
Kelly Taylor
Copy Editor, Autos Reporter
Kelly Taylor is a Winnipeg Free Press copy editor and award-winning automotive journalist. He’s been a member of the Automobile Journalists’ Association of Canada since 2001.
He was named Automotive Journalist of the Year in 2015 and 2002, a runner-up for the same award in 2014 an 2016 and has earned consecutive Gold Medallion and Best in Newspapers awards from the International Automotive Media Competition (2015 and 2016).
In 2017, he won second place in the Texas Auto Writers’ Excellence in Craft Competition for his review of the 2018 Land Rover Discovery.
He has earned numerous other awards for writing, page design and photography.
His favourite test drive was the Audi R8, which he nearly traded for a Greyhound bus, a Ford Ranger and the Blue Heron Gift Shop in Kenora.
Recent articles by Kelly Taylor
More than just a pretty face
4 minute read Preview Friday, May. 19, 2023Interested in Integra?
4 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 16, 2022Pathfinder back on track
5 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 9, 2022Worth the wait
5 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 25, 2022Look up the 2022 Acura RDX on the company’s Canadian website and staring at you in big red letters are the words, “Go away!”
Power out the gazoo
7 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 18, 2022The Jeep that isn’t
4 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 18, 20222023 Toyota Crown brings power, panache and parsimony to market
5 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 28, 2022BR-Zee? More like BR-Wheeee!
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 26, 2022EVs with a Vietnamese twist
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 26, 2022Crystal blue persuasion
8 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022A ’ute that’s still cute after all these years
4 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 5, 2022Truck pretender, or contender?
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 3, 2022Ford’s tiny pickup so popular, you’ll be lucky to find one
5 minute read Preview Friday, May. 13, 2022Skyrocketing gas prices fuelling increased interest in electric vehicles
9 minute read Preview Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2022Look past the me-too styling and the 2022 Forester has a lot to offer
4 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 8, 2022Honda’s hot hatch is back… almost
4 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 18, 2022VinFast pulls out all stops to attract first customers
2 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 18, 2022Buzz is building, but it’s a long way off
4 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 11, 2022Tip of the hat to Taos
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 28, 2022Immortal Highlander remains a leading crossover
3 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 14, 2022Iconic design for IONIQ 5
5 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 17, 2021Tall car or short crossover, take your pick
4 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 3, 2021Speak like Spock… to your car
3 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 3, 2021Honda Pilot offers light-duty off-roading, high towing capacity and on-road comfort
3 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 26, 2021Call of the Wild-erness
3 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 19, 2021Going Rogue
3 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 5, 2021Luxury for landlubbers
4 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 29, 2021About 10 or 15 years ago, Ford sent a Lincoln MKZ sedan to Winnipeg for testing. Despite Ford trying to downplay the obvious connection to the Ford Fusion of the day, in the trunk was a pair of front floor mats that fit the MKZ perfectly.
Stitched into the mats? The Fusion name under the Ford blue oval.
So it’s with that history in mind we take a look at the 2021 Lincoln Corsair, the latest in a long line of Ford products to bear the word long associated with 16th-century piracy. Certainly an interesting choice of names given Lincoln’s history of looting Ford parts bins for everything from Aviators to Zephyrs.
Yet, while the Corsair is loosely based on the Ford Escape, this is more than a warmed-over Ford.
Racing towards a career
4 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 29, 2021Carter Friesen never thought his pastime would come to this, at least not so early in his career.
Friesen, 16, a budding graphic designer at Oak Park High School, left Thursday to attend a NASCAR Xfinity Series race this weekend at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. That itself is exciting enough for any fan of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, but it’s what he’s going to see first-hand that’s really exciting — his own paint scheme on the No. 7 car driven by SS Green Light Racing driver Joe Graf Jr.
