Jim Mason, a forensic engineer with ARCCA, helped us access and download the contents of our cars infotainment computer.Geoffrey Fowler / Washington Post Behind the wheel, its nothing but you, the open road and your car quietly recording your every move.On a recent drive, a 2017 Chevrolet collected my precise location. It stored my phones ID and the people I called. It judged my acceleration and braking style, beaming back reports to its maker General Motors over an always-on Internet connection.Cars have become the most sophisticated computers many of us own, filled with hundreds of sensors. Even older models know an awful lot about you. Many copy over personal data as soon as you plug in a smartphone.But for the thousands you spend to buy a car, the data it produces doesnt belong to you. My Chevys dashboard didnt say what the car was recording. It wasnt in the owners manual. There was no way to download it.To glimpse my car data, I had to hack my way in.Spilling our Chevy Volt’s secretsJim Mason hacks into cars for a living, but usually just to better understand crashes and thefts. The Caltech-trained engineer works in Oakland, California, for a firm called ARCCA that helps reconstruct accidents. He agreed to help conduct a forensic analysis of my privacy.I chose a Chevrolet as our test subject because its maker GM has had the longest of any automaker to figure out data transparency. It began connecting cars with its OnStar service in 1996, initially to summon emergency assistance. Today, GM has more than 11 million 4G LTE data-equipped vehicles on the road. I found a volunteer, Doug, who let us peer inside his two-year-old Chevy Volt.Modern vehicles dont just have one computer. There are multiple, interconnected brains that can generate up to 25 gigabytes of data per hour from sensors all over the car. Even with Masons gear, we could only access some of these systems.This kind of hacking isnt a security risk for most of us it requires hours of physical access to a vehicle. Mason brought a laptop, special software, a box of circuit boards and dozens of sockets and screwdrivers. Buried behind the touch screen and radio controls sits our Chevrolet’s infotainment computer, a box identifiable here by a circle for its fan. Geoffrey Fowler / Washington Post We focused on the computer with the most accessible data: the infotainment system. You might think of it as the cars touch screen audio controls, yet many systems interact with it, from navigation to a synced-up smartphone. The only problem? This computer is buried beneath the dashboard. After an hour of prying and unscrewing, our Chevys interior looked like it had been lobotomized.(Dont try this at home. Seriously we had to take the car into a repair shop to get the infotainment computer reset.)It was worth the trouble when Mason showed me my data. There on a map was the precise location where Id driven to take apart the Chevy. There were my other destinations, such as the hardware store Id stopped at to buy some tape.Among the trove of data points were unique identifiers for my and Dougs phones, and a detailed log of phone calls from the previous week. There was a long list of contacts, right down to peoples address, emails and even photos.Infotainment systems can collect even more. Mason has hacked into Fords that record locations once every few minutes, even when you dont use the navigation system. Hes seen German cars with 300-gigabyte hard drives five times as much as a basic iPhone 11. The Tesla Model 3 can collect video snippets from the cars many cameras. Coming next: face data, used to personalize the vehicle and track driver attention.A privacy policy only a lawyer’s mother could loveMy volunteer car owner Doug asked GM to see the data it collected and shared. The automaker just pointed us to an obtuse privacy policy. Doug also (twice) sent GM a formal request under a 2003 California data law to ask who the company shared his information with. He got no reply.GM spokesman David Caldwell declined to offer specifics on Dougs Chevy, but said the data GM collects generally falls into three categories: vehicle location, vehicle performance and driver behavior. Much of this data is highly technical, not linkable to individuals and doesnt leave the vehicle itself, he said.The company, he said, collects real-time data to monitor vehicle performance to improve safety and to help design future products and services.But there were clues to what more GM knows on its website and app. It offers a Smart Driver score a measure of good driving based on how hard you brake and turn, and how often you drive late at night. Theyll share that with insurance companies, if you want. With paid OnStar service, I could, on demand, locate the cars exact location.The OnStar privacy policy, possibly only ever read by yours truly, grants the company rights to a broad set of personal and driving data without much detail on when and how often it might collect
Origin: What does your car know about you? We hacked a Chevy to find out
your
New Ford tech could use your sweaty butt to adjust the A/C
