2007 RAV 4 - OpenRoad Driver Magazine

Transcription

Spring / Summer 2006
spring / summer 2006 · www.OpenRoadCanada.com
2007
RAV
4
See How It Grows!
 Plus...
PM 40599157
profiles of the latest arrivals in the showroom
You asked. our expert panel solves a few mysteries
another West Coast road trip? nope...it’s another West Coast
What’s for dinner? Find some new suggestions inside!
it’s a gas
without using much
’07
yaris
2 0 0 7 Ya r i s C E
Fun and affordable. The all-new Yaris brings these two ideas together with
lease from
ease, combining muscle under the hood with class leading gas mileage
168
$
per mo./48 mo lease
and Toyota’s legendary quality, dependability and reliability. Come see
for yourself how much fun making a smart decision can be.
a n i c e r w a y t o b u y a c a r.
w w w. t o y o t a . c a
IT PAYS TO READ THE FINE PRINT: *For the 2007 Yaris, JT923M (A) Monthly lease payments of $168 based on a 48-month walk away lease with $3,318 down at 8.3% APR. Total lease obligations are $11,382.
Cash purchase price is $14,835. Lease payments are at a maximum of 96,000 km over 48 months. If exceeded additional charges are 7¢/km for Yaris. The refundable security deposit for Yaris CE is $200. All
offers include freight and pre-delivery inspection, tire levy, battery levy and air conditioning federal excise tax (where applicable) of: $1,110 for Yaris. Federal and Provincial sales taxes are not included.
Down payment and first payment required on signing. Monthly purchase finance plans are available from Toyota Financial Services on approved credit to qualified retail lessees / purchasers. Contact
1-888-Toyota-8 or visit your Toyota BC Dealer for more details. Some conditions apply; offers are time limited and may change without notice. Dealer may sell for less.
In this issue
Features
11
Where the Road Takes You
New Zealand: Driving by Nature
42 To the Limit: The Lexus IS 250/350 Driving Experience
51 Fine Dining in the Suburbs
....................................................................................................................................................................................
11
Profiles
20 Toyota FJ Cruiser
24 Honda Fit
28 Hyundai Azera
29 Hyundai Santa Fe
30 Hyundai Accent
32 Toyota Camry
34 Toyota Yaris Sedan
36 Toyota RAV 4
37 Acura RDX
38 Acura CSX
40 Lexus ES 350
41 Lexus RX 350, Lexus GS 450h
20
....................................................................................................................................................................................
Regulars
2
3
5
Publisher’s Note
The Customer Always Write
Concepts & Coming Soon
Hyundai HCD9 Talus, Honda FCX,
Toyota Fine-T, Toyota F3R
51
44 Ask the Experts
Service & Technical tips
48 Customer Profile: Meet Rick Hansen 59 In Training
60 The OpenRoad Experience:
Dealership news
62 Racing: Diary of a Video Game Junkie
64 Parting Shot: Extreme Makeover
62
OpenRoad driver |
Publisher’s Note
Spring/Summer 2006
Publisher: Christian Chia
Editor: Debbie Skoda
Art Direction, Design: Atmosphere
Contributors: Alison Appelbe, Jason
Brauer, Greg Dowswell, Quinn FieldDyte, Gerry Frechette, Ben Hudson,
John Lee, Cameron Ma, Edwin Prasad,
Dean Sanderson, Dominic Schaefer,
Brian Voth
The publisher accepts no responsibility
for advertisers’ claims.
No part of this magazine may be
reproduced without written permission
from the publisher.
OpenRoad Driver is published
two times per year by OpenRoad
Auto Group 13251 Smallwood Place
Richmond, BC Canada V6V 1W8
Contact:
For advertising enquiries please
contact Debbie Skoda at
dskoda@openroadcanada.com
Comments and questions:
drivers@openroadcanada.com
........................................................................................................................
The OpenRoad Auto Group Family:
Middlegate Honda | Burnaby
6984 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC
T: 604.525.4667
W
elcome to the spring
issue of OpenRoad
Driver. Our cover features the latest generation of the RAV 4. Toyota
was inspired to make changes to the
RAV 4 to better suit the needs of drivers.
In addition to its increased size it offers
more power and yet consumes less fuel
than the model it replaces. Of course,
it is loaded with the most advanced features you can expect from a new SUV.
Another source of inspiration in this
issue comes to us from the customer profile. Rick Hansen shares with us some of
his memories from his Man in Motion
world tour and discusses the Wheels
in Motion event in June. My colleagues
and I had the privilege of meeting Mr.
Hansen when he picked up his new
Sequoia last year. What struck me most
about our brief meeting was how he went
out of his way to let us, in turn, share our
own memories of his momentous journey. With the work of the Rick Hansen
Man in Motion Foundation going strong
he continues to inspire great things in
our community.
Enjoy,
Christian Chia
President, OpenRoad Auto Group
North Shore Acura | North Shore Auto Mall
828 Automall Drive, North Vancouver, BC T: 604.929.6736
OpenRoad Toyota | Port Moody
3166 St. Johns Street, Port Moody, BC
T: 604.461.3656
OpenRoad Toyota | Richmond Auto Mall
13251 Smallwood Place, Richmond, BC
T: 604.273.3766
Richmond Lexus | Richmond Auto Mall
5631 Parkwood Way, Richmond, BC
T: 604.273.5533
OpenRoad Lexus | Port Moody
3150 St. Johns Street, Port Moody, BC
T: 604.461.7623
OpenRoad Hyundai | Richmond
3351 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC
T: 604.606.9033
........................................................................................................................
Publications mail agreement no. 40599157
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
OpenRoad Auto Group 13251 Smallwood Place
Richmond, BC V6V 1W8
OpenRoad driver | Share your thoughts...
The
Customers
Always
Write 
Letter of the month
Setting the Bar
We both felt this was the best carbuying experience we have ever had.
Everything from full disclosure on the
vehicle, to “here’s how everything
works”, review of all the documentation on the vehicle, including service
work, was exceptional. Best of all,
we felt that every dealership in the
country could take some lesions from
OpenRoad Toyota on Customer Care.
Steve B. & Lana M.,
OpenRoad Toyota Richmond Customer
First Impressions
I was very impressed with your dealership, cleanliness et al. Cameron
Ma looked after me like I was King.
In retrospect all I do is drive a Lexus.
Thank You. I know I’m going to be
dealing with good people.
Tad M.,
OpenRoad Lexus Port Moody Customer
You Can Count On Us
Jason thanks for the excellent service. I really appreciate the service
I get from you, Mark and Sharon
every time my RSX is in for service.
Keep up the great work.
Nick L.,
North Shore Acura Customer
You guys do an outstanding job
with a very friendly and professional
attitude.
Trevor H.,
Richmond Lexus Customer
True Toyota Family
My family bought two cars from
Kenneth at OpenRoad Toyota; I
would like to comment on his great
and outstanding service. His service
and friendliness was way beyond my
expectations, I would definitely buy
a car from him and from the dealership again. Jenny T.,
OpenRoad Toyota Port Moody Customer
Team Effort
We like mail...
Send feedback on OpenRoad Driver or
any OpenRoad Auto Group related
topic to: drivers@openroadcanada.com
Please include “Driver” in the subject line...
I would like to take this opportunity
to say thank you for all the effort
that both Joe Wong and Barbara Lee
put into my recent purchase. I
believe both parties went above and
beyond my expectations and have
made me a very satisfied customer.
Rosaleen R.,
Middlegate Honda Customer
Your staff was very fair and not at all
pushy, they just told us the facts
about the car. In particular, Nik
Aleksic the product advisor was
most helpful. The financial
department was also very efficient.
Donald B., OpenRoad Toyota
Richmond Customer
Friendly Faces and
Service Excellence
We didn’t even buy the car at Barnet
Toyota but we’ve been treated very
well anyway. I would particularly
like to mention the friendly, relaxed
and professional demeanor of Dean
MacLean. He has always been
extremely helpful and has looked after
us even when we’ve dropped in unannounced (no appointment). We know
that we’re in good hands with Dean.