In April, he was posting on Twitter some of the NASCAR paint schemes he created in his spare time, and as luck would have it, Graf saw his work and the team commissioned him to design what would be placed on Graf’s car for two races, the first of which was last week in Kansas.
“Most teams aren’t expecting some 16-year-old kid from high school to be designing paint schemes,” the Grade 12 student said. “I’ve always been interested in NASCAR. Even when I was four or five, when we went to stores that sold NASCAR die-casts, I would always buy one.
The Pinnacle of practical
3 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 22, 2021Civic duty
3 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 8, 2021Cooking with… gas-electric?
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jun. 30, 2021Toyota looks ‘beyond zero’ with new EV
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 4, 2021U.K. firm buys local automotive software company
3 minute read Preview Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2021Travel is on the horizon
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021Making the leap to electric
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Sep. 10, 2020Subaru siblings
5 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 3, 2020Mercedes-Benz AMG Winter Sporting course offers thrills and chills
5 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 7, 2020Chill at Gimli’s Ice Garage
4 minute read Preview Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Widebody a retro powerhouse
3 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 24, 2020CX-30 takes aim at size-conscious shoppers
5 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 13, 2019Diesel CX-5 has plenty of pull
4 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 22, 2019Second opinion: BMW M340i
2 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 15, 2019Madrid shows why it's called one of the most livable cities in the world
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019These aren’t your grandfathers’ studded tires any more
3 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 18, 2019Veloster N: a ride you won’t want to end
4 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 11, 2019Rams more like mountain goats
5 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 4, 20192020 Mazda3: suspending disbelief
5 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 27, 2019No sacrifice necessary when it comes to Honda's new full-featured hybrid sedan
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 2, 2019Checking out BMW’s latest fleet
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 19, 2019New Ranger fit for duty
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 21, 2019Honda’s new Passport a ticket to ride
4 minute read Preview Friday, May. 31, 2019Kenaston Boulevard transforming into a luxury-vehicle corridor
6 minute read Preview Tuesday, May. 21, 2019Behind the wheel of the Panamera GTS
4 minute read Preview Friday, May. 17, 2019Hyundai focuses on fresh design
4 minute read Preview Monday, May. 6, 2019From racetrack to road…
4 minute read Preview Friday, May. 3, 2019City’s ‘hidden gem’: Transcona
5 minute read Preview Thursday, May. 2, 2019Food-delivery service DoorDash enters Winnipeg market, bringing a menu with 300 local restaurants
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, May. 1, 2019Nissan launches 50th anniversary edition of iconic sports car
4 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 26, 2019Drinking in Kentucky’s bourbon trail
8 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 20, 2019Ascent soars to new heights
5 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 5, 2019Updated Mazda offers Zoom Zoom all year round
6 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 29, 2019While some provinces have age restrictions on drivers, Manitoba doesn't. Advocates say it should stay that way
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2019Nissan unveils Altimate track star
2 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 15, 2019Big fun found in Mini package
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 8, 2019Nissan all-in with Altima
4 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 8, 2019Commercial condos hit local market
5 minute read Preview Monday, Feb. 25, 2019Hudbay doubling gold production in Snow Lake
3 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019Electric vehicle study misfires on Canada
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019Process to select a jury an education in civic obligation
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019Hyundai offers its biggest SUV to date
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 4, 2019Modern twist on historic property
5 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 31, 2018Mazda CX-5 gets turbo treatment
5 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 21, 2018Second opinion: Outlander’s success a pleasant surprise
5 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 14, 2018Despite legalization, athletes urged to tread cautiously
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018Jeep on truckin’
3 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 7, 2018All-new Mazda3 gaining traction
4 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 7, 2018New pickup drives like a dream
5 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 30, 2018A little auto TLC goes a long way
6 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 23, 2018MX-5 packs a punch, but pack light
4 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 9, 2018Bustling dealerships find room to grow
3 minute read Preview Monday, Nov. 5, 2018Kapyong Barracks development opens doors for seven Manitoba Treaty 1 bands
15 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 26, 2018Honda Clarity makes gas prices irrelevant
4 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 19, 2018Keep your pooch away from your pot
4 minute read Preview Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018The Altimate sedan?