Dont have the time or mental wherewithal to extend a digit and switch on that switch for heated (or cooled) seats? This may be your lucky day, if a new patent from Ford is any indication.According to reports, the Blue Oval has been issued a patent for moisture-sensing seat technology, one which deploys sensors underneath liquid-permeable seat upholstery to detect wetness or dampness.Before you go there, this doesnt seem to be intended to solve a problem created by an infants leaky diaper.The patent application talks about the very practical problem of a seat being dampened by a spilled water bottle and then being excluded from use in ride-share applications, for example. If a network of sensors pick up on the problem before the driver does, the seat heater can be turned on automatically to dry the seat for the next rider. There is also mention in the patent about the system further incorporating a lighting device for illuminating the seat with a light colour indicative of a wet-seat condition. Your author could have used this technology on many occasions before clambering aboard knackered taxicabs after a nights partying on George Street in Newfoundland.Yes, its also possible for this system to detect your sweaty posterior and automatically turn on the seats ventilated system. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, thats all we have to say about that.Heated and cooled seats are one of the best inventions since the wheel, permitting a comfortable space no matter the ambient temperature. Tied in with the cars remote starting system, it is now possible to sit oneself on the black leather seat of a car left to perish in the hot Arizona sun without losing several layers of skin. Here in Canada, heated seats help to prevent frozen giblets on an icy-cold winter morning.Would you want your car seats responding to the temperature of your backside? Sound off in the comment section
Origin: New Ford tech could use your sweaty butt to adjust the A/C
These companies will convert your classic into an EV
The electrification of the automobile seems, to many, to be simply unstoppable, but as battery technology advances, styling looks like its going in reverse.We struggle to think of modern vehicles in general wed call pretty, but todays electric vehicle (EVs) are arguably the most homely of the bunch.Theres also something very sterile about new cars they dont have a character or a tactile feel to them. For the most part, theyre recyclable appliances, discarded after theyve outlived their use.Luckily, theres a new solution to these issues: classic car EV conversions. A classic car has a character and a feel when you sit behind the steering wheel whether its a fully restored stunner or a clapped-out heap, it has a story to tell. When converted to electric power, it brings all the benefits of looking and feeling good to a world where you no longer need to burn fuel. But just because youve converted your classic to be more environmentally friendly doesnt mean everybody is going to think youre a hero.In fact, the Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA), a group dedicated to the preservation and protection of vintage vehicles, recently declared once your vehicle has been converted to electric, it doesnt comply with the FIVA definition of a historic vehicle, nor does it support the goal of preserving historic vehicles and their related culture. So, take that into account before shopping for electric powertrains.If you dont care about FIVA, though, here are ten companies that will convert your classic car into an EV.Electra Meccanica’s 356 eRoadsterRange: 250 kilometresPeak torque: 644 lb.-ft.Price: $124,900Based in Vancouver, B.C., Electra Meccanica is an electric offshoot of parent company Intermeccanica, which has been making Porsche replicas since the 70s. In the last few years, its turned to electrifying its replicas to make them into stylish West Coast cruisers even more hippie than their predecessors.Voitures Extravert’s Porsche 911Range: 321 kilometresPeak torque: 672 lb.-ft.Price: $450,000Not only will these guys convert your Porsche 911 to electric, but theyll restore it for you too. Voitures Extravert has said it won’t touch 1960s Porsches. However, it will backdate your 70s or 80s Porsche to look like its from the 60s, with a few added modern conveniences to boot and in the boot.Lunaz’s Jaguar XK120Range: N/APeak torque: 516 lb.-ft.Price: $594,790Named after the daughter of the companys founder, upstart Lunaz converts vintage British luxury vehicles into electrically-powered beasts. Its first project was a 1953 Jaguar XK120 that was meticulously disassembled and 3D-scanned in order to properly fit the companys bespoke drivetrain.That drivetrain, by the way, makes 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Next up is a 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, but for now, interested customers will have to settle for the 350,000 ($594,790) Jag.Jaguar’s 2020 E-Type Zero EVRange: 275 kilometresPeak output: 295 hpPrice: N/AJaguar itself will build you an electric version of its classic E-Type, dubbed the E-Type Zero. Famously driven by Prince Harry at his wedding, the classic conversion mixes great looks with perfect reliability (yes, despite the brands reputation).This is one of the best EV conversions available as its completely reversible. Plus the electric drivetrain weighs the same as the original, so it retains the same weight distribution.Zero Labs’ Ford BroncoRange: 305 kilometresPeak torque: 277 lb.