HOT WHEELS' VENDING MACHINE COUGHS UP FREE CAMARO DIECASTS AT TORONTO AUTO SHOW

 

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - There are still plenty of companies that haven't gotten the whole social media thing down pat yet, but Hot Wheels isn't one of them.  During the recent Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Hot Wheels created a lot of buzz for itself by using a vending machine filled with Chevrolet Camaro models, but instead of money to get the cars, show attendees just had to use Twitter.

To get the free car, people were asked to send a tweet to Hot Wheels Canada saying what they liked about the new Hot Wheels Edition Camaro, and including the #ChevyCIAS hashtag.  This seemed to be a popular marketing tool, too, as AdWeek reports that the @HotWheelsCanada account more than tripled in followers during the course of the 10-day show.  Looking ahead, this could open up even more innovative marketing possibilities using social media.

WHY THE CORVETTE IS CHEVROLET'S BILLION-DOLLAR BABY

By Jonathon Ramsey, Autoblog.com - Edmunds has worked up a piece that tries to figure out just how much the global Chevrolet Corvette economy is worth, a spitballed guesstimate putting the number at more than US$2.5 billion with the proviso that the number is probably low.  It starts by taking Corvette's new car sales of 14,132 units last year, which would equate to US$714,725,900 (including destination) assuming every car sold was a base coupe with no options.  In the final tally a little extra padding gets that number up to US$750,000,000.

Many of the almost 1.4 million Corvettes produced over the model's history are still on the road, and from there it's onto the much-loved and reincarnated lives that those Corvettes lead.  There are new parts and aftermarket companies like Mid-America Motorworks, that single Illinois company doing more than US$40 million a year in sales.  There are the Corvette events large and small, restorers who do nothing but Corvettes, salvage yards that deal only in used Corvette parts and the Corvette magazines where owners find all this stuff.

And then there are the Corvette-themed knick-knacks, every single one of which provides a tiny contribution to the huge licensing royalties that General Motors collects every year.  The article admits there's no way to come to an accurate number, but just the figures Edmunds does add up show that the 2014 Corvette Stingray will be the newest small-block icon revving up a sea of money.

2014 CHEVROLET SS MAKES ITS LIVE DEBUT

By Jonathan Ramsey, Autoblog.com - Chevrolet showed off the new 2014 SS in an airport hangar this weekend, and it's clear that this new performance sedan will be far more entertaining than the front-wheel drive Chevrolet Impala.  This is the sedan that Chevrolet sees as the final piece in restoring its performance credentials.  For thos of you looking for a manual transmission, however, that wish will go unfulfilled -- at least for now: the only two options buyers will have are the colour and whether or not they want a sunroof.

What lies beneath the skin was designed by GM's Australian subsidiary, Holden.  We're pleased to have officially confirmed that GM is bringing this performance Holden to North American shores under the badge of the 2014 Chevrolet SS.

Sadly, General Motors has also announced the 2014 Chevrolet SS will not be available in Canada.  The Globe and Mail reports the automaker has confirmed the high-performance sedan won't hit Canadian dealers, though GM hasn't offered up any reasoning as to why that is.

The Chevrolet SS is powered by the LS3 Chevrolet V-8, expected to deliver 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.  Also used in the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette, the LS3 displaces 6.2 liters, more than the 5.5-liter V-8 powering the Chevrolet SS NASCAR competitors.

The LS3 is married to a six-speed automatic transmission, which can be shifted manually using TAPshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.  With an aggressive 3.27 final-drive ratio, the Chevrolet SS accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds -- making it one of the quickest sedans on the market.

To ensure that it turns and stops as well as it accelerates; the Chevrolet SS also features a sport-tuned chassis, including:

• MacPherson strut front and multilink independent rear suspension geometry
• Electronic power steering system, optimized for sport driving
• Standard Brembo brakes, with ventilated, 355-mm rotors and two-piece, four-piston front calipers
• Forged aluminum wheels, wrapped in ultra-high-performance Bridgestone tires: 19 x 8.5 inch wheels with 245/40ZR19 tires in front; 19 x 9.0 inch wheels with 275/35ZR19 tires rear.

Handling is also improved by a near 50/50 weight distribution, and a low center of gravity -- made possible in part by the aluminum hood and rear deck lid that are 30 percent lighter than traditional steel panels.

"Our goal was to create a car that delivers incredible grip and handling balance while cornering, while still being comfortable to drive on the road," said David Leone, executive chief engineer GM global programs.  "The perfect weight balance and lower center of gravity were a big part of that goal because it enabled the team to tune for a more comfortable highway ride without sacrificing handling or driver confidence while cornering at the limits."

NEXT CORVETTE ZR1 TO GET 700 HORSEPOWER?

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Word has it General Motors may offer as much as 700 horsepower in the C7 Corvette ZR1.  Motor Trend reports the next Corvette Z06 will continue to rely on its naturally aspirated 7.0-litre V8 engine for thrust, but the lump will deliver substantially more power.  How much more?  MT says the engine could deliver up to 600 ponies.  That's a jump of 95 horsepower over the current Z06, though no figures have been finalized as of yet.  Right now, GM is reportedly waiting to see what sort of grunt it can glean from the next ZR1.

