Chevy Colorado ZR2
Around the Industry 4WD193
Chevy ZR2 Lands in Canada
We knew it was coming, we just didn’t know exactly when or how much. Chevy’s mid-sized pick-up off-road edition debuted at the Calgary International Auto Show in March touting a host solid off-road enhancements at a starting price of $44,215 plus freight and PDI.
“ZR2 is truly a segment of one and does everything well. We’re thrilled to be able to offer it for more than $6,000 less than the next closest comparable truck.” said Doug Kenzie, brand manager, Chevrolet Trucks in Canada. “When purchasing a ZR2 at the starting price, our customers are getting all of the incredible off-road technologies that allow them to traverse everything from heavy two-track rails to high-speed desert running and full-on rock crawling.”
Standard off-road features we love include front and rear locking diffs, Canadian designed Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSVTM) dampers, rocker protection, improved approach and departure angles, skid plates for the rad and oil pan, and 5cm (2 in) extra lift over the standard Colorado.
Also standard is a trailering package, which includes tow/haul mode, hitch and 7-pin connector and an integrated brake controller. The list of standard electronic comfort and infotainment features is equally impressive. Some features we now consider necessities instead of features found in the exclusive domain of luxury cars of 15 years ago, include a 6 speaker audio system with 8 inch colour touchscreen for navigation, radio and Bluetooth streaming, rear vision camera, OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi and so much more.
The 3.6L DI DOHC V6 with 308 hp and 275 lb-ft is the standard powerplant but who could resist upgrading to the 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel to harness 369 lb-ft of torque although dropping to 181 hp.
Perry Mack
Subaru Viziv-7
Subaru Viziv-7
Subaru Banks on Bigger SUV
Subaru Viziv-7 SUV Concept was introduced for the first time in Canada February and then in March at the Vancouver International Auto Show. Fans of Subaru appreciate the company’s ability to produce exciting all wheel drive vehicles. This full-sized, three-row concept SUV is bumper to bumper as large as a Chevy Tahoe and precedes the 2018 release of Subaru’s new SUV. They understand that North Americans want a full-size SUV and they are getting ready to deliver, albeit they say it won’t be as large as this mouth-watering concept.
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Perry Mack
Land Rover Velar
Land Rover Velar
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Perry Mack
Land Rover Velar
Land Rover Velar
Best Land Rover Yet?
The Land Rover Velar made its North American debut at the Vancouver International Auto Show in March. The name comes from the proto-type Land Rovers of the ‘60’s, and the vehicle fits into the Land Rover line-up between the Evoque, which is smaller, and the Sport. It’s a clean, sporty SUV with an almost coupe-like profile. In fact, it has the most aerodynamic profile of any Land Rover to date.
Using lightweight aluminum architecture, it is touted as the next chapter of Range rover design. In fact, the body structure is constructed of 82% aluminum, half of which is recycled.
Off-road features include full-time AWD, and with available four-corner air suspension providing 100 mm of travel, the Velar reaches 251 mm of ground clearance and 651 mm of wading depth. Exterior advanced tech like full LED headlights, flush deployable door handles for better aerodynamics, are equaled by interior tech including the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which features two ten inch touchscreens beneath ‘secret until touched’ surfaces.
You’ll have your choice of either a fuel-efficient four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 180 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque, or a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 cranking out 380 horsepower, which will get you to 100 kph in 5.7 seconds.
Canadian pricing for the base Velar S with the 2.0L turbo diesel is $62,000 and the V6 models will start at $64,200, and are expected to be on sale later this year.
Hankook
Technotrac
Technotrac in Ivalo, Finland
Looking for more winter?
Hankook was when they opened Technotrac, their very own state-of-the-art winter tire testing facility, in Ivalo, Finland – approximately 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. The extra long winter season was a major factor in choosing the location. It consists of flat tracks used for testing braking, traction and stability on snow and ice, as well as two snow handling tracks for subjective tire evaluation.
We are looking forward to getting our mitts on a set to abuse here on Canadian soil, or more aptly, 20 kinds of snow, ice and slush.