6 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 28, 2018Electric vehicles worth it over time: study
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 22, 2018A new report suggests electric vehicles (EV) are at or near the tipping point for making an economic case for themselves, even in provinces without generous taxpayer-funded incentives.
The study by the 2 Degrees Institute, a pro-environment think tank, analyzed comparable gas and electric versions of the Kia Soul and the Volkswagen Golf, and examined the relationship between increased purchase price and reduced cost of operation.
What the report doesn’t suggest, however, is an economic argument for choosing an electric vehicle over some of the least-expensive gas vehicles on the market. The report assumed buyers would choose between vehicles with roughly the same amenities.
The report also made no attempt to monetize intangible benefits to electric-vehicle ownership, such as reduced carbon footprint, improved driving experience or not losing time to service appointments, although the reduced servicing costs of EVs was included in calculations of savings.
A worthy entry into the compact SUV class
4 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 21, 2018From pitchfork steaks to a thrilling mountain pass, a road trip to Utah is a treat
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018Lincoln is bringing the power back
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 10, 2018Crossover unobtrusively offers power, economy
6 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 3, 2018Luxury carmaker drives innovative sales model home and online
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jul. 11, 2018Beauty at the birthplace of civilization
8 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 7, 2018As more couples think outside the hall, rural settings are becoming more popular for unique weddings
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 6, 2018Get your Kicks with new subcompact crossover
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 22, 2018Refreshed Sorento is a bona fide joy ride
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 15, 2018Ecosport a compact crossover with potential
4 minute read Preview Friday, May. 25, 2018The NX300h is pretty fly — for a hybrid
6 minute read Preview Friday, May. 11, 2018It won't come cheap, but Ford's latest diesel-powered truck offering is worth the price tag
5 minute read Preview Friday, May. 4, 2018Mazda unveils a radical refresh for its successful midsize sedan
6 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 27, 2018New Nissan Leaf's increase in computing power behind horsepower boost
7 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 20, 2018Hope blooms for revitalized Osborne Village
7 minute read Preview Monday, Apr. 16, 2018Mitsubishi ditching cars on road to SUV-exclusive status
5 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 13, 2018New regulations combat driving in the dark, permit new headlight technology
3 minute read Preview Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018Ford plans to bring hybrid technology to mainstream models
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 17, 2018GMC Sierra continues its growth spurt
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 9, 2018Elantra Sport boasts significant upgrades over standard model
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 2, 2018Bricks-and-mortar stores embracing online sales with in-store pickup
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018Wedding bells will ring once more
5 minute read Preview Monday, Feb. 12, 2018Skyactiv-x brings diesel tech to gas engine
5 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 9, 2018Mistubishi electrifies the Outlander
6 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 2, 2018Acura TLX looks good, drives better
4 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 2, 2018'Spaceship' condos break the construction mould
5 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 29, 2018Canadian Tire gets an edge on winter tire market
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 26, 2018Ford's unveiling of 2019 Bullitt Mustang features the car that started it all
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 26, 2018Five years after the Canadian Wheat Board: Many farmers relish the freedom, others still mourn the loss
20 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 22, 2018Ford Ranger re-emerges for 2019
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 19, 2018New owner aims to reverse ailing fortunes of historic Royal Albert Arms Hotel
7 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 15, 2018Updated Camry offers great fuel economy, doesn't squeeze trunk space
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 12, 2018Chance to learn car control on ice
3 minute read Preview Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018BMW X5 offers effortless acceleration
4 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 29, 2017New Infiniti turbo delivers fuel economy breakthrough
5 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 22, 2017Survey suggests Winnipeg home prices will rise four per cent in 2018
3 minute read Preview Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017SUVs shaping up to be vehicles of 2018
8 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 8, 2017Making things tougher for commuters helps build a better downtown, urban experts believe
18 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017Technology agrees with new Mustang
6 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 24, 2017Downtown BIZ supports parking meter fee increase
2 minute read Preview Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017Jumpin’ Jack Flash, it’s gas… again
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017Jeff Kendel has found a way to make money selling fuel again.
