How You Know the Hybrid is On

Aug 18 2013

This symbol means the hybrid engine is on. It lights up in the instrument panel.

I still find it odd, when I turn the key and hear nothing.

Nice and Shredded

Aug 18 2013

Seen at Honda’s Manual Driving School.

Best Place to Crack Your Back

Aug 17 2013

Is the driver’s seat.

The All-new 2014 Fiat 500L

Aug 17 2013

Fiat has introduced a brand-new car to their lineup of two. Two! Smallest fleet ever eh. I like it; instead of a ton of so-so cars, they do 2 well.

One engine, one style, but endless customization options. Even dash options.

Or this.

If this is your look, re-invented retro and vintage, this is worth test-driving.

The L stands for Loft, not long, because of the huge headroom height inside the cabin. It’s spacious, and would transport 4 adults comfortably. And the seats configure 3 different ways; excellent cargo area.

The 1.4L engine is a Turbo, with plenty of torque, 184 lb.ft, and when coupled with the 160 hp, some sporty handling and responsive steering. It’s fun to drive while still being functional. Get it in manual.

This review made it up to the Sun; doesn’t always happen.

Read it online at Autonet.ca.

Driving a Fiat, awkwardly.

Photo by Jeremy Sinek, my driving partner down in Baltimore. This one, too.

Read about that trip here.

#LoveTheJourney with CARSTAR

Aug 8 2013

CARSTAR is a national franchise auto body repair shop, “where accidents unhappen“. We met last year at a charity event.

Now that I’ve pointed out their logo, you’re going to start seeing it everywhere, because they are (I was :O here’s their location list; it’s pretty pervasive).

Right now, CARSTAR is giving away a fancy trip in Canada.

If you’re like me and emotionally attached to your car (I should’ve crushed my Jetta last year, can’t), tell CARSTAR why you are, why you #LoveTheJourney and that’s it, you’re entered.

Contest details:

When – August 6 – October 1, 2013

How – tell them why you #LoveTheJourney, enter on their Facebook page

Grand Prize – a #LoveTheJourney prize pack of a trip for 2 to an ultimate Canadian journey of your choice.

Options include:

– the Thrill Seeker Journey of a trip to Whistler for skiing/snowboarding and a drive of the rockies
– the Hopeless Romantic journey to beautiful and historic Quebec City
– the Arts & Culture lover journey to Toronto for entertainment and nightlife
– the Outdoorsman trip to the beautiful Cabot Trail & Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia

Need inspiration? Watch their TV ad

Good luck!

Fellow car-nerds: the car in the video is a 2013 Honda Accord HFP (HFP = Honda Factory Performance, as in, tuned out-of-the-box). The revving audio at the start is sub-par, because the noise cancelling is great.

It’s a 3.5-litre engine outputting 278hp & 252 lb-ft torque & a 6-spd. – $38,290 and only 240 in Canada

Links from the video:

– the day my Jetta broke down – here
– the day I got the Lincoln MKX – here
– the auto-cross driving video – here
– all my ‘Keri on Driving’ columns for Sun Media – here

The intro to ‘The Canadian Explorer’ – Ep. 1/80, 2007-10 – Let’s Celebrate Canada