Friday, September 19, 2014 Richmond Review · Page 19 Find a friendly and respectable work environment www.LocalWork.ca Visit Our Website To Find The Right Career Safety Tip: Fall is a good time to assemble an emergency kit for your car – or check the one in your trunk. Kits should include booster cables, tire sealer and inflator, towrope, an emergency signal cone, first aid kit, batteries, flashlight, a thermal blanket, rain poncho, and gloves. Question of the Week Is the new distracted driver police enforcement campaign over the top? People are being ticketed for using a hands free wired headset that is connected to a cell phone that is not affixed to the dash. OF THE WEEK! ? QUESTION Go to DrivewayCanada.ca to submit your answer. follow us… /Driveway @DrivewayCanada DrivewayCanada.ca | Welcome to the driver’s seat Questi on elcome to the driver’s seat Honda Fit goes big but in a smaller package The subcompact segment in Canada had been a bit stale, until this past year, when we witnessed a number of new entries into this segment. In 2013, Nissan introduced the Versa Note hatchback and earlier this year Nissan followed up with the Mi- cra, the least expensive car on the market ($9,998). The latest entry is the Honda Fit, the only vehicle in this com- petitive class to come with an amazing array of seating options that make it a wonder-on-wheels. Looks In an age where most cars get bigger from one generation to the next, Honda has bucked the trend and actually shaved 41mm off the overall length of this new 2015 Fit, but improved interior volume. The way they achieved this is by stretching the wheelbase and shortening the front and rear overhangs. This move also helped in the styling department by producing more of a wedge front surface with a sleeker front windshield. The Fit now looks longer, sleeker, and less top heavy. Priced from $14,495 - $22,595, the Fit, on paper, might not look as attractive as the top selling Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. But when the buyer factors in the versatility of this vehicle and the fact it has the highest retained value in this class, according to Canadian Black Book, it can offer good value. Inside As attractive as the new exterior is, the interior has always been the real story. There is no other car in the subcompact, or even the compact class, that has the same functionality and flexibility. This new 2015 has 79mm of additional rear seat room, the largest cargo area, class leading passenger volume and more front shoulder room than its competitors. That’s all good stuff but the design of the rear seats and car- go floor make all of that room even more useful. Honda has what they call Magic Seats: an outrageously simple rear seat design that allows the seat bottom to flip up, making the rear seat floor accessible to store large or tall objects. This would be a great place to transport a dog, almost like a kennel on wheels. Since the fuel tank is placed under the front seats instead of the typical location under the rear cargo floor, this allowed the designers to lower the rear floor offering a much deeper cargo area. Combine this with the ability of the rear seats to fold, plus the front passenger seat to be re- clined to help transport extra long items the Fit has the space race won. Drive Honda has a new line of engines it calls Earth Dreams, a less than subtle mocking of Mazda’s Skyactiv. The essence of this new engine technology is taking variable valve timing and direct injection, plus a lighter design to help in power delivery and fuel consumption. The new 1.5L engine has eleven per cent more power, at 130hp, plus more torque at 114 lb.-ft. but is 27 per cent lighter than the old engine. The power goes to either an all-new 6-speed manual that is available on all trim levels or a new continuously variable transmission that expands the gear, ratio range by fourteen percent. What this means in terms of drivability is a better jump off the line and improved highway cruising. Because the new transmission reduces weight and friction, the fuel economy has improved by 16 per cent, which is an amazing accomplishment in such a small car. Rated at 7.0L/100km in the city and 5.7L on the highway, using the much tougher 2015 fuel standards, this represents fuel number buyers will actually be able to achieve. In addition, the suspension has been improved for more responsiveness but I found the ride a bit choppy over bumpy roads. Verdict There is so much to talk about with the Honda Fit from space to design and new engineering; it is easy to overlook the creature comforts that have been added. There is now a height adjustable drivers seats, a standard 5-inch LCD screen with backup camera and Bluetooth all on the base $14,495 DX trim. Move up one step to the $17,295 LX trim and Honda includes a huge 7-inch touch-sensitive Display Audio system and heated front seats (my favourite). There is also the $19,195 EX trim with alloy wheels, paddle shifter and moon roof, but the big news is the inclusion of the $21,295 EX-L Navi trim. This is the EX trim with leather and navigation, making the fit downright opulent. This isn’t the least expensive car in this class but on the whole it offers so much more than just a price point. This car is all about smart money. The Lowdown Power: 1.5L 4-cylinder with 130hp Fill-up: 7.0L/5.7L/100km (city/highway) Sticker price: $14,495-$22,595 [email protected]‘‘ The Fit has the space race won. ’’ Zack Spencer Visit the Fit gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca
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Transcript
Friday, September 19, 2014 Richmond Review · Page 19
Find a friendly and respectable work environment
www.LocalWork.ca
Visit Our Website
To Find The Right Career
Safety Tip:Fall is a good time to assemble an emergency kit for your car – or check the one in your trunk. Kits should include booster cables, tire sealer and infl ator, towrope, an emergency signal cone, fi rst aid
kit, batteries, fl ashlight, a thermal blanket, rain poncho, and gloves.