By not selling fuel.
Kendel is the East Kildonan service station owner whose plight in the oil industry ended when he hung up his nozzles in frustration in 2015. We wrote about his story May 13, 2016. (http://wfp.to/srr)
Today, the gas is flowing again, but it’s not Kendel bearing the risk of price fluctuations and alleged predatory practices by Big Oil. It’s Domo.
The 2018 Ford Expedition is a big SUV with the feel of sports car
5 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 17, 2017Manitobans divided on driverless cars: survey
3 minute read Preview Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017Cayenne SUV spicier than ever
5 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 10, 2017From Munich to Manitoba
4 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 10, 2017Glen Demetrioff said it speaks to the power of innovation that he was able to convince BMW executive Steve Ambeau to leave Munich and join his Winnipeg software firm.
Ambeau, formerly the global head of digital marketing for BMW’s MINI brand, joined Demetrioff’s DMT Development Systems Group Inc. on Nov. 1 as vice-president of marketing.
DMT produces software that helps automotive dealerships build relationships online with customers, from managing sales leads to connecting customers with the right staff to deal with purchase questions or service issues.
“I think it says a lot about how, when you’re doing something innovative and building a global presence, that you can attract someone of Steve’s calibre to come to Winnipeg,” Demetrioff said.
Carter project worth $40M to Winnipeg
4 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 27, 2017Building Belonging provides fun, safe haven for kids
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017Hunter & Gunn barbershop marks five years of trimming locks and giving back
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017Where's the beef? Argentina, that's where
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017Velar appeals to Land Rover fans, with modern comforts
5 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 20, 2017MPI opens cutting-edge auto-repair training, research centre
4 minute read Preview Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017Porsche Cayenne a versatile ride
6 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 13, 2017No strength in numbers for families of children diagnosed with rare diseases
15 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 30, 2017Forgo the fruity drinks and the sunburn and consider somewhere colder for your next trip
8 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 23, 2017GMC gives Terrain a striking new look
4 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 22, 2017Switching to an electric vehicle puts Manitobans on top of emissions savings
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 16, 2017A second opinion on the VW Atlas
5 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 15, 2017Hyundai makes hybrids likable with Ioniq
3 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 1, 2017A Panamera closer to Porsche’s heritage
4 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 25, 2017NAFTA talks nothing to fear
8 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017Prius making its microcar mark
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 28, 2017Titan XD provides towing innovations
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 21, 2017Rocking the boats: river traffic increases in city
4 minute read Preview Sunday, Jul. 16, 2017A look inside the Gimli facility where Crown Royal is made
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 8, 2017The Mercedes-Benz E 400 Coupe strives for excellence – and succeeds
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 7, 2017Highlander remains a prominent staple in Toyota's marketing arsenal
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 30, 2017The Trans Canada Trail inside Winnipeg is a delight to discover
12 minute read Preview Sunday, Jun. 25, 2017The Porsche 911 GTS a powerful ride
5 minute read Preview Friday, May. 26, 2017Program on cross-country tour to highlight dangers of driving hungover
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, May. 24, 2017Rest easy with this inflatable pillow
1 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 20, 2017Christian college among Manitoba leaders discovering path to sustainability
10 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 20, 2017Equinox makes additions by subtraction
6 minute read Preview Friday, May. 19, 2017Like it or not, the Internet of Things is changing our lives
8 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 13, 2017Tax form confusion for RRSP contributors
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 29, 2017Some Canadian taxpayers are getting caught up in confusing numbers from the Canada Revenue Agency and face stiff penalties for contributing too much to their registered retirement savings plans, statistics and an accountant suggest.
