later use.

Photo:Newspress.com

The award was announced today at The Washington Auto Show in D.C.

“Regen on Demand is one of the key systems enabling the Cadillac ELR to merge performance with efficiency in a dynamic new way,” said Jim Vurpillat, director of emerging markets at Cadillac. “Putting regenerative braking at the driver’s fingertips supports the ELR’s 340-mile (550 km) total driving range while also adding a fun-to-drive element to the premium luxury coupe.”

Traditional performance vehicles allow drivers to upshift and downshift the mechanical transmission through steering wheel-mounted paddles. The ELR’s Regen on Demand feature is unique to it and builds on the GM division’s performance-bred heritage.
The exclusive feature has cleverly evolved a common electric-drive efficiency system into an intriguing feature that adds a new dimension to the driving experience, the publication noted in making the presentation. Ever-increasing efficiency is crucial to our driving future, yet efficiency itself is not an attraction for a great many car buyers. This is an inspired example of how technology can increase efficiency while connecting with a driver, enhancing driving dynamics along the way.

Beyond the exclusive Regen on Demand system, the ELR comes equipped with standard advanced technology features such as Cadillac CUE with Navigation, light-emitting diode, or LED, front and rear exterior lighting, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and the Safety Alert Seat.

The ELR interior features handcrafted leather complemented by authentic wood grain and chrome trim. Powering the coupe is a combination of pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending 1.4-litre gasoline-powered electric generator. A T-shaped, 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is located along the centerline of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels to make the most of weight distribution. The pack supplies energy to an advanced electric drive unit to propel the vehicle.

Malibu Joins 5-Star Safety Ranks

Chevrolet’s 2014 Malibu midsize sedan has received the highest possible 5-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program.
   

Photo: Newspress.com

“Safety is an increasingly important consideration for new vehicle buyers, especially for those in the midsize segment,” said Gay Kent, General Motors general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness. “The customer is at the centre of our day-to-day operations and when we design vehicles, it’s their safety that we have in mind.”

Safety technologies featured on the Malibu include an ultra-high-strength steel safety cage, rollover protection and 10 standard airbags including knee airbags for both driver and front passenger.

In addition to these passive safety features, several other available active safety technologies, such as Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, can assist in avoiding a collision. Side Blind Zone Alert uses sensors to warn drivers of vehicles entering their blind spot on either side. The pairing of Rear Cross Traffic Alert, new to Malibu for 2014, and rear vision camera can make backing out onto busy streets a less-stressful affair.

Every Malibu comes with OnStar service standard for the first six months. In the event of a collision, OnStar Advisors can contact the vehicle even if occupants cannot respond.

Technology Tips the Scales for Domestic Brand Car Buyers

By Bill McLauchlan

Despite the recent flood, never mind growing confusion and complexity, of the latest whiz-bang electronic auto gadgetry adorning new cars these days, it seems that very technology appeals to new-vehicle buyers who opt for a home-grown brand.

Thirty eight percent of those buying a domestic vehicle cite the latest tech features as a reason for their purchase decision. That compares with 33 percent who bought an import.
That’s the word from a just-released J.D. Power Avoider Study, based on responses from some 29,000 owners surveyed in 2013. The study examines the reasons consumers purchase, reject and why they do not consider – or avoid – particular models when shopping for a new vehicle.

Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.

And here’s the interesting twist: 40 percent of those who bought a domestic vehicle, but previously owned an import model, are even more likely to plump for ‘homie’ wheels due to its new technology and features.

By offering vehicles with the latest technological features, domestic brands are carving out a niche for themselves and it “appears to be getting the attention of consumers,” said Jon Osborn, research director at J.D. Power.


For both buying groups, having the latest tech toy is among the top 10 purchase reasons. But, for a third straight year, fuel mileage continues to be the most influential purchase reason (15 percent) and is the second-most-frequently given reason for rejecting a vehicle – behind price.

Styling, though, remains the most powerful reason for buyers to avoid shopping other models in the segment in which they bought (33 percent).

In other findings: Eighty one percent said they trolled the Internet to access online ratings and reviews prior to their purchase. Fifteen percent also reported online ratings and reviews as a reason they avoided a specific vehicle – a four percent jump since the last Avoider Study in 2010.

The latest study also noted the top five influential purchase reasons are quite different for mass market and luxury vehicle shoppers.

As you’d expect for the family transport/daily commute mass market crowd: Fuel economy rated first, followed by reliability (freedom from breakdowns), the “deal” (interest rates/rebates), styling, and performance. But performance (power, handling, etc.) was most influential for luxury buyers with quality (workmanship, materials, fit and finish) quoted second. Styling, the image the vehicle portrays, and reliability rounded out their top five purchase influencers.