Question of the WeekIs the new distracted driver police enforcement campaign over the top? People are being ticketed for using a hands free wired headset that is connected to a cell phone that is not affixed to the dash.
OF THE WEEK!
?QUESTION
Go to DrivewayCanada.ca to submit your answer.
follow us…
/Driveway
@DrivewayCanada
DrivewayCanada.ca | Welcome to the driver’s seat
Question
elcome to the driver’s seat
Honda Fit goes big but in a smaller packageThe subcompact segment in Canada had been a bit stale, until this past year, when we witnessed a number of new entries into this segment. In 2013, Nissan introduced the Versa Note hatchback and earlier this year Nissan followed up with the Mi-cra, the least expensive car on the market ($9,998). The latest entry is the Honda Fit, the only vehicle in this com-petitive class to come with an amazing array of seating options that make it a wonder-on-wheels. LooksIn an age where most cars get bigger from one generation to the next, Honda has bucked the trend and actually shaved 41mm off the overall length of this new 2015 Fit, but improved interior volume. The way they achieved this is by stretching the wheelbase and shortening the front and rear overhangs. This move also helped in the styling department by producing more of a wedge front surface with a sleeker front windshield. The Fit now looks longer, sleeker, and less top heavy. Priced from $14,495 - $22,595, the Fit, on paper, might not look as attractive as the top selling Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. But when the buyer factors in the versatility of this vehicle and the fact it has the highest retained value in this class, according to Canadian Black Book, it can offer good value.InsideAs attractive as the new exterior is, the interior has always been the real story. There is no other car in the subcompact, or even the compact class, that has the same functionality and flexibility. This
new 2015 has 79mm of additional rear seat room, the largest cargo area, class leading passenger volume and more front shoulder room than its competitors. That’s all good stuff but the design of the rear seats and car-go floor make all of that room even more useful. Honda has what they call Magic Seats: an
outrageously simple rear seat design that allows the seat bottom to flip up, making the rear seat floor accessible to store large or tall objects. This would be a great place to transport a dog, almost like a kennel on wheels. Since the fuel tank is placed under the front seats instead of the typical location under the rear cargo floor, this allowed the designers to lower the rear floor offering a much deeper cargo area. Combine this with the ability of the rear seats to fold, plus the front passenger seat to be re-clined to help transport extra long items the Fit has the space race won.DriveHonda has a new line of engines it calls Earth Dreams, a less than subtle mocking of Mazda’s Skyactiv. The essence of this new engine technology is taking variable valve timing and direct injection, plus a lighter design to help in power delivery and fuel consumption. The new 1.5L engine has eleven per cent more power, at 130hp, plus more torque at 114 lb.-ft. but is 27 per cent lighter than the old engine. The power goes to either an all-new 6-speed manual that is available on all trim levels or a new continuously variable transmission that expands the gear, ratio range by fourteen percent. What this means in
terms of drivability is a better jump off the line and improved highway cruising. Because the new transmission reduces weight and friction, the fuel economy has improved by 16 per cent, which is an amazing accomplishment in such a small car. Rated at 7.0L/100km in the city and 5.7L on the highway, using the much tougher 2015 fuel standards, this represents fuel number buyers will actually be able to achieve. In addition, the suspension has been improved for more responsiveness but I found the ride a bit choppy over bumpy roads.VerdictThere is so much to talk about with the Honda Fit from space to design and new engineering; it is easy to overlook the creature comforts that have been added. There is now a height adjustable drivers seats, a standard 5-inch LCD screen with backup camera and Bluetooth all on
the base $14,495 DX trim. Move up one step to the $17,295 LX trim and Honda includes a huge 7-inch touch-sensitive Display Audio system and heated front seats (my favourite). There is also the $19,195 EX trim with alloy wheels, paddle shifter and moon roof, but the big news is the inclusion of the $21,295 EX-L Navi trim. This is the EX trim with leather and navigation, making the fit downright opulent. This isn’t the least expensive car in this class but on the whole it offers so much more than just a price point. This car is all about smart money.
