2021 will be Northern Ontario’s turn to Benefit from EV Explosion, minister says

Vic Fedeli, who’s the provincial Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and I have a couple of things in common, among them our affection for northern Ontario.

He’s a former mayor of North Bay and represents the riding of Nipissing in the legislature. I was a kid in Kapuskasing.

We had a long chat just before Christmas about how southern Ontario benefitted in 2020 by $5 billion in auto industry investment that will result in several thousand new jobs and the preservation of thousands of others.

But what really had us excited was how northern Ontario will benefit in the next 12 months as the supply chain for electric batteries and vehicles gets up and running. But first – a review.

Fedeli reminded me that over a matter of weeks in the late part of last year, Ford announced it was investing more than $2 billion to transform its Oakville Assembly Complex into a global hub for battery electric vehicle production, Fiat Chrysler was planning a major retooling of its Windsor Assembly Plant for more electric vehicles and General Motors said it would bring pickup-truck production back to the Oshawa Assembly Plant, which was supposed to close.

“Since 2000,” Fedeli said, “Ontario’s share of North American auto assembly had shrunk from 17 per cent to 12 per cent and our province did not get one dollar of the $300 billion that was invested globally in electric vehicles. So the auto companies, as well as the union, Unifor, deserve congratulations for this stunning turnaround.”

There was something else at play: money. I’m not talking about investments by government; automakers had told the province that Ontario had become too expensive a jurisdiction in which to do business. “That’s why through lowering taxes, reducing electricity costs and cutting red tape, we reduced the cost of doing business in Ontario by nearly $7 billion a year going forward,” Fedeli said. “That is a stunning number that companies were looking for and thousands of jobs were the result.”

The minister noted that Premier Doug Ford and other members of the government launched a program called Driving Prosperity and then told everybody who would listen (and including some who didn’t), that Ontario is one of the best, if not the best, jurisdiction for auto investments on the continent.

“The plan builds on our unique combination of being among the top automakers in North America as well as being the No. 2 technology centre, making us a standout choice to develop and build the next generation of vehicles,” he said.

That was 2020, then. This year, 2021, promises to see the momentum continue with the development of an electric vehicle and battery supply chain throughout the province. This will include fresh opportunities for the province’s mining industry as electric vehicle batteries require various minerals found in Ontario’s north. As it’s developed, it should make it easier for the province to attract electric vehicle investments from other automakers.

That’s the plan, anyway.

“I can’t contain my excitement for the north,” Fedeli said. “When you think about the town of Cobalt – and by the way, did you know that Cobalt, in its heyday in the early 1900s, had a 1,000-seat theatre and the first electric street car? – it will be reignited because the mineral cobalt is so important to EV production. And they’re exploring for other minerals all through that Timiskaming area.

“Further north, you go to Hearst and they have an unbelievable supply of graphite that’s needed for batteries. Head west of there, north of Red Lake, and there’s huge deposits of lithium up there. The centrepiece, of course, is the nickel that’s mined in Sudbury. So people in northern Ontario are very excited about what happened in the fall and those auto investments are going to prove to be beneficial for all of Ontario.”

Fedeli said, as the Ontario government had to work with Ottawa and the car companies to create autos and jobs, the same holds true for the mining companies.

“The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines is at the table with my ministry and the mines to determine exactly what they need,” he said. “We’re at that critical juncture where all the parties – Ottawa, us, the industries – have to come together with labour to make sure we have all the right pieces in place to take absolute advantage of this opportunity.”

I know this sounds like a commercial but it really is amazing how not a lot was happening in the auto industry in mid-2020 and then Boom! That explosion can only grow in magnitude during the rest of this year.

I’ll keep an eye on the progress and report back.

Norris McDonald is a retired Toronto Star editor who continues to write for Wheels under contract.

The post 2021 will be Northern Ontario’s turn to Benefit from EV Explosion, minister says appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Review: 2021 Porsche Panamera 4S E-hybrid

Several months ago, I talked – in this space and at length – about all the Porsche cars I’d had the privilege of driving in 2018 and ’19, before COVID-19 brought just about everything to a halt.

I said, when I did a preview of the new Panamera – five models, in fact, ranging from the rear-wheel drive Panamera (starting at $99,300), to the AWD Panamera 4 ($104,600), the AWD 4S E-hybrid ($128,500), the AWD Panamera GTS ($147,400) and the AWD Panamera Turbo S ($202,400) – that I couldn’t wait to drive at least one of them.

Well, several weeks ago, I got my wish. I borrowed a Panamera 4S E-hybrid for a couple of days and, as the advertising says, it really does combine the performance of a sports car with the comfort of a sedan. I was smitten.

The 4S E-Hybrid is a plug-in. The 134 hp electric motor, when combined with an eight-speed, dual-clutch, PDK transmission and a 2.9-litre V-6 twin-turbo engine, generates a system output of 552 hp and a maximum system torque of 553 lb-ft It features an updated battery pack and improved range. When launched, you can go from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.

I know this to be true, I’ve found a new test area, a giant parking lot (now empty, because of COVID-19) near the corner of Eglinton Ave. and Satellite Drive in Mississauga. I took the Porsche over there and you have to be really careful because zero to 100 km/h in a tad more than three seconds is a real kick in the pants and you can very quickly be out of control. Hold on, however, and top speed is 298 km/h.

The car is extremely nimble. I took it through my slalom course (tall light standards in that parking lot) and it didn’t feel as if I had to steer it – all I had to do was look and the car seemed to go in that direction. Translation: it’s really easy to drive. One negative: when the weather was damp, the brakes felt spongy. They worked perfectly but you didn’t feel as confident using them as you did when conditions were dry.

Now, lets be honest. The 4S E-Hybrid looks like a stretched 911 in order to accommodate the two additional doors. But because this is a sedan as well as a sports car, that’s okay. The car comes with a Sport Design front end (which was optional on previous Panameras), large side cooling openings and enlarged air-intake grilles. At the rear, a revamped light strip now runs over the trunk lid and connects with the two LED taillight clusters.