Like a Fine Wine This Tire Ages Well

By Bill McLauchlan

As drivers, what if we improved with age? Well, in a way we do as we build up experience on the road. At least that’s the case until the years sneak up on us and our mental and physical abilities start their gradual downhill slide.

That’s why news of a new tire from Michelin made me sit up and take notice. It actually gets better as it ages.

That’s not how it’s supposed to happen. Conventional wisdom says as mileage increases and tread depth decreases, a tire loses its ability to provide adequate grip, particularly where wet weather traction is called for. Wet surface grip is vital for your safety because drivers are more than twice as likely to be in an accident on wet roads compared to dry conditions.

But, amid the glitz and glitter at last week’s auto show in Detroit, Michelin quietly introduced its Premier A/S tire with what it calls revolutionary new EverGrip technology. Even when worn, Michelin claims it can stop shorter on wet roads than the leading competitors’ brand new tires.

Three things help this revolutionary rubber prolong its wet traction even as it becomes worn.

First is a proprietary compound with extreme amounts of silica and sunflower oil – the former for bonding strength and adherence to keep tread on the road for high traction in the wet and the latter for better grip at lower temperatures.

Second are expanding rain grooves. In most tires, as the rain grooves lose depth, the amount of water they can funnel away from the tire is diminished. But Michelin has positioned rain grooves around the circumference of this new tire with a special geometric shape that gets wider as the tread wears. This helps maintain the amount of water the tire can channel away even as these rain grooves lose depth.

Third, are more than 150 hidden grooves, along the tire’s shoulder, that emerge as the tire becomes worn, providing additional help in clearing water away and maintaining wet traction as miles accumulate.

These elements work together to give the Premier A/S exceptional traction in a range of conditions year round with shorter stopping, hydroplaning resistance and increased grip when new and worn.

Michelin says the tire will be available in the Spring, initially in 32 sizes ranging from 185/65/R15 to 245/45R18 to cover a wide range of passenger cars.

Are Car Makers Chasing the Wrong Buyers?

By Bill McLauchlan

Could it be that car companies these days are looking through the wrong end of their marketing telescopes?

Look at it this way. Check out any auto show in your neck of the woods and you’ll find manufacturers’ displays desperately trying to project themselves as being youthful and hip. Their displays abound with new technology offerings social media connectivity, head-up interfaces, and infotainment platforms for audio, navigation and communication content.

Yet the reality is that younger people are buying fewer new cars and, in fact, many are even delaying the acquisition of a driver’s licence. Proof of that can be found in a U.S.-led study in 2011 that found only 79 percent of drivers aged 20 to 24 had licences, compared with 92 percent in 1983.

Contrast that with a report yesterday out of Britain that there are now more than seven million drivers over the age of 65 on U.K. roads. According to the Institute for Advanced Motorists, a road safety charity, the figure comes from driving licence data published by the government licensing agency DVLA.

The DVLA data also shows: There are just over four million over the age of 70 and another 1.1 million drivers over the age of 80. It seems there are even 195 motorists behind the wheel who are over 100 years old.

Turning to this side of the pond, it’s a similar picture. According to the latest information from the U.S. Department of Transportation there are 11.9 million licensed drivers over age 65 on American roads. A further 14.7 million are over age 70 and a rather astonishing 7.8 million drivers on the road who are beyonf age 80.

Photo: PR NEWSWIRE/Newscom

North of the border, Canada numbers some 2.8 million licensed drivers age 65 or older. Unfortunately, there’s no definition by decade of that total.

Another interesting revelation from the British data is that, generally, only about five percent of the drivers over age 65 have demerit points on their record. This compares favourably with middle-aged drivers. The age group most likely to have points on their licence is 42 year-olds. That group shows 10 percent have accumulated points for driving infractions. For younger drivers the figure is eight percent.

While similar figures for North America are hard to find, if available at all, the UK experience shows that older drivers are, in fact, safer than many other drivers. Where older drivers have slower reaction times, they use their experience on the road to compensate by driving at slower speeds on all occasions and allowing more space between them and other road users.

Taking middle-aged licence holders into account the numbers become even more staggering. Adding drivers over 45 years of age to the mix we get a North American total of just under 122 million potential car buyers, who may or may not be fans of all the latest, and often confusing to understand or use, electronic gadgetry.

So, overall, the numbers make the car makers quest for younger buyers are exercise in diminishing returns. There’s a silver tsunami building to a critical crest – a vast group with control of a good chunk of the nation's wealth – that auto makers ignore at their peril.