The Lowdown
Power: 1.5L 4-cylinder with 130hpFill-up: 7.0L/5.7L/100km (city/highway) Sticker price: $14,495-$22,595
Page 20 · Richmond Review Friday, September 19, 2014
®The Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. ‡Cash price of $10,959/$19,859/$14,959 available on all remaining new in stock 2014 Accent L 6-speed Manual/2014 Tucson 2.0L GL FWD Manual/2015 Elantra L Manual models. Prices include Delivery and Destination charges of $1,595/$1,760/$1,595.Prices exclude registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, license fees, applicable taxes and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E. and a full tank of gas. ◊◊Finance offer available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services based on a new 2015 Elantra L 6-Speed Manual with an annual finance rate of 0% for 84 months. Finance offer includes Delivery and Destination of $1,595, fees, levies and all applicable charges. Prices exclude registration, insurance, PPSA, license fees and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E. and a full tank of gas. Financing example: 2015 Elantra L 6-Speed Manual for $17,594 at 0% per annum equals $82 bi-weekly for 84 months for a total obligation of $14,959. $0 down payment required. Cash price is $14,959. Cost of Borrowing is $0. Example price includes Delivery and Destination of $1,595, fees, levies and all applicable charges. Prices exclude registration, insurance, PPSA, license fees and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. ◊Leasing offer available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services based on a new 2015 Sonata GL with an annual lease rate of 1.9%. Bi-weekly lease payment of $119 for a 36-month walk-away lease. Down Payment of $2,750 and first monthly payment required. Total lease obligation is $12,032. Lease offer includes Delivery and Destination of $1,695. Lease offer excludes registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, license fees, applicable taxes and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. $0 security deposit on all models. 20,000 km allowance per year applies. Additional charge of $0.12/km on all models except Genesis Sedan and Equus where additional charge is $0.25/km. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E. and a full tank of gas. ΩPrice adjustments are calculated against the vehicle’s starting price. Price adjustments of up to $4,185/$3,400/$4,000/$2,635/$7,500 available on in stock 2014 Accent 4-Door L Manual/2014 Tucson 2.0L GL Manual/2014 Santa Fe Sport Limited w/Saddle AWD/2015 Elantra L Manual/2014 Genesis Coupe 3.8L GT. Price adjustments applied before taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required. Prices of models shown: 2014 Accent 4 Door GLS/2014 Tucson 2.4L Limited AWD/2014 Santa Fe 2.0T Limited AWD/2015 Elantra Limited/2015 Sonata Limited are $20,394/$35,359/$40,894/$27,244/$34,694. Prices include Delivery and Destination charges of $1,595/$1,760/$1,795/$1,595/$1,695.Prices exclude registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, license fees, applicable taxes and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. Fuel consumption for new 2014 Accent 4-Door L (HWY 5.3L/100KM; City 7.5L/100KM);2014 Tucson 2.0L GL FWD Manual (HWY 7.2L/100KM; City 10.0L/100KM); 2014 Santa Fe 2.0T Limited AWD (HWY 8.2L/100KM; City 11.4L/100KM); 2015 Elantra L Manual (HWY 6.4L/100KM; City 8.8L/100KM); 2015 Sonata GL Auto (HWY 6.7L/100KM; City 9.8L/100KM) are based on Manufacturer Testing. Actual fuel efficiency may vary based on driving conditions and the addition of certain vehicle accessories. Fuel economy figures are used for comparison purposes only. ∆The Hyundai Accent/Elantra received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among small/compact cars in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS). Study based on responses from 86,118 new-vehicle owners, measuring 239 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Propriety study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February-May 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. †‡ ΩOffers available for a limited time and subject to change or cancellation without notice. Dealer may sell for less. Inventory is limited, dealer order may be required. Visit www.hyundaicanada.com or see dealer for complete details. The SiriusXMTM name is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. ††Hyundai’s Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions.
