Auto Guide #5 by Daily Herald Tribune

autonet.ca • May 17, 2012 • Volume 1, Issue 6

in the

zone • 2013 SUBARU BRZ

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#Limited time ﬁnancing offers based on new 2012 Honda models. Bi-weekly payment examples based on a new 2012 Civic Sedan DX MT, model FB2E2CEX available through Honda Financial Services on approved credit. MSRP is $16,485, and includes $1,495 freight and PDI, ﬁnanced at 1.99% APR with $0 down payment or equivalent trade equals $97.07 bi-weekly for 84 months. Cost of borrowing is $1,181.74 for a total obligation of $17,666.74. GST, license, insurance, environmental fees and registration are extra. ‡MSRP is $16,485 for a 2012 Civic Sedan DX MT, model FB2E2CEX and includes $1,495.00 freight and PDI. #/‡ Offers valid from May 1, 2012 through May 31, 2012 at participating Honda retailers. Offers valid only for Alberta residents at Honda Dealers of Alberta locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Visit HondaAlberta.ca or see your Honda retailer for full details.

Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Thursday, May 17, 2012

InsIde autonet.ca

8 COVer

New Subaru BRZ light, agile and a ton of fun to drive

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tIon

Compass offers an impressive array of options

THE PASSING LANE

May 17, 2012

CloSe enCOunters BUILD AND PRICE THIS CAR

Closer at all Costs seems to be the parking mantra of the day

Joe

duarte

joeduarte@sunmedia.ca

I’ll never understand some drivers’ obsessions with parking as close as possible to the entrance of a public place. Have we become so dependent on our vehicles that the thought of walking farther than a dozen steps is unfathomable? No wonder our children’s obesity rate is growing. Now, I am as guilty as the next guy or gal when there’s bad weather out … I’ll troll and wait in big-box store park-

ing lots for that one parking spot that’s just beyond the “mother with child” range; but when it’s nice out, I rather enjoy the walk, regardless of how full my arms may be on the way out. The other day (a nice shorts-andsandals type of spring day) I found a nice close spot nobody seemed to be paying much attention to. When I discovered it was actually a walkway (to help shoppers and their carts safely navigate the long rows of parked cars) that only seemed like a parking spot to my diminutive test car, I drove through and found a spot farther away. By the time I’d parked the car and walked to the entrance, two cars (larger than mine) had parked in that very area. Not only did they then force people to

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DEALER walk in unsafe areas (either for them or the cars parked around them) but SUBSCRIBE TO OUR challenging they also made it terribly for the young couple parked beside NEWSLETTER one of them to load up their infant. That brings up another problem. Today’s smaller parking spots (in order to fit in more cars) are not geared toward theREAD large pickupMOREor SUV-driving male, who seems to be the most prone to grabbing the closest possible parking spot to the entrance, rather than the farthest one where he can take up two spots without much inconvenience to other parkers. No, these gentlemen (and I use the term loosely)USED are more CAR apt to either park through to the next spot in order to not leave bodywork hanging out in the driving lane, and leaving little room for the car in front (or behind), or they park within the spot boundaCOMPARE ries and hang out in the driving lane. This also sets up challenges for the vehicles beside the behemoth to (a) get in or out of the parking spot due to the added bulky obstacle to visibility; and (b) make it doubly challenging for the other vehicle’s occupants to get in and out effectively. VIDEO I know this THE is more of a rant than a call to action because (a) today’s driver is far more busy than I, and (b) stores aren’t going to do anything about parkingPHOTO restrictions that may drive even one single shopper away, GALLERY but it doe s show the impor tance ONLINE placed on today’s vehicles in helping us get our routines over with as quickly as possible.