-ft.Price: $265,000If sports cars arent really your thing, perhaps a classic truck is more to your liking. The Bronco is a bona fide classic, but it was never really known for its powerful drivetrain. That can change thanks to Zero Labs, which will install an electric motor good for 440 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque in the 44, a 500-per-cent improvement! Add a 305-kilometre range and youre good for a few hours of off-road fun.Charge’s Ford MustangRange: 200 kilometresPeak torque: 885 lb.-ft.Price: $509,820Sporting Eleanor body kits, the Mustangs turned out by this British firm take muscle in a different direction. Underneath the reproduction 1967 Stang body sits dual electric motors, capable of providing 402 horsepower and 885 lb.-ft. of torque to all four wheels.While it looks vintage, theres really nothing vintage about it, especially in terms of performance. Zero-to-100-km/h happens in just 3.1 seconds, and youll get 200 km out of a full charge all for 300,000 (CAD$509,820).Garage Italia’s Icon-E Fiat 500Range: N/APeak torque: N/APrice: N/AIf being environmentally friendly is all about reducing your footprint, there isnt a much smaller shoe than the Fiat 500. Garage Italia is a firm based in Italy dedicated to the preservation of the style and history of motor vehicles, so it only seems fitting it would build a future-proof EV Fiat 500 Jolly.Details such as battery size, range, or price are not available, but it doesnt really matter in a piece of history like this. The only indication re:
Origin: These companies will convert your classic into an EV
Electric ‘crate motors’ make turning your gas car into an EV easy
Not one, but two companies this month unveiled something electric car enthusiasts have been asking for for a long time electric crate motors that can be pretty easily swapped into whatever gasoline-powered vehicle theyll physically fit into. Batteries not included.According to Autoblog, upstart Electric GT (EGT), led by Eric Hutchison, plans to soon offer both a single- and dual-motor EV conversion kit.Both can be bolted onto manual transmissions, and many motor mounts and plate adapters for various gearboxes have already been developed; the company can custom-design adapters, too.The company first gained popularity (or notoriety) for swapping an electric drivetrain into a Ferrari 308, swapping out the cars old 2.9-litre V8 which made 280 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque for three AC51 HPEVS electric motors making a total 465 hp and 330 lb.-ft. View this post on Instagram Perfectioneering. 44 Drop in Crate Motor revisions for the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 40. well and a few other cool 44’s. Bark if you like it and Share it if you ❤️ it! . . . . #bronco #fj #fj40 #efj #electric4x4 #rivian #toyotaFJ #fjcruiser #ev4x4 #classic4x4 #motorswap #offroadev #offroading #lsswap #montereycarweek #thequail electeicswap #goodidea #goodservice #thequail #montereycarweek #plugplayev #electriccratemotor A post shared by Electric GT (@electricgte) on Aug 22, 2019 at 8:33pm PDTThe new e-crate motor is shaped like a classic V8 motor, except its about 5 inches longer than most classic Chevy or Ford small-blocks. The single-motor kit makes 140 hp and 240 lb.-ft.; while dual-motors make 240 hp and 340 lb.-ft.Swindon Powertrain in the U.K. is also throwing its hat into the e-crate ring, and will offer a smaller, more European-style motor.Swindons motor is a more conventional transverse design for front-wheel-drive cars or small mid-engine cars. It weighs a more Chapman-esque 70 kg and makes a respectable 110 horsepower. Dimensions are 600 mm wide by 440 mm deep by as little as 280 mm tall, meaning it will fit almost anywhere, including under the hood of a Mini.Its worth noting if you convert your classic car to electric power, though, FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), the global organization dedicated to preserving older vehicles, recently announced it will consider your car or any vintage EV-converted car desecrated.The group regularly lobbies governments around the world for classic car owners rights; but in their eyes, your EV-converted antique aint a classic car any more, so youll be on your
Origin: Electric ‘crate motors’ make turning your gas car into an EV easy
Why you don’t actually want ethanol in your gas tank
Chris Hadfields 1955 Ford ThunderbirdElliot Alder For those of you looking for safeguards against the ravages of ethanol-blended gasoline, there are a number of precautions you can take. The first is that you can simply avoid it in the first place. According to Dan McTeague, a noted petroleum analyst, Shell and Esso 91 are both ethanol free. All other grades from the companies have some ethanol content, but the mid-grade blend is pure gas, which means it not only corrodes less than ethanol blends, but is less likely to deteriorate when stored. Dont be misled into thinking higher octane gas contains less ethanol. In fact, it has more! The octane rating of pure ethanol is 100, but when its blended with gasoline, it performs as if its 112. In other words, higher-octane blends Petro Canadas 94 and Essos 93 use more ethanol, not less.For those storing their vehicles for the winter, specialty gasoline makers yes, there are boutique gasoline manufacturers! offer ethanol-free formulations specifically tailored for