HyundaiCanada.com
5-year/100,000 km Comprehensive Limited Warranty††
5-year/100,000 km Powertrain Warranty5-year/100,000 km Emission Warranty
GLS model shown
HWY: 5.3L/100 KM CITY: 7.5L/100 KM
2014 Accent “Highest Ranked Small Car in Initial Quality in the U.S.∆”
ACCENT 4DR L 2014
ELANTRA L 2015
Limited model shown
TUCSONGL FWD
2014
HWY: 7.2L/100 KM CITY: 10.0L/100 KM
Limited model shown
OWN IT FOR$10,959‡
OWN IT FOR$19,859‡
DESTINATION & DELIVERY FEES:
$1,595
DESTINATION & DELIVERY FEES:
$1,760
$9,364SELLING PRICE:
$18,099SELLING PRICE:
HWY: 8.2L/100 KM CITY: 11.4L/100 KM
SANTA FESPORT
2014
$4,000IN PRICE ADJUSTMENTSΩ
UP TOWELL EQUIPPED: HEATED FRONT SEATS • AM/FM/CD/MP3 6 SPEAKER AUDIO SYSTEM W/AUX/USB JACKS • REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY WITH ALARM SYSTEM • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL • STABILITY MANAGEMENT
Limited model shown
HWY: 6.4L/100 KM CITY: 8.8L/100 KM
INCREDIBLE OFFERS ON OUR NEW 2015 MODELS
SONATA GL 2015THE ALL-NEW
2014 Elantra“Highest Ranked
Compact Car in InitialQuality in the U.S.∆”
$119WITH $2,750 DOWN
BI-WEEKLY
LEASE THE SONATA GL FOR
AT 1.9%◊
FOR 36 MONTHS
Limited model shown
HWY: 6.7L/100 KM CITY: 9.8L/100 KM
WHEN EQUIPPED WITH FORWARD COLLISION WARNING. For more informationvisit www.iihs.org
OWN IT FOR $14,959‡
AND GET O%
FINANCING
84◊ ◊
MONTHS
FOR
WELL EQUIPPED: AM/FM/CD/MP3 6 SPEAKER AUDIO SYSTEMW/AUX/USB JACKS • POWER DOORLOCKS • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL• STABILITY MANAGEMENT
WELL EQUIPPED: HEATED FRONT SEATS • ELECTRONICSTABILITY CONTROL • TRACTIONCONTROL SYSTEM • REAR-VIEW CAMERA• STABILITY MANAGEMENT
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ENDS SEPTEMBER 30TH
Friday, September 19, 2014 Richmond Review · Page 21
A recent trip to Europe, as a guest of the Infi niti-Red Bull Racing team, rivalled any trip I have taken in recent years for fun and excitement.My fi rst encounter came when I attended the Monaco Grand Prix in 2013. I was lucky enough to be driven around the Paul Ricard Circuit, after the race, by now four-time world F1 cham-pion Sebastian Vettel. Few on the world’s racetracks rival the young German’s driving skills but it was his inter personnal skills that impressed me more. Earlier this year, we reunited behind the wheel of a Q50 at Mosport, in Ontario, for a track day, when he again attempted to grey what remains of my hair. Before we roared off at high speed, I told him
how his signed cap had raised a $150 for a teenager dying of can-cer. Th e sale had assisted in send-ing the kid and his family for a last vacation together before he died. He visibly gulped and expressed his pleasure at helping such a worthy cause. When he walked into the room in Spa, Belgium, the other week, he grinned, shook
my hand and reached for my new hat to signwhile others clamoured for his attention. It capped, you
might say, a great weekend, which began in Milton Keynes, home of the team’s factory. Th e behind-the-scenes tour took a small group of us around an extremely hi-tech produc-tion centre, employing more than 600 people. All dedicated to turning out two winning cars for two boy
racers – Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo! It was fascinating to see – as much as we were allowed – how great minds and skilled hands turn out a diff er-ent model every year virtually from scratch.Infi niti’s association is a very smart move for the up-market carmak-er. Th ere is much for the Hong Kong company to learn but its people have much to teach because of the parent company – Nissan – in-
volvement in hybrid and electric power-
plant technology. Th is year, F1 moved from V8s to turbo charged 1.6-litre
hybrid units.Driving the Q50 – designed to be a BMW 3 Series rival – was especially interesting given the road and weath-er conditions thrown at us. Th e least challenging portion was the time aboard the train beneath the English
Channel to France, as you will read!Th e weekend at the races was defi nitely the
ultimate F1 experience in terms of the race view and the ostentatious hospitality (visit the extended stories and picture galleries online at driveway-bc.ca).Auto West Infi niti is pleased to share this thrilling ride.
from the south of England to the Belgian Grand Prix, starting with an exclusive tour of a top-secret Formula One team factory.
By Keith Morgan
Auto West Infi niti, a dedicated Infi niti sales and service centre located in the Richmond Auto Mall, is committed to consistently premium service build customer relationships .
