Cars equipped with a LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM, involved in accidents MORE often

Shocking statistic from The US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): cars equipped with a lane departure warning system are involved in accidents more often than others.
IIHS web site: http://www.iihs.org/

"For the IIHS, this is quite the turnaround, as it initially believed this new technology would have the potential to save American motorists from about 7,500 collisions year over year. However, the opposite happens: Buick and Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with this technology recorded respective 4 and 5 percent increases of the number of accidents in which they were involved. The damage value was also greater than with vehicles not fitted with a lane change warning system.
Interesting detail: the Volvo vehicles the IIHS monitored via these calculations performed better than the average. The organization states that this may be due to the second automated braking system. Volvo has paired this device with, which activates in case of imminent collision.
In any case, the IIHS can’t explain the cause of this strange discovery, namely why this system produces the opposite of the desired effect. Perhaps it’s because it leads motorists to drive a little less safely? Do they forget to look in their blind spot, thinking the system plays an active role in that part of the operation?"

If you would like to read the full article on autonet.ca follow this link:http://www.autonet.ca/en/2013/10/22/lane-departure-warning-systems-cause-more-accidents-than-they-prevent

Best Performance SUMMER TIRES 2014

Even though summer tires are not as popular as before the invention of the "all-season tire" they are still the best choice for the driving enthusiast.
In the summer they will provide much better grip, handling and performance than an all-season based tire. The reason; they have a harder tire compound and place a greater priority on ride comfort and balanced wet/dry grip.
** Summer tires should NOT be used in cold temperatures or in snow/ice conditions as they will offer little or no grip.**
Here is the list of the best 2014 performance summer tires as provided by Wheels.ca website.

Best overall performance:

Michelin Pilot Super Sport
runner up -- Continental ExtremeContact DW

Best value for the budget conscious:

Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110
runner up -- Yokohama S.drive

Best for track use (and streetable)

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11A
runner up -- Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 R

Best for street use (wet/dry combined)

Falken Azenis FK453
runner up -- Hankook Ventus V12 evo2

Best for tread wear longevity

Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
runner up -- Dunlop Direzza DZ102         

Other Recommendations:
Best overall performer: Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Best value for the budget conscious: BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2
Best for track use (and steerable): Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
Best for street use (wet/dry combined): Michelin Pilot Sport 3
Best for tread wear longevity: Continental ExtremeContact DW

To read the full detailed article on Wheels.ca with more information on each of these tire recommendations follow this link: http://www.wheels.ca/guides/the-best-performance-summer-tires-of-2014/

Road Rage in Russia (16.07.2014)

I do admit even I have had some sort of road rage issues in the past (and even present), but never to this extreme.
Things boiled over in Russia as soon as one of the drivers got out of the car to give the other driver a piece of his mind. Never ever get out of your car, not only for your safety but it also provokes the other driver even more.
If you get into a heated road situation be the better driver of the two just let it go, it is often hard to do but just think of the concequences.
Here is the video from Reuters 16.07.2014: http://www.reuters.com/video/2014/07/16/video-of-russian-driver-running-over-man?videoId=324246216

2015 Opel Corsa and 2015 Vauxhall Viva -- Small car GM style

Gangnam style from GM.
GM the maker of Vauxhall, Chevrolet and Opel are just three of the many brands they produce. The 2015 Opel Corsa pictured below has normally been associated with German production and quality.

Not so, it's the same Fiat-GM platform found in the Fiat 500L and it's AWD sister the Jeep Renegade. Whereas the Jeep brand which is now owned by Fiat was part of the Chrysler takeover by Fiat. Partnerships amongst auto manufacturers is nothing new, GM has had previous joint ventures with Suzuki, Daewoo (till they bought them out), Toyota and others.

If you are interested in a walk-around video of the 2015 Corsa you can visit the link to gmauthority.com; http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/07/2015-vauxhall-corsa-design-walkaround-with-lead-designer-mark-adams-video/

The 2015 Vauxhall Viva (aka Chevy Spark, aka Daewoo) built in South Korea, thus to my previous comment on going Gangnam style.