Inside – and I love the cockpit of any Porsche, never mind just the 4S E-Hybrid – you’ll find a new steering wheel and extensive use of leather and premium materials. The Panamera offers speed limit and highway construction information plus an extensive range of assistance systems such as Lane Keeping Assist, Night Vision Assist, Lane Change Assist, Park Assist including Surround View, Adaptive Cruise Control and head-up display.

Review 2021 Porsche Panamera Hybrid

Review 2021 Porsche Panamera Hybrid

My wife and I are both tall but with the seats all the way back, we were very comfy. In fact, we were so comfortable, sliding into this Porsche felt like slipping on a glove. And everything’s at your fingerprints.

The back seat is something else, though. There is not a lot of room back there for people our size but if you don’t travel from Toronto to Kingston and just stick with the short trips, the back seat is okay if you sit up straight.

Speaking of short trips – up to a little less than 30 kms – you should be able to do them in silence: the E-Hybrid comes with driving modes Hybrid Auto and E-Power and a couple of charging modes. When you get to the EV max, the transition from electricity to gasoline is seamless.

Another winner from Porsche.

The vehicle was provided to the writer by the automaker. Content and vehicle evaluations were not subject to approval.

The post Review: 2021 Porsche Panamera 4S E-hybrid appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Opinion: In 2020, The Canadian Auto Industry has Learned some Important Lessons

Who could have predicted that one of the industries that would benefit most from a global pandemic would be automotive?

The ability to keep a distance from others was a make-or-break factor in keeping our loved ones and us safe in 2020. Not only did our cars preserve our health this year, but they also preserved our sanity by giving us access to drive-through activities and socially distant experiences that offered brief respite in an otherwise bleak few months.

The auto industry underwent just as much of a roller coaster this year as the rest of us. While in the end it fared better than most lines of business, it also came face to face with some important lessons that will permanently change the way it operates for the foreseeable future.

Here’s a look at some of the industry’s key takeaways after a tumultuous year none of us will soon forget.

We can buy cars online after all – but it turns out we might not want to. It’s been buzzed about for years, but it took a global pandemic to spur the auto industry into action in figuring out how to take the vehicle purchase process online. Today, it doesn’t take a lot of Google gymnastics to find a dealership that will provide video walk-arounds, answer your questions via text message or email, and let you do a lot of the necessary paperwork from home.

But what’s most interesting about this shift is that it seems not very many of us actually want it to stick. According to a survey completed among Ontario residents by Deloitte this summer, 78 per cent of car buyers prefer to visit a dealership in person as part of their purchase process. In interviews with auto executives this year, I’ve been told more than once that buying a car is unlikely to become like having kitty litter delivered by Amazon. People still like to see, touch, and drive their vehicles before they commit to them for years.

What does this mean for 2021 and beyond? Every individual buyer is going to have a different idea of what the ideal car purchase process looks like, and automakers will be thrashing in the coming months and years trying to find the perfect balance that makes the majority of customers happy.

A lot more of us have cars now, and that’s good news for dealerships. Through the summer and into the autumn, dealerships sold as many cars as they could get their hands on, especially in urban centres where public transit and ride hailing services lost their lustre amid a need for social distancing. That’s good news for the long-term prospects of those dealerships if they play their cards right: those cars are going to need maintenance and repairs over the next few years, even if they are being driven less than they once were because people are working from home more often. This should mean dealership service departments see more business than they would have, provided they can find the magic formula for giving urban and tech-savvy drivers their ideal customer service experience.

This could also mean there’s a serious and looming traffic problem coming as more workers are called back to the office who decide they’d rather bring their vehicles with them. You thought pre-COVID rush hour traffic in Toronto was bad? Brace yourself.

Electrification is getting more important, and it’s going to need help to catch on. Climate change isn’t slowing down for any pandemic, yet a lot of the vehicles that hit the road this year were chosen for their affordability rather than for fuel efficiency. This is a problem that will come to roost over the next few years as governments try to implement zero-emission policies and targets and find that many newer cars are incompatible with their goals – and that drivers aren’t necessarily in a hurry to part with them.

Different automakers are taking different approaches to this problem. Toyota, for example, is focused on getting more conventional and plug-in hybrids into the market, technologies that let vehicles use less fuel without demanding lifestyle changes from their owners. Kia Canada, on the other hand, recently conducted a study that suggests Canadians’ biggest barriers to battery electric vehicle adoption are misconceptions about range and charging infrastructure, so the company is embarking on education campaigns to convince more drivers to consider its Soul EV and Niro EV zero-emission vehicles.

There’s no question that a seismic shift is coming on this front in the next few years. But what we’ve seen in 2020 is that consumers will buy the cars that are put in front of them with the best price and payment terms irrespective of fuel efficiency. Automakers will sell what will sell, so they’ll need to be compelled by governments to push fuel-efficient vehicles if they truly want to alter consumer behaviour.

The post Opinion: In 2020, The Canadian Auto Industry has Learned some Important Lessons appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

COVID-19 the Catalyst for Oshawa Trucks

This year, 2020, was dreadful. COVID-19 brought the world to its knees and only the arrival of vaccines brought a smile to faces.

But, believe it or not, there was a bright side to COVID. Because people had to stay home, they had to make their own fun. They had to restrict their weekend getaways to nearby beach areas or provincial parks where the kids could swim and mom and dad could have a beer while sitting outside their own tent or trailer, socially distanced from their neighbours, of course. Or unload their four-wheel ATVs from the trailer and tear off down the trails.

And in order to take the tent or haul those trailers around Ontario, people went out and bought pickup trucks and that is why, in a strange sort of way, General Motors is gearing up to build trucks again in Oshawa and it’s all – or, at least, partially – because of COVID.

So says Scott Bell, GM Canada’s president and managing director. I’d called him up to ask why his boss, GM CEO Mary Barra, had said the company was committed to the electrical revolution and yet GM Canada was retooling Oshawa to build internal-combustion powered trucks.

“This goes back a few years,” he said over the phone. “We were winding down the truck production (at Oshawa) but we weren’t sure where the industry was going. There had been really good response in the marketplace for the Silverado and the GMC Sierra and the truck business continued to be a bigger part of the industry.

“Although that trend was out there, to some extent, it accelerated significantly during COVID, which I think was somewhat surprising.”

