Friday, April 4, 2014
Richmond Review · Page 13
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Welcome to the driver’s seat
If you have ever questioned that Kia knows how to make good quality cars just look at these new products. Zack Spencer
Visit the 2014 Kia photo gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca
Kia taking on the small cars from the big guys
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA – Kia rounds out its attack on the country’s best-selling cars with the launch of the final two models to the Forte lineup. Last year Kia introduced their all-new Forte sedan to compete with such top sellers as the Honda Civic, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra. This week, the 5-door hatchback version called Forte5 and the coupe, called Forte Koup begin arriving in dealerships. The launch of these two vehicles took us from Huntington Beach, California, through the mountains and desert to Borrego Springs and then back through the mountains to San Diego. The terrain varies from massive California highways to very twisty mountain passes and vast desert valleys. Stunning scenery and a recommended drive for any sightseer or driving enthusiast. Looks The Forte5 is the more practical of the two new Kias with a hatchback design that sets it apart from the competition. Many competitors don’t offer a hatch so this is sure to be noticed by people who need extra storage and passenger room. Sold with a new base 2.0L engine or an optional 1.6L turbo engine, there are varied looks depending on which trim is chosen. The non-turbo Forte5 gets a front grille similar to the sedan with a smaller lower intake and a larger grille opening. The Forte5 SX turbo gets the same grille as the Koup, with the opposite
front treatment, a bigger lower opening and a injection engine with a solid 201hp and 195 lb.smaller, more aggressive grille. The great news ft. of torque that comes on at a very low 1750 is that all Forte5 and Koup models come with RPM. The turbo also gets a stiffer suspension, alloy wheels; 16-inches on the Forte5 and 18bigger wheels, sharper steering feel and shorter inch alloys on the turbo version. The Koup has gear ratios from first to third gear. This makes 17-inch base alloys or 18-inches on the turbo. the car livelier and handles better but it also Inside makes the car a bit twitchy on the highway I drove the top Turbo version of the Forte5 and when driving straight. the base, non-turbo version of the The base 2.0L would be my choice. Koup. Both have an amazing level 173hp is loads for a car of this of interior refinement. If you have size and the smaller wheels and ever questioned that Kia knows less aggressive suspension might how to make good quality cars, be a better day-to-day driver. Eijust look at these new products. ther way, Kia has kicked things up The switches and dials look and a notch and both are fun to drive feel first rate and the layout is and never feel underpowered. logical and easy to use. Verdict Koup can actually fit adults up Kia has been The Forte5 starts at $19,495 and to six feet. The dash has either a growing steadily since tops out at $28,395 for a turbo conventional radio layout with with navigation. The Koup comes a smaller screen but when the it entered Canada backup camera is added on either fifteen years ago and with a few extra standard features model, the screen jumps to 6-inchand it runs from $20,895-$28,695. with new products es and becomes a touchscreen Some might think that the higher device. If the buyer wants the like the Forte5 and end models are getting expensive navigation system, then the top but they have features such as Koup, there is no turbo model with luxury package reason to believe the dimming rearview mirrors, power is needed. outside mirrors and heated rear trend will end. The front seats sit high off the seats that are not generally availfloor for good outward visibility. able in this class. Zack Spencer What continues to amaze me is Kia has been growing steadily the level of equipment Kia offers since it entered Canada 15 years from standard Bluetooth and satellite radio to ago, and with new products like the Forte5 and optional heated and cooled seats, heated rear Koup, there’s no reason to believe the trend seats, heated steering wheel, power folding will end. outside mirrors and more. True luxury touches. zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca Drive The Lowdown Kia has put some punch into both the base and Power: 1.8L 4-cylinder with 132hp or 140hp turbo versions of the Forte5 and Koup. The base Fill-up: 8.6L/5.8L/100km engine is a large 2.0L direct injection engine (city/highway Forte5 auto) with 173hp. In comparison, the top selling Civic has 143hp. The turbo model gets a 1.6L direct Sticker price: $19,495-$28,395
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Question of the week: As spring approaches, new drivers will be as common as the blossoms on the trees. Should a course of professional driver training be mandatory for all new drivers?