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Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Thursday, May 17, 2012

automakers Lead the charge

Eight automakers from around the globe showed off new harmonized fast charging technology at the 2012 Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles (EVS26). Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have collaborated to create what they call the Combined Charging System. The technology integrates four charging systems — one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, at-home DC-charging and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations — into one inlet. In other words, the system will incorp orate a single plug that can be inserted into one of several pos sible power sources, depending on where an EV The Combined Charging driver needs to System integrates four charge and the charging systems into type of power one inlet. delivery avail-

able. Current vehicles that can accept a DC charge have a separate inlet. The participating automakers claim a recharging time for most vehicles of as little as 15 minutes. Currently, charging some EVs from zero to full charge can take up to 20 hours or more when using a standard 120V electrical outlet. The Combined Charging System has been created to work with vehicles in both Europe and the United States, and plans are for chargers to be available by the end of 2012. Vehicles could begin using the technology starting in 2013. ACE A , the European association of vehicle manufacturers, has selected the Combined Charging System as its AC/ DC-charging interface for all new vehicle types in Europe beginning in 2017. The design of the system was chosen based on “the collaborative review and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and preferences of U.S. and European customers.” The Combined Charging System creates a uniform standard with identical electrical systems, charge controllers, package dimensions and safety mechanisms. It was developed for “all international vehi-

cle markets”, which leaves the possibility open for automakers from other markets such as Asia to use the system.

Dream machine brings sci-fi to life SyFy channel is helping to bring fantasy vehicles to life, and the latest is a futuristic dune-buggy type roadster sponsored by AutoTrader.com. The vehicle is the creation of Marc and Shannon Parker, whose Florida-based Parker Brothers Concepts is responsible for creating some of moviedom’s most memorable vehicles — the latest Batmobile and Tron’s light-cycles, for example. The shop and crew are the basis for the Dream Machines weekly reality show on SyFy that showcases vehicles from other media (television, films, comic books, etc.) and brings them to life. The latest Dream Machines project weighs in at 2,400 lbs., most of it taken up by the electric powertrain that can generate up to 500 hp. The media site claims a charge time of just two hours and a range of 48 km, though actual testing hasn’t be performed due to the car not yet being certified for real-world use. It measures 4,064 mm in length (riding

• Supplied photoS Mars Rover is the latest Dream Machine. on a 2,540 mm wheelbase) by 2,032 mm wide, and stands just 1,321 mm tall from BUILD ANDOpen to road to the top of the bodywork. PRICE CAR a clear the outside world, the car THIS features bullet-proof floor, and futuristic clear steering wheel and centre console, with an iPad as the touchscreen control centre. The vehicle, labelled as Mars Rover by SyFy, will reside at AutoTrader.com’s headquarters in Atlanta and will embark on a promotional tour during the upcoming auto show season. – QMI Agency

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Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Thursday, May 17, 2012

TEST DRIVE

2 0 1 2 j e e p c o m pas s n o rt h a l l s e as o n 4 x 4

compass points to comfort 2012 jeep compass scores top marks in interior comfort and offers a long list of options to suit your needs and budget

GLEn

WooDcock glen@manicgt.com

I f t h e 2 01 2 J e e p C o m p a s s were an athlete, it would have an asterisk next to its name in the record books. Yes, it did finish second in its class at the 2012 competition for Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY), but the only three competitors in that category — Best New SUV-CUV Under $35,000 — all were products of Chrysler Corp. So it was strictly a family affair as the Compass placed behind Dodge Journey but ahead of Jeep Wrangler. Our test vehicle is the Compass North All Season 4x4, just

one step down from the ultimate Limited version, but a long way from the base Sport 4x2 model which is more of an economy car than a real Jeep. For an MSRP of $17,200 it’s got lots of safety features, such as ABS and electronic stability control, but not much else in the way of creature comforts. Everything else is available from a long list of options. With a starting price of $23,340, the North All Season 4x4 doesn’t seem like a bad buy — and has some useful packages such as the Freedom Drive II OffRoad Group that turns it into something worthy of the Jeep nameplate. But whoever ordered our tester for Chrysler Canada’s media fleet really started to pile on the options. When they were done, it topped out at $31,395.

The Compass is not as tall as most cros sovers — in fact, it looks more like a wagon than a CUV. But it has a low centre of gravity, and with its fully indep endent susp ension sys tem, plus front and rear stabilizers, it really hugs the road. Unlike many rivals, it’s a treat to drive quickly through the esses, staying flat with little body roll. And, also unlike many rivals, it has the ability to go anywhere. On the console-mounted shifter, there’s a setting marked “L,” for low-range off-road use, which allows our Compass to crawl over rough terrain, and a 4WD button in the centre console to electrically lock the transfer case. Hill descent control and skid plates for the transmission, oil pan and fuel tank complete the picture.