Each year, in response to filing your taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency sends you a notice of assessment that details how the agency processed your tax return and how it potentially corrected any errors you may have made. On the last page of this document is the RRSP room statement, which tells you how much you can contribute for the current year.
The room statement is based on your income and a calculation called the pension adjustment — a number supplied by your employer that reflects the future value of your company pension plan. If you have a generous plan, or have been a member for a long time, that pension adjustment could leave you with a contribution limit of zero.
Ryan Rawluk, a certified public accountant and certified general accountant with Osborne Accounting Group, said he thinks taxpayers are caught in two ways: the room statement is buried on the last page, and it may not be as clear as it should be.
Will financial load be too much for Manitoba Hydro?
17 minute read Preview Thursday, Apr. 20, 2017Seven-seater CX-9 has brilliant handling and design
5 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 21, 2017Who takes a hit
3 minute read Preview Tuesday, Apr. 11, 2017No new taxes, but relief is minor
4 minute read Preview Tuesday, Apr. 11, 2017A penetrating design for tires
6 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 31, 2017Taking a bite out of rodent claims
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 24, 2017Finn-omenal! It seems everyone knows who Patrik Laine is in his Nordic homeland
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 17, 2017Discovery most capable off-road vehicle in Land Rover's lineup
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Mar. 9, 2017From grain handling to e-commerce, innovators keep pushing Manitoba to the fore
19 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 5, 2017Ice-driving program fills Gimli's coffers during slow off-season
6 minute read Preview Monday, Feb. 27, 2017On thin ice at Porsche Camp4
5 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 10, 2017Racing for pleasure in the Panamera
6 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 3, 2017Drivers missing from city’s road safety talks
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017Self-parking cars hit new level
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 6, 2017A whirlwind walking tour of Tokyo offers food, sights and more food
9 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016Lexus gets a grip
5 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 2, 2016All-season tires don't live up to the name
3 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 25, 2016Chinese-built Envision is both spacious and comfortable -- and sports a first-rate interior
5 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 18, 2016Predicting Canadian Car of the Year winners
8 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 28, 2016Challenger is a modern muscle car suited to daily drivability
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016Prototype Fusion gives glimpse into driverless future
4 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 23, 2016‘Great opportunity’ ahead for automakers
5 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 23, 2016V is for Volvo
3 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 16, 2016A Porsche in every way — except price
6 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 9, 2016The Toyota that isn’t really a Toyota
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 26, 2016How will we deal with stoned drivers in the era of legalization?
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016With Canada ranked third-worst in road safety, can Sweden be a model for driver training?
15 minute read Preview Monday, Aug. 8, 2016Modern ART
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 29, 2016Plenty to cheer about with Volkswagen's gasoline sipping econo-car
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 8, 2016Classy cousin
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 24, 2016PICTOU, N.S. — Economy of scale can be a double-edged sword: if you’re McDonalds, ordering a million pounds of ground beef gives you some clout. If you’re a carmaker, trying to get a noticeable bump in profit margin from basically the same model can be tricky.
In the case of Lincoln, that’s been made somewhat easier by Ford’s selling of Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar and Aston Martin. Without the lower ends of those brands bumping into the high end of Lincoln, Ford has a bit more freedom to move Lincolns, which are all rebranded variants of Ford products, upscale, a thought confirmed by Carol Wilson, product manager for the Lincoln MKZ in Canada.
The MKC is a pricier Escape, the MKX a pricier Edge and the MKZ a pricier Fusion. So providing a compelling reason to cross over from the Ford store to the Lincoln showroom has become a priority for Lincoln. The MKC, for instance, has an engine you can’t get in an Escape. You get a more personalized experience shopping Lincoln than Fords. There are concierges to help you, the showroom is upscale and the loaner policy is simple: if you bring in a Lincoln for service, you drive away in a Lincoln as a loaner.