Bob D., OpenRoad Toyota Port
Moody Customer
I deal with Jonathan Jaehrlich and
with Robert Shibley-Fry. Both are
very courteous, and friendly in their
work with me. Also, they are very
knowledgeable, and HONEST in
their dealings. Lastly, they get the
work done correctly the FIRST time,
explaining in detail work that needs
to be done. In my opinion, they are
a HUGE credit to your organization,
for the above, and also that they are
always willing to go the “extra mile”,
which I very much appreciate.
Richard J.,
Middlegate Honda Customer
OpenRoad driver |
OpenRoad driver | Concepts & Coming Soon
Profiles by Gerry Frechette
Hyundai HCD9 Talus
All Things To All People
C
oncept cars shown at auto shows can be nearly production
ready, or so far-out that you know there is little chance of
them ever seeing a showroom. But sometimes, a concept
car results from a manufacturer throwing a bunch of ideas
into a pot and stirring it up. One has to think that of the HCD9
Talus, as it could be a portent of a few future Hyundai production
vehicles – or maybe just one.
Its styling could be that of the next Tiburon sport coupe, its
jacked-up SUV profile hints at serious off-road capabilities, and its
4.6L V8 is a clue to the imminent arrival of the first engine bigger
than a V6 in a Hyundai in North America.
But is the Talus so production-ready that Hyundai could actually build it just the way it is? Judging by the way its designer was
talking at the Detroit Show, that might not be so far-fetched. Hyundai sees the Talus as addressing the desire of someone who
really wants a sports car, but who has grown accustomed to the
utility of a rugged four-wheel drive vehicle and who can’t justify or
afford to have both.
So will we see a Talus in Hyundai showrooms soon? Well, you
never know, but you will probably see at least some part of it soon.
OpenRoad driver |
D
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MA
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ES
MA
GL
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MA
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SALES
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OpenRoad driver | A
ST
DI
UM
W
6
.1
AV
E
Honda FCX Concept
H
onda calls the FCX Concept nothing less than a glimpse of the
next stage of the fuel cell vehicle’s
evolution. Introduced at the Tokyo
Motor Show last year, and shown again
at Detroit, it boasts a fuel cell system that
delivers more power in less space, in a
unique, low-floor platform. It’s a next-generation sedan with a low centre of gravity
and a full-sized cabin, offering the kind of
driving pleasure and roomy interior previously unimaginable in a fuel cell vehicle.
The FCX Concept is designed with a
short front end to make the most of its
platform packaging, creating a comfortably
large cabin. Given that, Honda was then
able to take full advantage of the generous
cabin space, and equipped the FCX with
big, comfortable seats, front and rear.
Contrasting materials, from futuristic
transparent plastics to classic leather and
wood, combine to produce a warm, welcoming interior with an advanced feel.
Approaching the car, the driver is recognized by sensors and intelligent cameras,
and its doors unlock. The driving unit
also automatically sets the steering wheel,
A Window On To FuEl
Cell Innovation
accelerator pedal, and instrument panel
to the optimal position for the driver. It’s
called the Biometrics Driving Unit.
The advanced technology continues
throughout the one-of-a-kind FCX, and
we are led to believe that sometime in
the not-too-distant future, a car much like
this one will be available to buy. We can
hardly wait.
OpenRoad driver |
Toyota Fine-T
T
he development of new vehicle
technology continues unabated,
and the Fine-T is at the forefront of
Toyota’s efforts in this area.
For several years, fuel cells have been
‘under the hood’ of most advanced
concepts, and the Fine-T features a new
generation, downsized fuel cell stack
configuration, with a new alloy catalyst that
allows a dramatic reduction in the amount
of precious (i.e. scarce and expensive) metals used.
The Fine-T’s interior has many plantsourced ‘carbon neutral’ materials that
don’t add new carbon dioxide to the environment when disposed.
For added visibility, it is equipped with
peripheral monitoring video cameras,
one on each end and each side, with large
display screens visible to the driver.
Handling on narrow roads and when
parking is improved with independent fourwheel large-angle steering and independent
four-wheel drive with in-wheel motors. The
Fine-T can do a complete ‘360’ on its vertical
axis, all within its own length.
Ingress and egress are easy via the wide
gull-wing doors and the “welcome seats”
that automatically swing out to the side
at the touch of a button. Also, the entire
steering wheel and column stow away
automatically, as they are connected by
wire to the wheels, and not mechanically.
Sound a bit far-fetched? So did hybrids
not long ago. OpenRoad driver | The Ultimate City Car
Toyota F3
O
Boldly Going Where No Minivan Has Gone Before
ne of the most efficient and
useful vehicles available has also
become one of the most forgotten in a marketplace dominated
by SUVs and roomy sedans. That vehicle
is the minivan, and Toyota’s F3R concept
is an exercise in providing maximum
space, efficiency and athletic style from the
combined concepts of ‘box’ and ‘wedge.’
With the inflow of new minivan buyers
declining, and their median age rising
rapidly, the F3R is intended to go beyond
the established design image of these
vehicles. The big challenge is to make a
minivan something to desire driving, not
just to own because you need its function.
Toyota designers set out to revitalize
what a three-row vehicle could be, and
came up with the lounge interior of the
F3R. The essential design feature is the
40/20/40 centre-row seats, the right and
centre sections of which fold flat into the
floor. The left-hand section reclines fully to
form, with the third row, an avant-garde sofa
built around the sort of conversation or entertainment area you might find in a nice home.
Of course, there is a complete entertainment system built right in, highlighted
by two track-mounted flat-panel video
screens and indirect lounge lighting.
Might we see some of these features in
future minivans? With such a strong business
case for it, we’d be surprised if we didn’t. OpenRoad driver |
R3ADS038E_03036
3/13/06
12:22 PM
Page 1
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OpenRoad driver | 10
Feature
NEW
ZEALAND
driving by nature

by John Lee
W
Gareth Eyres
hile The Lord of
the Rings movies put New
Zealand on the international
tourist map, the South Pacific
nation quickly moved on from
its hobbit-induced close-up...
OpenRoad driver |11
Feature
Jocelyn Carlin
this friendly country of four million has
much more to offer than old film sets –
including a cavalcade of snappable landscapes and a grab bag of quirky activities.
It’s also eminently drivable, with a good
system of main roads and relatively compact distances between major sites.
Both the North and South Islands
have popular driving routes, but the
winding western edge of the latter is
a visitor favourite. Taking a couple of
leisurely days, my driving buddy and I
travelled along Highway 6 from smalltown Greymouth to the Southern Alps
village of Fox Glacier, a comfortable 200
kilometres apart.
Dominic Schaefer
For visitors
arriving not
Dressed as
Gandalf,
The largest town on the West Coast,
Greymouth has fewer than 15,000 inhabitants. Once a Maori village, it’s now a
sleepy mélange of paint-peeled art deco
buildings, small provincial shops and
street-side cafés serving “f lat whites” –
New Zealand’s milkier reinvention of the
latte. While the tourist board promotes
Greymouth as a jade capital – there are
several stores hawking the stone in every
shape imaginable – there’s little to do
here except wander the streets and plan
out-of-town excursions.
Sifting through brochures on eco-rafting, mountain biking and river tubing,
we opted to drive a few kilometres for
an afternoon of muddy mucking about.
Driving on New Zealand’s roads may be
enjoyable but it’s not nearly as much fun
as an ATV trek through gallons of dripping sludge. On Yer Bike – a company
that’s been renting ATVs and go-karts
for five years – has a network of private
tracks running through damp forests, up
steep inclines and across rocky streams.
On our visit, a jocular guide expertly
led the way until the small group of drivers felt confident enough to start zipping
around on their own at top speeds of
35km per hour. The fun was in trying to
churn as much mud as possible without
falling off, a feat I managed quite successfully since I continued to find caked
dirt in my hair for days afterwards.
Exhilarated after 90 minutes of play
driving, it was time to hit the real road
again. Driving in New Zealand is a
relatively easy affair. Most major rental
companies – including Hertz, Budget and
Avis – offer services here and competition
is healthy enough to keep prices down.
The main challenges for Canadians are
that Kiwi’s drive on the left and possums
are an ever-present road hazard. 
