Whether youre a driver, cyclist, or a pedestrian, we all share the road.Ernest Doroszuk / Postmedia Once again, a dashcam delivers.Toronto is awash in rising collisions between vehicles and both pedestrians and cyclists. All media is in (rare) agreement, reporting that police enforcement has tanked, putting more people at significant risk. City Hall appears to care. Appears. Drivers seem not to. The fact is we are hurting and killing each other and we have to stop.The latest piece of evidence is this viral clip. The video shows a Mercedes-Benz making a right turn, into a cyclist. Cyclist goes down, driver crosses over the median and carries on.Reports say the driver did come back and was charged with careless driving.A car rammed into a cyclist in Markham and it was all caught on video. Luckily the cyclist was not badly injured. The driver was arrested. #bikeTO #Markham #Toronto pic.twitter.com/8CMMUNRWHq blogTO (@blogTO) November 25, 2019Some say the cyclist should have dismounted, etc. because lets blame the person who was run over by an SUV. The cyclist did not suffer serious injuries.That driver was making a right turn onto a busy six-lane roadway. That driver was intent on looking for oncoming vehicles, and any pedestrian or cyclist would have lined up with their front A-pillar, and been partially if not totally hidden. It’s why we have a solid white stop stripe at intersections — to keep sidewalks safe for those who use them. When cars sit in them, and drivers stay devoted on their own next move instead of those they are putting in peril, metal-to-flesh contact will continue to rise.So, who’s to blame? What’s the ratio?Take Our Poll
Origin: Judgy-Pants: Mowing Down a Cyclist Edition
Kia set for electric 2020
Kia set for electric 2020 The Soul EV will join the Kia electric range from April Kia has announced that more drivers will be able to get behind the wheel of it’s pure-electric models in 2020, thanks to improved supply of the updated e-Niro and launch of the new Soul EV. The UK will get enough supply of the popular e-Niro to clear the existing 3,000 strong waiting list in the first half of the year, and have even more supply in the last six months. Improvements have been made to the equipment list, with LED headlights, a battery heating system, new 10.25-inch infotainment screen, and UVO connected car service added. New customers walking into a dealership to put in an order today will see their car arrive from the start of July next year. As well as the e-Niro, 2020 will see the UK launch of the new Soul EV. Featuring the same powertrain as the e-Niro in a more stylish, crossover package, the Soul EV will see deliveries start in April, for those that put their order in back in July. The e-Niro starts at £34,495 and the Soul EV at £33,795 – both after plug-in car grant. Kia will be offering two pure-electric models with a range of more than 280 miles on a single charge at mass-market prices.
Origin: Kia set for electric 2020
Civil case against VWs diesel emissions scandal to start
Civil case against VW’s diesel emissions scandal to start VW owners are seeking compensation for alleged fitting of emissions defeat devices Class action against Volkswagen will begin today (Monday 2nd December) in the UK, as lawyers representing more than 90,000 VW owners look to settle whether defeat device software fitted to 1.2 million vehicles was designed to illegally circumnavigate clean air laws. More than four years on from when the VW emissions scandal initially broke, VW customers in the UK are taking their case to the courts in the latest round of legal battles for the German manufacturer. The action is a civil suit, rather than a trial to determine any criminal undertakings. Other countries have already seen settlements paid by Volkswagen, with the scandal costing the company billions of pounds in legal damages. VW has paid more than $4 billion in penalties from criminal charges brought two years ago. Penalties in Australia have also been settled for customer compensation. In Europe, there has been no such closure, with cases due to come to court in the UK and a number of other countries. Here, VW claims that the emissions software used was not illegal – despite German authorities having previously ruled that it was. Volkswagen claims that no defeat devices have been installed in any vehicles in the UK, and that it will contest the action.