• GLEn WooDcock/Qmi aGEncy The styling of the 2012 Jeep Compass North All Season 4x4 elicits positive comments wherever it goes.

fAct fILE I like snarly little 4-cylinder engines but not noisy continuously variable transmis sions (CVTs). Unfortunately, our Comp a s s h a s b ot h . T h e 2 .4 -l i t re DOHC inline four makes 172 hp, and has good grunt with peak torque of 165 lb.-ft. But the noisy CVT seems a bad trade-off for the ability to go rock-crawling, especially if the Compass primarily will be a road car. However, for those who like to venture off the beaten track, the Compass can hold 643 litres of cargo behind the rear seats and has a payload capacity of 420 kg. In testing by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), the Compass North 4x4 a c c e l e r a te d f ro m 0 -10 0 km/h in 11.8 seconds and from 80-120 in 8.0. Of the 55 vehicles tested in the 2012 CCOTY competition, only the Fiat 500 posted slower times. B u t i n t h i s c a s e , l e i s u re l y acceleration doesn’t translate into fuel economy. This Compass points to the next gas station because, when full, the tank has a range of just 455 km and combined fuel economy is 11.1L/100 km. Mercifully, it burns les sexpensive regular gas. AJAC judges at CCOTY gave the Compass its highest marks in areas related to interior space and comfor t, including driver position and ergonomics, visibility, roominess/access and ride comfort. Perhaps not surprisingly, its lowest marks came for transmission/drivetrain. Unless I needed the CVT’s ability to crawl over rocks, I’d save $1,750 and go for the standard five-speed stick. The Compass is a nice size, with good seats and user-friendly controls including a touchscreen display for audio, phone, hard drive, etc. Its styling elicits positive comments wherever it goes. This is a vehicle that can be whatever you want it to be — an inexpensive FWD hatchback with rugged good looks or a 4x4 with real off-road attitude. With a long list of options, you can tailor it to your own personal taste.

As tested (before tax): $31,395 freight/PDI: $1,400 options on test car: customer preferred package 28E ($3,300), sun and sound Group ($1,250), trailer tow prep Group ($225), security and convenience Group ($800), north all season Group ($695), premium sound Group ($400), Freedom ii off-Road Group ($750), media centre ($750), full-size spare ($200), cVt ($1,750) Engine/transmission: 2.4L i4, conBUILD AND tinuously variable THISlb.-ft. CAR Power/torque:PRICE 172 hp/165 fuel (capacity): regular (55L) fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 9.9 city, 7.7 hwy observed fuel economy: 11.1L/100 km over 612 km Warranties: three years/60,000 km basic, five years/100,000 km powertrain competitors: chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda cR-V, Hyundai SUBSCRIBE TO OUR tucson, Kia sportage, toyota RaV4 Strengths: NEWSLETTER trail-Rated 4WD, roomy interior, looks good Weaknesses: a little slow, noisy cVt, minimal towing capacity

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Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Thursday, May 17, 2012

TEST DRIVE

2 0 1 2 toyota P r i u s C

“C” offers smooth sailing Prius C is surPrisingly nimble in City traffiC and handles all the bumPs and holes of sPringtime streets without jarring its Passengers

hArrY

PEgg

psdoph@telusplanet.net Toyota Canada took me to “C” recently — Prius C, that is. The new entry in the subcompact segment for 2012, whose name stands for City, is the third in the Prius line — and the smallest of the family. And while it bears the same name as the regular Prius and the larger Prius V, it has a look all its own. Not Prius-like at all, really, it looks like a lot of the other fivedoor vehicles in the segment. Nothing really stands out except fo r th e h uge w hite- a n d re dlensed tail lights. In front there’s a va gu e ly fish-like f a c e c e n-

tred by Toyota’s signature bluebacked hybrid badge. In between is a hatchback profile that holds the promise of interior space. Once inside I discover there’s room for four people of average size to travel comfortably, although I find the driver seat cushion uncomfortable. I have a multi-function steering wheel that handles audio, climate and dash display controls. Everything is within easy reach, including a long twig-like shift selector. Set just slightly left of centre is the low binnacle which houses the digital speedometer and information display — and there’s plenty of information. One of the neatest is a display that will tell you how much your trip is costing you. All you have to do is input the cost of fuel

in your area and the computer takes it from there. For instance, a 40 km trip in Calgary cost me $1.58. T h a t ’s c h e a p, b u t in eve r y other aspect the Prius C cannot be called cheap — it’s too well put together for that — but it is certainly inexpensive. Yes, plastic is the most prevalent finish material in the cabin, but it has a soft, upscale look to it. You can get into a base model like my tester for under $21,000 (before taxes), which brings you everything you really need in a car. If you’re not satisfied with cloth seats, and convenience features like power windows, l o c k s a n d m i r ro r s , a d e c e n t audio system, air conditioning, cruise control and well-laid-out interior, you can jazz it up with navigation, moonroof and faux-

• HaRRy PEgg/QmI AgeNCY

Not Prius-like at all, really, the C looks like a lot of the other five-door vehicles in the segment.