a long shelf life (as much as two years). For those on a budget, a trip down to Canadian Tire for some fuel stabilizer is usually good enough to preserve your pump gas use that Shell and Esso 91 stuff over the winter.A little creativity and common sense can help here. For instance, when I ride my classic 1982 Honda CB1100R frequently, Ill often fill up with Petro Canada 94, which does contain ethanol, for its higher octane, the gas never in carburetor long enough to cause damage. However, whenever I know shes going to be laid up for a while especially over the winter I make sure the last tank I run through her is ethanol-free. That same common sense applies to other vehicles. For instance, the point to the plug-in aspect of the modern PHEV is to actuate the gasoline portion of its drivetrain as infrequently as possible. For particularly careful owners of longer range PHEVs Chevrolets Volt comes to mind that can mean refuelling as infrequently as every three months. It behoves the careful Volt owners, then, to ensure that ethanol isnt gumming-up the cars drivetrain and shop for an ethanol-free pump. Yes, most PHEVs will have corrosion-resistant pipelines, but it never hurts to err on the side of caution.More troublesome for older, carbureted vehicles is that ethanol is 35 per cent oxygen. Burning it can cause an older carbureted engine to run lean combining too much air with too little fuel. In mild cases, said overenthusiastic blending of oxygen can cause older engines to stumble, spit and cough. In a worse case scenario, it can even lead to catastrophic as in big, gaping holes piston failure. For the true gear head, yes, that does mean that the very thing youre trying to prevent the pinging caused but lower octane fuel is exacerbated when you fill up with premium 94 because your hot-rod is now running hotter thanks to a leaner mixture.Yes, its a paradox, but forewarned is
Origin: Why you don’t actually want ethanol in your gas tank
Respect Your Elders: The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is a love letter to the 1960s
The iconic highlight of Bullitt is the scene that sees a Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT 390 Fastback, driven by Steve McQueen as Lieutenant Frank Bullitt, chase a black Dodge Charger R/T through the streets of San Francisco. It’s regarded as one of the most influential chase sequences in movie history the inclusion of close-ups showing McQueen doing the driving himself makes it the scene by which all others are measured, and this in spite of the Charger losing no fewer than eight hubcaps. The scenes most enduring moment arrives when the bad guys are searching for Bullitt he suddenly appears in the Chargers rearview mirror.Fast forward to today, and we pit a replica of the original against the 2019 Mustang Bullitt that pays homage to the movies sassy co-star.The restoration of the replica 1968 Mustang has been meticulous, to say the least. It was built on the same assembly line two weeks after the movie cars, and it came with the same options, including the S-code package. After the body was stripped, it was painted using the original PPG Highland Green paint, has the same door mirror from a 1966 Mustang, and the radio antenna was moved to the right rear fender to keep it out of the shots of McQueen muscling the steering wheel. Further adding to its accuracy, the replica has an Autolite battery and alternator, both of which are rare finds. The original Mustang GT 390 had a 390 cubic-inch V8 that got its go-juice from a four-barrel Holley carburetor. It produced 320 horsepower, 427 lb.-ft. of torque, and drove the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. The engine was bored and stroked, now measuring 435 cubic-inches and produces 500 horsepower insert a very big smile here. The hitch in the powertrain is the manual gearbox. It has a less than defined gate and the throws are just shy of a time zone, but in fairness, the gearbox does whats required. The long ratios and the engines flexibility see the two work together rather well, once youve gotten used to the setup.The 2019 Mustang Bullitt counters with 5.0-litre V8 pushing out 480 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed manual and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential at the back wheels. The transmissions throws are short, the spacing just right, and clutch action light. It also benefits from a rev-matching system, blipping the throttle on a downshift. I do have one wish for the new Bullitt, however: Its been 50 years, so 10 horsepower for each year would put an even 500 under the hood. Im not complaining about what it has, but 500 just seems like such a nice, round number.Any Mustang without a proper exhaust note would be an utter travesty. Both cars have that and then some, and unlike so many modern cars, none of the wonderful sound is man-made. The 68 has more or less straight pipes all the way through, so it blasts a deep, guttural growl whenever the gas pedal is worked. The key difference with the new Bullitt is the exhaust modes at one end of the spectrum, theres a quiet mode for a stealthy getaway, while at the other is Track mode. Now, Ford does warn against using Track mode on the road, but when you encounter a silly Civic at a red light with a baked bean can for a muffler, a quick switch to Track mode will show them whos boss. The performance differences proved to be surprisingly small. The original 320-horsepower Mustang GT 390 ran from rest to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, while the 2019 Bullitt chops that to 4.9 seconds. Considering theres five decades between the two cars, the original holds its own with its big-block heads high. With its enlarged