The automaker has already made it clear it will resurrect the LT5 name for the new supercharged V8, and if GM is already pulling 600 from the Z06, the big dog ZR1 would theoretically offer 700 horsepower.  Either way, the range-topping Corvette will be suitably insulated from its less potent siblings.  Stay tuned.  We aren't likely to see the Z06 for at least a year, with the ZR1 trailing along at some point there after.

CHEVY MIGHT'VE PULLED OUT OF NASCAR IF IT WEREN'T FOR NEW GEN 6 CAR

By Chris Paukert, Autoblog.com - We've been on the fence with NASCAR for some time now.  On one hand, it's some of the closest racing anywhere in motorsports, with actual passing and door-handle-to-door-handle action as a matter of course.  But on the other, it's become template racing -- a personality-driven sport more about the drivers than any sort of loyalty to a particular automaker.  The Car Of Tomorrow format really rammed that message home, with a racecar's identity coming down to little more than headlamp stickers slapped on the nose.  That's not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, but we've wondered for some time what's in it for the automakers, who pay big money to stay in a series that has had increasingly little to do with street car sales, let alone innovation.

Apparently General Motors was beginning to wonder the same thing.  In a new ESPN report, Rick Hendrick, team owner of Hendrick Motorsports, suggested that GM would have seriously considered leaving NASCAR if it wasn't for the move away from the COT to the new Gen 6 racer.  According to Hendrick, GM North America boss Mark Reuss spearheaded the charge away from the 2007 COT and toward a racecar with clearer automaker ties -- cars like the new Chevrolet SS racer shown above. 

Now, if we could just get more rear-wheel drive V8 coupes into showrooms ...

COMPARISON TEST: COMPACT CARS

By Jonathan Yarkony, Michael Schlee and Chris Chase, Autos.ca - Bestsellers.  Every company wants to have one (or several) on their hands, and in Canada, the biggest segment is the compact segment, accounting for over 350,000 vehicle sales in 2011, ranking even ahead of pickups (260K) and compact sport utilities/crossovers (268K).  Any manufacturer that wants to be a volume player in Canada has to bring a competitive compact to market.

And our readers want to know which is the best.

Early this spring, when we were discussing which comparisons we wanted to make, we agreed that the compact segment was the most crucial, the most popular, and possibly the most controversial.  We still do.  Of the top ten bestselling cars in Canada, seven are compacts, and they are the top seven, and four of the top ten bestselling vehicles are compact cars, although none are in the league of the F-150 and its 96,000+ sales in 2011.  Not even close.

Initially, we just wanted to get the top three or four bestsellers (Honda Civic, Hyundai Elentra, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla), but that meant we would be excluding the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus, vehicles we have driven and that impressed us.  And once we started adding cars, well, we just couldn't stop, so we ended up with a total of nine vehicles, all those mentioned above, plus the Volkswagen Jetta, Nissan Sentra, and the Subaru Impreza, fresh off its win in the AWD Compact Comparo we conducted recently.  As much as we liked the Mitsubishi Lancer, it still lost, and with an evaluation in this comparo that placed more importance on interior appointments, we felt that the sub-par Lancer interior just wouldn't cut it and would never have a shot at winning.  We saw nothing that changed our mind on that front.  Unable to attend was the Kia Forte, but perhaps it can make an appearance when we bring back our favourites to test themselves against the 2013 Dodge Dart this summer or fall.

Our route took us from a mall on the outskirts of Toronto through a loop of urban streets, highways, and construction zones that provided a good shakedown to see if the cars held up to scrutiny in a typical urban and suburban environment.  We managed without incident, except for one flat tire on the Mazda 3, which Mazda Canada managed to replace at a moment's notice, and GM Canada who were quick to get all-season tires on the Cruze when we spotted the dreaded winter-tire curse.  And our thanks to all the manufacturers that put up with our convoluted requests and last-minute arrangements.

Going into the comparison, there were a few front runners based on previous driving impressions and impressive resumes.  AJAC 2012 Canadian Car of the Year Hyundai Elantra, which beat out the Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza in its Small Car Over $21K category (the Honda Civic suspiciously ducked out of that category and into the Under $21K category, the traditional fighting ground of subcompacts) at AJAC's TestFest, and other CCOTY category winners in the final vote-off.  It also took home the North American Car of the Year honours.  Of course, the Ford Focus is no slouch, earning a spot on Car and Driver's 10Best, the Chevrolet Cruze, last year's Canadian Car of the Year entered as something of a dark horse, and the Mazda3, because it has that balanced fun, value, and practicality that we thought would score well in our points system.

But what we think going in isn't enough to win.  Read on to find out how it all played out.


9th Place - Toyota Corolla:  Someone had to finish last.  Some people really didn't like this car.  It wouldn't even be a stretch to say that a couple people genuinely hated it.  One judge noted that it had a "clean look."  Said judge will remain anonymous, although perhaps he was referring to the total lack of anything going on in exterior or interior design.  Throughout the testing we repeatedly grilled each other wondering how Toyota manages to sell this car in such numbers, or even sell any of them at all without massive financing.  At a certain point we landed on a viable theory.