Dominic Schaefer
NEW ZEALAND Driving by Nature
OpenRoad driver |13
Feature
Adventure Sightseeing, New Zealand Style.
Dominic Schaefer
Dominic Schaefer
Imported from Australia, these skunksized marsupials have no natural predators in New Zealand, ensuring that the
animals grow portly and slow. They’re
also notoriously brainless and treat roads
as their personal thoroughfares. We
passed dozens of f lattened specimens
on our trip, many of them peeled off the
asphalt and hung like Thanksgiving turkeys on nearby road signs.
Weaving through the minefield of
furry roadkill, we continued our trek
south towards the town of Hokitika, passing vistas of gently rolling, sheep-strewn
hills and the crags of a distant mountain
range. Arriving in the waterfront settlement
while the sunlight began to fade, a blustery storm was relentlessly whipping the
Tasman Sea into some spectacular waves.
After dropping our bags at the
Shining Star motel – a beachfront cluster of cosy log cabins – we headed into
the town centre for dinner. Among the
windswept colonial buildings, we found
a near-empty Indian restaurant with
reasonable prices then wandered into a
neighbourhood pub where most of the
drinkers were playing darts. We kept a
low profile at a corner table until a local
lady with the upper arms of a wrestler
and a matching heavy drinking habit
began winking at me. Not wishing to
become part of any plot to make a husband jealous, we quickly downed our
pints and made a run for it.
Up early the next day, we continued
our drive towards the trip’s smallest village, a bizarre two-person bushman’s 
OpenRoad driver |15
Feature settlement called Pukekura. Its main
attraction was the charmingly-named
Puke Pub, a rustic, wood-lined bar specializing in “roadkill food.” The menu
here included unlikely dishes like possum paté, truck-smash soup and a platter
of goat, hare and boar meat. Since the
friendly owners assured me their roadkill description was simply a bit of fun, I
sampled a possum pie. It tasted like old,
gamey beef.
The charmingly-named
Puke Pub in Pukekura.
Photography on this page: Dominic Schaefer
Across the street, the
couple had built a highly
eccentric museum covering
the regional fur and meat
trades. It included wallmounted tools of the trade,
a few live possums and a
resident wild pig strangely
surrounded by a moat full
of eels. The adjacent shop
stocked take-out pies and
possum fur handbags along
with an array of hunting
books and videos. A kitsch
spot to spend a couple of hours, it’s also
a vegetarian’s nightmare.
Continuing the drive for another
hour, we soon arrived at Fox Glacier village, checking into Te Weheka Inn, one
of many hotels lining the streets here.
Along with the more touristy Franz
Josef Glacier 23 kilometers away, these
two Southern Alps destinations are
among New Zealand’s most popular out-
door attractions, enabling
visitors to interact with
a couple of gargantuan
ice shelves moving at the
rate of 1.5 metres per day.
Weighing the options, we
decided that a morning
heli-hiking tour was the
best way to see the area.
The sky was ominously
dark and cloudy the next
day. Trundling from
town in a vintage bus, we
arrived at a shed with two
red and white helicopters standing like
sentinels on either side of it. The young
guide here helped me find a thick red
f leece, three pairs of socks and some
heavy boots from the racks but she
warned that it was touch-and-go whether
the trip would take place.
As we sat glumly awaiting the f light’s
cancellation, the weather suddenly
changed and sun streaked through 
OpenRoad driver |17
Feature the clouds. Jumping to our feet, we
ran for the helicopter, stooping as we
approached the blades. Strapping myself
into the front seat, we swooped off the
concrete and sashayed through the bumpy
air towards the mist-covered mountain.
Cresting the low clouds and the sharp
summit ridge, the helicopter slowly
descended towards the glacier. A mosaic
of shimmering shades of blue, the surface looked dangerously jagged. But with
practiced ease, the pilot gently touched
down and the guide f lung open the
doors. Directing us down a short f light
of ice steps, we gingerly shuff led
towards a cluster of black barrels.
These contained our crampons. Once
strapped onto our boots, it was much
easier to walk on the ice.
Our guide led us across the glacier’s
deeply scored surface, up and down
ridges that were sometimes several feet
high. Using an ice pick, she cut steps
where necessary and we entered several
glistening caves, formed when the ice
pushes against itself. These beautiful,
organic structures were like freeform
glass houses and their interiors had the
smooth sheen of sucked candy.
After 40 minutes, and with the
weather closing in again, it was time
to leave. We reluctantly headed back to
the waiting helicopter. Our drive along
Highway 6 may have been only a couple
of hundred kilometers but this seemed
like the perfect place to end it.
the next step...
 Getting
there:
Air New Zealand, in conjunction with
its Star Alliance partners, flies daily
from Vancouver to New Zealand via San
Francisco or Los Angeles. Web-special
prices start at CDN$1,000 return. For
further information, visit www.airnewzealand.ca or call 1-800-663-5494.
 Getting
around:
Hertz: www.hertz.co.nz
Budget: www.budget.co.nz
Avis: www.avis.co.nz
 Attractions:
On Yer Bike: www.onyerbike.co.nz
+64 (3) 762 7438
Pukekura: www.pukekura.co.nz
+64 (3) 755 4144
Alpine Guides Fox Glacier:
www.foxguides.co.nz +64 (3) 751 0857
 Accommodation:
Shining Star: 11 Richards Drive, Hokitika
www.accommodationwestcoast.co.nz
+64 (3) 755 8653
Te Weheka Inn: Main Road, Fox Glacier
www.teweheka.co.nz +64 (3) 751 0730.
 Visitor
information:
Legend Photography
For general information on traveling in
and around New Zealand.
Check www.newzealand.com
or call 1-866-639-9325.
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is personal
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office. Your personal and business matters are connected. That’s
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604 806 7500
Visit our Web site at www.pwc.com/ca
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OpenRoad driver |19
New Car
Toyota FJ
Cruiser
A True
Off Roader
After teasing us all with concepts at two previous
editions of the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit, Toyota has announced the production
version of the FJ Cruiser, with unveilings at both the
Detroit and Montreal Shows in January.
Car Profiles by Gerry Frechette
N
ot unusually for concepts these
days, the showroom version of it
looks pretty much the same, which
is to say, it is a modern rendition of the
iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 first introduced
in 1960, the short-wheelbase workhorse
that was a compact SUV before there was
such a thing.
The new FJ Cruiser has numerous ‘retro’
touches paying homage to the original,
including the wide grille with the Toyota
name in the middle, plus the upright
windshield, white roof and wrap-around
rear quarter windows.
The old-fashioned approach, however,
is only skin-deep, as the FJ Cruiser is a
thoroughly modern Toyota truck underneath it. The basis for the FJ is the Tacoma
mid-sized pickup chassis, with upgrades
to the drivetrain, power steering and
suspension systems, to deliver superb
off-road performance without sacrificing
on-road ride and handling.
Under the hood is a big six, just like
the original, but there the similarity ends.
The new FJ has a 4.0-litre V6 with double
overhead cams, 24 valves, Variable Valve
Timing-intelligent (VVT-i), and sequential
multiport electronic fuel injection, producing 239 hp @ 5,200 rpm and 278 lb-ft of
torque @ 3,800 rpm.
Transmissions are a six-speed
manual running through full-time 4WD,
or a five-speed automatic delivering
part-time 4WD.  OpenRoad driver |21
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New Car
Toyota FJ
Cruiser
A full range of safety equipment is either
standard (anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, traction control) or optional
(Active Traction Control System, side and
curtain airbags).
Inside, the FJ is tailored to active outdoor lifestyles, with the wide, water-repellent front seats, the dark colours that hide
dirt, and resin flooring.
The FJ will be available in three trim
levels, starting at $29,990 for the base
six-speed model. Standard equipment
includes AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system
with mini-jack and six speakers, including
two Exciter speakers in the headliner (a
global first) to create a ‘sound shower,’
air conditioning, power windows, power
door and tailgate locks and 17-inch
aluminum alloy wheels. From there, the
mid- and top-level FJs add the full gamut
of convenience, performance and safety
equipment to the list.
