The all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC

Nov 25 2013

Lincoln has been re-inventing their image, “we haven’t committed this much money or people to the brand in decades”, said Jim Farley, Executive VP of Global Marketing, Sales and Service, Lincoln.

This includes a brand new design studio, an all-new styling, and reverting to their original 1922 name, “The Lincoln Motor Company”.

I think it’s working, it’s classy, elegant.

The automaker is also focusing on improving their service. All their dealerships were renovated this year, and they hired the world’s best concierge organization – ‘Les Clefs d’Or’ of Paris France – to re-train all their sales staff.

Their all-new luxury crossover.

2.0L Turbo EcoBoost AWD – 240 hp & 270 ft.lbs
2.3L Turbo EcoBoost AWD – 275 hp & 300 ft.lbs

2015 Lincoln MKC starting at $39,940

See the 5 buttons running down the left of the screen? That’s the gear shift! It’s a new shift-by-wire system, which frees up a lot of space in the centre console area. Here’s a video I made of the same system in the MKZ.

All soft-touch materials; sharp stitch lines on the doors; paddle shifters are standard; the wood detail is porous and gorgeous; transmission is a conventional auto not a CVT; 3 adaptive suspension settings (comfort / normal / sport); volume knobs NICE; and the liftgate is one piece of metal, formed by water, difficult to do, a Canadian company figured it out (AMINO in St. Thomas, Ontario).

Designed and engineered by the ladies!

Lisa Drake, Chief Engineer MKC and Soo Kang, MKC Chief Interior Designer

2015 Lincoln MKC on sale next summer.

The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE

Jul 24 2013

Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE (base model) – $25,132

I had it only for one weekend, the booking just worked out that way.

Plenty of pickup from the 2.0L Hybrid Electric eCVT engine, that provides 141 hp with 129 lb.-ft of torque.

Then the handling surprised me… it responds really quickly upon initial steering input, and it’s tight and stable cornering. This car was quite fun to drive.

The interior is a bit busy for my taste. Too bad I didn’t notice the pole until blogging the photo.

Ample rear leg room, would tranposrt 2 adults comfortably.

Few manufacturers add secret compartments in. Ford introduced one to their new 2013 Escape.

It’s behind the passenger seat.

The leaves on the right: I have a vague memory from a Ford event last year, something about the more leaves the better your eco driving is; you want to grow the most leaves.

The car’s stated fuel economy is 4.1L/100km, I got 7.0L.

I wouldn’t listen to me about anything fuel economy-ish. Everything gets left in Sport mode.

Features: Power lift gate, back-up camera, heated seats and panoramic roof are options; leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls come standard.

A great-handling hybrid.

A BlackBerry Q10 Review

Jun 10 2013

While physically it’s a beautiful phone, and the OS is greatly improved since my old Bold…

BlackBerry’s security is why you buy.

Of the 3 big ones (Android / BB / iPhone) BlackBerry does end-user security best.

3 small examples:

1 – find most of the features I’m talking about in there
2 – the security section of the help file has 32! items, huge
3 – more feedback and control over

I didn’t realize I missed having more control over my phone, until I did (currently on iPhone).

Security aside, the Q10 made me miss having a BlackBerry. Remember the BBM days? (I’ve had a cel phone for 15 years, see my history here).

Saturday night Skyping.

It was nice to type on a physical keyboard again.

(aside: best part of getting a new phone is this)

Modified my GoPro for filming.

It worked well as my car stereo.

Before I hooked it into my home WiFi, I took the opportunity to change my router password.

(here’s how to do that)

Lastly, the OS. I had an epiphany about the OS when writing about cars a couple weeks ago… click here to read about BlackBerry’s QNX OS, which is poised to become the go-to-OS for all auto infotainment systems… this is HUGE, this is what could bring BlackBerry back to its former glory.

I feel excited for you BlackBerry; I think this Q10 is terrific,
and good luck with your comeback! #GoCanadaGo

PS – fellow car-nerds: it’s a 2013 Infiniti M37xS, here’s the blog post about it

PPS – Thanks to TELUS for this opportunity

I Finally Switched to TELUS

Jun 9 2013

2 Saturday’s ago, I switched cel service providers. I spent the early afternoon backing up, then went to the store to the make it official.

I ported my number over, and the changeover was faster than I thought it’d be… insert new SIM, jokes with the guys and sign a form, maybe an hour. And the phone was live and receiving text messages before I left the store.

The guys!

The TELUS Guys

L – R – Ian, me, and Tyler

Go see them too, they’re fun and knowledgeable; downtown Toronto at 500 Yonge Street.

Upgraded to an iPhone 5.

This was my old phone name.

Friendly reminder – don’t name your phone your actual name, here’s why .

Lastly, ever notice this?

That in all the years I’ve shared my life online, I’ve never talked about my cel service provider? And like, internet and my phone are a huge part of my life, after rent it’s my largest monthly expense, and I can’t work without it. But I never said a word, because I abhor them.

Each month I hemorrhaged money, and no matter how many phone calls and bill reviews I did, more haemorrhaging. And really, if I opened my mouth to talk about it, doubtful I could stop the stream of garbage that would come out, and although they earned it, that’s not classy, and I don’t want to be in Google for that. You know who I’m talking about. Ask me IRL though, there’s a couple good stories there.

But that’s all done!

I now have an amazing and affordable 6 GBs / month on my phone, and that’s how…

… a 5-year-old daydream became real:

I can tether my laptop, and work from the driver’s seat.

Really, anywhere; that’s a life changer. For the last 2 weeks I’ve spent way less time at my desk. Can’t tell you how great that is.

2015 Lincoln MKC starting at $39,940

Thanks for sharing:

A great-handling hybrid.

Thanks for sharing:

BlackBerry’s security is why you buy.

I feel excited for you BlackBerry; I think this Q10 is terrific,and good luck with your comeback! #GoCanadaGo

Thanks for sharing:

Lastly, ever notice this?

… a 5-year-old daydream became real:

Thanks for sharing:

When did everyone get so scared of picking up the phone?

Thanks for sharing:

I feel excited for you BlackBerry; I think this Q10 is terrific,
and good luck with your comeback! #GoCanadaGo