Bell said the coronavirus had hit hardest in the areas of travel and entertainment and that people were taking the solution into their own hands.

“All of a sudden, you couldn’t buy campers, boats or four-wheelers. They were all sold out. People needed trucks to drag ‘em all around the countryside. It’s interesting that people have settled in (and said) I’m going to take charge of my ability to travel and trucks are playing a big role in that.”

Bell said that, contrary to popular belief (I’d suggested that GM was planning to mothball the place), the company had always wanted to keep Oshawa going and were actively looking for a reason to keep it open.

“We always wanted Oshawa to continue,” he said. “We were always looking for things. The parts business we put in there is starting to gain momentum, so that business isn’t going to go away and we’re looking for opportunities to grow it. And we were making face masks for the fight against COVID.

“Those two operations kept us working on what we could do next and when the truck business got a burst of momentum, we saw an opportunity and took it. It’s a big win for us. We’ve done some things creatively to keep some manufacturing there but it was putting parts together from other facilities. Now we have the flexibility to build the models that we want and that the consumer is going to demand. It puts Oshawa in a position to be a strong contributor to our company for years to come.”

NM: Are you hiring yet?

SB: We have, (but) there are all sorts of things you have to do to a plant before you have your permanent employees in there. We have folks on the ground today, as we speak. The hourly line workers will be hired but not for awhile but we hope to do it sooner than later. We want trucks coming out of that plant in early 2022 so we have to get people up and trained in 2021.

Meantime, we couldn’t be happier to be at this stage. If you go past the plant, you’ll see there’s a lot of activity there. We’re on a mission there. The jobs are real, the impact on the economy is real and it’s happening as we speak.

NM: Internal-combustion or electric?

SB: The trucks will be internal-combustion engine trucks. (NM: Mary Barra says electrification is the future.) It’s (electricity) on top of everyone’s mind. Our commitment to an all-electric future is real. Mary’s talking about 30 new EVs by 2025 and we’ve committed to our own battery capability (that) will give us the capability to build an EV for everyone and that includes everything from crossovers to trucks and we’ve demonstrated with the Hummer we’ve announced that you can do a lot with electrification. All things being said, not everybody is going to flip to the EV tomorrow.

Trucks are very profitable; I don’t think that’s any secret. They are one of the biggest segments in Canada and across North America and we have to take advantage of that. That’s what we’re doing in Oshawa and that will pay some bills. When things start to accelerate and we get into going electric faster, we’ll be looking for more EV capability and capacity and we’ll be there with our hands up and ready to go.

NM: What else do you have going on?

SB: We’re up to an 800-member engineering and software development team between Markham and Oshawa. They are working on all the technology that will be going into our electrified autonomous vehicles down the road. It’s the largest software development automotive team in the country. It’s the second largest in our company. When we committed $170 million to Oshawa, part of that was to build this new test track at the south end of our 65-acre property. It’s paved and ready to go and we’ve had a few cars on it. Weather permitting; we’ll be testing vehicles soon. We’ve got cold-weather testing in Kapuskasing, we’ve built partnerships with universities – we’ve been investing in that for many years. Canada is playing a very significant role at the core of this vision to make electrification come true. It’s happening and Canada is playing a massive role. We’re making electrification come to life in Canada.

NM: Will the track be used to test autonomous vehicles?

SB: We’re working on autonomous driving today. Our Super Cruise hands-free driving program is on the new Cadillac Escalade and CT6 and will be on the Bolt. That’s an autonomous Level 1 and 2 and those engineers and software development people are working on that in our engineering centres here in Canada. They used to pack up all their goods and drag it all to Michigan or some other facility and test it; this track now allows us to be much more efficient. Our company will automatically feed more here because of that track. We’ve done a good job in California but now we’re going to need to (move programs) to a more winter environment and test here. And focus on what is going to be necessary to make it work in Canada and other climates like it.

NM: What do you have to do to convince Ontario motorists to go electric?

SB: If you really want to change the world, a company has got to go all in. Here are the numbers: 97 per cent of cars in Canada are internal combustion, 3 per cent are EV. In the U.S., it’s 2 per cent. Canadians are more likely to get there quicker than the U.S. With that being said, there has to be a lot of education about these things. I drove a Bolt EV for three months and I did it intentionally. I wanted to put the pressure n myself to drive from Toronto to Detroit. You learn quickly that there’s an app on your phone that connects to the car that tells you the range, when you’ll need to charge, where that charger’s located and how long you have to sit on that charger to get you to your final destination.

The other thing is that there’s this notion that there’s a charger on every corner because you might need a charger. The reality is that nobody uses their cellphone and drains the battery till it’s dead and fills it back up again. Cars today, we drive ‘em till they’re empty and we fill ‘em up. With an EV, you plug it in at night. You plug it in at work or when you‘re at home. They’re cleaner (you’re doing the right thing for the environment), they’re quieter, they’re quicker; they have few moving parts, you don’t have to change the oil. If you talk about the benefits of owning one, it becomes pretty obvious pretty quick.

So it’s getting that word out if we really want to make a difference. You need a company like GM to back it up with product that’s for everybody, at a cost that’s in line with where we are today.

By Norris McDonald Special to wheels.ca

The post COVID-19 the Catalyst for Oshawa Trucks appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Despite affordability concerns, new report reveals Canadian Millennials are bolstering car ownership dreams amid COVID-19

Millennials – those tech-savvy, social activist, eco-friendly young adults who grew up with the Internet – are increasingly turning to a lifestyle they previously eschewed for being wasteful and conformist: car ownership.

With the COVID-19 pandemic proving to be a dangerous and enduring disruptor, Millennials are shunning ride-share services like Uber and avoiding the bus without apology.

You could say they’re sorry, not sorry.

“Millennials are getting pushed into thinking about alternatives to ride-hailing and public transit,” says Ryan Robinson, research leader at Deloitte Canada’s Consumer Industry Centre. “Now that those modes are under pressure due to the pandemic, younger consumers are shifting to personal transportation.”

They’re contemplating car ownership sooner than originally planned, with 56 per cent of Millennials expressing interest in owning a vehicle to help them stay healthy and safe. It’s one of the surprisingly outcomes of a survey of Ontario consumers Deloitte Canada conducted for the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) in an unusual year racked by a health crisis.