The FJ Cruiser was developed as a
basic, capable and affordable off-roader
aimed specifically at young buyers with
active outdoor lifestyles. Look for it at the
OpenRoad Toyota stores in Richmond
and Port Moody.
The FJ Cruiser was developed as a basic, capable
and affordable off-roader
aimed specifically at
young buyers with active
outdoor lifestyles.
 The Specs FJ CRUISER
...............................................................
 Base
Price: $29,990
Type: 2-door SUV
 Layout: front-engine, 4WD
 Engine: 4.0L, 24-valve, DOHC V6
 Horsepower: 239 @ 5,200 rpm
 Torque: 278 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm
 Transmission: 6-spd manual
or 5-spd automatic
 Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD
 Length: 4,670 mm
 Width: 1,905 mm
 Height: 1,830 mm
 Wheelbase: 2,690 mm
 Seating Capacity: 5
 Weight: (MT/AT) 1,946 / 1,948 kg
 Fuel Economy
(6-spd manual, estimated city/hwy):
14.5 / 11.2 L/100 km
 Body
OpenRoad driver |23
New Car
Honda
Fit
What Can We Say?
…It Fits
It would be temptingly easy to indulge
in all sorts of plays
on words to describe
the new Honda Fit
but let’s just say
that the subcompact car segment
is set to explode in
Canada, and Honda
will be right at the
forefront of the blast
with its new fivedoor hatchback.
Judging from its first appearances
at the auto shows in Detroit and
Montreal, the Fit has all the bases
covered to appeal to those who
won’t compromise just because a
car happens to be small.
Its 1.5-litre VTEC four-cylinder
engine with 109 horsepower is ably
backed up by either a five-speed
manual or a first-in-the-segment
five-speed automatic transmission,
available with paddle shifters on
the Sport model. With drive-by-wire
throttle, electric power steering and
low-friction engine components, the
Fit will be a sporty and economical
performer.
Fit will be offered in three trim
levels - a base DX model, LX and
Sport. All Fits come with standard
amenities such as air conditioning,
an AM/FM/CD audio system with
four speakers, power windows,
power mirrors, power door locks,
and a two-tone interior.
The Sport package is the one to
have for fun, and it includes underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog
lights, security system with keyless
remote entry, cruise control, and
15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with
P195/55R15 tires. Entertainment in
the Sport is handled by a premium
160-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system
with six speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, a five-mode equalizer,
and an auxiliary audio jack for input
from a portable music player. 
OpenRoad driver |25
New Car
Honda
Fit
The Fit has the most standard safety
features in its class with no other
subcompact offering as much standard
advanced safety technology. Dual-stage,
dual-threshold front airbags, dual front
side airbags and side-curtain airbags are
standard equipment on all Fit models. All
seating positions have three-point seat
belts, while front occupants are further
protected by pre-tensioning seat belts. An
enhanced knee bolster provides additional
protection for passengers. Standard active
safety equipment includes anti-lock braking system (ABS) with ventilated discs
in the front and drums in the back, and
electronic brake distribution (EBD).
The Fit is dimensionally compact on the
outside but very nearly as commodious as
larger Hondas like the Accord and Element,
so it provides a surprisingly large passenger
and cargo space for both maximum comfort and utility. Aft of the front seats, the key
is Fit’s so-called Magic Seat, an innovative
60/40 split rear seat that allows the seatbacks to fold down or the seat bottoms to
flip up, providing four distinct seating and
cargo carrying configurations in addition to
the standard five passenger mode.
So put all that together with the typical
Honda traits like dependability, quality, and
reliability, and you have an economical, comfortable, useful and fun urban runabout.
For the full line up of Honda vehicles visit the new and improved Middlegate
Honda at 6984 Kingsway Burnaby 604.525.4667 www.middlegatehonda.com
FIT
 The Specs
...............................................................
 Base
Price: $14,980
Type: 5-door hatchback
 Layout: front-engine, FWD
 Engine: 1.5L, 16-valve, SOHC I-4
 Transmission: 5-spd manual
or 5-spd automatic
 Brakes (front/rear):
disc/drum, ABS, EBD
 Width: 1,682 mm
 Weight: (MT/AT) 1,103 / 1,140 kg
 Fuel Economy
6.5 / 5.2 L/100 km
 Body
OpenRoad driver |27
New Car
Hyundai
Azera
Luxury. Safety. Value. A to Z
T
he Azera is the biggest sedan in the
Hyundai line-up, and it may just be
the best value in the entry-luxury
segment now. How can that be?
On a features-per-dollar basis, it is
hard to beat. Hyundai has taken the
approach of offering Azera in two models,
with even the base version having just
about everything one could wish for,
including alloy wheels, dual-zone air conditioning, ten-way heated power driver’s
seat, and power sunroof, windows, locks
and mirrors. The premium model goes
one step further with leather upholstery,
6-CD changer and adjustable pedals. And
that is the only choice you have to make.
On the safety side, there are four-wheel
disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake
force distribution, electronic stability
control, traction control and eight airbags
including rear side and side curtain ones.
Not much missing on this list.
The Azera’s new 3.8-litre DOHC V6
has variable valve timing and pumps out
263 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque at 4,500
rpm. Backing it up is a smooth five-speed
automatic with Shiftronic shifting for
those who want to add a little control and
sportiness to the driving experience. This
combination makes for smooth, refined
performance, with power and response
when it is needed.
When you consider all that, plus the style
and roominess it has, Azera’s starting price
of $34,495 is very good value indeed.
 The Specs AZERA
...............................................................
 Base
Price: $34,495
Type: 4-door, 5-passenger sedan
 Engine: 3.8L DOHC 24-valve V6
 Transmission: 5-spd automatic
with Shiftronic
 Width: 1,850 mm
 Weight: 1,648 kg
 Fuel Economy: 12.8 / 8.1 L/100 km
 Body
New Car
Hyundai
Santa Fe
T
Bigger & Better In Every Way
he second generation 2007
Hyundai Santa Fe made its
Canadian debut in February, and
the key word the company is using to
describe it is ‘overdeliver’ – on style,
spaciousness, safety and content.
With two V6 engines, two automatic
transmissions, front- or all-wheel drive,
and 5- or 7-passenger seating spread
among GL, GLS and GLS+ models, there
is something for every taste and budget in
the new Santa Fe.
The base GL model is well-equipped
with 2.7L V6, air conditioning, AM/FM/
CD/MP3 audio, power windows, mirrors
and locks, and keyless entry. The GLS
model adds to that with the bigger 3.3L
V6 and 5-speed automatic, leather interior
trim, and third-row seating, and the
GLS+ goes all the way with four-wheel
drive, power sunroof and dual-zone air
conditioning.
No matter the model, safety is a prime
concern, with four-wheel anti-lock disc
brakes, Electronic Stability Control, and
six air bags, including side curtains, all
standard across the board.
Compared to the first-generation Santa
Fe, the new model is bigger and better
in every way. Longer, wider and taller, the
new body is also more slippery, stronger,
quieter and roomier inside. Indeed, total
cargo volume is a cavernous 2,248 litres,
almost 80 cubic feet. The two engines are
each more powerful, economical and clean
than before, too, so Hyundai is expecting
great things from the new Santa Fe.
 The Specs santa fe
...............................................................
 Base
Price: $TBA
Type: 4-door SUV
 Layout: front-engine, FWD or AWD
 Engine: 2.7L, 24-valve, DOHC V6
(3.3L V6 opt)
(5-spd automatic opt)
 Width: 1,890 mm
 Weight: TBA
 Fuel Economy: TBA
 Body
OpenRoad driver |29
New Car
Hyundai
Accent
Value Without
Compromise
T
he sub-compact economy sedan
market is growing fast, and perhaps
no other segment is seeing such
big leaps in refinement and comfort.
There are fewer and fewer compromises
to endure to drive a small car these days,
and the new Hyundai Accent is a prime
example of why.
With affordability, manageable size and
fuel economy being givens in this class,
the showroom battles are being fought
on value, or just how much comfort, convenience and safety can be packed into a
little car for a given price. The Accent is
certainly a strong player in this game.
The base GL model starts at $13,995,
and at that, it is nicely equipped for the
budget conscious. With tachometer, tilt
steering, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio, and
five-speed manual transmission, lots of
folks will need nothing more.