Origin: Civil case against VWs diesel emissions scandal to start
Ford recalling more than 5,500 Rangers in Canada over faulty taillights
Ford is recalling more than 5,500 Ranger pickups in Canada over taillights that may not work properly.The recall covers trucks from the 2019 model year, and applies to some 78,264 Rangers globally specifically, 5,564 are affected in Canada.On those affected trucks, the rear lights may function intermittently or simply not work due to badly installed or misaligned terminals.This means the position lights, brake lights and turn signals may not illuminate fully, reducing the visibility of the truck to other road users.Dealers will repair the issue by adjusting the terminals. This marks the fifth recall for the Ranger this year, its first model year on sale in Canada, which suggests Ford is still working out the bugs on the new
Origin: Ford recalling more than 5,500 Rangers in Canada over faulty taillights
French policemen arrest a MicroCar because its passenger is… a pony
French policemen from Sud de la France were conducting a distracted driving crackdown near Marseille last week when they spotted surely the strangest thing theyll see in their career: a goddamn pony riding shotgun in a microcar.They snapped the photo you see above, then they arrested the woman driving the vehicle, only to discover she also didnt have a drivers licence.Luckily, behind the wheel of a microcar like this, thats not a problem: in France, as long as youre over 14 years old, you can drive said voitures sans permis on almost any road, except expressways and highways. And anyway, you dont want to ride those citadines anywhere but cities or on quiet regional roads, since theyre legally limited to 45 km/h.Prêts à devenir #Policier et à affronter l#Insolite ? https://t.co/PdWDtr7qY9 Surprise lors dun contrôle routier 🚔 entre #LaCiotat et #Marseille, un poney au service des enfants handicapés !!! Noble cause certes mais attention aux règles de transport de nos amis les #Animaux pic.twitter.com/tJoZNFmRAU Police nationale 13 (@PoliceNat13) November 22, 2019The problem here was more the, uh, animal. As Police Nationale 13 told the media after the bizarre event, there are rules for keeping our four-legged friends safe in an automobile. In this case, they were obviously not respected.To be fair, the horse seems like it was treated humanely, as its owner explained to the officers. First, wood planks on the floor gave it space to stretch comfortably. And while the pony got into the car from the trunk, once they got to their destination a center for handicapped children hed exit via the passenger door. The woman, a psychomotor physiotherapist, pleaded she was simply transporting the therapy animal in the microcar until she got her drivers licence, when she could legally drive the horse in a much more suitable van.Police officers checked her story and found she was telling the truth so they let her go. No fine was issued. But, boy, did those cops have a story to
Origin: French policemen arrest a MicroCar because its passenger is… a pony
The Audi RSQ E-Tron Concept is back in ‘Spies in Disguise’
There’s a new trend in super-spy transportation: electric power. Bond is set to drive the Aston Martin Rapide E in the upcoming franchise film, and over in the animated world, Audi is gearing up its first pixelated concept car, which is also electric.The Audi RSQ E-Tron concept is set to debut in the upcoming animated movie Spies in Disguise. The short video teaser titled “Lunch Break” features Lance Sterling (with the voice and goatee of Will Smith) acting all cool, like only a super-spy can in the passenger seat of the Audi RSQ E-Tron concept, while the high-strung nerdy weapons specialist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) freaks out beside him. There’s a broken bridge, which the Audi jumps; a helicopter, which the Audi outruns on the streets with its Audi on Demand Performance Package Power Boost; and a targeted missile, which the Audi outmaneuvers in the subway system.As the car careens around the city, we get a glimpse of a holographic cluster, an infotainment centre on the windshield and a digital dash running the width of the car. And when the spot ends, we see Beckett behind the wheel “living his best life,” unaware that autopilot is on. Presumably, they also head to a drive-thru after this is all over — because this was their lunch break, and spies gotta eat. Spies in Disguise will arrive in theatres on December 25,
Origin: The Audi RSQ E-Tron Concept is back in ‘Spies in Disguise’
This Porsche X Lucasfilm starship will get you pumped for the new ‘Star Wars’ film