Before 2020, many Millennials had been putting off driving, viewing it more of a stigma than a rite of passage. Their reasons were many: fossil fuels contribute to global warming; car ownership is fraught with expenses like insurance, maintenance and parking; traffic is exasperating and only getting worse, and a licence is no longer viewed as a badge of honour.

Money remains a major impediment to car ownership for Millennials. With many younger people working precariously in temporary employment without benefits or job security, taking on a car loan or lease requires a major leap of faith.

“Affordability is definitely an issue for them,” says Robinson, “especially when government programs such as CERB are being curtailed.” Still, even for Millennials working from home, an automobile becomes a useful appliance for those who relocated from a downtown condo to a house outside of the city.

Dealers welcoming the prospect of selling cars to this unexpected segment of buyers ought to be aware Millennials tend to be averse to taking on more debt, since many have student loans to pay off. And according to a 2019 Merrill Lynch survey, seven out of 10 adults between the ages of 18 and 34 quietly rely on the Bank of Mom and Dad for financial support.

“Younger people tend to shop the used-vehicle market out of concern for their finances,” Robinson points out. By buying used, they can afford models equipped with more of the high-tech features they crave. It’s just as well, since some automakers have stopped making economy cars, the traditional first step for a new driver.

“Manufacturers recognized that entry-level models are unprofitable at a time when eight out of 10 new vehicles sold are trucks and SUVs,” says Robinson. Inexpensive cars such as the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Sonic languished on lots, while anything with an AWD badge flew out of showrooms.

While the Detroit Three manufacturers have euthanized their small cars, automakers like Hyundai and Toyota have figured out how to make them profitably, and sell hundreds of thousands of them every year.

For those buying used, the COVID-19 pandemic presented new challenges in the marketplace. The shutdown last April closed assembly plants and disrupted the supply chain, which meant consumers who needed a new car or truck couldn’t always get one. That put more pressure on the used-vehicle market, raising demand and prices.

Robinson points to a secondary issue that impacted the cost of used cars this year: the absence of ex-rental vehicles.

“The car-rental business almost ground to zero due to the collapse of the travel industry, the effect of which rippled across the used-car market,” he explains. When firms such as Hertz did not replace their idle rental fleet with new models, fewer low-mileage cars and trucks trickled into the used market, exacerbating the vehicle shortage.

All of this conspired to make used models more expensive this year, which required buyers to dig deeper to get the vehicle they wanted. Some young consumers had been kicking the tires of a hybrid or fully electric vehicle – an aspirational purchase.

“Millennials are more open to advanced technology, and the percentage of consumers moving away from the internal combustion engine has been growing – until this year,” notes Robinson. “The cost of electric and hybrid models is a big issue, especially for Millennials. Tried-and-true reliable technology is all they really want.”

Given the question marks around electric vehicle charging networks, Ontarians appear more comfortable to come halfway and acquire a gas-electric hybrid model that presents no range anxiety issues, rather than a fully electric vehicle.

Other trends revealed themselves as COVID-19 roiled the marketplace.

“We anticipate the work-from-home trend will become permanent,” Robinson says, with 41 per cent of Deloitte survey respondents planning to work from home at least several days a week. Less commuting impacts how often a vehicle requires service, and lengthens the time before a car or truck needs to be replaced outright.

With 43 per cent of respondents anticipating driving less this year, about half of Ontarians – not just Millennials – expect to acquire a less expensive vehicle than originally budgeted for, given the shaky economy caused by spasmodic COVID-19 lockdowns.

Deloitte’s 2020 Ontario automotive consumer study uncovers changing driver behaviours rooted in workplace and residency shifts driven by ongoing pandemic safety concerns. Significantly, it paints a portrait of an emerging segment of car buyers with affordability concerns that may well serve as an early warning system for the entire automobile industry.

The post Despite affordability concerns, new report reveals Canadian Millennials are bolstering car ownership dreams amid COVID-19 appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Review: 2021 Subaru Ascent Limited

There’s been a lot of action in the three-row SUV segment over the last couple of years with the launch of several entirely new models and a couple of significant refreshes. The Subaru Ascent feels longer tenured as a result, but a quick skim of the data banks reveals that this vehicle was entirely new to the market just two years ago. (To be fair, 2020 has felt like a decade.)

All this change has led to the Ascent seeming outdone in some respects in a rather head-spinningly short amount of time. The Limited with Captain’s Chairs model under consideration here is priced at $50,470 including destination fees, and at that price the features that aren’t offered are just as apparent as the ones that are. However, while the vehicle tested is naturally the one that’s the focus of this review, it’s worth pointing out that a lot of the best elements of the Ascent are integrated across the entire trim range. Were I shopping for a three-row SUV on a sub-$40,000 budget, the Convenience trim’s heated front seats and standard all-wheel drive would turn this into a different discussion.

As it stands, the Ascent offers the same powertrain no matter which grade you choose. Its 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, arranged in a horizontally opposed layout as is typical for Subaru, produces 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. Though this power figure is lower than the segment average, the relatively accessible torque band created through turbocharging makes the Ascent an energetic suburban companion. The continuously variable transmission can get a little noisy under high loads such as highway merging, but for the most part it’s compliant and unobtrusive. And that low-mounted engine – again, typical of Subaru – puts a lot of the vehicle’s weight closer to the ground, which contributes to a lower centre of gravity and handling that’s surprisingly good for the Ascent’s size, if maybe a touch soft in the dampers.

Where the Ascent may not necessarily excel is in fuel consumption. On paper, the Natural Resources Canada numbers are decent at 11.6 L/100 km in city driving, 9.0 on the highway, and 10.4 combined. But after spending a week in it myself, I returned it at a reading of 12.5 L/100 km and climbing. But granted, I don’t tend to be especially gentle on the go pedal, so a more conservative driver may have a different experience.

Subaru takes pride in its ratings with the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which rates the 2021 Ascent a Top Safety Pick+ based on the addition of standard steering-responsive LED headlights with high beam assist. The EyeSight suite of safety and convenience features is also standard and includes a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane sway and departure warning, lane centring assist, traffic jam assist, and lead vehicle start alert. Blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert are also included on the Limited grade.