“He took the wheel of his Vettel special edition FX50 and burned some rubber for
my amusement.”
“Infi niti’s association is a very smart move for the
upmarket carmaker.”Auto West Infi niti invites you for a drive aboard an Infi niti Q50…
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Q50…
2014 Infiniti QX60 Crossover2014 Infiniti Q60 Coupe
Finance Rate
0.9 % 1 . 9 % Exclusive 48-month lease for a limited time.
Lease Rate
$8,500 insavings
Up to
2014 Infiniti Q50 Sports Sedan
*
†
**
TIME IS THE ONLY LUXURY YOU DON'T HAVE. OFFERS ON 2014 MODELS END SEPTEMBER 30TH.
During Auto West Infiniti's Inspired Sales Event, experience available features like Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, RearView Monitor and over three
hundred horsepower. Plus, with great offers only available until September 30th, it turns out that good things come to those who don’t wait.
AUTO WEST INFINITITHE INSPIRED SALES EVENT
13720 Smallwood Place, Richmond, BC autowestinfiniti.ca
Selling price for a 2014 Q50 (Q4XG74 AA00)/2014 QX60 (J6XG14 AA00) is $45,942/$47,269. *0.9% finance offer applicable to 2014 Infiniti Q50 models up to a 60-month term. **1.9% lease offer applicable to 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 models up to a 48-month term. Lease is based on a maximum of 16,000km per year with excess charged at $0.15/km. †Cash purchase price for a 2014 Q60 Coupe (G2TG74 AA00) is $40,295. Price includes $8,500 discount. During the Offer Period, qualified finance or lease customers of a new 2014 Q60 Luxury Sports Coupe are eligible to receive $8,500 (deducted from the negotiated selling price of the vehicle before taxes), which consists of: (i) a $5,000 non-stackable cash discount; and (ii) a $3,500 IFS Captive Cash Discount. Freight and PDE charges of $1,995 and all applicable levies and charges are included. License, registration, insurance and all applicable taxes are extra. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Offers valid until midnight on September 30, 2014. Offers are available on approved credit through Infiniti Financial Services for a limited time, may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Certain conditions may apply. Vehicle and wheels may not be exactly as shown. See Auto West Infiniti or autowestinfiniti.ca for complete details.
604.231.9378
Selling price for a 2014 Q50 (Q4XG74 AA00)/2014 QX60 (J6XG14 AA00) is $45,942/$47,269. *0.9% finance offer applicable to 2014 Infiniti Q50 models up to a 60-month term. **1.9% lease offer applicable to 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 models up to a 48-month term. Lease is based on a maximum of 16,000km per year with excess charged at $0.15/km. †Cash purchase price for a 2014 Q60 Coupe (G2TG74 AA00) is $40,295. Price includes $8,500 discount. During the Offer Period, qualified finance or lease customers of a new 2014 Q60 Luxury Sports Coupe are eligible to receive $8,500 (deducted from the negotiated selling price of the vehicle before taxes), which consists of: (i) a $5,000 non-stackable cash discount; and (ii) a $3,500 IFS Captive Cash Discount. Freight and PDE charges of $1,995 and all applicable levies and charges are included. License, registration, insurance
and all applicable taxes are extra. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Offers valid until midnight on September 30, 2014. Offers are available on approved credit through Infiniti Financial Services for a limited time, may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Certain conditions may apply. Vehicle and wheels may not be exactly as shown. See Auto West Infiniti or autowestinfiniti.ca for complete details.
Page 22 · Richmond Review Friday, September 19, 2014
ENGLANDMilton Keyes
London
FRANCE
BELGIUM
★
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps,
Belgium
Top secret Infi niti factory
ENMiltonlton Keyeslton
LondonL
FR
★★★★
Milton Keynes, England: Th e security here seemingly rivals that of the most top-secret government institutions.“Without the proper fi nger you can’t get in,” says Red Bull’s Silvia Halfar, grin-ning while prod-ding the fi nger-print scanner. Th e door clicks open to the Infi niti-Red Bull Racing factory, where we would observe the hi-tech pro-duction tech-niques behind the success of four-time world F1 champion driver Sebastian Vettel and the four Construc-tors’ Championship titles earned by the team.Th e design genius is indisputably Adrian Newey. With ten Constructors’ Champi-onships under his belt, won with three diff erent teams – Williams F1, McLaren and now Infi niti-Red Bull – he has no rival.“Adrian draws up to 100 designs (car parts and components) a week and I mean draws, literally,” informs Silvia. His work is scanned and 3D print-ers generate models for testing.It’s not a one-man show: more than 600 people design, test, build and assemble the hundreds of thousands of parts required for the race cars driven by Vet-tel and Daniel Ricciardo. Every season, the 110-strong design team produces a new car, which conforms to the strict F1 regula-tions. A super computer tests every part virtually, before a new model hits the former Concorde jet wind tunnel in nearby Bedford. Its processing power is a closely guarded secret but it’s greater than 35,000 iPads combined.Diff erent parts are designed for ev-ery racetrack, sometimes within 24 hours of a race. Th e race simulator is out of bounds but we learn new part
profi les are fed in and tested virtually by the driv-ers on any of the F1 circuits programmed into the machine. It was likely overworked this year as the old V8 engines were replaced with turbo-pow-ered 1.6-litre V6 hybrid powerplants.