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Please explain why you have made that decision. Go to DrivewayCanada.ca QUESTION to submit your answer and you could OF THE WEEK! win a $100 Safeway gift card.
Safety Tip: Auto crime incidents continue to plummet across the province but there’s still more we can do to deter thieves and protect our vehicles. Use an anti-theft device, park in secure, well-lit areas, remove all valuables and always lock your doors.
Confessions of a Curber... Meet Walt. He lives with his wife and two teenagers in a quiet neighbourhood. Walt goes to work every morning, provides for his family and chats with his neighbours. Walt has a secret. He’s no Walter White from“Breaking Bad.” But, his love for quick cash and high profits drive him to a sideline that makes us all a little less safe and costs some their savings. Walt is a curber. Walt has no shame! This week he sells a stolen car.
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Page 14 · Richmond Review
Friday, April 4, 2014
driveway
Five misleading car names Jeep Grand Cherokee: Rugged beauty is more than skin deep
by Rob Sass
Few things in the development of a new car are more crucial than the name. In the case of a bland or mediocre car, it’s the last chance the marketers have to generate some buzz. That may well be why some of the most ordinary cars have wound up with some of the fiercest and flashiest names. Here are five inappropriately named cars: 1. Chevrolet Sprint — The Sprint was built by Suzuki for Chevrolet. Powered by a rather anemic three-cylinder engine, its acceleration off the line resembled not so much a sprint but more of a drunken stumble. Its Suzuki-badged counterpart was known by an equally inappropriate name, the Swift. 2. Mercury Bobcat — A bobcat is a rather fierce North American wild cat. The Mercury Bobcat, on the other hand, was essentially a fancy Ford Pinto over laden with chrome trim and other options that added on additional pounds, sacrificing what little performance the Pinto possessed. While the feline Bobcat is plentiful in the wild, the Mercury version is all but extinct. 3. Hyundai Excel — The Excel was first car sold by Hyundai in the U.S., and given the top-to-bottom excellence of the current Hyundai lineup, it’s probably a car they’d prefer to forget. Other than
by Ian Harwood
The Mercury Bobcat. cheapness, the Excel essentially excelled at nothing — unless someone handed out an award for “crudest interior” or “oddest-smelling plastic.” 4. AMC Hornet — The hornet is one pugnacious insect, and as anyone who has ever been on the wrong side of one can attest, they definitely can sting. With the exception of the rare S/C 360 version from 1971, the AMC Hornet was a pleasantlooking and practical compact sedan/ wagon/hatchback without much of a sting. 5. Hudson Jet — Jet planes were on the mind of nearly every car designer and ad man in the U.S. during the 1950s. Fins, bogus jet intakes, jet exhausts and jet hood ornaments found their way onto countless cars. Curiously, there was nothing even slightly swoopy or jet-like about the Hudson Jet. It was a thoroughly upright and conventional compact.
Confessions of a Curber
Noodling on the web one morning I found out that I was selling vehicles illegally. If I was in the business of selling, I need to be licensed as a dealer. Oh well. Everything’s been working out just fine for me. I skated through those recent bad deals. My previous sales were a distant memory – I was eager to start selling more. So, I decided to up my game a bit. I got a low-end truck and a car from an auction and another car from a new parking lot friend. I put ads for all three vehicles on Craigslist. Of course my ads said they were all real gems. You’d think people might see through my ads. “Need to sell fast, so price is flexible. Call with best offer.” And my cell number was the same for all three. Would anybody notice? The first two cheaper vehicles sold quickly. The last one took a bit longer to sell. Of course, it was the one I was most eager to sell. Why, you ask? Well, not that I passed the information along, but the auction provided vehicle history reports for the first two. I had no information on the last. So, I bought ICBC and CarProof vehicle history reports. I wanted to educate myself. To my surprise, there was a statement in both reports that the vehicle was possibly “stolen*.” I knew I had to sell it fast. I mean, I’d paid for it and I knew my new “friend” wouldn’t take it back. Four days later, I got a call from a young
“Apart from being stolen, it was pretty nice!” woman. She asked if the car would fit a family of four. “Definitely!” I practically screamed. I was a wreck during this sale. I just needed to get rid of this car – fast. I told the nice lady the details of the car. Apart from being stolen, it was pretty nice! I told her I was in a hurry to visit my mum in the hospital. She was in a hurry too – her three-year-old was anxious, pulling at her pant legs. She seemed to not want to be there as much as me. Finally, she agreed to buy the car. Phew! I was saved. Whatever happens next, I don’t care. It’s her problem not mine. I quickly changed my phone number (again). Weeks later, I saw her on the news – with kid still at pant legs – talking to a reporter. Apparently, the car was towed away by the police. And yes, she was trying to find me. Had I covered my tracks? I agonized.
