CarTest! Expert car reviews and advice

ELECTRIC CARS

Jaguar enters partnership with its new electric race car

Panasonic Jaguar Racing plans to be competing in the third FIA Formula E season with the first all-electric Jaguar race car in the company’s history: the I-TYPE 1. The new I-TYPE 1 made its debut at the Jaguar Collections Centre in Gaydon, England. -more-

AUTO SHOWS

2016 Toronto AutoShow

With a little something for everyone, the 2016 Canadian International AutoShow is a great place to come out and celebrate Family Day on Monday, Feb. 15 -- or anytime the show is open from Feb. 12 to Feb. 21. The event is taking place in downtown Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The show offers exciting activities, prizes for the whole family and exclusive giveaways. -more-

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

Future autonomous cars to have driver-like reactions

Future automonous vehicles will drive naturally, not like robots.

Jaguar Land Rover is investing in a multi-million-dollar research project that will help future autonomous vehicles drive naturally like human drivers, rather than like robots. -more-

FUEL ECONOMY

Exercise proves official fuel-consumption figures can be achieved in real-world driving

With a range of up to 138 kilometres between charges, the smart fortwo electric drive combines zero-local emission motoring and agile handling.

The second annual AJAC Eco-Run, conducted recently by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), produced some eye-opening results with respect to the relative merits of different fuel-saving technologies and the effect of driving style on fuel economy. The overall average fuel-consumption for the 22 vehicles in the Eco-Run was just 5.27 L/100 km. Significantly, that figure is below the average combined official fuel-consumption figures published in Natural Resources Canada's Energuide for the same vehicles. One interesting finding is this: While hybrids excelled in city operation, when comparing vehicles of similar size and type, the best of the gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles were as good as or better than some of the hybrids on the highway.

LUXURY SUV

Lexus ES: More of the good stuff

By Bill Roebuck

More style. More substance. More fuel economy with a new hybrid model. Lots of luxury goodies (and even so, lots of expensive options too). But wait, is the 2013 Lexus ES simply a tricked out Toyota Camry? After all, it shares the 268-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 used in the Camry, and the new hybrid drivetrain is also from the Camry hybrid. Having witnessed Toyota and Lexus models being manufactured in the same plant, the Lexus marquee does get special treatment - a separate production line in the plant and separate, specially trained assembly workers - that really do make the it a step better. With a starting price of 44 large, it well outprices competitors such as the Lincoln MKZ and the Cadillac CTS. For Lexus fans - and there are many - the new ES is likely to simply enhance an already loved model. 2013 Lexus ES

SMALL CARS

Chevrolet Spark ignites mini-car segment

2013 Chevrolet Spark (rear view with hatch open). The rear opening is crowded by the bumper and taillights and, of course, by the rear seat when it's in the upright position. There are no miracles here: the Spark is a small runabout, not a minivan.

By Bill Roebuck

Chevrolet's mini-car for Canada, the Chevy Spark, launched for the 2013 model year, had already on sale in Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico and South America, where it had received several styling and safety awards. It's interesting that the Spark looks like a three-door hatchback, but it's actually a five-door. The designers cleverly disguised the rear doors by integrating the handles into the C-pillar area. It's well done. And with the destination charge, it starts at $15,000 (it's just over 21 large with all the coveted options). The term 'ignites' in our headline is a bit misleading when you consider the Spark's engine produces just 85 horsepower. But that may be enough for an economical-to-drive city car. How brightly do we think the Spark's light will shine in this newly competitive market? Read on. 2013 Chevrolet Spark

ELECTRIC CARS

Ford Fusion Electric: 160 km on a 4-hour charge

By Bill Roebuck

You think electric cars have been around for only a couple of years? No, longer than that. Interestingly, the 2012 Ford Fusion Electric looks a lot like a regular 2012 Ford Fusion, except it gets a distinctive front end. The charging port door on the front fender on the driver's side is a giveaway that this is not a gas-powered hatchback. The quick charging time is impressive -- but that's only using a 240-volt system, otherwise it's tediously slow. The big question is how this electric model will stand up to a Canadian winter. 2012 Ford Fusion Electric

SEDANS

Nissan Altima: Whoa, this is nice

By Bill Roebuck

With its slick new design, a more glamorous presence, less weight, nicer materials inside, more horsepower yet much better fuel economy, and the innovative Easy Fill Tire Alert -- what's not to like? 2013 Nissan Altima

SPORTS CARS

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: The horsepower wars return

By Bill Roebuck

We have the Dodge Challenger at 470 hp and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 at 550 hp. With bragging rights on the line, you just had to know that Chevrolet would eventually retaliate, thus the new-for-2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at 580 hp is on the market. And this is no ordinary Camaro with more horsepower. It's been beefed up top to bottom to handle the power. Read the details about the forthcoming reincarnation of the ZL1 (you may never have heard of the original, as only 69 were built for 1969 ... but you're sure to hear about this one -- or at least hear its rumble down the road). 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

USED CARS

Seven ways to avoid a lemon

CarTest.ca

When buying a used car, choose a model from the most reliable brands and one that will age gracefully over time. However, any vehicle can become a clunker if it has been neglected or has sustained damage from an accident or flood damage. See the list of 7 Ways to Avoid a Lemon.

DRIVING TIPS

Sorry signal aims to reduce road rage

Use this signal to say you're sorry when you make a mistake while driving.

By Bill Roebuck

The problem of road rage never seems to go away. Drivers make mistakes for various reasons, but what do you do if you want to apologize? In our culture, it's nearly impossible! A single hand gesture would do the trick. We have common hand gestures to tell people 'where to go', but what about one that would say 'Yes, I know I made a mistake, and I'm sorry'. Think of the possibilities if there was one. So CarTest.ca has come up with one. Try this next time you mess up behind the wheel. Hold up your right hand, flat, fingers apart. That's it. The idea is to have a very simple, easy-to-remember, easy-to-understand hand signal that says 'I'm sorry'. Sorry signal

CLASSIC CARS

A guide to classic and collectible vehicles in Canada

By Bill Roebuck

Inspired by the thousands of readers who have an interest in old cars, classic cars, collectible cars and investment vehicles, CarTest! has launched a new section of descriptions of such vehicles, including their current Canadian prices at the time they were offered for sale. Our purpose is to provide a simple reference point to the value of a vehicle, as well as giving you a few interesting details in the descriptions of the models listed. Classics and collectibles