With the MKZ, some of that distinction has been less clear. And Wilson pretty much admitted such. Customers complained about the cheapish plastic on the centre console, the downmarket trim on doors and speaker grilles and, like most Ford products till recently, the ergonomics of the various controls, which had been either touch-slide style controls, touch controls or behind menus in the information display.
New Prius a better, more affordable car
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 17, 2016Changes to new Ford Escape far greater than meet the eye
6 minute read Preview Friday, May. 20, 2016Tight margins, volatile pricing makes it tough for smaller gas stations to keep the fuel flowing
18 minute read Preview Friday, May. 13, 2016Run-flat tire name being phased out in favour of low-pressure mobility moniker
5 minute read Preview Friday, May. 6, 2016Spring is perfect time to have your vehicle checked
4 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 22, 2016Newest Lexus sure to extend brand’s streak
4 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 15, 2016Lexus RX worthy of its luxury label
4 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 8, 2016Balanced beauty
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Mar. 24, 2016Love LETTERS
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Mar. 24, 2016C
It is the third letter in the alphabet and the 13th most used letter in the English language. It is, arguably, also the first letter in the Mercedes-Benz alphabet.
Mercedes has cars that are less expensive than the C-Class and SUVs less expensive than the GLC — the B-Class and CLA cars and the GLA SUV come to mind — but are they true luxury? The C-Class and above? Brilliant. The GLC? Fantastic. The lesser models? Not so much.
Initially, it was hard to put my finger on why I like the GLC so much better than its smaller sibling. The power isn’t significantly more (241 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque vs. 208 hp and 258 lb-ft). That power shaves only three-tenths of a second off the 0-60 time (6.3 in the GLC to 6.6 in the GLA). The design inside and out, save for size, is similar.
Midsize melee
6 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 11, 2016Ford's King Ranch offers an impressive list of options
5 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 26, 2016One of the most popular uses for pickup trucks is also the most difficult to master. Towing a trailer is easy, as long as you never have to back up. If you are towing, my advice is to not be a wuss. Learn how to back it up. Find some pylons, an empty parking lot and practise, practise, practise.
You will get the hang of it. As with learning how to drive a stick, you never know when it will come in handy. Not every campground has pull-through spots and if you get this right, you won’t care.
You should learn this even if you find yourself with a 2016 Ford F-150 equipped with the Pro Trailer backup-assist system. You just knew someone would use technology to bail out those drivers who lack the perseverance needed for these kinds of things, didn’t you?
It happened first with self-parking systems that helped only with parallel parking, but now help you back into a perpendicular spot, too. (Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you cannot master these two manoeuvres, give it up. Your driving days should be done.)
Elantra among innovative vehicles elevating Hyundai to new heights
5 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 5, 2016Lincoln’s version of Ford Edge more elegant
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 22, 2016Compact SUV shares more than just a name with its Jeep ancestors
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 8, 2016Honda's new Pilot an impressive family cruiser
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015No matter the weather, you are the one in charge of your vehicle
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015Pricey Porsche worth every penny -- all 1.77 million of them
5 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 27, 2015New SUV features significant upgrades, even if it looks hauntingly familiar
4 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 20, 2015Musings from the Los Angeles auto show
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015Successor to GLK brings panache, performance
5 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 13, 2015What’s best at TestFest?
9 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 6, 2015Battery up!