*How can a stolen vehicle be sold? Curbers often break the law by bridging a title. Instead of registering a vehicle in their name within 10 days after a purchase, as required, they leave it in the name of the previous owner. This keeps their name out of the chain of title and from being caught with a stolen vehicle or one that would not be able to be registered or insured for another reason.
Buying used? We’re looking out for you. Find out how at WatchoutforWalt.com
The all-new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a luxury sport ute that attracts a lot of attention. The body styling went through some major changes this year and is very different to the previous version that had more chiseled and square edges. This vehicle is refined and more rounded. If it wasn’t for the traditional Jeep grille you would think this was a Volvo or an Audi. The first thing you notice is the new LED lighting that wraps around the HID headlamps, it gives it a very sophisticated and contemporary look. Jeep did not sacrifice its off road capabilities. Options are; Quadra-Trac 1 that features full time on demand fourwheel drive with single speed transfer case and equal torque split (50 front/50 rear) with brake control. Quadra-Trac 11, with a 2 speed transfer case with low range and variable torque distribution that delivers up to a 100 percent front or rear. Quadra-Lift air suspension that lifts four corners of the vehicle to provide the best in class ground clearance of 272 mm that will allow you to negotiate just about any terrain you encounter. The Summit model has a gorgeous interior, all the bells and whistles. Premium Nappa leather seats with heated/vented 12 way power front seats. The steering wheel is heated and wrapped in leather with sections of wood. The instrument panel, doors, and centre console are also leather stitched. The Power lift gate that can be controlled via the remote to make life easier loading and unloading cargo. Be careful at night, with the lift gate open it’s hard to see the bottom of the gate and if you’re not careful you will be wearing the lock mechanism as a tattoo on your forehead, don’t ask how I know. With this model, you get the navigation screen complete with a backup camera. There is also an optional rear seat DVD system. There is an optional stability control with anti-roll, hill start assist, trailer
The all-new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. sway control. Front air V6 that has been on bags with reactive head the Ward’s 10 best rest restraints, and side engine list for three curtain airbags. Forward years. It delivers 290 collision warning system horsepower and 260 detects whether you are lb-ft of torque. There is approaching another a 5.7L VVT V8 with 360 vehicle too rapidly and horsepower and 390 lbalerts you to take action. ft of torque and delivers I remember as Parkview/ Park-sense a surprisingly 9.9L/100 a kid, wearing my Park assist systems that km on the highway. The Sunday best and then last engine choice is the help see what perhaps you would not see when going out and playing 6.4L HEMI V8 which is backing up. available on the SRT in the mud! With Four engine choices model. It delivers 470 this Jeep, you push a horsepower and 465 here. The first is a 3.0L button, hike up the Ecodiesel V6 that an lb-ft of torque, all these amazing 420 lb-ft of engines come with an 8 truck, and go have torque and 240 horsespeed automatic transsome fun! power. My tester was mission. Basic warranty equipped with the fuel coverage is for three Ian Harwood frugal diesel – 9.8 /7.0 years or 60,000 km L/100 km (city/highway). I remember as a kid, The second is a 3.6 L Pentastar VVT wearing my Sunday best and then going out and playing in the mud! With this Jeep, you push a button, hike up the Sticker price: truck, and go have some fun! Price as tested: $54,395 I was very surprised that it was able Laredo: $39,995 to perform off-road given that it has Limited: $47,895 undergone some dramatic changes to Overland: $55,895 the body and the ride comfort, but like Summit: $60,895 all Jeeps it is built to take a punishment. ian.harwood@drivewaybc.ca SRT: $63,495
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Friday, April 4, 2014
Richmond Review · Page 15
driveway