But we’d all like a little more with our
economy, and the GL with Comfort Group
starts to get well-equipped for $15,295.
How about air conditioning, keyless entry,
and power windows, locks and mirrors for
that price? For that matter, the GLS adds
side and curtain airbags to the standard
two up front, plus heated seats, fourwheel disc brakes with ABS and 15-inch
alloy wheels, all for $16,695. That, folks, is
a lot of equipment for the price.
 The Specs Accent
...............................................................
 Base
Price: $13,995
Type: 4-door sedan
 Engine: 1.6L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
 Transmission: 5-spd manual or
4-spd auto (opt)
 Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum
 Width: 1,695 mm
 Fuel Economy:
7.4 / 6.2 L/100 km
 Body
f
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Insurance services provided by North Shore Insurance Services Ltd. and NORCU Insurance Services Ltd.
New Car
Toyota
Camry
A Classic Redesigned
T
here were no unveilings at the Auto
Shows in Detroit and Toronto more
important than the 2007 Toyota
Camry, the latest version of the biggestselling car in North America.
Beyond all the expected technological
advances, the new model represents a big
change in design philosophy, going from
what some people, even owners, considered the bland and conservative styling of
the outgoing generation, to what could be
described as sleek and refined for a mainstream family sedan. The Camry has been
redefined, while maintaining its established
reputation for reliability and value.
In rethinking the Camry, Toyota’s
designers paid special attention to driving
dynamics, comfort, and low levels of noise
and vibration, but overall performance is a
big seller these days, and that starts under
the hood. Standard is a substantially
upgraded 2.4L four cylinder with 158 hp,
while an all-new 3.5L DOHC V6 engine,
with 268 hp, is optional. The V6 is backed up by an all-new sixspeed automatic transmission, and the
chassis has been completely revised to
add excitement to the driving experience
without sacrificing ride quality.
Besides the base LE and luxury XLE
models, Camry will be available in the
sporty SE model, with the new chassis and
V6 engine providing a platform from which
a true sport sedan has been created. Camry
arrives in showrooms this spring, while the
Camry Hybrid arrives in the summer.
 The Specs camry
...............................................................
(LE four-cylinder)
 Base Price: $25,800
 Body Type: 4-door sedan
5-spd automatic
 Width: 1,820 mm
 Fuel Economy:
(5-spd automatic, estimated city/hwy):
9.8 / 6.5
OpenRoad driver |33
New Car
Toyota
Yaris Sedan
Functional
Style
J
oining Toyota’s sub-compact Yaris
three- and five-door Liftback lineup this year is a four-door sedan.
More than just a hatchback with a trunk
grafted on, the sedan makes its own
design statement.
Not only is the rear view obviously
different, but the sedan’s front end has
a styling treatment different from other
Yarises, bringing to the model Toyota’s
new ‘Vibrant Clarity’ design philosophy.
The overall effect is one of being a threequarter-scale 2007 Camry, which lends a
high level of upscale refinement to what is
really a diminutive car.
Other than a few detail changes inside,
primarily to the dashboard and gauges
which now include a tachometer, the new
sedan is the same mechanically. That
means it has a 1.5-litre, 106-horsepower
four cylinder engine, driving the front
wheels through a five-speed manual or
four-speed automatic transmission.
Standard equipment on the Yaris
includes a four-speaker AM/FM/CD with
MP3/WMA audio system, rear seat heater
ducts, tachometer, tilting steering column,
intermittent wipers with mist feature, and
numerous storage compartments, including beneath the cargo area. Air conditioning and six-way adjustable driver’s seat are
key comfort features, while side airbags
and ABS brakes will be available on the
safety side.
 The Specs yaris sedan
...............................................................
 Base
Price: $14,530
Type: 4-door sedan
 Engine: 1.5L, 16-valve, SOHC I-4
4-spd automatic
 Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum,
Optional ABS
 Width: 1,690 mm
 Fuel Economy
TBA
 Body
OpenRoad driver |35
New Car
Toyota
RAV 4
Count On The
Dependability
Enjoy The
Versatility
T
oyota’s small SUV, the RAV4, heads
into its third generation since the first
model in 1996, and a good description of its evolution is that it has ’grown up.’
Certainly, that applies to its actual
physical dimensions, as the exterior size
is up by many centimeters in all directions, effectively putting the RAV4 back in
the game against all the other small SUVs
that have grown in size, too.
What this means, of course, is that the
interior is also very much larger, to the
point that a third-row seat can actually be
offered. In any case, the main complaint
of the first two generations of RAV4, that
it was not so roomy inside, has been fully
addressed, including in the rear seat.
Compared to previous generations,
the new RAV4 comes equipped with more
standard and optional features, and power
and handling systems that deliver higher
performance. Toyota will offer the new
RAV4 in two 4-cylinder versions and four
V6 versions, including a sport package.
Mechanically, the choice is between an
upgraded 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 166 hp and paired with a 4-speed
automatic transmission, or an all-new
3.5-litre V6 with a class-leading 269 hp,
mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Backing both up are a new AWD
drivetrain, chassis, electric power steering
and suspension, making RAV4 essentially
an all-new vehicle.
 The Specs RAV 4
...............................................................
(Base four-cylinder)
 Base Price: $28,700
 Body Type: 4-door SUV
 Layout: front-engine, AWD
 Horsepower:166 @ 6,000 rpm
 Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc
 Width: 1,815 mm
 Seating Capacity: 5 (7 opt)
 Fuel Economy
(estimated city/hwy):
10.1 / 7.7 L/100 km
New Car
Acura
RDX
A New Path For Acura
O
kay, the RDX is officially called a
prototype, but we know that Acura
plans to roll it into showrooms this
summer and sell it virtually the way we
saw it at the Auto Show in Detroit.
So what is the RDX? A small crossover
sport utility with the emphasis strongly on
‘sport,’ and the first of a new generation
of Acura light trucks.
Making the RDX sporty is an all-new
2.3-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that
represents the first application of forced
induction in Acura history. Yes, it is turbocharged, and the result is 240 hp and 260
lb-ft of torque. The key to the performance
and fuel efficiency the engine delivers is a
variable-flow turbocharger.
All this power flows back through the
five-speed sequential SportShift automatic
transmission, and out to all four wheels
via the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive
system first seen on the big RL sedan.
Completing the performance package
are fully independent suspension, large
disc brakes with ABS, and Vehicle Stability
Assist.
The RDX’s interior premiers a number
of new technologies, including a navigation system with voice recognition, a satellite communication system with real-time
traffic reports, and a wireless telephone
interface. The DVD-Audio system first
seen in the Acura TL is included.
OpenRoad driver |37
New Car
Acura
CSX
Good Things Come In ‘Compact’ Packages
T
he CSX, available only in Canada and
built here, too, is Acura’s answer to
those of us ‘north of the 49th’ who
like lots of luxury in a compact sedan.
Since Acura is a premium brand, its
entry-level sedan had to be premium too.
To this end, the CSX is equipped with a
155-horsepower, 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine
that benefits from a long list of advanced
features – aluminum construction, a
DOHC valvetrain with ‘intelligent’ variable
timing and lift, drive-by-wire throttle control system, programmed fuel injection,
and counter-rotating balance shafts. Two transmissions are available – a slickshifting close-ratio five-speed manual and
an optional five-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shift controls.
CSX is available in two trim levels. The
well-equipped Touring model has fourwheel disc brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels,
automatic climate control, premium cloth
upholstery, six standard air bags, and a
6-speaker high-powered audio system that
features MP3/WMA compatibility.
The Premium model adds high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, leathertrimmed interior with heated front seats,
a power moonroof with tilt and sliding
shade, a 6-CD changer and is available
with the advanced voice recognition navigation system.
It is a full list of features for a compact
sedan, and the result is the least expensive way to get into a premium-branded
car in Canada.
 The Specs CSX
...............................................................
 Base
Price: $25,400
Type: 4-door sedan
5-spd automatic
 Width: 1,752 mm
 Fuel Economy
8.7 / 6.4 L/100 km
 Body
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Insurance Services Ltd.