The Corolla is the Anti-Car, and all that such a title implies.  By virtue of our profession and involvement in this comparison, we obviously like cars and probably driving to some degree.  If you're anything like us, this car is not for you.  However, if you could care less about how your car looks, how it handles or steers, or even what materials you will come in contact with, well, maybe the Corolla is for you, and you're welcome to them.  It's not that Toyota can't build good cars, either -- give us a Yaris over this tired Corolla any day and we'd be happy.

The Corolla is as simple to operate as a door knob, particularly the conventional stereo and heating controls, and the puny 15-inch steel wheels and hubcaps turn in the direction the steering wheel points them.  The 132-hp 1.8L engine is the weakest in this class, but it had no problem getting the 1260-kg sedan up to speed in a reasonable time, though no one claimed it was pleasant, particularly the shifting of the archaic four-speed automatic.  At speeds over 100 km/h, it suffered from a variety of wriggling, floating, wandering, and steering so loose that it was disconcerting.  Once again, not a car for people who like to drive fast.

At the end of the day, it is a car that fulfills a mission we find hard to relate to.  It is spacious in the front and rear seats, and cargo volume is also sufficient for basic needs.  It is practical (easy to get in and out of and install a child seat), safe (IIHS Top Safety Pick), and lives up to its promise of fuel efficiency at 7.8 L/100 km observed, the second-best results in the test behind only the Mazda3.  At $20,565, its price was only a few hundred dollars short of being the cheapest to show up on the test (the stripper Sentra took that honour), but still featured key options like power windows, doors, mirrors, six-way adjustable seats that were okay for everyone.  And, as mentioned earlier, those features were dead simple to use, including Bluetooth that practically connected itself to at least one phone.

And Toyota's trump card, its reputation for reliability, didn't factor into our scoring, but the Corolla is expected to deliver Better than Average reliability and the best possible ownership costs (y'know, the full red circle thingy) according to Consumer Reports and Toyota is the top non-luxury brand in JD Power's 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study, with the Corolla behind only the Prius in the Compact Car segment.  So there you have it, plenty of reasons that people unlike us buy the Corolla.

Pricing: 2012 Toyota Corolla CE
Base price: $15,450
Options: Enhanced Convenience Package ($3,540), Automatic Transmission ($1,000)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,465
Price as tested: $20,555


8th Place - Honda Civic EX Sedan:  Oh, how the mighty have fallen.  How did a brand new for 2012 model place behind a 6-year-old design (Nissan Sentra) that didn't have a height adjustable seat or cruise control?  Well, simply put, the new Honda Civic is drowning in a sea of complacency and mediocrity.  As one tester put it, "This new Civic drives like the old Civic.  Honda clearly thought that was a good thing; let's hope buyers do, too."  Judging by the sales numbers alone, buyers do like it.  However, this year, the Elentra is making a strong claim for first overall with two new body styles about to hit the market.

Don't get us wrong, the Civic is still a compelling package and, priced at $22,435 after delivery, is still a good value, especially with the current deals Honda is offering.  However, everyone else has stepped up their game in the compact car segment while the Civic has remained neutral.  Some of our testers would even argue that it has taken a step backward with the current interior and exterior design.

But it is not styling alone that relegated the Civic to the back of the pack in this comparison.  We found the engine note, while pleasant, was loud.  So was basically every other noise such as wind and tire roar.  As Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony commented, "The Civic sounds rickety."  The steering also drew its share of criticism as some found it wandered too much at highway speeds.

The stereo, on the other hand, is easy to use and offers enjoyable sound, but the two-tiered dash continues to be a sore point with some.  Rear seat comfort for two people tied for last with the Elentra due to a lack of rear headroom and low seat position, but with three people, adequate legroom and shoulder space placed it mid-pack.  Cargo space was third smallest at 344 L available in the trunk.

On the plus side, power is quick and immediate from the 1.8L 140-hp 4-cylinder engine and the five-speed automatic transmission goes about its business without drama.  The Civic returned an impressive 7.9 L/100 km average fuel consumption during our test, which was in the top half of the field thanks to being the lightest vehicle in the group with a svelte 1,255-kg curb weight.

Honda will continue to sell this vehicle in large quantities due to reputation, familiarity and pricing.  However, Honda realizes it needs to step up its game and is reputedly already working on a replacement for this Civic.Pricing: 2012 Honda Civic EX Sedan
Base price: $20,940
Options: None
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,495
Price as tested: $22,535

7th Place - 2012 Nissan Sentra 2.0: If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, then Toyota should be plenty flattered by the Nissan Sentra, a car that seemingly aims to cut directly into the Corolla's dance card.  From the forget-me-please styling to the thoroughly unexciting way the Sentra goes down the road, Nissan has done a good job aping that most popular Toyota model.

The Sentra was among the least expensive cars in our group, and that was reflected in its short list of standard equipment, which did not include Bluetooth or steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Our tester did have the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), a type of transmission much maligned by enthusiasts, but perfectly suited to this car's relaxed on-road ambitions.  It works very well here, and was praised for the smooth way it goes about its business.

The driver is greeted by a seat as soft as grandma's favourite wingback, but it doesn't adjust for height, and the steering wheel only tilts and can't be adjusted for reach.  That made for an awkward driving position for some.  Also awkward were the tiny, oddly shaped outside mirrors.