7 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 23, 2015It's built by Mazda, but the new Yaris is a winner
4 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 9, 2015Ford's new Explorer all good, no bad
6 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 2, 2015Getting Smart
6 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 11, 2015Come for the golf, stay for the wine in Missouri
11 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 5, 2015New Porsche HQ part museum, part toyland – and oh, yeah, a workplace, too
5 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 4, 2015Ethanol, without the corny problems
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015The futuristic world of driverless cars is coming sooner than you think
17 minute read Preview Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015Close call highlights need to focus
4 minute read Preview Monday, Aug. 17, 2015Double threat
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 7, 2015Vision is the key to driving crash-free
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2015Vermin infestation turns family van into rat rod
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 24, 2015Penny pincher
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 3, 2015Fun, but not fuelish
4 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 19, 2015A suit for the ages
2 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jun. 17, 2015Droptop on a diet
8 minute read Preview Friday, Jun. 5, 2015Porsche panache that’s not completely out of reach
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2015Is this the breakthrough electric cars have needed?
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2015Lexus NX200t, premium, compact, fuel-efficient CUV
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2015BMW 4-Series Gran Coupé: a four-door two door
7 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 17, 2015Hate to drive? Here’s what you can do
5 minute read Preview Sunday, Apr. 12, 2015Do you hate to drive? Here’s what you can do
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2015keep un-tucking
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 28, 2015There was a time when "casual Friday" meant something. These days, it seems for many workplaces, dress rules have been relaxed to the point casual Friday means slippers and PJs.
Along with this relaxed attitude has come greater experimentation in issues such as whether to tuck or not to tuck. In some ways, the rules of fashion have never been easier to understand. If it looks good, if it looks appropriate to the situation, it is good. If it looks sloppy, it is sloppy.
Ask Manfred Lang, men's clothing expert at Vittorio Rossi Clothiers, and his answer betrays the fact rules are meant to be broken. "Never untuck at the office in a suit, but certainly with jeans and a sport coat and no tie," he says.
Then he catches himself: "When referring to the office suit I'm also suggesting when it's worn with a tie.
In Focus
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 27, 2015Drive better to save at the pump
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 7, 2015Better fuel economy starts with better driving.
It really is that simple.
If you take any fuel-efficient driving course, you might be surprised to find it's a lot like taking any high-speed, advanced-driving course.
High speed? Advanced driving? To save fuel? Really?
There snow way you can see…
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015Alternate histories of the automotive industry
5 minute read Preview Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015If you could change automotive history…
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015The pull of magnetic ride: how to transform an SUV
5 minute read Preview Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015Plug-ins the future of green driving?
4 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 26, 20152015 Hyundai Sonata long-term test: Part II
4 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 19, 2015Automakers share blame for tail-light trouble
5 minute read Preview Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015NASA, Nissan to co-develop autonomous drive
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015Out, out, brief tail light
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015Winter driving: vision is everything
7 minute read Preview Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014Winter driving is tough enough when healthy
4 minute read Preview Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014Friends don’t let friends drive… while recuperating
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Dec. 10, 20142015 Hyundai Sonata, a long-term test
4 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 21, 2014Fuel-sippy vehicles that actually make sense
7 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 20, 2015Into the wild green yonder
7 minute read Preview Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014Patriotism isn’t to car-buyers what it used to be
4 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 31, 2014Saline solution: Salt makes this supercar run on water
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014Forever in blue jeans
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014Predicting the winners at TestFest
8 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 24, 2014Electric dream becoming more of a reality
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014Day 1 at TestFest: BMW, Volvo impress
5 minute read Preview Monday, Oct. 20, 2014What will be Canadian Car of the Year for 2015?
5 minute read Preview Monday, Oct. 20, 2014Airbags make very dangerous footrests
5 minute read Preview Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014Airbags make dangerous footrests
5 minute read Preview Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014This is a Camry? You gotta be kidding me
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 9, 20142015 Mercedes-Benz GLA: compact SUV or larger sport wagon?