The Ascent’s bright interior is both pleasant and functional. The soft-touch surfaces in this Limited tester are set out in layers of colour that add some visual interest. But more importantly, a panoramic sunroof introduces plenty of natural light, and Subaru’s in-character low shoulder line and tall windows create very good all-around visibility. And it’s almost an obligation at this point to mention the 19 cupholders any time the Ascent comes up in conversation.

Review 2021 Subaru Ascent

However, at this price point or higher, some of the more upscale features being offered by competitors are conspicuous in their complete absence from the Ascent line-up such as a wireless charging pad, digital gauge cluster, and head-up display.

The Subaru infotainment system integrated into the 8-inch touchscreen is acceptable but not exceptional. The home screen is customizable but not especially intuitive, and some inputs such as volume adjustments slow down its functioning. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality is standard, however, and goes a long way in mitigating these concerns.

If I’m looking for an SUV that I’m going to brag about to my neighbours, the 2021 Subaru Ascent might not be my first choice. But those who care more about function than fashion – especially families operating on a sub-$40,000 budget – will find that the Ascent’s greatest strengths are in its safety, practicality, and affordability of the features that matter most.

Review 2021 Subaru Ascent

Review 2021 Subaru Ascent

The post Review: 2021 Subaru Ascent Limited appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Review: 2021 Lincoln Corsair

With about a million high-end SUVs available, how does a customer make a rational decision? More to the immediate issue, how does a product reviewer like me come up with a recommendation?

These thoughts came to mind while I was testing the Lincoln Corsair. It launched as a 2020 model, aiming at similarly-speced vehicles from such as Audi, BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz.

The 2021 Corsair starts at $42,700, and can rise rapidly to the $63,800 sticker of my tester.

Mine checked just about every box on the order form, except it had the base 2.0 litre twin-turbo four cylinder engine (250 horsepower at 5,500 r.p.m.; 280 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 r.p.m.) rather than the 295-hp 2.3.-litre four-pot. The larger engine would give decidedly better acceleration, and gets almost the same fuel consumption scores, but adds $8,500 to the bottom line. Yikes.

The eight-speed automatic transmission powers all four wheels; the front-drive variant is not available in Canada.

Corsair is built on the same 2,710 mm wheelbase as Ford’s Escape. Hence, it’s a five-seater, and shares its body structure, technology, and some powertrains. But seldom have two such closely related vehicles yielded a wider range of results. The difference you’ll notice immediately is the interior ambience. High-quality materials abound, including real tree wood and luxurious-looking leather. As usual with compact-to-mid-size SUVS, there’s decent room for four, with a third rider in the rear a possibility.

Consistent with current Lincoln practice, the transmission controls are a series of push buttons on the dashboard. This actually makes more sense than tying up valuable real estate on the centre console that is more wisely turned over to cup holders and odd-and-sods storage. There are proper round knobs for sound system operation. It will take some time to figure out which buttons and knobs do which functions, but that’s the case with any new vehicle.

The steering wheel heater and seat heating (and cooling) controls are easily found in the centre stack, so there must be a Canadian in Lincoln’s interior design department somewhere. The head-up display shut-off switch is also handy if, like me, you’d rather be looking at the road than be constantly distracted by lights flashing in the windshield all the time. Blind spot detection and lane keep assist systems are also included. Useful technology such as built-in WiFi, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are part of the package, as well as cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, and a rear view camera with multiple screen layouts including a bird’s eye view, handy when backing up. The popular Waze app provides a good supplement to the SatNav system.

Seat adjustment is by buttons on the door panel that look almost identical to those Mercedes introduced many years ago. Push the part of the button that corresponds to the part of the seat you want to adjust, and Bob’s your uncle. It took me a while to find the right seating position.

Lincoln has introduced a number of functions to make servicing your vehicle easier. A 1-800 number connects you to a “concierge”, which as in a top-class hotel, will look after myriad details to make your experience less stressful. Self-parking, both parallel and perpendicular, are there if you want to use them.

Using the “Lincoln Way” app on your smartphone, you can also schedule routine maintenance remotely. They’ll even pick your vehicle up and leave you a loaner. Sadly, I don’t get to test vehicles for long enough to tell you how well this works. I’m ready when you are, Lincoln.

Review 2021 Lincoln Corsair

What I can tell you a bit about is how the vehicle performs, rides and handles.

In short, surprisingly well. Even the smaller engine provides Corsair with decent acceleration, and the twin turbo takes care of any hint of turbo lag. The transmission shifts almost imperceptibly. Paddle shifters are available if you think you can do better.

The “Adaptive Suspension” ensures a serene ride, as sensors adjust damping in milliseconds in response to steering or braking manoeuvres, or changes in road surface quality. “Handling”, a word not often associated with Lincolns, is better than expected, with decently flat cornering and steering that is precise, if perhaps a bit too light for my taste. A “Drive Mode” knob offers various settings. The parenthetical comments following each one here pretty much tell the story: Normal (effortless and balanced); Conserve (efficient driving); Excite (responsive and engaging); Slippery (slick, icy, and loose surfaces); Deep (deep snow, mud or sand).

Throttle, suspension and transmission responses vary to suit, and the differences between the settings are larger, more noticeable, than in most such systems. Each setting has a unique instrument cluster layout. “Deep” also shuts off traction control because sometimes you need a bit of wheel spin to get you out of the mud. I didn’t do any boonie-bashing, so I kept it mostly in Comfort and Excite.

Corsair is also commendably quiet. Good sound insulation is at work here. Lincoln is now an SUV-only brand, as the big and impressive Continental and the mid-size MKZ sedans are done. Regular readers know I’m not much of a fan of SUVs, so I didn’t come into this test with high hopes. If an SUV can pleasantly surprise me, it must be doing something right.

The vehicle was provided to the writer by the automaker. Content and vehicle evaluations were not subject to approval.