Marvelling at a new Mercedes in Marseille Sport Package that includes AMG trim upgrades, wheels and front brake system. Marseille, France – The mid-sized The C-class has classic rear-drive C-Class is the most popular and vehicle proportions with a long affordable Mercedes-Benz sedan and hood (with a choice of two front about 8.5 million of them have been grilles) and a short rear deck. It produced, since it was originally looks like a smaller version of the introduced in 1993. top-line, and redesigned last year, Mercedes engineering typically Superbly S-class, especially the new LED operates on a seven-year “circle of engineered, headlights and taillights. Compared life” production run and an all-new technically to the current C-Class it’s longer, generation of C-Class will arrive lower and wider and is now close in in Canada, as a 2015 model year sophisticated and size to a 90s E-Class. Its extended vehicle, this summer. pleasure to drive. wheelbase also helps create more In brief, it’s a bigger and better Bob McHugh interior space, especially for rear C-Class, however, real progress is seat passengers. in the details. This C-Class is lighter, The big change under-hood is a four-cylinder tursafer, comes with a choice of two more powerful bocharged 2.0-litre, in the C300, that’s max rated (yet more fuel-efficient) new engines, uses even more advanced technologies, plus its body is more at 235 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. While it produces more power than the outgoing base aerodynamic and, to my eyes, better looking. V6, I found the initial power surge, when you push The South of France global launch location, even on the gas pedal, overly aggressive. In fairness, the though I had to share it with over 800 other auto North American edition will come with different hacks, was another nice bonus—more later... throttle mapping. There’s no pricing available at this time, but we The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 in the C400, do know the initial trim levels offered in Canada on the other hand, is a beauty. It can pump-out up will be a C300 and a C400. A sporty AMG edition, to 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. More called the C63, will also be added to the line in importantly, it does so in a quieter, smoother and January 2015. Although not official, a diesel edieffortless fashion that most drivers expect when at tion is also expected to be added in 2015. At this event Mercedes was also showing a Euro-destined the wheel of a Mercedes. Both engines come with idle fuel saving start/stop systems and are mated to hybrid-diesel edition. a 7-speed automatic transmission. An optional (Airmatic) air suspension is offered The list of standard and available high-tech acfor the first time in C-Class. It allows a driver tive safety features is simply amazing. It includes to choose between Comfort, Eco, Sport, and almost everything that’s available in the top-line Sport+ settings via an Agility Select switch on the S-Class, which is touted as the world’s safest car. console. The 4MATIC all-wheel drive system is, as Intelligent Drive is an optional suite of technologies before, the other major option. Also available is a by Bob McHugh
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An all-new generation of C-Class will arrive in Canada this summer. that includes autonomous braking with pedestrian recognition, a low-speed heavy traffic auto-pilot feature, active parking assist and a 360-degree camera setup with numerous views of immediate surroundings. Bordering on frivolous, there’s an Air-Balance in-car perfuming system ... to prolong that newcar Mercedes smell. Another one is a GPS-linked climate-control system tech feature that automatically switches it to “recirculation” mode when a C-Class is driven into a tunnel. Even with the (100 kg) weight reduction, this C-Class is sublimely stable on the road. The switch to a full electronic assist rack and pinion steering system, called Direct Steer, is also flawless. There are fuel economy and active safety benefits. Inside the seating is typical Mercedes with easy
to find power controls on the door panel. Generous in size, yet excellent support and a good range of adjustable elements didn’t give my weak back a reason to complain, even after many hours of driving. The restyled dash is an elegant and less fussy design, thanks mainly to a new Touchpad controller that eliminates a multitude of switches. It can recognise both single and multi-finger gestures, wiping movements, zoom finger gestures, even user handwriting. That said, the stand-alone display screen looks out of place, as if an afterthought I-Pad was attached to the dash. Overall, this C-Class is sure to please both purists and newcomers. Superbly engineered, technically sophisticated and pleasure to drive. bob.mchugh@drivewaybc.ca
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