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B6 • Northern View • December 25, 2013
Be safe out there Many Driveway readers will hit the road soon to visit distant friends and loved ones to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Before you fire up the engine, please ponder the following thoughts because the Driveway crew wants you back home safe and sound at the end of this joyous season! ... You promised your distant family you would get there in time for dinner if it It’s not ideal out kills you. there at this time of Unfortunately, that’s exactly what year and you don’t happens at this time want to travel through of year: people get unfamiliar territory in killed because they darkness. undertake horrendously long road Keith Morgan trips over strange terrain. Resist the urge to tell your family exactly when you expect to arrive. Tell them to go ahead and eat, you’ll get something along the way.
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when driving during the holidays
What occurs too often is you end up setting yourself an unrealistic time to get there in your enthusiasm to re-unite with loved ones. You figure out the distance and divide it by the posted speed limit. Forget that; you’ll be lucky if you get near the posted limit in winter conditions. How do you figure how long it’s going to take to get to Aunt Maud’s this year? – Recall how long it took last June then add about 15 minutes for every hour to allow for inclement weather. In addition, if really bad weather is forecast you don’t add anything you just postpone the trip for 24 hours or longer. Also, if your most optimistic travel time estimate tops three hours don’t head out after work but wait until daybreak the next day. It’s not ideal out there at this time of year and you don’t want to travel through unfamiliar territory in darkness. Once you have set out, stop for a few minutes every hour along the way, walk around the car and draw a few deep breaths. Stop for coffee or take a Thermos if there’s no place to stop along the way. Traveling during the holidays can be dangerous, so be prepared. Zack Spencer Share the driving but if you’re alone and get - A scraper and a brush to rid your windshield of drowsy pull off for a nap or better still check into flares and reflectors. ice. a motel. Aunt Maud would prefer you to arrive - A Thermos of hot tea or coffee and some choc - A shovel to dig the snow from around the tires alive tomorrow than have you arrive dead on time bars for energy. and a piece of carpet to use as a traction pad. tonight. - Warm clothes within easy reach and blankets in - A first aid kit, a flashlight, matches and a candle A list for travellers...don’t leave home without it. case you get stranded. to help you find where you stowed the first aid kit. - Road maps for finding your way if you don’t have keith.morgan@drivewaybc.ca - Some extra fuses, belts and hoses, tools, road satellite navigation.
Tough acts to follow: By Rob Sass Most of the time, the automotive world doesn’t serve up a “Godfather II,” the rare sequel that is the equal or better of the original. Sometimes, you get “Godfather III.” Here are cars that today are regarded as classics in their own right, but initially had a hard time living up to the legacy of their predecessors: 1. 1958 Thunderbird: The original two-seater 1955-57 Thunderbirds — or “Baby Birds” — were recognized as classics almost as soon as they went out of production. They were replaced by a larger four-seater that came to be known as “The Square Bird.” While the Square Bird was an immensely popular car that handily outsold its predecessor, the original two-seater remains the one that most people think of when the topic of T-Birds comes up. 2. 1979 Datsun 280ZX: The 280ZX had the misfortune of following one of the all-time greatest classic sports cars, the Datsun 240/260/280Z. And it also committed the cardinal sin in the eyes of sports car enthusiasts (although not necessarily in the eyes of the buying public) of being heavier and more luxurious. It was derided by the magazines of
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the time as being a flashy “discomobile,” and collectors are only now starting to realize the merits of the comfy and more grownup ZX. 3. 1971 Oldsmobile Toronado: The first generation Toronado that appeared in 1966 was a stylistic and engineering tour de force. Reminiscent of the great classic Cord 810 of 1936, it was a milestone car for GM. Hardly anyone remembers its successor, the second generation Toronado. Where the ’66 broke the mold, the ’71 was the mold for generic American luxury cars of the 1970s. 4. 1976 Jaguar XJS: This one had the extreme misfortune of replacing one of the most beautiful cars of all time, the Jaguar E-Type. So naturally, people were predisposed to hate it when it came out. Other than initial quality control issues, which have become legendary, the XJS was neither a bad nor ugly car — quite the contrary. But for Jaguar, lightning just couldn’t strike twice: There was simply no way that the XJS could be as lovely as the E-Type. 5. 1974 Ford Mustang II: The early 1970s were dark times for the automobile. The Arab Oil Embargo of 1973 put the brakes on large displacement high
The 1956 Ford Thunderbird was surpassed by its successor in 1958. performance engines. What was Ford to do about cars like the Mustang, whose reputation was built on V-8 performance? Replace it with a four-cylinder version based on the Pinto, of course. Although
The 2014 Range Rover After seeing many old Range Rovers around navigating the back roads and how bulky and cumbersome they look as they spin out rocks attempting a hill climb, or how the passengers seem to be bouncing around uncontrollably on what appears to be a very basic interior, I found myself thinking there must be some kind of special group of people that are attracted to this vehicle. Fast forward to today’s version of the Range Rover and you will find an outstanding front end that is easily recognized with the signature grille and projector style headlights. The trend setting side vents on the front fenders that’s is found on other vehicles and copied by the aftermarket. The large rear glass panels that extend up into the roof line making the overall appearance very clean looking and unique. The engine is a 510 horsepower, supercharged 5.0 litre V8 that puts out 461 lb-ft of torque @2500 RPM with a 6 speed automatic transmission. This transmission features Command Shift, which actively responds to your driving habits and road conditions by reconfiguring the shift patterns for optimum drivability in all situations and is mated with a two-speed electronically controlled transfer case. Four wheel electronic traction control, hill descent control, and four corner air suspension with terrain response not only makes this vehicle maneuver well on the road but can take you on some of the roughest
When the sequals shine
V-6s and V-8s were offered, it was the sting of the anemic four-banger that stuck with the II until Ford replaced it in 1979 with what would become the very good and very popular Fox body Mustang.
offers unique off-road luxury
back roads British Columbia has to offer. The terrain response system gives the Range Rover outstanding off-road capabilities, it adapts the response of the vehicles engine, transmission, centre coupling and chassis system to the terrain you’re driving on. It also maintains driver comfort as well as maximizing traction. Terrain response works continuously, but the driver can change the setting depending on the terrain conditions, for example: mud and ruts, snow, or sand. Hill descent control automatically controls and restricts the speed downhill, using anti-lock brake system, and improves driver control on slippery descents. My first impression after climbing into the cab was of disbelief. I did not expect that level of comfort. The sight lines are amazing and the blind spot was almost non-existent. The rear seats had plenty of room for adults and the cargo area was adequate. The heated leather wrapped steering wheel featured all the controls one needed to operate the equipment without distraction. The front and rear seats are heated. Power tilt/slide front sunroof and a large glass roof over the rear seats allow plenty of natural light in. It is top shelf quality through and through. Range Rover has a long history of making safe vehicles, and the Sport model is no exception. Driver and passenger front airbags are designed to provide head and chest protection, and the front seat side airbags protect against side impacts. There is also
The 1956 Ford Thunderbird was surpassed by its successor in 1958. a full length curtain airbag to help reduce potential of head injury and roll over ejection for front and rear passengers. Inflatable knee bolster helps protect the driver against leg injury from the steering column. Fuel economy is 16.2/10.4 L/100km (City/highway) Warranty 4 year/ 80,000 km Price as tested $125,575 Ian.harwood@drivewaybc.ca