Recent Autonet Articles

Been writing up a storm over there, check it out… at my amazing new URL comeON:

Autonet.ca/Keri

This Ferrari article, because it was a very fast turnaround time on a very technical article.

That thing is the world’s fastest hybrid – 949 hp!

499 changes to own the world’s fastest hybrid – LaFerrari

This one, because I had to use descriptive writing.

I needed to produce 300 words about something that didn’t even have 300 words written about it anywhere. This does not come naturally to me; I’m more “this is that, all efficient, the end”, so that’s why I was proud; okay I can do that. Don’t want to, but can.

Escape “key” to new Land Rover buyers

Liked this one, because it’s about a favourite personal topic: perception.

Which cars are perceived to be the best?

 

There’s 100+ Computers in a Car

There are more than 100+ computers (ECUs) in a new luxury vehicle.

Millions more lines of code than a fighter jet, than Facebook even; and up to 20% of the total vehicle cost is for the computers. It runs on the CAN bus network, learn more here.

Read in online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Some luxury vehicles contain as many as 100 individual computers.

And:

It takes up to 100 million lines of software code to make this happen.  To illustrate the complexity, consider that an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter operates on 1.7 million lines.

Neat photo, eh.

It’s a test of all the computers and software inside a Cadillac.

***

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

The All-new 2013 Buick Encore

It’s the all-new 2013 Buick Encore.

(non-car nerds: “all-new” means it’s a brand new model, as in, not just updated from 2012 – 13)

Last week, my full review ran across Canada.

Suited to a young, urban dwelling and hyper-connected buyer who is seeking luxury finishes inside a vehicle, the all-new Encore boasts the functionality of an SUV, but the manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency of a compact car.

Read my full review on Autonet.ca.

I’m glad that the editor chose to highlight this statement:

I predict this shape of vehicle will become a trend – a mini-crossover, like a shrunken SUV.

Nice pioneering, Buick!

Found this in my notes from the manufacturer’s presentation.

Thorax airbag ahaha I have never heard of such a thing. It was so funny to me; by the time they said it the 3rd time, I was dying inside.

Test drive time!

I got to ride with Lesley Wimbush.

She writes for all the biggest names, and will out-drive you.

No dramatics, this was my favourite feature.

It’s a Bose noise cancelling system.

3 microphones (like above) analyze the in-cabin sound waves, then emit cancelling ones. It uses the exact same technology in their headphones (I once wore out a pair).

2013 All-new Buick Encore. Starting at $26,895

 

Why I Never Pair my Phone to a Car

I don’t like that information is left behind.

Taken in a GM Spark press car. Hi Luke!

Now we know a phone’s name will remain in the car’s hard drive, and I’m not convinced there isn’t more infomation left behind, like my address book.

That’s what next week’s column is about, finding out.

 

 

This is Car Swap Day

What it is to swap cars and drive a different one each week.

It’s almost always Monday.

Round trip = 135 km, 3-ish hours in this example.

Many manufacturers are located just off the 401.

Going from 1 to 2 – starting at home downtown, then it’s north to return the 2013 Civic to Honda, Canada.

Proper etiquette is to gas and wash it before handing the keys back.

Where the keys go.

Longtime fan of the Civic. Read my full, technical review of the 2013 sedan here.

Now climb into my 1999 Jetta, which has been parked at Honda.

Remember to remind myself:

“From a brand-new car into the opposite, brake sooner Keri.”

The trip will always be in traffic.

On the map 2 to 3, and park the Jetta at Chrysler.

That sign does not get old.

Now I’m in the Chrysler anti-chamber; if you’ve been there, you know what I mean.

Picked up this week’s car, the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart Limited.

You might recognize the name from the muscle cars of the 70s.

This year, Chrysler brought the name back to life; it’d been dormant since 1976.

I might have a review for the paper coming up about the Dart, so saving my interior shots for that.

And it’s too soon to state any opinion.

Now home, 3 back to 1 on the map.

And that is Car Swap Day.