Like the exterior, the Sentra's interior design is plain, but functional.  Fit and finish seemed fine, but many testers noted that the latch on the flip-up centre console cover was already broken.

It earned one of the highest scores for rear seat comfort with three adult riders buckled in, but scored only mid-pack for space and comfort with two passengers.

In a straight line, the Sentra was one of the quietest cars here, with well-muted engine and road noise.  Cornering brought out some less favourable characteristics, including an almost complete lack of handling prowess and a suspension that seemed to combine the worst aspects of a ride that somehow managed to be both too soft and too firm.  We expected this car to be a highway-cruising champ, but the vague steering wasn't good at allowing for small course corrections, and so the car tended to wander in its lane.

Through the years, Corolla has become synonymous with basic A-to-B transportation.  What this comparison test revealed, though, is that the best Corolla of the bunch doesn't wear a Toyota badge.

Pricing: 2012 Nissan Sentra 2.0
Base Price: $15,478
Options: Value Option Package ($2,000), CVT Package ($1,300), 3-coat paint ($300)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,467
Price as tested: $20,645

6th Place - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Comfortline: Compared to the competition, the Jetta seemed massive.  As one tester commented "Did we bring a Passat by accident?"  At a length of 4,628 mm, the Jetta dwarfs the smallest vehicle in the test, the Focus, by 269 mm.  Despite this girth, at 1,410 kg, the Jetta wasn't the heaviest vehicle in the test; that honour went to the Chevrolet Cruze.

To motivate the biggest car in our comparison test, the Jetta arrived with the biggest engine; a 2.5L five-cylinder unit combined with a six-speed automatic.  Making the most power and the most torque in the group, the Jetta should have been the runaway winner in the acceleration department.  But a sluggish, lagging first gear had us wondering if there was a secret turbo attached to the engine taking eons to spool.  Once the Volkswagen kicks into second gear, though, the engine comes into its own and growls away with authority.

Some of us found the engine sounded good in an off-the-wall sort of way, while others, like Associate Editor Chris Chase, found the engine noise not to his liking: "Why does the engine sound like an angry goose at full throttle?"  Whatever your take, once up to speed the engine becomes incredibly quiet and an odd throbbing hum mildly fills the cabin.  It is easily countered by a little radio volume, but a strange noise nonetheless.

Thanks to its large size and long wheelbase, the Jetta feels planted and solid on the highway and is easily the best freeway cruiser of the group.  The suspension is soft and soaks up expansion joints flawlessly.  Add in the Jetta's cavernous 440 L trunk and this is the ideal weekend getaway vehicle, as long as you can live with the worst-in-test observed fuel economy average of 9.3 L/100 km.

The Jetta's exterior had the group divided.  Some found it to be a mature, tasteful design that had an upscale feeling while others found it to be bland.  "The interior and exterior offer a complete lack of imagination," bemoaned one tester.  The "plastic fantastic" interior, although tasteful to look at and very spacious, used materials that looked cheap and felt cheap; for a vehicle priced at $25,540 after destination charges, we expected better.  The seat fabrics were hard and rough to the touch, yet surprisingly comfortable to sit in.  The rear seat was one of the most comfortable in the group and not surprisingly offered the most legroom.

The Jetta soon adopted the unflattering title of the "Bland Mobile".  Then again, for many shopping in this segment, that is exactly what they are looking for; an inoffensive vehicle that can easily transport them and three or four friends.

Pricing: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Comfortline
Base price: $22,575
Options: Multimedia Package ($1,300), Engine Block Heater and Front Fog Lights ($300)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,365
Price as tested: $25,640

4th Place (Tie) - 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited: If you're wondering what happened to 5th place, note that the Elantra and Ford Focus were dead even on points, and were even tied with one vote each as personal favourites, giving us a tie for 4th.It's a wonder the Elantra's generous standard equipment list doesn't include a trophy shelf in the back window; this car was picked as AJAC's Best New Small Car over $21,000 (beating the Focus and Impreza in that category), then proceeded to win both Canadian (AJAC) and North American Car of the Year awards in 2012.

There are many reasons why it deserves recognition, not the least of which is that it injects so much style into a class of car dominated by utilitarian-looking snooze-mobiles.

It also won those awards partly because, as is Hyundai's way, this car is a value leader in the compact segment.  Our Limited trim tester costs a little less than $25,000 (including destination), which is about mid-pack, and yet it rivals the most expensive Focus (at nearly $30,000) for having the most kit.

Our drivers noted how quiet the Elantra's engine is at cruising speeds, but there were a few comments on how thrashy it can get when pressed.  Most testers found this car's 1.8L engine felt strong enough, but was not particularly impressive in any respect.  Our observed fuel consumption figure of 8.6 was better than just two other cars here, in spite of its impressive Natural Resources Canada ratings.

Demerits were issued for touchy brakes and throttle, a suspension easily upset by rough pavement (we suspect our tester's big, heavy 17-inch wheels and low-profile tires had something to do with that) and steering described as feeling "loose" and "sloppy" by some, while others countered with "light and accurate".  Go figure.

The driver's seat was polarizing: some thought it the most comfortable in the group, while one found it too firm.  Same with the styling, which a few drivers loved and others thought was overwrought.