The post Review: 2021 Lincoln Corsair appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Carte Blanche – Some New Year’s Resolutions for You

Here are some things we can all do behind the wheel towards that goal. I’m just not talking about not driving while impaired (by alcohol, drugs – prescription or recreational, or fatigue). Nor about not wearing your seat belts.

Surely some things do not need repeating.

I’m talking about things you may have been taught but may have forgotten.

Tip 1: Put on those winter tires. If you haven’t done this by now, you’ve probably already been caught out. Better late than never.

Tip 2: Prepare the rest of your car for winter too. Make sure its tune-up schedule has been maintained. Breaking down at the side of the road is never fun and in winter, it could be deadly.

Tip 3: In that vein, carry an emergency kit with you. You can get pre-made kits from your local auto supply store in a variety of price ranges, or make one up yourself. Warm work gloves, extra socks, boots, and other clothing, a “space blanket” (thin and compact, but very warm), emergency warning triangle, flares, flashlight (don’t forget batteries, or get a wind-up unit), some granola bars in case you’re stuck for a while, water in plastic bottles (glass will break if you’re in the cold for too long). And keep your cell phone charged.

Tip 4: Clear the snow off your car. And do it before you drive away; don’t let the wind sweep it clean because the snow may end up on someone else’s windshield. Do all the windows, don’t just cut a wee hole you can peek through. Don’t forget the side-view mirrors and the roof – a mini-avalanche into the windshield of a following car can be more than an unpleasant surprise for its unfortunate driver.

Tip 5: Still with visibility, top up your windshield washer fluid, and carry a back-up supply with you. Especially in slushy weather, you can go through that stuff very quickly.

Tip 6: Don’t idle. As soon as the engine runs smoothly, drive away, gently at first. An engine warms up much more quickly under load than it does when idling. Getting it up to temperature quickly reduces wear and tear, obviously saves precious fuel, and reduces pollution.

Tip 7: Practice. Find a big empty unplowed parking lot, and learn how your car handles poor traction conditions. If your car is fairly new, it probably has stability control and ABS brakes. But the good driver never gets into a situation where (s)he has to rely on that technology. Besides, sliding around is fun…

Tip 8: Speaking of technology, avoid using snooze-and-cruise on wet or snowy roads. Most systems can’t keep up with rapidly changing traction conditions.

Tip 9: Turn on your lights. All of them, not just the Daytime Running Lights. Remember, the driver of the car behind you has to see your car.

Tip 10: Last but not least, SLOW DOWN! Seems obvious, but apparently not, given the behaviour I see on the 401 during every snowstorm. The kinetic energy of your car increases as the square of its speed, so braking is severely compromised, as is handling. Better to get there late than not at all.

Remember: as always, the life you save might be mine…

The post Carte Blanche – Some New Year’s Resolutions for You appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

How Sim Racing Forged a Friendship That’ll Last Forever

At the very beginning of the pandemic, it seemed the only activities we had at our disposal were driving, taking long walks and watching the Tiger King on Netflix. Personally, I turned that free time into gaming hours where I logged onto my dusty Playstation 4 game console for some good old Gran Turismo Sport. Little did I know I was heading straight towards a camaraderie set in stone; a bond so strong that it would lead me straight to a competitive real-life karting race.

When Youtubers Set the Pace

Ever heard of The Straight Pipes? If you haven’t, I highly suggest you visit their channel, as they’re currently the most influential Canadian automotive Youtubers on the internet, with over 1.1 million subscribers worldwide. Turns out they play Gran Turismo Sport too. As a matter of fact, at the start of the pandemic, Yuri Tereshyn, one of the show’s announcers, had created a #stayhome online race lobby in an attempt to encourage his followers to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 infectious disease. The idea was rather simple: get friends to regroup virtually behind the wheel of race-spec’d Mazda Miatas on equal terms: same horsepower, same weight settings and same tires.

“The goal was to encourage others to keep busy at home by playing video games during the first few confusing months of the pandemic. But it was mostly about having fun with friends, make new friends, and race our subscribers,” Yuri explains.

But what kicked off as just “playing video games” quickly became a weekly meeting, where other members of the auto industry joined in. Interestingly enough, the activity gained so much traction, that it caught the eye a Brand Partnerships and Motorsport Manager at Porsche Canada.

From Gaming to Serious Racing

During that same period, Daniel Ponzini was in the process of cooking up a new virtual race series at Porsche. And since he was a life long Gran Turismo player, he embraced the idea of joining automotive content creators in a virtual race.

Daniel had previously worked in the Canadian automotive landscape as a corporate Public Relations representative, and before that, he was an automotive writer and AJAC member. For him, joining the online group meant connecting on a different level and challenging colleagues in a digital race space. Above all, it was about having fun and staying connected in a COVID-friendly environment, values that directly tied in with Porsche’s intention of entering the virtual space.

Daniel’s participation in the #stayhome Gran Turismo races also gave him further assurance that the Esports race project would be a success. In May of 2020, Porsche Canada announced its plans to launch the series, which ran throughout June and July. The project was a success.

“The Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Canada race series was a completely new initiative that saw us bring Porsche Passion to life in a digital space, but the competition was extremely real,” explains Ponzini. He carried on saying that the top 30 sim racers on iRacing in Canada challenged each other and proved their race craft throughout the series. “Our champion, Brandon Hawkin, won attendance to an authentic Porsche Track Experience, where he was able to bring driving a Porsche on track from the virtual series to reality.”

Recruiting Real Drivers

Having a Porsche employee take part in the #stayhome Gran Turismo lobby inevitably led to actual race car drivers also joining the group. Like all of us, former touring car driver and Porsche GT3 Cup Gold Class winner Sam Fellows was also looking for ways to stay busy during the pandemic’s darkest hours.

“I think everyone was missing racing and not being at the track. The guys from The Straight Pipes saw I was playing Gran Turismo Sport and invited me to the group to race. There’s some really solid drivers in our group so the races are always fun,” Fellows told Wheels.ca in an interview.

He carried on saying that racing online in a closed group allowed him to pick and choose the tracks and cars he wanted to drive. Furthermore, he claims chatting with friends along the way added more camaraderie to the experience.

Sam Fellows eventually took the position of ambassador for Porsche’s Esports series. He even took part in the race, ranking 16th out of the top 30 sim racers in Canada.