The Porsche Taycan had an Imperial escort at its recent debut in Singapore, rolling along the black carpet beside a squad of stormtroopers. In fact, Porsche built an entire “spaceport” in collaboration with designers at Lucasfilm for the event, which also hyped the upcoming film Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. And while those of us in the Western world have already seen the Taycan, we hadn’t laid eyes on the sketches of the spacecraft also co-designed by Porsche and the Star Wars team, presented at the event.The starship combines Porsche and Star Wars design elements for a piece of fantasy machinery that, though it probably wont appear in any actual Star Wars movies, looks like something a young Han Solo would totally enjoy hijacking. Its got bits reminiscent of the X-Wing, Y-Wing and U-Wing with touches of the Taycan.“Even though they do not seem to share many elements at first glance, both worlds have a similar design philosophy,” said Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche at Porsche AG, in a press release. The close collaboration with the Star Wars design team inspires and fascinates us it was a pleasure to present the design process and some sketches together with Doug Chiang in Singapore. We are looking forward to finalizing the fantasy spaceship design within the next weeks.While they wait for said promised final product, super-fans of Porsche, Star Wars or both can nerd out at the Wired microsite dedicated to the build process, which includes videos, insights and even more sketches of the
Origin: This Porsche X Lucasfilm starship will get you pumped for the new ‘Star Wars’ film
5 things we learned behind the wheel of the 2020 Ford Escape
2020 Ford EscapeChris Balcerak / Driving Up against stellar competition Honda’s CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, for instance and part of a portfolio that is now almost completely car-free, its important that Fords completely redesigned Escape be a home-run. Compact crossovers are all the rage right now the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape are all among the top-10 sellers in Canada right now so a competitive Escape is absolutely key to Fords continued good fortunes. Here are a few observations are driving a top-line Escape Titanium with the 2.0-litre turbo-four and all-wheel-drive.It’s gasolineThe attribute that really stands out is how powerful the Escapes top-line engine is. Yet another of Fords 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, this one is good for 250 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic, it should be good from a sub six-second scoot from rest to 100 km/h. More importantly, its got grunt to spare when passing semis on the highway, and its good to tow some 1,587 kilograms. The only downside is that it needs revs. Unusually, especially for a turbocharged engine, is that both horsepower and torque peak at 5,500 rpm, pointing to an engine that might be a tad weedy at low rpm. Indeed, I thought the slight fluffiness I felt at low speeds was due to lethargic transmission, but its more probably the result of this EcoBoosts aggressive tuning. Once moving, however, the Ford Escape is the beast of the compact crossover segment.It’s also sophisticatedAbsolutely everyone who got a ride in the new Escape commented on the relaxed nature of the powertrain, some commenting that it felt smoother than either the CR-V or the RAV4, while others compared it with Audis Q5. While I wholeheartedly agree with the first assertion, Im not quite as sure about the second, but it doesnt change the fact that this is the most together EcoBoost four-cylinder that Ive yet driven. The most powerful four-cylinder in its segment as well as its most sophisticated, those looking for a reason to choose the Titanium only this trim and the SEL get the 2.0L EcoBoost over its Japanese competition need look no deeper than under the hood. This is the class of the segment in both performance and exemplary NVH. With great power comes…Pretty darned frugal consumption, actually. Fords EcoBoost engines havent always delivered the fuel economy from the supposed efficiency of turbocharging smaller engines, often exceeding Transport Canadas rating by as much as 50 per cent.The new Escape is certainly an exception, averaging 9.7 L/100 kilometres of combined highway/city driving compared to its 9.1 official rating. And this is with me enjoying the fruits of Fords now more energetic turbocharger, goosing it away from lights, cruising at 125 km/h, and just generally hooning about. With a little more, err, deliberation, perhaps I might have even hit Fords official numbers, which would have been a first for me with any EcoBoost engine. Well done, Ford.The interior is much improvedWith caveats, though. First off, the Escapes