Th ere are no underground tunnels be-tween the four buildings so when a secret race-winning part is pro-duced what happens? Silvia laughs: “Well, then we put it on a tea trolley, cover it with a towel and wheel it across the road.”
Shortly before leaving, we visit the operations room, where live data is an-alyzed and information fed back to the racetrack. “After one race the winning team Tweeted a picture of their ops
room…we could see who was in the room and what programs they were running on their monitors.”With that, the exit door buzzed and the cool air rushed in to take our places.
Top Secret: Inside the Infi niti-Red Bull Racing factory
Race route not for the fast and furious…Milton Keynes, England: As we each climbed into a gleaming Infi niti Q50 sports sedan, one killjoy warned the road to the Belgian Grand Prix would be like a dance – quick, quick, slow.Th e tour of the Infi niti-Red Bull Racing factory had us pumped and ready to roar Sebastian Vettel-like, along the UK’s motorway network to Folkestone, Kent. Th ere we would take Le Shuttle train beneath the waves of the English Channel to France and on to Spa, Belgium. It would be a 600-kilometre drive (374 miles) and take less than six hours. Th e doom-sayer was right, try ten hours!
By Keith Morgan
Infi niti editor Keith Morgan gets ready to go in an Infi niti
Q50 Sports Sedan
Red Bull’s Christian Horner at the factory wind tunnel
Visit the Infiniti gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca
“Without the proper fi nger you can’t get in,” says Silvia Halfar,
grinning while prodding the fi ngerprint scanner.
1The Blind Spot Intervention® System is not a substitute for proper lane change procedures. The systems will not prevent contact with other vehicles or accidents or detect every vehicle or object around you. 2Lane Departure Prevention System operates only when the lane markings are clearly visible on the road. Speed limitations apply. See owner’s manual for details. 3PFCW is intended to warn you before a collision occurs; it cannot prevent a collision. Speed limitations apply. Always drive safely. The INFINITI names, logos, product names, feature names, and slogans are trademarks owned by or licensed to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., and/or its North American subsidiaries. U.S. model shown. See your nearest Infiniti retailer or infiniti.ca for complete details.
Join Infiniti Canada on infiniti.ca2014 INFINITI Q50
With innovative technologies like Blind Spot Intervention1, Lane
Departure Prevention2, and Predictive Forward Collision Warning3, the
Infiniti Q50 sees accidents before they happen to help ensure they don’t.
Q50Sports Sedan
PREDICTS DANGERSBEFORE THEY’RE DANGEROUS.
Friday, September 19, 2014 Richmond Review · Page 23
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – Champers is the breakfast of champions here at the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix.If $3,500 is burning a hole in your jeans, you can enjoy all the Formula One Paddock Club fi zz that
fl ows freely on qualifying day Saturday and race day Sunday.As a guest of Infi niti-Red Bull Racing, one feels duty bound to get value for the championship F1 team’s generous contribution to the Belgian coff ers. Judging by some race goers uneasy gait after the victory by Infi niti-Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo – not our crowd, of course – they were closer to their consumption targets.Th e Paddock Club off ers a magnifi cent view of the fast and the fashionable, perhaps the most cutting edge conspicuous among the latter category being my suit designer pal Duncan Quinn, from New York, in his red suit. It was so eye-catching that Sebastian Vettel remarked on its sharpness.While he drew the admiring looks of the Shell F1 gals, the rest of us made for the never-ending buff et. It featured such culinary delights as veal shank and rack of spring lamb, served with sweet corn terrine, sautéed summer
vegetables, oven roasted pumpkin and port wine
jus. Th e Chateau Villa Bel Air 2011
from Bordeaux was the perfect complement.Icy treats, desserts, anyone? – 1,000 calories a look. Time to take a pit stroll, access via the
‘Millionaires’ trailer park’, where owners wine and dine. On Saturday, the team’s garage boomed with music but now the crew was in serious race mode. Outside they practiced pit stop changes, as they do
daily at their Milton Keynes HQ. (Th ey hold the world record for a wheel change in 1.923 seconds!) Every one-hundredth of a second can mean the diff erence between a win and loss. Knowing they
were working so hard, I almost felt guilty tucking into the gratinated lobster, arugula and artichoke salad, while quaffi ng the Mumm’s champagne.