A Hint of Jaguar Land Rover

Chad Eusepi knew Yuri and Jakub from his past as public relations specialist at Mercedes-Benz Canada. Today, Chad has migrated to the Sales Specialist position at Grand Touring Automobiles in Toronto, mostly focusing on Jaguar Land Rover vehicles. For Chad, a hardcore automotive enthusiast and racing afficionado, Gran Turismo Sport was a no-brainer destination when the pandemic hit.

“It’s funny, because just after a few sessions of racing, it felt as if we’d all been friends for a while. Fast forward a few months later, and we’re all competing in a fantasy F1 league, talking on a daily basis. We started off as total strangers scattered across the crountry, yet here we are now as a knit group of friends all thanks to GT Sport.”

And Then the Arkells Joined

The pandemic really hit everyone hard, and from all possible sectors. Imagine being part of a rising Canadian rock band, touring the country and seeing your hard work finally pay off when suddenly, everything stops. That’s precisely what happened to Michael DeAngelis, guitarist for the Arkells rock band.

Michael had been racing virtually in Gran Turismo since high school. Like many of us, the game had played a large role in his interest in cars. In January of 2020, he and his band performed in front of a Mercedes-Benz ice-driving event in Gimli, Manitoba. It was his band’s last live concert, but also where he met Jakub from The Straight Pipes and myself. When we found out he was also playing GT Sport during the lockdown, we invited him to the group.

“It was great to be able to use a game like Gran Turismo to meet new people and connect over cars, especially considering how difficult that was, and still is with COVID restrictions. It’s also been awesome to race against a guy like Sam Fellows who have real racing experience. It has pushed us all to get better, I think,” said DeAngelis.

Straight Pipes GTSport

To Mosport!

By the end of the fall season, the group, charismatically named Straight Pipes GTSport, had collected a total of 13 individuals from completely different trades. It was time to finally battle it out in real life.

Thanks to Sam Fellows’ connections at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport), we were able to organize a COVID-friendly get karting race where masks and social distancing would ensure a safe race.

I didn’t do very well in that race, ranking towards the end of the pack in 10th place. But it was the fraternal bond that had grown between us that made the experience feel that much more special. More importantly, most of the people I was racing against had been total strangers one year prior. If it hadn’t been for online sim racing, we would probably have never met each other.

As I write this, the Straight Pipes GTSport club is still very much alive and strong. Each week, we battle it out virtually in modified Miatas within a fraternal bond that’s not likely to end soon. We’re already planning the next karting race and placing bets on who’s going to win.

“Finally having the chance to race against a group of individuals I raced online for eight months was one of the best ways to close 2020. The combination of having a semi-competitive race amongst peers was a great way to learn from one another, all while improving our skills. I’m already looking forward to next year’s race,” Jeremy Jova, team member.

The post How Sim Racing Forged a Friendship That’ll Last Forever appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

21 Cars to Look Forward to in 2021

A new year brings a whole new crop of cars to look forward to. Some are practically here now. Others we’ll have to wait until late 2021 to get our hands on as they’ll arrive as 2022 model years. Nevertheless, these are all models you should consider waiting for to arrive before making your next purchase.

Acura TLX Type S

While the much needed update to the Acura TLX arrived in late 2020, we’ve been patiently waiting for the top-tier Type S model to finally arrive in 2021. The Type S promises to pack a 3.0-litre V6 delivering 355 horsepower and 345 354 lb-ft. This means the TLX Type S should finally be able to compete against the Audi S4 and BMW 340i. That’s exciting. Very exciting.

Alfa Romeo GTV

2021 Auto Models

This year, Alfa is set to revive the infamous GTV badge with a two-door coupe based on the Giulia platform. This means it will likely have a hot Quadrifoglio version (like the Giulia) and be offered with the beloved 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, offering up 505 horsepower. Considering the questionable design of the new BMW M4, you might just have to wait for the GTV if you’re in the market for a high scale GT coupe.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

2021 Auto Models

The Tonale premiered in concept form way back at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show. However, production shots are now starting to leak across the Internet, so we can expect to see it arrive some time in 2021. The Tonale promises to be the baby-brother to the larger Alfa Romeo Stelvio, injecting some Italian flair into the increasingly competitive sub-compact SUV market. Fingers crossed for a Quadrifoglio version.

Audi e-Tron GT

Audi plans to expand its e-Tron line with inclusion of the e-Tron GT — which they say will go into production in early 2021 after impressing the crowds at this year’s LA Auto Show. The battery-powered sedan will be built on the same J1 electric platform as the Porsche Taycan. It also features a two-motor setup which could deliver a combined 590 horsepower. It also looks pleasingly tough for an all-electric vehicle.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

2021 Auto Models

There have been a few disappointments with the performance Caddys in the last few years. First was the disappearance of the CTS-V, which proudly sported GM’s bonkers 6.2-litre, 640 horsepower V8. Then there was the Blackwing V8 engine, set to debut in the CT6-V, which was subsequently axed. Then the CT5-V debuted with 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 producing only 360 horsepower. Luckily, Caddy is bringing back the Blackwing name and an updated version of the 6.2-litre supercharged V8, which will now produce 650 horsepower for the new top-tier CT5. A Blackwing CT4 is also on the way.

Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06

2021 Auto Models

The new mid-engine C8 ‘Vette may have debuted with a massive amount of fanfare, and certainly been able to meet (and indeed, exceed) performance expectations. But I suspect there will still be a good deal of buyer’s remorse (especially from those who paid well over MSRP to get their hands on their C8) when the new Z06 debuts. Latest reports have said that the Z06 will house a naturally aspirated 5.5-litre flat-plane twin-cam V-8 capable of screaming to 9,000 rpm and will debut for the 2022 model year.

Ferrari Purosangue

2021 Auto Models

If there was any signifier that the SUV market was hotter than ever, it’s that even Ferrari feels compelled to get in on the action. The Purosangue will share a platform with the Roma GT — and while that means it could house a V6, V8, V12 or even plug-in hybrid system, it’s likely to stick with Ferrari’s current 3.9-litre V8 featured in the Roma. However, different architectures are possible for 2+2 or 4+ seating.