FaCT FilE leather seats (heated up front) an d s till keep it jus t a shade under 26 grand. There are plenty of larger vehicles with more interior space and more power out there in the same price range, so what sets the C apart? Number one is its fuel economy. Toyota claims it won’t often be seen at gas pumps. It’s true. I drove this base C for a week and still had a quarter-tank of fuel after averaging 4.8 L/100 km. I could probably have done better, but I never babied the car during our time together. T h e lit tle 1 . 5L fo u r-b a n ge r under the hood got a workout. If it wasn’t for the boost from the Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor, the C wouldn’t pull the skin off a pudding. With that extra battery kick, the combined 9 9 h o r s e p owe r ge t s e n o u g h oomph to get a brisk start from stoplights and to handle traffic situations in the city. If you’re thinking about making a pass on the highway, the C requires plenty of space because you’re not going to get much response, other than rev noise, when you step on the gas at 100 km/h, even with the CVT transm is sio n su p p os e dly ke e p in g things in the “sweet spot.” That’s the price you pay for exceptional fuel economy. Number two is handling. The C is surprisingly nimble in city traffic and handles all the bumps and holes of springtime streets without jarring its passengers. On the highway, wind and road noise are about average for the segm ent, m e anin g this is n o cone-of-silence vehicle by any means. Compared to the other members of the Prius family, the C is smaller but a bit more cityfriendly and even more environmentally friendly. “ N e a t l i t t l e c a r,” s a y s t h e attendant at my usual station. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in a couple of weeks.” “Oh, I’ve been around here,” I say. “I just didn’t need fuel.” “Good thing everybody doesn’t drive one of those,” he says. “I’d go broke.”

as tested (before tax): $20,950 Options on test vehicle: none Freight/PDi: $1,565 Configuration: front engine, frontwheel drive Engine/transmission: 1.5L 4 cyl. with hybrid synergy Drive/ continuously variable automatic Power/torque: 99 hp combined/ N/A Fuel (capacity): regular AND (36L) BUILD F u e l e c o nPRICE o m yTHIS r a tCAR ings (l/100km): 3.5 city, 4.0 hwy Observed fuel economy: 4.8 L/100km over 426 km Warranties: three years/ 60,000 km (basic), five years/ 100,000 km (powertrain), eight years/160,000 km (hybrid components) Competitors: honda Civic hybrid, honda fit, Nissan Versa, toyota Yaris strengths:SUBSCRIBE great price,TO outstandOUR ing fuel economy NEWSLETTER Weaknesses: lack of power, uncomfortable driver seat

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Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Thursday, May 17, 2012