It seems everything about this car was designed to appeal to as broad a cross-section of small-car shoppers as possible.  It's a good approach when big sales numbers are your goal, but the result is a car that won't generate much excitement among enthusiastic drivers.  This car is the stainless steel refrigerator of this group of cars: it looks sharp, but is still nothing more than an appliance.

Pricing: 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited
Base Price: $22,699
Options: none
A/C Tax: $100
Freight: $1,495
Price as tested: $24,294

4th Place (Tie) - 2012 Ford Focus SEL:  The Focus was designed in Europe, and it shows; this car beats the Jetta at the game Volkswagen invented, by bringing a small car with superior handling and a premium feel to the compact segment.

Several testers thought the Focus felt underpowered, though its 160 horsepower was second highest among these cars.  Using the transmission's manual shift mode made that better for one driver, but another commented that the manual shift control -- a toggle on the side of the shift lever -- felt "like a cheap video game control, and an answer to a question nobody asked."

Most of our drivers also disliked the PowerShift twin-clutch automatic transmission for its jerky and occasionally indecisive behaviour in normal driving.  The way the clutch shudders as first gear is engaged from a stop is off-putting, too.  Interestingly, this gearbox seems to perform better the worse you treat it: without fail, aggressive acceleration rewarded the driver with smooth, crisp upshifts, though it remained lazy about downshifting.

The Focus was well liked for its eager handling, accurate, well-weighted steering and good brake feel, all of which were voted by many to be best in this test.  This is a nicely sorted chassis that finds a good balance between a compliant ride and sharp responses, makes for a car that feels unflappable at legal highway speeds, and that would remain so well above those velocities.

Testers were nearly unanimous in praising how easy it was to pair Bluetooth devices with Ford's Sync system.  The front and rear parking sensors helped mitigate iffy sightlines in parking manoeuvres, and the convex spotter mirrors were a bonus, too.

The other thing going against our test car was its price.  At almost $30,000, it was far and away the priciest in this comparison.  To be fair to Ford, they didn't equip this car specifically for the comparison, where other manufacturers had vehicles on fleet that better represented what the majority of buyers choose in the compact segment.

But along with the highest price came the most tech options, like navigation and those parking sensors, and it was in the minority with its automatic climate control; the stereo was one of the best, too.  These are all items that will find appeal among many younger compact car shoppers.  But for 30 grand, more than one tester remarked that the lack of a sunroof and leather seats seemed like serious omissions.

Pricing: 2012 Ford Focus SEL
Base Price: $22,399
Options: $5,430 (Audio Interface Package, $1,500; six-speed automatic transmission, $1,450; Parking Technology Package, $600; Engine block heater, $100; Navigation, $700; 17-inch polished wheels, $650; Stewardship Ontario environmental fee, $30)
A/C Tax: $100
Freight: $1,500
Price as tested: $29,329

3rd Place - Subaru Impreza 2.0i Touring Sedan:  When we assembled this group of vehicles we never figured that the Impreza would end up being the most polarizing vehicle in the test (or that it would finish so high).  Some testers absolutely loved the vehicle while others were utterly disappointed in it.  For the most part though, the Impreza, um, impressed us (get it?? Impreza -- impressed ... ha ha) by checking off all the right boxes for compact car shoppers.  Although Subaru won't admit it outright, when they restyled the Impreza for 2012 their goal was to be more mainstream and attack the compact leaders head-on.  Mission accomplished.  The Impreza now competes head to head with the likes of the Civic, Corolla, Mazda3, and Elantra.  No longer is it relegated to the fringes trying to carve out a niche for itself as a specialty AWD vehicle, which is good news for general consumers, bad news for enthusiasts.

The new Impreza is easy to drive.  Everyone who got behind the wheel noticed the hair-trigger throttle response, which was appreciated by some, loathed by others.  Power delivery from the 148-hp 2.0L horizontally opposed four-cylinder felt strong and the continuously variable transmission was quick to adjust ratios.  That CVT was also a point of debate.  Some found the unit in the Sentra better while others favoured the Impreza's.  All agreed that transmission and engine noise was more apparent in the Impreza than many other vehicles in this comparison.  Steering feel was highly praised as were the tap-shift/paddle shifters.  Combined with nimble handling, the Impreza stood out as one of the more fun-to-drive vehicles; maybe it isn't all bad for enthusiasts after all?

Keeping with tradition, the Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive; an exclusive in this test.  Historically the Impreza has paid the price for having full-time all-wheel drive with poor fuel economy.  With the 2012 Impreza, Subaru wanted to offer equivalent fuel consumption to the class-leading compacts while still retaining all-wheel drive.  At an average of 8.2 L/100 km over the course of our test, the Impreza succeeded in doing so by finishing mid-pack.

Inside the Impreza, Subaru has improved by leaps and bounds over the previous generation.  The majority of interior materials are now soft-touch and very good quality, but still look boring and dated.  The stereo looks out of place and sound quality is adequate at best.  Rear seat space is ample for two people, but not great for 3 as the seat bottom of middle position is rock hard and pokes into your back.  Cargo space is second smallest at 340 L due to the all-wheel drive hardware eating up space.