Origin: Respect Your Elders: The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is a love letter to the 1960s
James Ruppert: Enjoy owning your car while you can
I have become controversial. Again. As a journalist, even a motoring one, you have to be judged not just on what you write but also by who you upset. Currently, I’m poking environmentalists with a gearstick and standing up for private transportation in the wake of the Science and Technology Committee in parliament suggesting private car ownership has a ‘best before’ date. What this means is: hurry now while stocks of interesting cars exist for you to enjoy. Don’t drive something boring when the used car market offers so much for so little money. Let’s start with a car you definitely should not buy under any circumstances: a Mazda RX-8. Except they are pretty and quirky and we will never see their like again. Or their fuel and oil consumption. So get a functioning one and enjoy it for as long as you possibly can. They can be bought for buttons and I did see a 2004 RX-8 with a fresh engine at £2800. It’s probably better to buy a really late-model 2010 one that seems to have been looked after and is showing 40,000 miles. At £5999, the price seemed reasonable to me. The utter frivolity of motor cars is no better demonstrated than the existence of the convertible. Now combine that with some sort of off-road ability. Just imagine how that would annoy those people who loathe cars, let alone 4x4s. Drive forward the Land Rover Freelander Softback. As the all-new Defender takes centre stage, the old-school Freelander remains the most affordable interpretation. So let’s make it worse by going for a diesel. A 1999 2.0 Di doesn’t sound good but, in the real world, makes all sorts of sense and the mileage is a reasonable 120k. It comes with full leather, decent tyres and just the three previous owners. All that wonderfulness for £995. Then again, the whole point of a drop-top is to have huge fun. Obviously, you should get a 1997 Caterham Seven 1.6 K-Series Supersport for something in the region of £14k. If you can’t stretch to that, go for a Tiger kit car for £5k. If, like me, you really do want to trigger those who despise any sort of automotive excess, then get yourself an S-Class. It is the very finest vehicle that Mercedes has ever made. It is complicated in all the right aspects and topped off with apocalypse-surviving quality, which will come in handy if the climate doomsters have a point. Anyway, a 1998 example would be the last of the incredible breed and I found a privately owned one with a modest 110,000 miles at £5995, which is so very tempting. See you at the end of the world. How controversial is that? What we almost bought this week Volkswagen Bora 2.0 SE: It’s not the most exciting car on the planet but a Bora is at least as solid as a rock, and if you’re buying a sub-£1000 car, that’s important. We found a one-owner 2004-reg 2.0 SE with full service history for £970. Described as being in excellent condition, it has done 92,000 miles but you can be sure it won’t feel like it. Tales from Ruppert’s garage BMW 320, mileage – 83,585: Oh dear. This isn’t good. I got the Baby Shark back from my local garage and used it for a week. Then I left it for a few days and it basically died. I turned it over and over and even applied the magic 40-year-old can of Quick Start and nothing happened. Fuel does not seem to be getting to the carb at all. I haven’t paid my local garage yet and it’ll be going back there. They’ll have to come and get it as there’s no way it’s going to start. Reader’s ride Three-car Toyota garage: Guy Maylam will be mobile this winter. He tells us about these beauties: “The Toyota Hilux is a 1995, with just 75,000 miles, and purchased quite recently for £1100. Not mint, but pretty much rust-free, well serviced and a double-cab, so you can even carry people! “The 1993 Toyota 4Runner is not a Surf. This is an original UK car with the smooth 3.0 V6 petrol. It has done just over 100,000 miles. I purchased it a couple of years ago for £850. It hasn’t given any trouble so far. “The 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser is the unbeatable VX 4.2 turbo diesel automatic, which I have owned for 19 years. It just turned 100,000 miles yesterday. I paid £10,900 for it back in 2000. Due to the classic market, it now seems to be worth what I paid for it again!” Readers’ questions Question: The PCP is ending on my three-year-old 82,000-mile Honda CR-V and I’m facing a £3000 mileage penalty. Should I pay it and hand the car back, pay the £16,500 MGFV and buy it or part-exchange it for a CR-V of the same age with 37,000 miles that costs £16,500? Patrick Butler, via email Answer: You face the perfect storm of a high MGFV (minimum guaranteed future value) with a mileage penalty. The CR-V isn’t worth enough to make buying it and then selling it for a profit an option and the one the dealer is offering you will just add to your costs. You could buy your old car for £16,500 and regard it as owing you £13,500 if you write off the £3000 penalty, but it’s still expensive. Why not pay the £3000
