DRIVEN TO DRIVE

A tribute to Carrol Shelby

While attending the 2010 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, take a moment and visit the Carroll Shelby collection of vehilces on display.  Also on display will be the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, with Shelby’s autograph prominent on the hood.  This was auctioned live at a Gala Reception held on February 10th. The GT-500 has been generously donated by the Toronto Ford Dealers Association.  The net proceeds of the event, hosted by CIAS and supported by the Toronto Automobile Dealers Foundation, was donated to the Carroll Shelby Foundation and the Canadian Motorsport Heritage Foundation.

CIAS 2010

Here are some pictures from the Canadian International Auto Show

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After breakfast – sticky food and coffee (juice for the health nuts) – it was time for those  at AJAC  (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada)  to announce the much anticipated Winners of the 4 awards.  And the winners were -

Canadian Car of the Year – Volkswagen Golf GTI

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – In an early morning press conference at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was declared the 2010 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

The Volkswagen Golf GTI beat nine other “best new” category winners, announced October 30, 2009 to win top honours.

John White, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. commented,”We are very proud to win this very prestigious award and wish to thank the AJAC members for bestowing this recognition upon our car. The Golf GTI is the heart and soul of Volkswagen. To have the Golf GTI named Canadian Car of the Year today by Canada’s automotive media is a very proud moment for us, indeed, and represents the culmination of the hard work on the part of everyone in the Volkswagen Brand around the world.”

Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year – Subaru Outback

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – In an early morning press conference at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the Subaru Outback was declared the 2010 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

The Subaru Outback was chosen over three other “best new” category winners from the Sport Utility / Crossover categories announced October 30, 2009 to garner the top honours as the overall best “Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year”.

Mr. Katsuhiro Yokoyama, President and CEO, commented: “It is a great honour to accept this award. To receive this tribute from the members of AJAC tells us very clearly that thoughtful design, first-class engineering, exceptional safety, and outstanding value are qualities that keep the Subaru brand strong.”

Best New Technology – Audi Drive Select

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – The Audi Drive Select technology was declared the 2010 Best New Technology by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The award was announced today during a press conference that opened the Canadian International AutoShow media day in Toronto.

“Vorsprung durch Technik” – Advancement through technology, design and teamwork. At Audi, we never stop thinking about technology. It is part of our DNA and incorporated into all parts of our business”, said Martin Sander, President and CEO. “The Audi Drive Select system is just one of the latest examples of this. The ability to offer the driver at a touch of a button the option of making personal settings for throttle response, steering feel and suspension settings is pure Audi.”

Best New Design – BMW 335d Sedan

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – The BMW 335d Sedan won the “Best New Design” award for 2010 as presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The award was handed out as part of the 2010 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) awards that opened the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

“We are delighted that the members of AJAC have bestowed the 2010 Best New Design award on the BMW 335d Sedan” stated Franz Jung, President and CEO of BMW Group Canada. Mr. Jung continued: “The fifth generation 3 Series Sedan has been recognized for its groundbraking design language in both exterior and interior execution. The most current version only reinforces the perfect balance of dynamism and elegance in this design and we are proud to receive this recognition in the face of such worthy competition.”

A special tribute will be paid to the legendary Carroll Shelby on Wednesday February 10, 2010 during a gala reception, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, at the Canadian International AutoShow.

Tickets are available.

A 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, with Shelby’s autograph prominent on the hood, will be auctioned live at the Gala Reception, along with other exclusive Shelby-related items. The GT-500 has been generously donated by the Toronto Ford Dealers Association.

The net proceeds of the event, hosted by CIAS and supported by the Toronto Automobile Dealers Foundation, will be donated to the Carroll Shelby Foundation and the Canadian Motorsport Heritage Foundation.

Tickets for the Carroll Shelby Gala Reception are available to the public for $150 each. Further information can be found and ticket reservations can be made at www.autoshow.ca/shelby.

SCORE - 7.7

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS is essentially a very nice car.  It’s well built and performs admirably. But it has its quirks, and it takes time to adjust to them.  But overall I was impressed, not only be the functionality but by the quality.  This car could have/should have scored a higher mark and would have had it not been for a few, let’s say, items that have room for improvement 

Don’t forget that these ratings are somewhat subjective – however we do strive to be fair. Therefore readers should not get themselves in a tizzy if their opinions differ.

So in conclusion, here is the score card for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS –

Click here to see rating system

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse –

• Exterior Styling –  8.5
• Interior Styling –  8.5
• Passenger Comfort – 7.5 (8 for front seat passengers – 7 for rear seat passengers)
• From The Driver’s Seat – 7 (could have been an 8 if it wasn’t for the weird mirrors and huge “A” pillar
• Performance and Handling – 8
• Practicality and Versatility – 7  (Low door frames make it difficult for passengers to enter and exit, plus small access to trunk).
• User Friendliness – 8 (This was a bit of an enigma – once a person has become familiar with the vehicle, it is user friendly, but there is a steep learning curve.  This core is based upon knowning what everything is all about).
• Quality of Materials and Workmanship – 8.5
• Active and Passive Safety – 6  (While the Buick LaCrosse scored well in safety, having optional airbags is a huge no-no)

Over all 7.7