In my opinion the Viva/Spark (Opel version will be using a different name) being the better looking of the two it may eat into the sales of the Vauxhall/Opel Corsa. Not only is it better to look at but cheaper as well albeit slightly smaller in size. The engine will likely be a 1.0L 3-cylinder GM unit, and like the Spark the Viva would be built in South Korea.
Original articles and pictures on thetruthaboutcars.com:http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/07/2015-opel-corsa-revealed/#more-863625
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/05/viva-vauxhall-british-brand-adds-spark-to-its-lineup/

2015 Toyota Supra (two concepts)

Is Toyota finally starting to build attractive looking cars once again? After a decade of ugly ducklings it looks like there is some hope for Toyota after all. We saw the new North American Corolla out this year which in my opinion was a huge improvement of the previous generation Corolla.
Now here is a look at the Ft-HS concept, which is one of the two concepts to become the new 2015 Toyota Supra.


The second possibility is the FT1 concept.


Very nice indeed. Just watch out for those speed bumps and those infamous Quebec pothole filled roads. Yes it's not only poutine fries that were famous for here in Quebec, our pothole filled roads are known around the world.
Back to the Supra.
Since everything is very hush hush with Toyota most of the information is unclear. Rumor is that the 2015 Supra will be a hybrid 3.5 liter V6 engine that makes 350 hp and 372 Nm of torque. Possibly as well there may be a 5-liter eight cylinder engine that will produce 450 horsepower and 520 Nm of torque.
The 2015 Toyota Supra is expected to be available in early 2015 and priced between $40000 and $50000 US.

Full article and pictures from 2015bestcarsreviews.com, link: http://www.2015bestcarsreviews.com/2015-toyota-supra-price-specs-concept-release-date/
Full article and picture from 2015releasedateprices.com, link: http://2015releasedateprices.com/2015-toyota-supra/
Full article and pictures from peoplelikecars.com, link: http://www.peoplelikecars.com/2015-toyota-supra-2/

Tested: Febreze Car Clip Freshner

I was fed up with those hanging scented trees, fruit, and pop up scented boxes, all of them garbage. Kept on trying different products with no success until I tried this product.

The Febreze car vent clip (linen & sky scent), each clip is designed (claimed) to last 120 days. I have been using it for around 70 days now the liquid filling inside has evaporated but the scent is still there (I will admit that we have had unusually hot weather lately, 30 C).
All you do is clip it on to your fresh air inflow vent of your car and as you drive it freshens the car. I will warn you in advance, when new it has a really strong smell, I had to place it on the passengers side inflow vent for the first 15 days but it now sits in the center. Decided to purchase this product after seeing those TV commercials with the car full off garbage and the actors all says it smells like flowers, and of course it was on sale at Costco. This four pack you see in the above picture will set you back $8.99 Canadian plus applicable taxes. At this evaporation rate the 4 pack should be good for the year.
The Febreze car clip deserves a 4.5/5 score for an almost perfect product, the only drawback was the unevenness of the scent, too strong at first, still highly recommended.

AUDI A3 e-tron (electric car) details and pricing

The Audi A3 e-tron Sportback plug-in hybrid will be released in Europe this winter starting at €37,900 (about $51,500 US). Other sources state that at the US launch prices may be much less than the $51,500 exchange rate, much closer to low $40K US. European countries tend to have higher taxes on vehicles therefore the conversion of € to $ is for comparison purposes only.
Power comes from a 1.4 liter gas engine with an electric motor producing 204 hp and 258 lb/ft of torque. The A3 e-tron will do 0-60 MPH (97 km/h) in 7.6 seconds, with a top speed of 138 MPH (222 km/h). It's power is transmitted to the front wheels via an Audi DSG paddle shifted unit called the e-S tronic (a six-speed dual-clutch transmission). The A3 e-tron can travel around 30 miles (48 km) at a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h) on electric power alone using its 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery.
"To deal with the stresses of stop/start technology, the 1.4-liter engine uses coated pistons and bearings to ensure it is protected even when called into action from cold, while the electric motor is liquid cooled to protect against overheating."
The A3 e-tron should be US bound by sometime in the middle of next year after its European launch
 


Full article on Gas2.org link: http://gas2.org/2014/06/27/audi-a3-e-tron-priced-at-51500-in-europe/
Full Car&Driver article: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/audi-a3-e-tron-concept-photos-and-info-news-1
All images from Audi.com: http://www.audiusa.com/innovation/efficiency/e-tron