Origin: James Ruppert: Enjoy owning your car while you can
Chevrolet’s 1LE package makes you want to drive your Camaro lap after lap
Camaro 1LE Ron Fellows Driving ExperienceClayton Seams / Driving In the old days, you used to be able to build some weird cars.I dont mean the cars themselves were weird, but that you could ask your cheerful local Chevrolet sales manager to build you a car in one of an assortment of odd combinations: so many engines, big or small, to be paired with interiors, luxurious or sparse.Today, cars pretty much come in well-defined packages. The big engine only comes with the nice leather seats and the handling package. The small engine is available with a stick only if you forgo the luxury options.But there are exceptions. Just like in decades part or, perhaps, much like Burger King Chevrolet will still let you have it your way at least a little, pairing its 1LE track package with any of the four engines available in its new Camaro.Not only that, the 1LE mechanical package is independent of the four luxury option groups (thats 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT). This means you can order a track package on a Camaro with any engine and any level of luxury trimmings. You can get a lightweight 2.0-litre Turbo with cloth seats and base infotainment to get maximum value; or you can heap your plate high with a supercharged 6.2-litre ZL1 and the full luxury treatment. Now I dont have a calculator handy to tell you how many combinations are possible, but suffice it to say they are many. So to test out the 1LE package on various Camaro models, I went to the Ron Fellows Driving Experience at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. There, on the big track, we would have the chance to put these 1LE cars on track and see how they compare.So what makes a 1LE a 1LE? Well, it depends on the engine choice. The 1LE contains different bits to match the output. On the four- and six-cylinder cars, it includes the uprated suspension from the SS; 20-inch wheels; four-piston front Brembo brakes; a mechanical limited-slip diff; and a track cooling package with diff, oil and transmission coolers.Step up to the V8 SS model and you get Magnetic Ride Control; an electronic limited-slip diff; six-piston Brembos up front; Recaro front seats; and a dual-mode exhaust system. The ZL1 takes things even further by adding Multimatic dampers with adjustable front ride height, adjustable front camber plates and huge 305-section front and 325-section rear tires.The first car I hopped into was the SS 1LE with a manual transmission and the naturally-aspirated 455-horsepower 6.2-litre V8. Its as close as youll find to a classic muscle car formula in Chevrolets lineup, which is perhaps why it offered proper muscle car noise. Out on the big track, the 6.2-litre could really stretch its legs, and the wide torque band meant few shifts were needed.The upgraded four-piston brakes from the 1LE package were more than up to the task and felt great diving into corners hard. Visibility has never been a Camaro strong suit, and the impaired vision across the A-pillars and low windshield sometimes reduced driver confidence around undulating and tight turns on-track.The SS is an extremely fun car to drive. You can feel it wiggling around under power and sliding around turns. It doesnt feel like a car youd want to set blazing hot lap times in, but you could. It feels like a BRZ with some actual power. And thats high praise.Next up was the world-beating top-of-the-line ZL1. Still 6.2-litres but with a burly supercharger stacked on top of it the ZL1 makes a full 650 hp. Though the ZL1 is available with a stick, the test car had the new ten-speed automatic transmission. No typo: ten speeds.On track, the ZL1 is an entirely different animal than the SS. The playful sliding has been replaced by relentless grip. The ZL1s flanks are peppered with blade-like aero bits, and I have to assume they actually work, because this car sticks harder the faster you go. The massive summer-only Goodyear tires probably dont hurt much, either. The ZL1 simply grips and goes exactly where you point it.The other big difference from the SS is the 10-speed automatic. Whereas I rarely had to shift the six-speed manual around the track, I felt like a Formula One driver ratcheting down through gear after gear in the braking zones. With ten gears to choose from, it almost doesnt matter which one you choose. You could drive through a turn quite happily in 4th, 5th or 6th. It may have been better to let the transmission shift for itself, but I didnt have enough laps to mess around with it in full automatic mode.The ZL1 was also the most fun down Mosports hilly back straight. The ZL1 would come out of Moss corner with a vengeance and storm to 160 km/h almost faster than the speedometer needle could move. Letting all 650 hp pin you in your seat for several seconds without worry of encountering the constabulary were some of the best moments of the day.But the crux of this is that the 1LE package opens up that fun track experience for anyone with coin for a new Camaro. Even the 2.0-litre guys can join in the fun.