The Impreza exterior is a bit of a contradiction.  Up front it features an attractive fascia that many considered one of the best in the test.  Out back, however, the rear end approaches Jon Doe levels of anonymity.  All in all the Impreza is a simple, well thought out vehicle.  Associated Editor Chris Chase summed it up best as "A modern take on the winning Corolla formula ... with the bonus of all-wheel drive" and at $24,690, it won't break the bank either.

Pricing: 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Touring 4-Door
Base Price: $22,995
Options: None
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,695
Price as tested: $24,790

2nd Place - 2012 Mazda3 GS-Sky:  The 2012 Mazda3 was the first of the company's vehicles to feature SkyActiv technology, in the form of a thrifty 2.0L engine and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, all exclusive to the GS-Sky model.  Chassis changes aimed at reducing weight will come to this compact car for 2013; the first Mazda model to get the full deal is the recently introduced CX-5 compact crossover.

Part of this Mazda's fuel-saving bag of tricks is a combination of a new direct-injected, high-compression 2.0L four-cylinder engine (as compared to the "old" 2.0L used in the base GX model) and new six-speed transmissions.

Our test drivers loved this transmission, not because it does anything particularly zoom-zoomy, but for its virtually transparent -- and yet intuitive -- operation.  In spite of the engine's extra power -- 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, bumps of 7 and 13 over the base 2.0L -- may found this car felt sluggish.

"A lot more 'Sky' than 'Activ' to this drivetrain," wrote one tester; "150 hp?  Really?  Underwhelming engine," was another's comment.  My own observation was a noticeably uneven idle.  Even still, this power team proved more responsive than the Focus'.

The Ford was better in a couple of specific areas: it felt more stable and planted at highway speeds, and offered better brake pedal feel.

The Mazda3 GS-Sky may make miserly operation its mission, but it still aims to entertain.  Its handling satisfied many, but the harsh ride and surfeit of road noise did not.  Mazda's interior treatment was universally praised for high-quality materials and seats that were firm but comfortable, and the only ones to offer any meaningful lateral support.

The lack of a proper trip computer is a weird omission considering how heavily Mazda is promoting this car's impressive fuel consumption ratings.  We had to fill the tank at the end of two days and do math (Mazda's lucky we did not deduct points for making us do math.) to find out that this was the most efficient car in the group at 7.2 L/100 km.

There's no rocket science behind the reasons for this car's popularity.  While the car doesn't push everyone's buttons, this new drivetrain's impressive efficiency certainly will draw even more shoppers into Mazda showrooms.

Pricing: 2012 Mazda3 GS-Sky Automatic
Base Price: $20,395
Options: $2,195 (GS Leather Pckage, $1,300; Sunroof, $895)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,595
Price as tested: $24,185

1st Place - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT Turbo:  Wait ... a compact car from General Motors just won a comparison test?  Did that just happen?!?  Yes.  Forget everything you remember about vehicles named Cobalt, Cavalier, Sunbird, Skylark, and Cimarron; the Cruze is the real deal.

Going into this comparison test Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony kept referring to this Chevrolet Cruze as the "dark horse" of the competition and we kept referring to Jonathan as "crazy".  (What??? You were? What the ...)  Sure, we all like the Cruze well enough and think it is a competitive vehicle, but is it really good enough to win the whole shebang?  Well, as it turns out, yes, yes it is. 

The secret to the Cruze's win lies in the fact that it does nothing poorly and many things brillantly.  Take the chassis and drivetrain: although the little 1.4L turbocharged inline-four develops a mere 138 hp, the 148 lb-ft of torque developed at 1,850 rpm is its trump card.  The engine is a little torque monster that behaves more like a diesel than a gasoline engine, right up to its 4,900 rpm power peak.  Admiration for the engine was equally matched by admiration for the smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission that always seemed to intuitively know which gear you wanted to be in.  Where the Elantra's gearbox was at times slow to react, the Cruze's just knew which gear to select.

Then there is the chassis.  Phrases like "rock solid", "a huge positive" and "out-Germans the Jetta" were bandied about with general agreement.  What Chevrolet has done is found a perfect balance between ride and comfort with the Cruze that offers a driving experience far more sophisticated than a compact car should be.  It wasn't rough like the Mazda3, nor was it floaty like the Sentra.  Some found the steering to be a little too precise and darty while others appreciated its responsiveness in combination with optional 18-inch low profile tires.  Part of the chassis refinement can be attributed to the Cruze's curb weight of 1,427 kg, heaviest in the group.  Despite this portliness, the Cruze managed a respectable 8.3 L/100 km observed fuel economy during our testing.

Inside, the Cruze features a mature looking dash that does not feature the same amount of soft-touch plastics as others in this test, but pulled off an elegant look as opposed to the confused Civic or plain-Jane Impreza.  The one area that is "soft touch" in the Cruze's cabin, the upholstered dash, did not attract many fans.  We found it to be out of place, tacky, and even a bit cheesy.  That said, in sold black it blends in better than the red and black fabric option.  Many loved the expensive feel of the switchgear as well.  One interior feature missing in the Cruze was heated seats, which require a financial leap to the LTZ package.

On the outside the Cruze is a sharp-looking vehicle thanks in part to the optional RS package that really sets the vehicle off.  The subtle spoiler, 18-inch wheels and minor skirt package make this Chevrolet look sporty yet mature.  Even equipped with the LT trim and RS package, the Cruze came in at a reasonable $23,205 after destination.