Acura Unveils RLX Sport Hybrid in Montreal

By Bill McLauchlan

The new pinnacle of Acura’s luxury performance sedan lineup has made its Canadian debut at the auto show now underway in Montreal. The 2104 RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Phew! What a mouthful) is reported to be the most powerful and technologically advanced vehicle in Acura’s history.

“The RLX Sport Hybrid sets a new bar in luxury performance sedans, but it does it the Acura way,” said Jerry Chenkin, president and CEO, Honda Canada Inc. It “has some of the most advanced technology on the planet,” he noted, “but this sedan is more than the sum of its parts. With the RLX Sport Hybrid everything comes together to create true synergy between man and machine.”

Photo: CNW Group/Acura Canada

The 377-horsepower luxury performance sedan is the first vehicle to deploy Acura’s new three-motor hybrid powertrain technology – a world first, which will also power the Japanese automaker’s NSX supercar when it comes to market in 2015. The system combines a highly efficient, direct-injected V6 engine with a new 7-speed dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor and an electrically powered variant of Acura's highly regarded torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system.

This advanced new hybrid powertrain is touted by the company to deliver great driving performance with responsive power delivery and precise, sure-footed handling. Supported by the instantaneous torque delivered by its high-output electric motors, the RLX Sport Hybrid runs a zero to 100 km/h (60 mph) time comparable with competitor’s V8-powered machines. This performance, however, is coupled with a 6.8 L/100 km fuel rating in city driving and 6.3 on the open highway. Its combined rating is 6.5 L/100km by the federal government’s NRCan calculation, which is in the range of 4-cylinder-powered luxury sedans.

The RLX Sport Hybrid comes as another step in the complete revision of Acura’s sedan lineup, which began with the introduction of the ILX entry-level luxury sedan in 2012. Earlier this week, Acura’s third new luxury sedan was unveiled in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. The TLX prototype is an all-new modern luxury sports machine that delivers a perfect blend of five-passenger luxury comfort, advanced technology and athletic performance. The TLX will be bookended by the RLX Sport Hybrid on one side and the ILX on the other.

More Accolades for Mazda3

By Bill McLauchlan

A true sign that it’s auto show season is the shower of “best new” or “car of the year” awards presented with all the pomp and circumstance that accompanies them.

In case you’ve forgotten, or lost track amid the tide of titles inundating us in recent days, it kicked off early last December with a dozen category winners revealed by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Those nominees now go on to contest overall car-of-the-year honours at the upcoming Toronto AutoShow next month.

The pace picked up earlier this week in Detroit where Chevrolet’s Corvette Stingray and Silverado collected COTY awards for car and truck respectively.

Today, we learned the all-new Mazda3 was named winner of the fifth annual ‘Best of the Best’ award by The Canadian Automotive Jury (CAJ). In gaining this recognition, it beat out the aforementioned Stingray and Jaguar’s sporty new F-Type.

This award – a distinctive Inuit soapstone carving of a polar bear – joins a growing number of trophies picked up by the 2104 Mazda3 in its short on-sale span (since last October). AJAC named it Best New Small Car Under $21,000 and saluted the Mazda3 Sport as Best New Small Car Over $21,000. Now the CAJ award adds further polish to the completely redesigned compact car’s rapidly growing reputation as a game changer in its class.

“With each previous generation the Mazda3 has set a new standard for the compact segment,” said jury member Graeme Fletcher at the Montreal auto show. “The latest Mazda3 does it yet again. Its combination of styling, practicality and a full suite of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technologies make it a dynamic, fun-to-drive car that is equally fuel efficient and affordable. The combination saw (it) earn an easy victory.”

Double Win for Infiniti
Not content to let CAJ grab all the glory in awarding excellence, AJAC chose the Montreal auto extravaganza to name Nissan’s luxury Infiniti division as the recipient of a pair of technology trophies for Best New Innovation Technology and Best New safety Technology.

Infiniti won the former for its Direct Adaptive Steering technology and the latter for its Predictive Forward Collision Warning system.

In presenting the wards, AJAC noted the technology awards were presented in two separate categories for the first time in 2014. There’s a reason for that. In the past, the jury of 12 technology specialists often found it difficult to choose between innovative technology that might improve comfort, or performance, or fuel economy, and another that might save lives.

The solution was to establish separate categories for safety and innovation; thereby ensuring that the best of both genres have a chance to be recognized for their respective merits.

As with AJAC’s Canadian Car of the Year awards, the jurors voted again by secret ballot and outcome supervised and compiled by the accounting firm KPMG.

Next-Gen Fit Makes its First Appearance

By Bill McLauchlan

Last week we told you Honda would reveal the third-generation of its subcompact Fit destined for the North American market. Well, as promised, here’s your first look at the Japanese automaker’s budget beater following its debut this afternoon at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Set to go on sale in the this spring, the all-new 2015 Fit is completely redesigned from the ground up to deliver a nice combination of style, room, driving fun, fuel efficiency, leading-edge safety and vehicle connectivity.