However, plain sailing it was not as we encountered motorway chaos to the EuroTunnel. It was equal parts low-gear slow crawl, near-posted speed limit bursts – enabling a few paddle-fl ipping-gear changes – and parking pauses long enough to test the eight-position power seat adjustments and play with the large dual touch screen infotainment displays. Th e navigation system ‘lady’ suggested we take the M25 the opposite way around London. Whoops. Should have ignored her.Nevertheless, this was all a blessing because the car was forced to perform in adverse conditions and its mettle/metal was truly tested.Extended time at the wheel of a 328-horsepower 3.7-litre V6 version (starts at $37,500) and a Hybrid ($10,000 more) with a 3.5-litre engine left me scratching my head about which would be my choice. Both provide a quiet, comfortable drive, not averse to a sprint when necessary, all aided by a seven-speed auto transmission that is as a smooth as a baby’s you-know-what. All-wheel-drive would be an option I would choose on either model.Th e drive mode selector off ers snow, eco, standard, sport and personal settings – my drive partner and I invented the new exceptionally slow mode. Interestingly, the constantly changing
speed limits fl ashing above helped show off the predictive forward collision technology. If you trust the car ahead, the radar-controlled gizmo will govern your speed and braking automatically. You soon fi gure whether he’s trustworthy or not. In addition, lane control keeps you on the straight and narrow should you drift into that passing
car you were alerted to by another warning system. Th anks to the $320 fl exi pass, we rolled with ease onto the train and smirked at the lineup with the $120 tickets. About 40 minutes later, we were enjoying the French countryside, travelling for extended periods at the construction zone speed of 30 klicks.Darkness enveloped the road ahead but our way through Belgium was lit by the most spectacular electric storm. Ah yes, the
windshield wipers performed effi ciently in a downpour of Biblical proportions.
Along the way, refl ective signs urged us to visit such historic locations as Dunkirk, Bruges and Brussels, but we steamed on determined to reach Spa, birthplace of
Agatha Christie’s fi ctional detective Hercule Poirot. Vettel showed off a prototype of the
super-powered Q50 Eau Rouge version, named for the Belgian track’s famous corner. Perhaps a repeat of the
route, including scenic diversions, in
a production Eau Rouge would be fun. Just saying.
2014 Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps
The Fast and the fashionable
“The four-time F1 champ infl uenced the production of the sharp-looking Q50
we drove to race weekend. “
“Along the way, refl ective signs urged us to visit
Four time champ Sebastian Vettel is the famous face of Infi niti-Red Bull Racing
Sebastian Vettel practice laps
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo wins at Spa
Page 24 · Richmond Review Friday, September 19, 2014
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ntag
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ash C
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icle m
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e pur
chas
ed, r
egist
ered
and d
elive
red b
y Sep
temb
er 30
, 201
4. Ca
sh in
cent
ives i
nclud
e tax
es an
d are
appli
ed af
ter t
axes
have
been
char
ged o
n the
full a
moun
t of t
he ne
gotia
ted p
rice.