There were a few more minor complaints with the Cruze, such as the upper driver's seatback that seems to push your shoulders forward into a hunched position, a B pillar that blocks your view in lane changing maneuvers, and a brake pedal that is a bit too squishy.

But overall there were few quibbles in a car that has set the bar for the compact class and has a large enough trunk (425 L) to carry all of the accolades we can throw at it.  But rest well, Mr. Cruze, as the Dart is on the horizon, and new versions of the Sentra and Corolla can't be far off.

Pricing: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT Turbo Sedan
Base Price: $18,755
Options: 1SB Package ($980), RS Appearance Package ($1,875)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,495
Price as tested: $23,205

GM INVESTING US$600M IN PLANT THAT PRODUCES CHEVY MALIBU AND BUICK LACROSSE

By Michael Harley, Autoblog.com - General Motors, committed to investing upwards of US$2 billion in plant upgrades, has just announced that it is making a US$600 million investment in its Fairfax Assembly and Stamping Plant in Kansas City, KS -- it is one of the largest investments GM has ever made in a single plant.

Construction is set to begin later this year, and the work will increase the footprint of the facility by 15 per cent, bringing its total to 3.7 million square feet.  Production schedules will be unaffected by the work, meaning 4,000 employees will stay on the job.

Fairfax Assembly currently produces the popular Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse.  Operating three shifts, a complete vehicle rolls out the door every 58 seconds.  The present facility was completed in 1987, but since it first opened in 1945 Fairfax has manufactured more than 12 million vehicles.

GM Invests $600 Million in Fairfax Plant ... New paint shop, other upgrades drive more efficient production, retain nearly 4,000 jobs

KANSAS CITY, Kan - General Motors today announced a $600-million investment in the Fairfax Assembly and Stamping Plant, including the construction of a new 450,000 square-foot paint shop, the installation of a new stamping press and other upgrades.

It is one of GM's largest plant investments ever, and builds on nearly $2 billion invested in Fairfax in the last decade.  Earlier this month, GM announced it would invest $1.5 billion in North American facilities in 2013.  This Fairfax investment comprises a large part of that commitment.

Construction at the 3.2-million-square-foot plant begins later this year and is expected to take about two years to complete, increasing the footprint of the plant by about 15 percent to 3.7 million-square-feet.  Vehicle production schedules will be unaffected by the construction, keeping the plant's three shifts of nearly 4,000 hourly and salaried employees on the job.

"This major investment is a vote of confidence in the employees and leadership of this plant and will allow them to continue producing beautiful, world-class vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse -- with the same quality workmanship that has defined the Fairfax complex for nearly 70 years," said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson.

The all-new paint shop includes substantial upgrades in technology, and will occupy a new building at Fairfax, with new tooling, robots and state-of-the-art environmental and efficiency enhancements.  Some of the upgrades include:

• Up to 20-percent smaller footprint, up to 50-percent less energy use per vehicle and reduced Volatile Organic Compound emissions
• GM-patented Radiant Tub Ovens, designed to use 20 percent less natural gas and 40 percent less electricity
• Thin Film Technology, which reduces water use and maintenance and eliminates hazardous chemicals from the waste stream
• Hyper Throw E-COAT, which places more coating in cavities and recesses for optimal corrosion protection

In the stamping facility, the upgraded AA3X press will replace the current middle press used to create some of the structural reinforcements for vehicle body frames.  The upgraded press is expected to enhance quality and reduce waste through greater accuracy.

"The United Auto Workers have proudly built vehicles in Fairfax for decades and looks forward to being part of the upgrades that will be taking place in the plant," said UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who directs the union's GM Department.  "This commitment to the future of the plant and the workforce is a reminder to all of us that we build the world's best vehicles, with the world's best people."

GM's Fairfax Assembly Plant has a rich and important history in Kansas City, dating to 1945.  The plant has employed several hundred thousand people over nearly 70 years, built some of GM's best vehicles, and, during World War II, was the first industrial facility to make automobiles and jet fighters in the same building.  The current plant opened in 1987.  Since beginning production in Kansas City in 1945, more than 12 million GM vehicles have been built at Fairfax.

The Fairfax plant currently builds the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu.  The Malibu was the first 2013 midsize car to earn a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program and a 2012 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  The Buick LaCrosse eAssist model was named among the "Best of What's New" technologies by Popular Science magazine.

"General Motors is one of the largest employers in Kansas and Kansas City and this announcement plays an important role in continuing to grow the economy of Kansas," said Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.  "We build great things in Kansas and GM's commitment means we will continue to do so for years to come."

Fairfax by the numbers:

• Year opened (current facility): 1987
• Employees: 3,877 (3,561 hourly/316 salaried)
• Union: UAW Local 31
• Facility size: 572 acres
• Manufacturing area: 85 acres under roof
• Manufacturing floor space: 3,044,561 square feet (pre-construction)
• Vehicles produced in 2012: 283,213

Decade of Investments:

• $20 million in 2011 for upgrades related to the LaCrosse eAssist
• $136 million in 2010 for the New Generation Malibu
• $158 million in 2009 for the launch of the all-new Buick LaCrosse
• $208 million in 2007 for the launch of the all-new Chevrolet Malibu
• $651 million in 2006 for the launch of the all-new Saturn Aura
• $722 million in 2003 for the launch of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu

SUPER BOWL WINNING QB, JOE FLACCO WINS C7 CORVETTE ALONG WITH MVP HONOURS

By Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog.com - As part of a longstanding tradition, the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII, Joe Flacco, quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, was given a new car directly after the game and trophy celebrations.  For 2013, that car is a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and it was presented to Flacco by Rick Flick of Banner Chevrolet, a dealership in New Orleans that was wiped out by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 before returning to prominence as the only Chevy dealer in Orleans Parish.