Ford Mustang Mach E GT Performance Edition

2021 Auto Models

The review embargos on the very first Mustang Mach E SUVs have lifted, and journalists are finally starting to get their hands on the first electric Mustang. However, the one you really want, the super hot Mach E GT which Ford claims will do 0 – 60 in the mid-3 second range will debut in fall 2021.

Ford Mustang Mach 1

2021 Auto Models

The original “Mach” badged Mustang is set to return in 2021, filling a gap between the Bullitt and GT350 models, while also somewhat replacing both of them. The Mach 1 is something of a parts-bin special. It will feature suspension bits and tuning, as well offer the beefier manual transmission from the GT350, but will however utilize the Bullittt’s 480 horsepower 5.0-litre V8 instead of the beloved 5.2-litre “Voodoo” V8 (RIP).

GMC Hummer EV

2021 Auto Models

Another 2022 model year that is set to debut in late 2021. While the new Hummer will cost upwards of $80,000, it will also be fully electric (oh, the irony) and its top-tier model will make 1,000 horsepower, do 0-60mph in about 3 seconds and do an estimated 350 km per charge.

Honda Civic (11th Generation)

2021 Auto Models

While it may be for the 2022 model year, you can probably expect to see the newest generation of the Honda Civic hit dealer showrooms sometime mid to late 2021. The redesigned Civic promises a sleeker, less busy design than the outgoing model. While no engine specs have been released yet, we suspect Honda will continue to evolve its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and save hybrid powertrains for the Insight. We’re also looking forward to the announced return of the Si and Type R models.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

2021 Auto Models

The concept vehicle unveiled for the return of the Grand Wagoneer is eye-wateringly attractive. And the prospect of a retro-styled, electric SUV is also somewhat tantalizing. Jeep has said the Grand Wagoneer Concept features AWD, an active two-piece transfer case and proper Quadra-lift suspension, which the production model will hopefully carry over. If it all delivers, it’ll be nice to have a modern, premium SUV in the market that can still do real truck stuff.

Lexus LQ

2021 Auto Models

Speaking of premium SUVs, Lexus has been strangely dormant these last few years, relying mostly on their flagship LX SUV. However, the LX is gone for the 2022 model year, to be replaced by the new LQ. There is still a lot up in the air on the LQ — powertrain offerings could be derived from the LS, meaning a 416 hp twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic and a 3.5-litre V6 with two electric motors generating a combined 354 hp could be available.

Mercedes AMG-SL Class

2021 Auto Models

After a hiatus beginning in 2018, the SL is set to re-launch in 2021 as a 2022 model. The AMG-SL class has a lot of heritage to live up to. And while recent SL models have lagged behind other two-door, four-seat grand tourers (notably, the BMW 8-Series) there’s a lot of hope for Merc’s new AMG-SL. We expect Merc’s turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, which produces 429 horsepower in the E53 sedan, as well as their twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, capable of 577 horsepower will make their way into the SL.

Nissan Z

2021 Auto Models

We suspect this might be a firm 2022 release, but there’s still lots to learn about the forthcoming Nissan Z model in 2021. Will its 3.7-litre twin-turbocharged V6 make 400 horsepower as it does in the Infiniti Q60 Redsport? Will it be faster than the Toyota Supra? How much retro-styling will it retain from the Proto concept? The nameplate itself is also up in the air. Will it be the 400Z? Simply the “Z”? Time will tell. But we’re excited to learn more about this manual transmission (thank you) sports coupe.

Porsche 718 GT4 RS

2021 Auto Models

For the car that’s supposed to live in the 911’s shadow, it’s really odd that Porsche continues to produce increasingly hardcore versions of the 718. The upcoming RS variant of the GT4 version is set to receive weight reduction, chassis stiffening and somewhere in the neighbourhood of 500 horsepower. It will arrive in late 2021, cost around $130,000 and, let’s face it, probably be amazing… despite the fact that most of us would probably rather have a well-specced 911 for that kind of cheddar.

Ram Dakota

2021 Auto Models

The mid-size pick-up market is heating up again, and Ram is looking to get a piece of the action with the return of the Dakota nameplate. Don’t hold your breath for a HEMI V8 option. However the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 will most likely make its way to the platform as it’s most likely this baby Ram will share a platform with the Jeep Gladiator. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even get an e-Torque hybrid variant for some extra chuff.

Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86

2021 Auto Models

Personally, this is my most anticipated car on the list. While it appears that Subaru-Toyota have restrained themselves with their redesign (thankfully not adding a great deal more horsepower or weight), the question remains as to whether the new Toybaru twins will be able to offer the same level of raw, analogue driving excitement as the original generation. Hopefully, 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque keeps the 2+2 sports couple firmly in the fun zone.

Toyota GR Corolla

2021 Auto Models

A Toyota hot hatch that’s seeking to put the Golf GTI, Veloster N and Civic Si in its crosshairs? LET’S. GO. How could this not be great? Toyota hasn’t given away much about the GR Corolla, but if the GR Yaris is any indication, the GR Corolla may receive the same 257-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Couple that with a 6-speed manual and a $35,000 price tag, and you’ve got a recipe for smiles.

Volkswagen ID.4

2021 Auto Models

VW’s decision to name their new electric crossover SUV like a smartphone or gaming console I’m sure is the work of some overpaid marketing think tank. Still, an all-electric, AWD compact SUV promises to further democratise the EV market by creating a more entry level electric option for the masses. Reviews are trickling in now for the ID.4 and it should be showing up in VW showrooms early 2021.

Volkswagen Golf R

2021 Auto Models

The Golf R has always somewhat lived in the Honda Civic Type R’s shadow. However, with the Type R on a quick hiatus for the 2022 model year, it just might be the forthcoming Golf R’s time to shine. The all new 5th generation Golf R will sport a turbocharged 2.0L TSI engine set to produce 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Power will be delivered through an updated 4MOTION AWD system. It will also have something called a ‘rear axle torque vectoring function” which helps with cornering, apparently. At any rate, it sounds most excellent and definitely worth waiting for.

The post 21 Cars to Look Forward to in 2021 appeared first on WHEELS.ca.