101 2323 Boundary Road
OpenRoad driver |39
New Car
Lexus
ES 350
It’s A Pleasure
T
he new ES350 is the perfect
complement to the recentlyintroduced IS250/350 model.
With the latter being more oriented
to sporty performance, the fifthgeneration ES350 is Lexus’ entry
luxury sedan, with a more traditional
approach to comfort and convenience.
The ES350 introduces to Lexus a
couple of firsts, namely available dualswivel Adaptive Front Lighting System
headlamps and available all-glass roof.
As the most recent expression
of L-finesse, the new Lexus design
language, the ES 350 exhibits highly
original style and quality, with long
proportions emphasized by a set-back
cabin, strong lines, and the all-glass
roof on the top trim level. The modern
interior is elegant and comfortable,
with sleek instrumentation and an
available 14-speaker Mark Levinson
Audio system.
ES 350 has a 3.5-litre DOHC
24-valve V6 featuring dual Variable
Valve Timing-intelligent (VVT-i),
producing 272 horsepower and 254
lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. The
power is sent to the front wheels via
six-speed electronically-controlled
automatic transmission with overdrive
and sequential multi-mode shifter.
Handling and control are enhanced
with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),
Traction Control (TRAC), and an
Antilock Braking System (ABS) featuring Electronic Brake Force Distribution.
The 2007 ES 350 goes on sale in May.
New Car
Lexus
RX 350
Giving You More
Of A
Good Thing
L
exus has announced a more powerful
and more refined version of its RX
SUV. The new RX 350 offers even better
performance with a larger 3.5-litre engine,
and even greater levels of luxury and driving
finesse while retaining the four-wheel-drive
and all the other features of Lexus SUVs.
The new V6 generates 270 hp and
improved fuel efficiency. The audio system
New Car
is now satellite-radio-ready, and capable
of WMA and MP3 connectivity. The
windshield glass is a new technology that
reduces wind noise significantly and there
is also a tire pressure monitoring system,
an optional larger rear entertainment display screen and a new navigation display
screen with improved clarity, contrast and
ease of use. RX 350 prices start at $51,550.
V8 Power, Hybrid Fuel Efficiency
Lexus
GS 450
T
he new GS450h sedan represents a
number of firsts for Lexus. It is the
first hybrid-powered luxury sedan,
and it’s also the first full-hybrid in the
world to feature a front engine and rear
wheel drive.
It has a 3.5-litre V6 engine and electric
motor that combine to deliver 335 hp at
6,200 rpm – for performance equivalent
to a 4.5-litre V8. Power is delivered to
the P245/40R18 performance summer
radials via an Electronically-controlled
Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT).
The GS 450h is fully equipped with
active and passive safety technology, as
well as a full complement of comfort and
convenience features, including Mark
Levinson audio and navigation system.
It will go on sale in May.
OpenRoad driver |41
Feature
To the Limit
The Lexus IS250/350 Driving ExperiencE
Written & photographed by Gerry Frechette
LEXUS...IS250/350 Driving Experience
‘The IS350 was amazingly
quick, and it has so much
power, you have to get on
the brakes harder.’
 ‘I couldn’t believe the
car could go so fast and
still feel so smooth and
stable.’
 ‘The IS350 obviously
had lots of power, and
you could steer it through
turns with the gas pedal.’
 ‘I didn’t know you could
drive that fast around
corners and still maintain
control. Just amazing.’

You could be excused
for thinking that these are the typical
comments of impressed prospective
Lexus customers who have just returned
to the showroom after a test drive.
But read them again, and you might
see reaction to a test drive elevated to
an entirely different level, one that isn’t
commonly reached, thank goodness, on
the average street-and-highway loop. Still
not convinced?
‘Oh my God, I couldn’t breathe when he
was driving! I was holding my breath!’
Hmmm…it seems that there was
something a little more exciting going
on here. Yes indeed, all these happy and
amazed people had just taken part in
the Lexus IS250/350 Driving Experience
staged by Richmond Lexus last October,
and one might say that most of them had
an eye-opening experience, one way or
another.
Each of them had signed up to take
part in this unique driving event off
the public roads, as the safe expanses of
the driver training centre at Boundary
Bay Airport in Delta were turned into
a combination of fast sweeping turns
and tight corners that tested all dynamic
aspects of Lexus’ latest sport sedan, to
say nothing of the driving abilities of the
participants.
After registering, having a bite to eat
and taking a look at the full range of
Lexus vehicles under the big tent, every-
one headed outside to where several of
the new IS sedans awaited, including
IS250s in rear- and all-wheel drive versions, and the potent new IS350.
Under the watchful eyes of professional driving instructors sitting (some
would say cowering) in the passenger
seat, a few hundred Richmond Lexus
customers, potential customers and
friends put the IS through its paces on
the twisty, challenging course which
was marked off by orange rubber cones.
Some of the cones didn’t survive, but the
cars did just fine, although a few of them
probably headed to the tire shop afterwards, though!
So was the event a success? Certainly
the participants thought so, judging by
some of their comments afterwards.
‘I think it’s a great opportunity for the
general public to come out and push a
car to the limit and see what it is like to
drive.’
‘It’s the first time I’ve been to an event
like this; it was a fun thing to do and I’d
do it again.’
‘This was my first time doing a program like this, and it definitely makes
me more interested in the car. This will
make me seriously think of buying one.’
‘It was a productive day of driving, and it
will certainly help me make my decision
to purchase one.’
Sounds like the event was a success in
all respects.
OpenRoad driver |43
Ask the Experts

Our Panel of Service Advisors
Answer Your Questions.
The Panel [from left]: Brian Voth, Greg Dowswell
Cameron Ma, Jason Brauer, Edwin Prasad
Q How important is it to change
my spark plugs?
A
Replacing your spark plugs at the
recommended interval for your vehicle
is mandatory. The spark plugs main
purpose is to ignite the air/fuel mixture
inside the cylinder evenly. A faulty or
worn spark plug can cause a misfire,
resulting in rough running and poor
acceleration. Also, poor fuel mileage
and failed emissions tests can result.
Depending on your particular vehicle
and spark plug type, the replacement
intervals can vary from 48,000 kms up
to 196,000 kms.
Q I hear a high-pitched squeal
from my engine when I start my
car. Could it be my drive belts?
A Very likely. Worn or improperly
adjusted drive belts can become very
noisy. It is recommended to have your
drive belts inspected with every service.
Sometimes a simple adjustment is all
it needs, however if the belt is showing
signs of cracking or glazing from heat, it
would be advisable to replace. The lifespan of a drive belt is approximately three
to five years.
Q Why do I need to change
my timing belt and can it be
inspected for wear instead of
being replaced?
A A camshaft timing belt is a critical
maintenance item. A broken timing belt can
lead to the pistons to hit the engine valves
causing massive internal engine damage
and very costly repairs. Because of the difficulty in accessing the belt(s) and proper
inspection requires the removal of the belt it
is recommended to follow the replacement
schedule outlined in you owners manual.
Q What’s the best way to
ensure maximum tire life?
A The most important factor is ensur-
Dean Sanderson
ing proper tire pressure. It is advised to
check your tire pressure about once a
month. Consult your owner’s manual
or servicing dealer for the correct pressure for your specific vehicle. Properly
inf lated tires not only last longer, but
also ensure better fuel economy and
proper vehicle handling performance.
As well, following your vehicles tire rotation schedule will help promote even
tire wear.
QUIZ OUR PANEL...direct your questions to drivers@openroadcanada.com
include “Ask the Experts” in the subject line
Ask the Experts
Q If one train, traveling at 58 kmh leaves the sta-
tion at 3:00 and another train leaves the same station at 4:30, traveling 68 kmh, how long will it take
until the second train catches up to the first train?
A That all depends on how well maintained each train was.
If the first train followed its dealer recommended services, I
highly doubt the second train would ever catch up.
Q But seriously … What are the consequences of
postponing maintenance?
A Many parts on your vehicle are interrelated. Putting off
Dean Sanderson
required maintenance can lead to problems: specific parts, or an
entire system can fail. Neglecting even simple routine maintenance, such as oil changes or checking your coolant, can lead to
poor fuel economy, unreliability, or expensive repairs. It could
also void your warranty.