Last year, Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning took home a 2012 Corvette GS Centennial Edition.  Manning also won in 2008, when he selected a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid as his reward.  In 2011, quarterback Aaron Rodgers accepted the keys to a Camaro convertible.

Though we're most definitely an auto-obsessed group, we did watch the Big Game along with nearly everyone else in America.  And we've gotta say, as if winning the Super Bowl and receiving the Tiffany-designed Pete Rozelle Trophy wasn't enough for the multi-millionaire MVP athletes, a brand-new C7 seems like an awfully generous prize.  Below is the official announcement from General Motors.

NEW ORLEANS -- The honor of awarding the Super Bowl XLVII MVP Award was given to Rick Flick of New Orleans' Banner Chevrolet, who knows a thing or two about comebacks.  Banner Chevrolet, a part of Flick's family for 40 years, was wiped out by Hurricane Katrina and was the first business to reopen in New Orleans East after the devastating 2005 storm.  On behalf of Chevrolet, the official sponsor of the Super Bowl XLVII MVP Award, Flick presented quarterback Joe Flacco with a 2014 Corvette Stingray on Monday in recognition of his effort in leading the Baltimore Ravens' to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.

"Banner Chevrolet and the entire city of New Orleans have been through so much since the storm, we felt this was a small gesture to bring the comeback story full circle," said Alan Batey, GM vice president of U.S. Sales, Service and Marketing.  "With the Super Bowl in his backyard, we couldn't think of a better guy to have the honor of awarding the MVP with his Corvette Stingray."

Banner Chevrolet was one of the largest losses ever recorded for a dealership in the United States and recently completed a massive multimillion-dollar renovation with state-of-the-art technology.  Banner is the only Chevrolet dealer in Orleans Parrish.

"We lost our entire inventory of 650 new Chevrolets and 120 pre-owned vehicles during Katrina," Flick said.  "I'm happy we are still a vital part of this community today and I can be here to represent the people of Chevrolet and its dealerships as we celebrate the Super Bowl MVP."

The Super Bowl MVP receives the Pete Rozelle Trophy, a silver trophy made by Tiffany & Co., and the Corvette Stingray.

NEW BRIGHT CREATING EXCLUSIVE 1:8 SCALE RADIO-CONTROLLED C7 CORVETTE

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - If you want a new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette but can't quite save up enough pennies for the monthly payment, we have good news for you.  Toymaker New Bright has pulled the covers off of its 1:8 scale remote-controlled version of the American sports car.  Complete with a very detailed interior and LED headlights, this large-scale R/C is as close as most of us will ever come to having one of the menacing Chevrolet models to call our very own.  New Bright still hasn't released pricing or availability, but word has it the coupe should hit the market soon.

Right now, it appears as if the C7 will hit shelves in Torch Red, though we don't know if other colors are planned as well.  The good news is that New Bright isn't exactly turning its back on the old C6 -- representatives say the company will continue to make its popular C6R racecar for those who prefer round taillights.

WAS THE C7 CORVETTE CUT FROM BEYONCE'S SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW?

 

 

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Someone was bound to receive a free 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray during the Super Bowl XLVII festivities; it just wasn't who we thought it was going to be.  Despite a report back in December that superstar Beyoncé Knowles would be getting an all-new Corvette during her halftime performance, that turned out not to be the case.  Joe Flacco, starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, did in fact win a Corvette for his MVP performance.

So what transpired that prevented Beyoncé from rolling on stage in the new Chevrolet?  Anyone who knows isn't telling, but according to Yahoo! Autos, General Motors said that for one reason or another a deal "did not work out", and it appears to have been an eleventh-hour change.  Regardless of who's to blame or what prevented this from happening, we're sure Chevy has had no problems getting attention for the C7 Corvette since it was introduced last month.

CHEVY EXEC CONFIRMS SS PRODUCTION MODEL REVEAL AT DAYTONA ON FEB 16

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - The 2014 Chevrolet SS will make its racing debut for the 2013 Daytona 500, but the production version of the car will get its official unveiling on February 16 in Daytona, a week before The Great American Race.  According to a report by Automotive News, the reveal has been confirmed by Jim Campbell, Chevy's US vice president of performance and motorsports.  With the departure of the Dodge Charger, the new Chevrolet racecar will be the only competitor to feature a V8, rear-wheel-drive layout in both street and NASCAR form.

NASCAR fans will be able to see the new fullsize performance-oriented sedan on display in the festivities leading up to the Daytona 500, but the car won't go on sale until later in the year.  The Australian-built Chevy SS will be a low-volume performance model, and it will be priced above the 2014 Impala, which starts at $28,300 US.