MR. GADGET

LighTs, CoNCeNTrATe, ActIon

Gadget: radiator sealant ing block (for extremely yelPrice: about $12 a bottle lowed or severely scratched h e a d l i g h t s), a n d p o l i s h i n g Available at: NAPA, Walmart, Canadian Tire cloths. Granted, this isn’t the only G o t a l e a k? D o n’ t w a n t to headlight restoration kit on spend big bucks to replace an the market today. What makes entire radiator? New Rislone kaz@cogeco.ca it unique is the claim made by Radiator Stop Leak Concentrate the manufacturer: compared seals coolant leaks in radiators, Gadget: headlight restoration kit to other headlight kits on the heater cores and freeze plugs. Price: $19.99 market which always require The company says that most leaks are plugged up within a Available at: Walmart, Canadian Tire and other car sanding of the lens to remove the yellowing, the included few minutes of pouring the prodcare supply stores special QUIXX polishuct in, and that the concentrate in g com p o un d is so then remains in the cooling sysIf you’ve noticed the illumiStop Leak seals effective that sanding tem, protecting it against future nation from your headlights coolant leaks. the lens is usually not leaks. Soun ds like a winning fading over the years, it might required, except for removing combination to me. be time for a bit of a headlight light scratches, says the comIt can be used in any water-cooled makeover. The plastic that covpany. vehicle and is compatible with all types ers your headlights can become Not sure if your headlights are of coolant, so if a new radiator isn’t going scratched and pitted over the in need of repair? A simple look to fit into the budget this month, this new ye a r s , l i m i t i n g t h e a m o u n t at the car in daylight and exam- product might be worth a second look. of light the plastic will allow in in g th e h e a d ligh t s fo r o n e through. or more of these will help you Gadget: gorgeous wheels The solution? A headlight resdetermine if they need restora- Price: starts at about $800 a piece toration kit, and lots of elbow tion: the lenses look milky, foggy grease. This kit come s SUPPLIED PHOTOS or yellow; you can’t see the bulb Available at: www.americanforcewheels.com with lens polish, lens sealer, ultra-fine sandpa- A headlight restoration through the lens; the lenses are This com pany make s som e of th e per and sanding/polish- kit renews your lights. scratched or scarred. most unique wheels on the market today,

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a models. 2012 Hond Sedan DX on new s based a new 2012 Civic ices on Serv cing offer based on Financial ht and PDI, time ﬁnan examples through Honda #Limited ls payment $1,495 freig able trade equa Bi-weekly FB2E2CEX avail 485, and includes el or equivalent 81.74 for a P is $16, MT, mod payment $1,1 MSR is it. l down cred wing $0 onmenta approved 1.99% APR with Cost of borroinsurance, envir Sedan at Civic 84 months. ﬁnanced license, eekly for for a 2012 #/‡ 74. GST, $97.07 bi-w of $17,666. ‡MSRP is $16,485 0 freight and PDI. ing . ation total oblig tration are extra includes $1,495.0 2012 at participat of ers regis 30, 2CEX and fees and gh April Honda Deal model FB2E 1, 2012 throu rta residents at without notice. MT, DX from April only for Albe ge or cancellation ils. Offers valid lers. Offers valid ct to chan for full deta a retailer Honda retai ions. Offers subje your Hond Alberta locat erta.ca or see aAlb Visit Hond

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Brenda McFadden 780-513-3990

Phyllis Finch 780-532-1110 ext 254

designed specifically for big boys with big toys — the pickup-driving crowd. You wouldn’t want to put these on the family sedan, but if you d r i ve a p i c k u p, KOLT wheels are ideal in you might want rural country settings. to take a closer look at this company’s newest creation — the KOLT and KOLT SS. KOLT wheels are ideal in rural country settings where outdoorsmen desire a bold look and greater performance. Designed for horse owners, ranchers and Albertans (?), the wheels boast a horseshoe design stamped into the wheel face. Built from forged aluminum, they’re available in custom finishes, including a polished mirror finish, black matte powder coat and black gloss. If you’ve seen gadgets and gizmos you think our readers should know about, please e-mail details to kaz@cogeco.ca. If we use your suggestion we will not send you a t-shirt, a cap or a plaque. However, you will have bragging rights in that you’ll be able to tell all your friends that the featured gadget was your bright idea.

1913

Celebrating 100 Years!

2013

780-532-0691 • dailyheraldtribune.com

winning wagon gLen

woodcock glen@manicgt.com

Last fall it was time to retire my “sit ter” — the car that spends most of its time parked in auto manufacturers’ lots while I drive one of their vehicles for my weekly new car road test. For the past seven years, that sitter had been my faithful 1999 Saturn station wagon. But as the years passed, more and more ingenuity was required to keep it operating, and parts were growing harder and harder to find. So it was time to scrap the Saturn and find a replacement. That’s when a car parked at the side of the road, with a “For sale” sign in the front window, caught my eye. I wouldn’t even have stopped to look if it hadn’t been a station wagon. But I love wagons and, from a distance, this Oldsmobile looked pretty clean. It was even better up close — a 1995 Custom Cruiser SL, with not a hint of rust on its Drif twood Metallic body. Details on the sign told why: it was from Texas, where sun damage to rubber parts is a far greater risk than rust from road salt. I liked what I saw — and the way it drove — and quickly made a deal. It has all new hoses, a completely new exhaust system and the rear-facing third row of seats look like they’ve never been used. So my Saturn was replaced by another orphan — one that’s even older. But my mechanic, Mike Johnston, couldn’t find a thing wrong when doing the safety. In fact, he said “This car will last longer than you.” (Hope he doesn’t know something I don’t!) It’s powered by GM’s bulletproof 3.1L V6, and now that Mike’s replaced the spark plugs, which he thought might be the originals, the car runs like a top. It came with all the repair records and the original window sticker showing that