Origin: Chevrolet’s 1LE package makes you want to drive your Camaro lap after lap
How to get Apple CarPlay retrofitted to your older vehicle
An iPhone is connected to a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu equipped with Apple CarPlay apps. Let’s face it, most OEM’s stock operating software isn’t the greatest. The GPS is glitchy and slow, the audio controls are laborious and the general app layout is labyrinthian. Compared to the smartphone in your pocket, the screen on your dash is a bit of a dum-dum. That’s why AppleCarplay and Android Auto are such game-changers. The programs allow for a car’s system to act as display and control for an iOS or Android device, giving your ride all the friendly functionality of your phone. But what if your car isn’t compatible with Apple CarPlay and its ilk? Can you get Apple CarPlay retrofitted to older models? The answer to that question is yes — depending on what you drive. Through a process called “flashing” or “reflashing,” some cars’ computer software can be upgraded to allow for the integration of programs like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but there are some limitations. Namely, that it only works on vehicles with modern-enough computer modules. “Most people know that modern-day cars are almost more computer than car, and basically what flashing does is allows you to add things to your vehicle that weren’t there from the factory,” says Chad Cole, owner/operator of Coastal Flash in Victoria, B.C. “Ten years down the road, the screen (on a flashed car) could look and act the same as a brand-new car’s”Cole, 26, found himself drawn into the industry when he went searching for ways to update the module on his own 2014 GMC Sierra. Finding the existing services lacking and overpriced, he decided to learn how to do it on his own, despite not having any experience in the realm. Today, Coastal Flash services GM models from 2013 to 2019 exclusively, offering a range of customizations, from updating navigation system to unlocking reverse cameras to function while the vehicle is in motion to allowing for video display in motion and, most commonly, adding Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality. “It’s amazing how many people prefer (CarPlay), and I understand why,” says Cole. “The first reason is that OEM GPS kind of sucks, to be honest with you… So, by adding CarPlay, not only do you get a fancy screen that you can do all sorts of useful stuff on, but you get the ability to add GPS to a car that may not have come with GPS.”Another factor driving people to update their vehicles to accept CarPlay and Auto is the fact automakers aren’t as on the ball with providing software updates, leaving most people with years-out-of-date technology mounted to their dash. “What’s neat about CarPlay and Android Auto is the fact that it actually runs updates,” says Cole. “Looking at your vehicle 10 years down the road, the screen (on a flashed car) will potentially look and act the same as that of a brand-new car, and I think that’s also appealing to people.” Some modern automakers are already using the constant-update model. Tesla, for one, pushes regular software updates to its vehicles when theyre connected to Wifi hotspots. Other automakers require owners to bring their vehicles in for service to receive such updates.And though the majority of new vehicles come with the compatibility built in, for the most part, automakers aren’t helping update the old ones. BMW and VW, two brands commonly flashed by amateurs, don’t offer any official retrofitting services at dealer centres. Mazda, however, does. Canadian Mazda owners are able to retrofit CarPlay or Auto into any Mazda that’s equipped with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, including the 2014 Mazda3, 2016 Mazda6, 2016 MX-5, 2016 CX-3, 2016 CX-5 and 2016 CX-9. According to a Mazda Canada spokesperson, the retrofit includes a hardware and software update that takes about 1.5 hours at a Mazda dealer and costs $445. Similar services by Coastal Flash’s North American competition cost US$900, but by keeping his overhead low, Cole is able to offer the CarPlay/Android Auto HMI Upgrade for almost half the price. Conveniently, most flashing tasks don’t require a technician to actually lay hands on the car. Owners simply remove the onboard computer module, an act that Cole says can be “as simple as replacing a cabin air filter,” and ship it to Coastal Flash’s HQ on the West Coast. There, Cole uses a computer system that is “the equivalent of a car” to reformat or tweak the module’s programming. Most upgrades are sent back to their owners within a week. The fact that a young man with no previous experience is able to operate one of the leading companies in the game from a coastal corner of our nation is testament to how new this whole “flashing” thing is. The fact that he’s busy every day of the week, updating cars from all over the US and Canada, suggests we’ve really only touched the tip of the iceberg.