cabin is roomier than its predecessor, especially in the cargo area, which now almost rivals the voluminous Honda CR-V. Its also a calm environment, the absence of tire noise and the aforementioned lack of NVH from the engine compartment contributing to the tranquility. Together with decent seats, excellent headroom and enough legroom for six-footers in the back, the new Escape is one of the few compact CUVs in which four adults can travel in comfort. The interior trim bits, long a sore spot in the Escape, have also been improved. The dashbords synthetic covering is softer (if not quite soft), the Titaniums leather up to snuff, and some of the fake wood, well, looks less fake than in the past. That said, some of the plastic in the door panels, for instance are not state-of-the-art. That might not be huge deal on the base model, but in a $44,599 Titanium, it was somewhat lacking. Whether that alone is enough for some to remove the Escape from their shopping list is doubtful, however. The previous generations plastics were atrocious and that didnt stop it from being the third best-seller in a very competitive segment.It’s pretty high techAt least in the top-of-the-line Titanium edition. Standard equipment includes Fords CoPilot360 suite of advanced driver aids, on-board WiFi, Active Park Assist, and Fords MyKey security system that allows you to set maximum speed which I inadvertently did for younger drivers. There is even a USB-C port (as well as a conventional USB version) for those that have recently upgraded phone or iPad.Of particular note is Fords latest Sync 3 infotainment system. As with all Fords tech upgrades of late, I am terribly impressed with this latest Sync, which has what must be the most improved man-machine interface of any infotainment system of the last five years. The eight-inch touchscreen remains relatively uncluttered, the menus uncomplicated, and
Origin: 5 things we learned behind the wheel of the 2020 Ford Escape
4,000-hp Thor24 custom truck hammers for US$12 million in Saudi Arabia
What has twenty-four cylinders, weighs 32,000 pounds and was outlandish enough to command US$12 million in a country where moneys no object for many of its residents?If you think the answer is this Thor24 crew cab semi built by stunt pilot and boat racer Mike Harrah, youd be absolutely right.Over the span of seven years and about US$7 million, Harrah constructed one of the most extreme vehicles let alone truck tractors ever to ply the face of this earth. The power developed by 1,704 cubic inches of displacement comes from a brace of two 12-cylinder Detroit diesel engines, arranged neatly like ducks in a row.There are a dozen 871 superchargers arranged above the blocks to push the beast to create a blistering 3,974 horsepower. It also packs a nitrous boost, allowing the 32,000-pound truck to crest 200 km/h. A quartet of 12-foot drag chutes help to reel in all that speed.Harrahs vision began with a Peterbilt 359 crew cab semi, a truck stretched to 44 feet in length to accommodate his plans. Once the frame was completed, most parts on the bottom side were replaced with chrome-plated or polished aluminum bits. From a visual standpoint, its a good wager there is nothing else in the world like Thor24. As if to put the exclamation point home, flames adorn Thors flanks because of course they do.A bidder at the Global Auto Salon auction, hosted by Worldwide Auctioneers in Riyadh this past weekend, paid a reported US$12 million for this 44-foot-long brute. Keeping in spirit with other custom big rigs, an auxiliary power unit is onboard. The unit is what else? a Hawker jet engine. Your author was on the ground at the Riyadh show, where Bugattis were as common as Corollas. In that context, perhaps Thor24 doesnt seem so outrageous after all. But make no mistake back here in a world that loosely approximates reality, Thor24 is a wonderfully brutish machine that has more road presence than a fleet of Jensen Interceptors.Well have more car stories from Saudi Arabia in the days ahead, including the tale of a man who bought a brace of heavily-patinad 57 Chevys and plans to take them on a 1,600-km road trip. Until then, enjoy these snaps of what is surely the wildest semi in
Origin: 4,000-hp Thor24 custom truck hammers for US$12 million in Saudi Arabia
Car Review: 2020 Jaguar F-Type Coupe