Q My check engine light came on, I brought it to
the dealership and they told me that a mouse had
damaged some wiring on my engine, causing a
malfunction. Why is this and how can I prevent it?
A Yes, this is possible. During the winter months, rodents
(mice and rats) seek shelter and warmth wherever they can.
A car is a great place to provide both of these conditions.
During their stay, they pass this time by chewing to keep their
teeth short. If they inhabit your engine compartment, they usually chew items such as rubber, plastic or anything else that
provides the opportunity to “wear” their teeth down. There is
no absolute solution to prevent rodents from taking up residence in you vehicle, however here are a couple of suggestions
to possibly prevent this. One method involves spraying a solution of ammonia and water in the engine compartment and on
the wiring. Another method quotes that Red Cayenne Pepper
and water sprayed in the same fashion also repels these little
creatures. The risk can be reduced by keeping the area around
the car free of food garbage, which can provide the makings
of a “Rodent Bed & Breakfast”. Finally, a cat is a great pet that
absolutely will take away the welcome mat in you car park.
Expert Tips
Easy pro-active maintenance
you can do yourself:
 Inspect
windshield wiper blades whenever you
clean your windshield. Do not wait until rubber
is worn or brittle to replace them. This is a very
inexpensive safety service.
 Be sure all your lights are clean and working,
including brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. Keep spare bulbs and fuses in
your vehicle.
 Keep
the windshield washer fluid reservoir full.
 Check
your engine oil level whenever you stop
to fill up with fuel. While the hood is open, have
a quick look at the other fluid levels that may
need attention.
OpenRoad driver |45
Ask the Experts
Q I’m going to leave my vehicle for a month
or two while I’m on vacation. Is there anything I
should do to the vehicle?
A While modern vehicles are so maintenance free, there are
a few tips to make sure you’re vehicle is in tiptop shape for an
extended period of time of inactivity.
Expert Tips
‘Vacation-ize’ your vehicle:
 If your vehicle is due for an oil change, it’s a
good idea to get it done before you store it. The
engine oil can get contaminated with combustion byproducts and become acidic.
 Make
sure your tires are at recommended
inflation, and check for any punctures and repair
as necessary. You don’t want a flat tire when you
get back! As well, keeping at proper inflation will
help reduce “flat spots” in the tires.
 If
you’re getting a friend/relative to check on
your house, ask them to start the vehicle and
run for 15-20 mins as well. This keeps the engine
components lubricated, and more importantly
keeps the battery from going dead. If you cannot
have somebody come by to start the vehicle,
it might be a good idea to invest in a battery
trickle charger. This can be installed and keep
the battery at a constant “charged” state so
you don’t lose important computer, radio and
window/seat settings. These chargers can be
sourced at a local parts seller and even some of
our dealership service departments. Call your
service department for details.
 Switch your climate control setting to “recirculate”. On most vehicles, this actually moves
a door and closes off the heater box from the
outside vents. Rodents like to access the interior
of the vehicle through this ducting.
These are just a few tips, but should you have any questions, please call your OpenRoad service department.
QUIZ OUR PANEL...direct your questions to drivers@operoadcanada.com
include “Ask the Experts” in the subject line
OpenRoad driver |47

Rick Hansen
A Man In Motion
Interview by Ben Hudson
T
oday Rick is the president & CEO
of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation.
With the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers
and supporters over $158 million has been generated for
spinal cord research, quality-of-life innovations, and community building for people with spinal cord injury. 2006
also marks the fourth year of the annual Rick Hansen
Wheels in Motion event taking place in communities all
across Canada on Sunday June 11, 2006.
20 years ago a relatively unknown
young man named Rick Hansen pushed
his wheelchair out of Vancouver and
began the Man in Motion World Tour – a
two year journey through 34 countries,
over 40,000km, and around the world.
Rick’s courage, determination, and
tenacity captured the hearts and imaginations of people all over the world. With
each stroke of his tired arms another
person was convinced that anything is
possible. That dreams do come true...
We caught up with Rick near his home in Richmond BC
and got a chance to ask him what keeps the Man in Motion
on the move these days.
As a veteran of the ultimate road trip was there a particular
place that stands out in your memory?
The time I spent wheeling up the Great Wall of China was
definitely a highlight for me. To a certain extent my efforts
on the Great Wall became a metaphor for the struggles
people have with spinal cord injury in everyday life. Just
working so hard to move forward, move up, move onward
inch by inch.
Was that your intent? Were you always planning to wheel
across the Great Wall?
Absolutely. When we arrived I aimed my chair at the highest point of the wall and went for it. I was mentally prepared for the challenge but it was steeper than I thought.
But that just motivated me more. I was there, I was doing
it, and I was not going to give up. Life is about challenges,
but challenges can be overcome.
It almost seems that the Man in Motion Tour became about
overcoming personal adversity no matter who you are. Not
just for people with spinal cord injury.
For the majority of the tour I was so focussed on my mission I never had a chance to ref lect on what was happening around me. But as I got closer to home people began
expressing to me in very personal terms the ways in which
I had inspired them to face their own challenges. I was
honoured and at times overwhelmed. It was a real privilege for me to connect with people in that way. It was far
beyond anything I had anticipated.
Was it that realization that led to the creation of the Rick
Hansen Foundation?
When I finished the tour I kept asking myself what now?
Going around the world was a dream, but helping people
with spinal cord injury, making communities around the
world more accessible and maybe even finding a cure was
always my primary goal. It still is. Creating the foundation was the best way for me to continue working towards
that goal.
Dean Sanderson
In the 20 years since the tour so much has changed. But
what do you see as the most significant changes for people
with spinal cord injury?
What inspires me most is the people with spinal cord
injuries who are engaged in their communities. People
like Lise Thibault, the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec.
Chantal Petitclerc one of the best Canadian athletes in
the world. Sam Sullivan, the mayor of Vancouver. These
people are not just making it through life, they are leading
in our communities. 
OpenRoad driver |49
Courtesy of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation
My life so far
has just been an
incredible journey.
I have a wonderful family and I
am surrounded
by an incredible
team of talented,
dedicated people.
Dean Sanderson
The dreaded uphill start. There seems to
be no escape from the uphill start.
What about the seemingly small improvements that have had a big impact on
the quality of people’s lives? Driving for
example.
Oh it’s way better now. In the old days it
was basically a stick that you pushed forward to go forward and pulled backwards to
stop. But, there was no automatic transmissions… so you can image the ride.
Dean Sanderson
Absolutely. Look at my Sequoia I am
able to drive it thanks to a simple hand
control. It is a very simple device that
has allowed people like me to drive. The
ability to get behind the wheel again has
an imeasurable impact on one’s sense of
dependence and freedom.
Oh I can imagine. My mom drives a car
with a manual transmission. Sometimes
we must look like a family of bobble
heads going out for dinner. Did you have
any input into the way the truck was modified for your uses?
No not with this truck. But companies
like Toyota are starting to integrate
the accessibility features right into the
design process of vehicles like the Sienna
Van. To me that really demonstrates a
progressive way of thinking.
Why did you choose the Toyota Sequoia?
How does it work?
It’s really quite simple. There is a
mechanical apparatus that straps on
to the steering column. You just push
the handle forward to apply the brakes.
Pushing down pushes the accelerator. If
you’re on a hill you can push down and
forward so you don’t roll back.
My vehicles have typically followed my
needs. Now that I’m married with three
active daughters it fills up pretty fast.
And I really love taking it on my fishing trips. I can load up with all my gear,
camping equipment, my chair, and tow
my boat no problem. Having the towing
capacity is really important to me. This
truck is absolutely fantastic I love it.
Any big fishing trips coming up?
Oh you bet, the 9th Annual Rick Hansen
Fishing Challenge is in June. But before
that the 4th Annual Wheels in Motion
event is coming up on June 11th. We had
an incredible year in 2005 and I’m really
looking forward to building on that success in 2006.
Twenty years ago you became known as
the Man in Motion. It doesn’t seem like
you’ve slowed down one bit.