Origin: How to get Apple CarPlay retrofitted to your older vehicle
Want a 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 AMG Wagon? Your pickings are slim
2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 WagonNadine Filion / Driving So, you want a Mercedes-Benz station wagon. Good choice! Excellent choice, even. For one thing, youve shown yourself not to be a slave to fashion as the wagon (or Estate, as the Europeans sometimes call them) is not one of those omnipresent sport utilities that everyone is buying these days to show their individuality. More important, a wagon especially a Mercedes-Benz will be lighter, more fuel-efficient and ironically, despite what the S in SUV stands for, sportier as well. Thats most certainly the case in the case of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Wagon, which is, in no particular order of importance, passably roomy, all-wheel-drive practical and twin-turbocharged sporty. This last is turbocharged even more than before, all C43s receiving a boost to 385 horsepower this year as well as a bump to 384 lb.-ft. of torque. Thats not half bad, especially for an engine that was not hand-fettled by a AMG technician you dont get a handwritten signature from an AMG technician, it seems, for the C43s $59,900 asking price. Mass-produced the 3.0-litre V6 may be, but it will scoot the 1,760 kilogram wagon from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Not half bad for a wagon now, is it? If thats not enough, let me add this bit of controversy: I like the sound of the C43s V6 more especially with the optional AMGs performance valve opened than Mercedes V8s, which though most might not consider this a fault, sound way too North American-ized to me. The benefits of wagon over SUV are manifold. For one thing, having a lower centre of gravity will mean much better handling. Indeed, this C43 unravels twisty roads as well as many a sports sedan we’re looking at you, BMW M340i xDrive with excellent turn-in, minimal body roll, and great grip. This last is augmented by the AMG-fettled 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, which distributes 69 per cent of the engines torque (Nice. – Ed.) to the rear wheels. And yes, youre probably thinking the same thing as I am; either some Mercedes tech was given way too much time to optimize torque split data or someone at AMG is trying sexual innuendo as marketing ploy for their tuned 4Matic system.Throw in a fairly roomy cargo area, a svelte exterior I find the wagons silhouette more pleasing than the C43 sedans bubble-gum shape and a fairly luxurious interior for a fairly comprehensive luxury ride. Quibbles are few: I still think the add-on look of the infotainment screen looks cheap and Mercedes older infotainment syste isnt nearly as good as the latest MBUX system. As well, like all AMG-tuned suspensions, the C43s dampers are heavy on the compression damping yes, they keep the wheels well under control, but the ride is noticeably choppy, especially noticeable this year since our thoroughfares seem more pock-marked than ever. 2019 BMW 3 Series Touring Handout / BMW You’re more a BMW aficionado. Well, BMW has a 3 Series wagon, only they call it a Touring yet another Europeanism so they dont have to call it wagon. Still based on the previous-generation 3 Series, the 330i xDrive Touring version has a few advantages, mainly its superior ride BMWs suspension calibration has always been a bit better than Mercedes. Its also way roomy, virtually as comely, and perhaps a bit more frugal.All that said, BMW obviously has less confidence in the allure of a wagon than Mercedes. They only import the 330i version powered by a lowly 2.0-litre turbo-four that boasts 248 horsepower and its about $1,500 more expensive than the equivalent Merc. Theres also nary a fire-breathing i.e. an M340i version in sight. The 330i xDrive Touring is a solid car; practical to be sure, and like the Mercedes, a more sensible alternative to the SUV. But theyre not even trying to make it sexy.In fact, theyre not even going to make it. BMW Canada is dropping the 3 Series Touring from its lineup for 2020. So, if youre in the hunt for one, you better hustle on down to your local dealer. 2019 Volvo V60 Handout / Volvo You want something even sportier than the C43. Well then, you might want to head over to your Volvo dealer. Yes, Volvo. Sometime in October, they will be receiving their first batch of V60 Polestars. Like the BMW, its powered by a 2.0-litre four but what an engine. Not only is it turbocharged, its also supercharged. And, as if thats not enough, its also electrified, two small electric motors throwing in an additional 87 horsepower to bring the grand total to 415 force-fed and electrified ponies. It also boasts shades of turbocharged V8s 494 lb.-ft. of torque, all that supercharging and electrification kicking in at seriously low rpm. Throw in Ohlins suspension bits, some big Brembo brakes, and some frame stiffening, and you have a recipe for one rapid Scandinavian.We havent driven this latest generation of Polestar-tuned V60. But we did sample the previous version, and it made a great argument for Swedish dominion over German
Origin: Want a 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 AMG Wagon? Your pickings are slim
All about car 