“The Fit is a small car with big aspirations. Faster, more fuel-efficient and more fun, it’s a subcompact with larger-than-life-capabilities,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “It's simply the best Fit to date and, we believe, a new benchmark in the small-car category.”

A more aggressive front end showcases a new grille and headlight design. And a strong character line runs along the body side, emphasizing the aerodynamic profile. Larger 16-inch, 5-spoke wheels give a planted and sporty stance. In the back, rear reflectors and LED taillights run along the hatch with a chrome tailgate garnish and rear diffuser, all contributing to a more substantial and dynamic look.

Standing on a similar footprint to the current model, the 2015 Fit is slightly shorter and wider with a little longer wheelbase, which should result in improved handling and manoeuvreability. Inside, it builds on its already class-leading interior space, airy cabin and generous glass area thanks to a new platform that incorporates a unique centre-mounted fuel-tank layout. There’s also a significant increase in passenger volume and rear legroom compared to the outgoing model. With its multi-configurable seating arrangement, the Fit provides acres of cargo space when the second row seats are folded flat.

The new model looks like it will deliver above-class interior refinement as well with lots of standard features while offering value at every trim level. Soft touch and premium materials are used throughout.

Under the fresh new styling is a direct injected 1.5-litre, 130 horsepower, four-cylinder engine – 13 horses up on the current Fit's powerplant, while reducing weight and improving efficiency. Paired to two new transmissions, a slick-shifting 6-speed manual or a sporty and fuel-efficient Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with available paddle shifters, the powertrain brings better acceleration and passing performance and is anticipated to have exceptional fuel economy ratings as an added buyer incentive.

Complementing this new powertrain is a revised chassis aimed at improving handling, ride comfort, noise and vibration levels. A more rigid body, new rear dampers and revised suspension geometry notably enhance ride quality and handling. Extensive use of ultra-high strength steel delivers increased body stiffness while reducing weight by 26 kg (57 pounds) versus the old model.

The new Fit will be manufactured for the first time in North America at a new plant in Celaya, Mexico. With an annual capacity of 200,000 units, the facility will begin mass production next month, adding production of an all-new small Honda SUV later in the year.

A Clean Sweep for Chevrolet

By Bill McLauchlan

Today started off a great day for GM’s bowtie division. The all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Silverado 1500 have just been named the 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year. They received their accolades this morning at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
   
It is the first time Chevrolet has won both awards in the same year. The Silverado was last named Truck of the Year in 2007 and the Corvette was last named Car of the Year in 1998.

It was the fourth truck win for General Motors. Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year 12 times. Japanese car makers have won three times, European manufacturers four times and a Korean car maker (Hyundai) has won twice.

The Corvette received 211 points topping the Mazda3 with 185 points and the Cadillac CTS with 94 points. The Silverado received 219 points to the Jeep Cherokee with 174 points and the Acura MDX with 97 points.

Chevrolet sweeps the North American Car and Truck of the Year voting as the Silverado pickup (left) and the Corvette Stingray are voted the 2014 North American Truck and Car of the Year Monday, January 13, 2014 at the start of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. New General Motors CEO Mary Barra is pictured with the vehicles Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the GM Renaissance Center Global Headquarters in Detroit. (Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

Presentation of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards – now in their 21st year – open media days each year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Forty-nine automotive journalists from the United States and Canada, who represent magazines, TV, radio, newspapers and web sites,  vote to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

The new Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard model ever, with 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque from a 6.2L V8 engine – and 460 horsepower /465 lb-ft with the available performance exhaust system – enabling models with the optional Z51 Performance Package to sprint from 0 to 60 100 km/h (60 mph) in 3.8 seconds.

The Silverado’s available 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine generates 355 horsepower for confident towing and hauling, yet seamlessly switches to four cylinders to save fuel during light-load driving. With an EPA estimated highway fuel economy of up to 23 mpg, Silverado offers the best fuel economy of any V8 pickup.

“It is a distinct honour for the entire Chevrolet team to have both the Corvette and Silverado recognized with the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards,” said Alan Batey, General Motors’ senior vice-president, global for Chevrolet.

To be eligible, a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.

On December 10th the three car and truck finalists were announced. But only Ms. Collins knew the winners until she handed over envelopes today to Tony Swan, a freelance journalist and member of the organizing committee, who made the announcements. The awards, inspired by the “Car of the Year” approach in Europe, are administered by an organizing committee and are funded with dues paid by the jurors. There are no paid positions. Automakers do not pay to have their vehicles considered or to mention the awards in ads.