See t
oyot
a.ca f
or co
mplet
e det
ails o
n all c
ash b
ack o
ffers
. †††
Semi
-mon
thly
lease
offe
r ava
ilable
thro
ugh T
oyot
a Fina
ncial
Ser
vices
on ap
prov
ed cr
edit
to qu
alifie
d ret
ail cu
stom
ers o
n mos
t 24,
36, 4
8 and
60 m
onth
leas
es of
new
and d
emon
stra
tor T
oyot
a veh
icles
. Firs
t sem
i-mon
thly
paym
ent d
ue at
leas
e inc
eptio
n and
next
mon
thly
paym
ent d
ue ap
prox
imat
ely 15
days
late
r and
semi
-mon
thly
ther
eafte
r thr
ough
out t
he te
rm. T
oyot
a Fina
ncial
Se
rvice
s will
waiv
e the
final
paym
ent. S
emi-m
onth
ly lea
se of
fer c
an be
comb
ined w
ith m
ost o
ther
offe
rs ex
cludin
g the
Firs
t Pay
ment
Free
and E
ncor
e offe
rs. F
irst P
ayme
nt Fr
ee of
fer is
valid
for e
ligibl
e TFS
Leas
e Ren
ewal
cust
omer
s only
. Toy
ota s
emi-m
onth
ly lea
se pr
ogra
m ba
sed o
n 24 p
ayme
nts p
er ye
ar, on
a 60
-mon
th le
ase,
equa
ls 12
0 pay
ment
s, w
ith th
e fina
l 120
th pa
ymen
t waiv
ed by
Toyo
ta Fi
nanc
ial S
ervic
es. C
ompe
titive
bi-w
eekly
leas
e pr
ogra
ms ba
sed o
n 26 p
ayme
nts p
er ye
ar, on
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-mon
th le
ase,
equa
ls 13
0 pay
ment
s. No
t ope
n to e
mploy
ees o
f Toy
ota C
anad
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yota
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or TM
MC/
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hicle
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ee yo
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yota
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etail
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sit yo
ur To
yota
BC
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r or w
ww.
toyo
tabc
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e det
ails.
Some
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ime l
imite
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may
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ge w
ithou
t not
ice. D
ealer
may
leas
e/se
ll for
less
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The 2014 Fiat 500C. This tester has a sticker price of $23,995.
Topless Fiat fl awed but that’s part of its charmby Alexandra Straub
The top is down. The sun is shining. It’s not a bad day to be stuck in down-town traffic.
John Legend’s “All of Me” comes on the radio while behind the wheel of the 2014 Fiat 500C. As I wait in the Georgia Street parking lot, I listen intently to the song. Some lyrics of the song are: “Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfec-tions.”
Hmmmm.
As I contemplate this, it applies directly to the pint-sized Fiat I’m captaining.
In fact, there are imperfections about this four-seater that drive me crazy but I can’t seem to dislike it.
One example is the sound that greets you as you enter its cabin. There is nothing melodic about it. No mellifluous ding-dong ding-done; just a harsh monotone noise that seems to stay longer than an uninvited party guest. Even passengers comment-ed on how annoying it is.
The volume buttons on the dash really should be knobs. You should be able to crank up The awesome Beats premium audio system in a hurry, not push by push. (It’s worth the ad-ditional $495 price tag.)
Visibility is mediocre at best, especially with the top up. The canvas roof doesn’t allow for great visibility when backing up – top up or down – but thankfully there are backup sensors that help guide you into the spot you want to be in.
The trunk only hosts 269 L. Unless you’re packing light, or just ditching the bags and merely bringing a debit card with you on a road trip, fitting four people inside and their luggage will be a chal-lenge. On the plus side, the drop top doesn’t take away any precious space when open.
Then there’s the optional TomTom navigation that sits atop the dash and cuts into one’s forward visibility. An awkward spot for GPS system. Pairing a Bluetooth device isn’t that straight-forward either.
Not to mention, the 500C, with its 1.4L engine and humble 101 horsepow-er and 98 lb-ft of torque isn’t a stable stallion. Despite its lack of power,
pressing the Sport button helps it feel a little peppier. The 5-speed manual trans-mission is hardly a chore, even when I’m just inching along at a snail’s pace.
While its imperfections should cause me to think about ever wanting to drive or own one, I still can’t seem to stop loving this little car. I like its quirkiness and the fact that it’s not perfect.
I love the exterior colour: Espresso. It sparkles in the sun and has a warm rich-ness to it.
When matched with the two-toned leather-trimmed bucket seats, it looks styl-ish and chic.
Bringing the outside in, the espresso paint also colours to life the dash. Combined with ivory touches, it has an upscale ambiance.
The tester, being the Lounge trim of 500C, it has an MSRP of $23,995.
That comes with keyless entry, a chrome shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel (and the aforemen-tioned leather seating surfaces with heated front seats), 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, hill start assist and more.
When not stuck in traffic, the 500C actually remains quiet on the open road, with the top up, of course. It certainly doesn’t handle like its race-primed sibling, the Abarth, but still man-ages to turn on a dime when required.
Furthermore, if you want to shed some light on the cabin, there are three settings you can use at the push of a button. One is a sunroof-like option, the next goes about 2/3 of the way down, and the last is all the way down. Either way, you have options on how much Vitamin D you’d like to consume.
alexandra.straub@ drivewaybc.ca
Friday, September 19, 2014 Richmond Review · Page 25
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