its price, when new, was $17,895. That included $430 in optional items, such as a power driver’s seat, and destination charges of $535. The other day, while pumping some gas so it could get to its next parking spot, I noticed a woman giving it the eye while she filled up her SUV. “Your car is almost vintage,” she said. Well, yes it is. So I took that as a compliment. In just two more years it will be eligible to participate in events staged by the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada. The Oldsmobile really is a time machine because it shows how far cars have come in the short time since it was new. In some regards, it still is a modern automobile; in others, its age is showing. For instance, it has anti-lock brakes, traction control, power doors/locks/ mirrors, halogen headlamps and sequential fuel injection. But there is only one airbag — for the driver. Others weren’t even optional. Its odd front seatbelts are anchored to the doors, and can be kept buckled up to encourage Americans to use them. Cupholders were in their infancy in 1995 and in order to retrofit them to the Cruiser they have been located in the front bench seat’s flip-down armrest. Hit a few good bumps with a full cup of coffee and you’ll be getting out the spot remover. Air conditioning is manual and the automatic is a four-speed. There is no outside temperature display, no heated mirrors and no driver information centre to provide info such as instant fuel economy. No navigation system, no backup camera, no self-dimming headlamps, no adaptive cruise control, no AWD. Nor is there satellite radio — but it does have a cassette player! But what really gives away its age is the simple fact it is a station wagon — and it has whitewall tires. It’s a true survivor and I like driving it. Too bad I only get to do that once a week.

• glen woodcock/QMi Agency In some regards, the Oldsmobile is still is a modern automobile; in others, its age is showing.

WOMAN ON WHEELS

TIME MACHINEs

Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Thursday, May 17, 2012

battle of the sexes Who are really the better drivers, all things considered — men or Women?

KaY

LAYNe

kay.layne@sunmedia.ca

I was giving a male friend a lift the other day. Just before getting out of my car, he turned to me and mentioned that I drive really, really well. Had he stopped there, the conversation would have been forgotten by now. But no, he added that my driving skills were outstanding for a woman. He then jumped out my vehicle and walked off, leaving me to ponder what that meant exactly. Now, I must admit I have received this backward praise before. One guy thought he was giving me the ultimate compliment when he said that I drove like a guy. When men and women came here from Mars and Venus, respectively, did we fly our spaceships with different levels of competency? So, who are the better drivers? Men or women? Mostly people are aware that women on average live longer than men. I wonder if it has any correlation to their driving skills. According to the Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for the Study & Improvement of Regulation, male drivers have a 77% higher risk of

dying in a car accident than women. Here in Canada, men are around three times more likely to get a speeding ticket. Does that mean men are faster drivers? Maybe they are just wo rse at avoidin g get tin g c a ught. Maybe they are not as equipped with the skills needed to get out of receiving a ticket. How about parking? A study produced by a U.K . car park firm NCP shows that ladies may be slightly better skilled at slot ting into a space. Re searchers obser ved 2,5 0 0 drivers across its 700 car parks in Britain over a one-month period. They found that while men were faster at completing the manoeuvre, women were more accurate. Fifty-two per cent of women parked in the middle of each spot, compared to 25% of men. Science also indicates that women are better drivers — actuarial science, that is. According to Canadian insurance companies, women have fewer accidents than their male counterparts. Not only are men involved in more crashes, but when they do, larger payouts are usually needed. Honestly, I think that driving is a skill. Like any other skill, it can always be improved regardless of your sex. There are plenty of advanced and defensive driving courses out there to help you hone your skills behind the wheel.

• shutterstock According to Canadian insurance companies, women have fewer accidents than their male counterparts.

Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Thursday, May 17, 2012

FIRST DRIVE

2013 subaru brZ

brz handles like a dream There aren’T many downsides To This lighT, agile and funTo-drive subaru designed in parTnership wiTh ToyoTa

harry

Pegg

psdoph@telusplanet.net HOOD RIVER, Ore. — The 2013 BRZ is taking Subaru where the company has never gone before — the realm of rear-wheel-drive sports cars. Known globally for all-wheeldrive vehicles like WRX and STi, Subaru has teamed up with Toyota to produce this s tunning rear-wheel-drive sport coupe. It’s light, it’s agile and it’s a ton of fun to drive. The las t time the company had a t wo-wheel-drive of any kind was in 1994, and it’s never offered a rear-wheel-drive car in North America. Subaru handled the BRZ engineering, development and production while Toyota supplied the interior and exterior design and product planning. It’s an unusual alliance, but the result, at least from the Subaru end (I have not driven the Scion version), is a home run. There are two models of BRZ — base and Sport-tech — each w i t h a S u b a r u f o u r- c y l i n d e r

Boxer engine turning out 200 horsepower and 151 lb.-f t. of torque. In either BRZ model, a smooth, ultra-slick six-speed manual transmission handles the shift work. You can opt for a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters if you prefer electronic gear choices. The ex terior is terrific — maybe even sexy. The purposeful profile starts from a BRZ-specific face and stretches over an aluminum hood and low cabin to a short deck, with a BRZ-specific spoiler in Sport-tech versions. T h e 1 7- i n c h a l u m i n u m a l l o y wheels fill the wheel wells nicely. Inside, it has all the power convenience features, terrific seats, navigation if you want it and an excellent audio system. Switches and knobs are kept to a bare minimum. To get what you want, you turn a knob or flip a switch — no electronic gimmicks to wo r k th ro u g h . Eve r y th in g quickly becomes instinctive. The car is billed as a 2x2 sports coupe, but there’s no way you’re going to get people into the back seat. And to install a child seat requires some agility on the part of the parent. To give you some idea where the Subaru folks see this car

The exterior of the 2013 Subaru BRZ is terrific — maybe even sexy.

FaCT FILe

To get what you want, you turn a knob or flip a switch — no electronic gimmicks to work through. going, if you fold the one-piece rear seatback and passenger seat down, you expand the already-impressive trunk space to handle four racing tires and a tool bag. We’re in this area east of Portland to run BRZ around the freeways and narrow, twisting back roads and on the challenging road course at Oregon Raceway Park. The route to the racetrack offers no guard rails to stop a long fall if the driver screws up.

• Harry Pegg/QMi aGenCy PhoTos

The BRZ has the usual stability control and traction nannies, but it’s the superb balance that allows the car to keep on the chosen course without body roll or lean. The electronic power steering give s an excellent feel of the road and only requires gentle input to produce those roadhugging turns. The independent suspension is surprisingly compliant for a sports car and road imperfections are easily handled without jarring occupants. Downsides? There aren’t many. In fact, the only thing I really dislike is the excessive road noise on an aggregate surface. At the track, the real fun begins. It’s a technic al track requiring the driver to pay strict a t te n ti o n to th e b u sin e s s a t han d . I p refer th e automatic transmission in this situation. It is quicker to shift than I am with the manual. It is more precise, and if I brake hard before a corner, it will downshift two gears — on its own — setting me up in exactly the right gear to exit the corner. BRZ is a refined kind of sports car. It doesn’t have the brute power of WRX or STi, but it is beautifully balanced, rides nicely and handles like a dream. It may only have 200 horses under the hood, but it makes full use of those ponies and it’s set up to provide a terrific track experience and super road manners.

Trim levels available: base, sport-tech mSrP range: $27,295-$30,495 Notable options: navigation system Configuration: front engine, rear wheel drive available engines: 2.0l four-cylinder (200 hp/151 lb.-ft.) available transmissions: sixspeed manual,BUILD six-speed automatic AND with sequentialPRICE shift THIS CAR Fu e l e c o n o m y ra t i n gs (L/100km): 9.6 city/6.6 hwy (manual), 8.3/5.9 (automatic) Warranties: three years/ 60,000 km (basic), five years/ 100,000 km (powertrain) Competitors: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, dodge Challenger, honda Civic si, hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda MX-5, Mini Cooper, scion Fr-s,SUBSCRIBE Volkswagen TO GTiOUR NEWSLETTER Strengths: powertrain, handling, styling Weaknesses: road noise, no room in back seat

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