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014A Fiesta of fuel savings
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2014Distracted driving not a new problem
5 minute read Preview Sunday, Sep. 21, 20142015 Ram EcoDiesel: the super-sippy pickup
4 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 19, 2014Distracted driving: new villain, same problem
6 minute read Preview Monday, Sep. 15, 2014Honda Accord Hybrid vs. Lexus CT200h: A tale of two hybrids
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2014The gas engine that thinks it’s a diesel
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014Watch out? No, watches are in
3 minute read Preview Monday, Aug. 18, 2014The shoe must go on
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 28, 2014Food in your Fords
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 21, 2014When I look at tomatoes, I see marinara.
When Ellen Lee looks at tomatoes, she sees wiring brackets and storage bins.
Lee holds a doctorate in chemical engineering, is a plastics research technical specialist for Ford and, along with H.J. Heinz Co., is looking at ways of incorporating tomato skins into the plastics used to build vehicles.
It's just the latest in a series of steps carmakers are taking to reduce their environmental footprints. In addition to testing tomato-skin plastics, Ford is already using soybeans, wheat straw, corn, rice hulls, and coconuts in various ways around the car. Research is underway into using dandelions, sugarcane and sweet potatoes in plastics as well.
Sharp-dressed Man
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013The car of tomorrow
12 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 28, 20138888We're not quite there, but the technology does exist, and some of it is making its way into today's cars. Cars can now park themselves. Cars can follow lanes and manage traffic jams by themselves. Cars can slam on their brakes if you miss something.
Safety is a primary concern for carmakers and the buying public alike. And leading that charge is, and will continue to be, technology.
And as with most technology, what we see today points the way to what we're likely to see tomorrow. Here's a look at both what's really cool now, and what will be soon.
Autonomous driving
Sharp-dressed men
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 14, 2013Sharp-dressed men
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 14, 2013Details make the difference, particularly in shoes.
Unlike much of fashion, shoes must first serve an important structural function. The best-looking shoe that's uncomfortable is a waste of money that will sit in the closet.
So there's not a lot of variation in the basic structure of footwear. Sure, you can get boots, high-cut, low-cut, pointy toes and stubby toes, but the space to hold a heel and the space to hold the ball of the foot, as well as the support for the arch and instep, don't change much.
David Lewis, one of the founders and the creative director of Winnipeg's Jose and Markham Footwear, said the places to make footwear stand out are in colour, construction and details.
taylor column threads 49.8 july 27
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 27, 2013SHARP DRESSED MEN
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 15, 2013The BEST PLACE on Earth
11 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 20, 2009Quaker State relaunches all oils under common brand name
3 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 6, 2009TORONTO -- The battle for access to your engine's oil pan is heating up with the return of one of the heavy hitters in lubrication.
Quaker State, which for four years abandoned marketing of the Quaker State brand to promote its Q line of synthetic oils, is relaunching all its oils under one name -- Quaker State -- and is rolling out an aggressive campaign to become the lubrication of choice for more drivers.
The decision to focus on Q was a halo play -- where heavy advertising on a premium product is expected to raise the profile of all products -- that really didn't work, Quaker State officials admitted.
"With marketing having to split efforts between Q and Quaker State, it created a lot of confusion with customers," said Bree Sandlin, associate global marketing director for Quaker State.
Focus on road, not on cellphone
4 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 27, 2009FRANKFURT - Deutsche Telekom AG said Friday it narrowed its fourth-quarter loss, but revenue in Germany continued to decline as consumers turned away from its land line connections.
Nothing simple in driving ‘green’
5 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 20, 2009BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan's president signed a bill Friday to close a key U.S. air base used as a staging post for military operations in Afghanistan, a step that could impede American plans to send more troops to the Afghan war.
Traversing tough times
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 30, 2009TOKYO - Honda Motor Co. slashed its annual profit target by over half Friday as profit tumbled 90 per cent in the latest quarter, hit by rising costs, a stronger yen and falling sales in key markets.
Out in the cold?
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 30, 2009TOKYO - Honda Motor Co. slashed its annual profit target by over half Friday as profit tumbled 90 per cent in the latest quarter, hit by rising costs, a stronger yen and falling sales in key markets.