2020 Jaguar F-TypeBrian Harper / Driving OVERVIEW All-wheel-drive, two-seat sports coupe PROSStunning looks, smooth driving, sounds terrific CONSNo more manual transmission, poor visibility VALUE FOR MONEYFair WHAT TO CHANGE?Nothing HOW TO SPEC IT?As is but without the Checkered Flag package, power tailgate or all-wheel drive It was at the 2006 Concorso dEleganza where I saw the car a diminutive two-seat hardtop coupe called the Cisitalia 202, one of the first new sports cars to come out of post-Second World War Italy. Initially, I gave it a quick glance on my way to look at bigger, fancier, more exclusive automobiles dotting the lawn of the Villa dEste on the outskirts of Como. But something drew me back to the Pininfarina-designed 202 and I spent the next half-hour walking around it, studying the handbuilt coachwork from every angle before determining, in my mind, that the cars proportions were, in a single word, perfection. That one of the 170 or so Cisitalia 202s built has been on permanent display at New York’s Museum of Modern Art since 1951 has further bolstered this belief.The 202 was a progenitor of the coupe-bodied sports car, and since then, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times the now iconic silhouette has left such a profound impression, the last being at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show when Jaguar debuted the F-Type Coupe. A product of then-director of design Ian Callums fertile mind his extensive portfolio includes the curvaceous Aston Martin Vanquish and DB9 the F-Type was, and still is, the most gorgeous sports car he has ever penned, far more than a mere hardtop version of the F-Type Convertible that had predated it.Sensuous, with pardon the obvious clich a jungle cat stealth and perfectly integrated lines that accentuate not only speed and power, but elegance, the car still draws admiring glances from passersby, quite the accomplishment for an aging machine in this increasingly jaded world.With its looks, I could (almost) forgive the F-Type if it drove like a Massey-Ferguson tractor, which fortunately, it doesnt. The testers supercharged 3.0-litre V6 throws out a solid 380 horsepower, plenty enough to move the 1,674-kilogram coupe along at a quick clip zero to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds is Jaguars claim.In addition to being offered with a milder 340-horsepower version of the supercharged six, the F-Type can also enhance its pace with a supercharged 5.0L V8, available with as much as 575 horsepower. Conversely, if a more sedate boulevardier appeals to you, the base model comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-four with 296 horsepower. Finally, though rear-wheel drive is the normal state of affairs, all-wheel drive is optional on V6 and standard on V8 models, this tester being so fitted.As if supermodel beauty and a decent amount of scoot werent enough, the F-Type announces its presence with an aural alert from its four inboard-mounted tailpipes, starting with a somewhat obnoxious fart on startup. Then theres the cars active sports exhaust; by pressing the console-mounted override button, electronically controlled bypass valves in the exhaust open and alter exhaust gas routing into a freer-flowing path to reduce backpressure and enhance sound quality. The result is a thundering blat under hard acceleration especially in Dynamic mode and, on downshifts via the eight-speed automatics paddle shifters (the manual has since been discontinued), a snarling, crackling stanza of hooliganism that startles all those within earshot. Sophomoric? Yes, but it still gives me the giggles. Despite the cars performance bona fides, the F-Types ride and handling is neither extreme nor unpleasant. Its not as sharp or precise as a Porsche 911; theres a little more comfort built in to the suspension so as not to rattle your teeth when the 20-inch Pirelli P-Zero tires roll over a tar strip. In fact, the car proved quite livable during a 1,100 kilometre-long summer road trip. My wifes sole complaint was that the seat back did not recline enough for her to properly nap while I drove.This particular 2020 model-year tester bears the unwieldy name of F-Type Coupe P380 AWD Checkered Flag Limited Edition $110,600 as-tested the latter half of this designation denoting a cosmetic package adding nothing to the cars performance capabilities. According to Jaguar, Checkered Flag models celebrate the automakers rich sports car heritage dating back to the 1948 XK 120. It does so by featuring a range of subtle visual enhancements to the exterior and to the driver-focused cabin.Externally, the Checkered Flag edition adds extended side sills, plus exclusive twin-spoke 20-inch wheels and red brake calipers. Inside, highlights include a black contrast headliner and a luxurious Windsor leather interior featuring performance seats with embossed headrests, red seatbelts, contrast stitching throughout the cabin, dark brushed aluminum centre console trim, and a steering wheel
Origin: Car Review: 2020 Jaguar F-Type Coupe
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