My life so far has just been an incredible journey. I have a wonderful family
and I am surrounded by an incredible
team of talented, dedicated people who
truly believe in what we are trying to
accomplish. Dreams don’t come true in
six months or even a year. The only way
to achieve your goals is to keep pushing.
To keep moving. You’ve got to believe. I
believe my best work at the foundation
is still ahead of me. It is that belief that
keeps me motivated.
I had heard you were an avid fisherman.
I’ve always loved fishing and it has been
a big part of my life. I actually had my
accident coming home from a fishing
trip. And, fishing has played a major role
in my rehabilitation program.
Courtesy of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation
 visit www.wheelsinmotion.org to
find out how you can participate in the
event on June 11
“I love what I do. I’m passionate about my career with OpenRoad.”
Passion moves people, and drives success at OpenRoad Auto Group. Our employees
are dedicated to giving our customers a unique automotive shopping and service
experience. We are similarly moved by meeting individuals who are equally passionate
about providing customers with the best service possible and look forward to seeing how
you can impact our team.
In return for your talent and dedication, we’ll give you the tools you need to succeed and
an environment where you are encouraged to develop.
Experience the OpenRoad today at:
www.openroadautogroup.com/careers
OpenRoad driver |51
By Alison Appelbe
Feature
Fine Dining
...in the Suburbs?
Thinking about heading out for a special meal? Forget
Vancouver. Exceptional restaurants — some new, and
all chic and trend-setting — can be found in attractive
locations around the Lower Mainland suburbs.
The Pear Tree
fine dining...in the Suburbs
A
t the Pearl on the Rock, on
the White Rock waterfront,
settle into a tall stool up
at the handsome raw bar.
Then order oysters freshly pulled from a
coastal cove or stream bed, and a glass of
a wine especially allotted to Pearl by one
of B.C.’s finest vineyards.
Then move to a white-clothed table
for a dinner of contemporary Pacific cuisine. Seafood dishes—maybe Yellowfin
Tuna or Weathervane Scallops—are a
Pearl specialty. And they’re guaranteed,
under the Ocean Wise program, to be an
environmentally friendly and sustainable
marine resource.
At the Pear Tree Restaurant on East
Hastings in Burnaby, you might order
Fraser Valley partridge or pheasant,
a house favourite, from a small but
thoughtful menu. Then momentarily
step from the intimate 40-seat dining
room—all Mondrian-like lines and
muted colours—for a peek at the open
stainless-steel kitchen presided over by
chef Scott Jaeger and his staff of five.
And be sure of this: these two upscale
restaurants are the equal of any in downtown Vancouver—and beat them hands
down for ease of parking.
Part of the pleasure of dining out is
discovering new locations. If you haven’t
slipped up Port Moody’s Ioco Road
lately, you’re in for a surprise. Against
a mountain backdrop, a compact village
called Newport has nestled itself into
the hillside. Here you’ll find Jameson’s
Newport, a swish 80-seat restaurant
with a circular bar wrapped around a
wood-burning oven. Jameson’s menu,
and prices, are wide-ranging. ‘You can
order a pizza and split a Caesar salad
and half-litre of wine for less than $30,’
says manager Marc Roberts. ‘Or you can
spend $250 on a bottle of wine.’ Roberts
snagged executive chef Ken Ta from
a succession of impressive Vancouver
gigs. Ta’s entrees include a hand-carved
24-ounce Porterhouse steak and fresh
swordfish. Dessert? A classic Belgian
chocolate torte.
For an ocean outlook, consider the
Saltaire Restaurant on the West 
The Pear Tree
OpenRoad driver |53
Feature
La Belle Auberge
Saltaire
Vancouver waterfront. Looking towards
Siwash Rock in Stanley Park, this easygoing room of stone, wood and copper is
all-round gorgeous. Executive chef Barry
Dellebuur playfully cites a jazz album by
guitarist John McLaughlin and others,
titled ‘Passion, Grace & Fire,’ for his culinary inspiration.
Saltaire also features a wood-burning oven, beer on tap, great scotches and
an evolving martini list. Crab cakes are
always popular, says the former Salmon
House sous-chef. ‘And my New Yorkstyle baked cheesecake has been following me around in my back pocket
for years.’
Suburbanites, and city-dwellers, drive
smack across the region for dinner at
the La Belle Auberge, ensconced in a
century-old Victorian-style house in the
village of Ladner. Le Belle Auberge is
one of only four Vancouver area restaurants, and the only one outside the city,
with a Mobil Exxon four-star rating.
(It’s also the only Canadian restaurant
with a American Culinary Federation
Achievement of Excellence Award.)
Ask owner-chef Bruno Marti how he’s
sustained this business over 25 years
and he replies: ‘I’m still here because
I found the house that gives me the
atmosphere I want, and because of the
attention that goes into my food.’ And, he
might add, because he welcomes change.
Of an Arctic char and foie gras terrine
created by award-winning chef Tobias
MacDonald, Marti says: ‘I could not have
invented that myself. I learn from these
young guys to stay up to date. But the
basis is still coming from classic cuisine.’
In keeping with a burgeoning interest
Suburbanites,
& city-dwellers, drive smack across the region for dinner at the La Belle Auberge, in the village of Ladner.
Also Lounge and Restaurant
La Belle Auberge
The Pear Tree
If You Go...
...................................................................
Northern suburbs:
 Jameson’s
Newport
215 Newport Drive, Port Moody
604-461-7676
 The
Pear Tree Restaurant
4120 E. Hastings St., Burnaby
604-299-2772
 Bombay
Bhel Restaurant
4266 E. Hastings St., Burnaby
604-299-2500
www.bombaybhelrestaurant.com
South of the Fraser:
 Pearl
on the Rock
14955 Marine Dr., White Rock
604-542-1064
www.pearlrestaurant.ca
 La
La Belle Auberge
in wine, the Hart House Restaurant
in Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park employs
sommelier Paul Garbini to guide diners through the enological complexities
(or simplicities) of a Hart House cellar.
Garbini will recommend pairings for
dishes from the kitchen of executive chef
Carol Chow, whose background includes
regular kitchen delivers mostly pork
dishes (no South China seafood here).
Says Cheung, who travels regularly
to Shanghai to check out Northern
Chinese culinary trends: ‘Just as New
York is more civilized than Washington,
Shanghai is more civilized than Beijing.
This is the best of China.’
‘Burnaby’s East Hastings has come into its own. ‘There’s no other part of Burnaby that represents so many cultures.’ Bishop’s Restaurant in Vancouver.
In Richmond, many nimble fingers
create the delights that come from the
dim-sum kitchen of the Shanghai River
Restaurant on Wesminster Highway.
A specialty, according to restaurant
co-owner Ken Cheung, are dumplings
with paper-thin walls. Meanwhile, a
Hipsters seeking elegant dining
well into the evening, and socializing into the wee hours, will find
the Also Restaurant and Lounge the
oasis it is designed to be. It’s located
on Richmond’s No. 3 Road, within the
complex of malls known as the Golden
Village. 
Belle Auberge Restaurant
4856 48th Ave., Ladner
604-946-7717
www.labelleauberge.com
Richmond:
 Shanghai
River Restaurant
7831 Westminster Highway
(near No. 3 Rd.) 604-233-8885
 Also
Lounge and Restaurant
4200 No. 3 Rd. in the Golden Village
604-303-9906 www.also.ca
The North Shore:
 Saltaire
235 15th St., West Vancouver
604-913-8439 www.saltaire.ca
 Deer
Park, off Canada Way
Hart House Restaurant
6664 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
604-298-4278
www.harthouserestaurant.com OpenRoad driver |55
Feature
The wide-ranging menu includes
appetizers like calamari prepared Balistyle and Mongolian lamb skewers,
and mains that run to pan-seared duck
breast and sake seafood pot. The food
can be characterized as Asian-Western
fusion— ‘a culture shock,’ laughs ownerchef Philip Chou. The atmosphere,
too, speaks of fusion. There’s an extensive bar menu, and live jazz Thursday
through Saturday nights.
Back in North Burnaby, down the
street from The Pear Tree, the Bombay
Bhel serves small plates or chaat—North
Indian tapas, perhaps—in an fashionably
rustic setting. Feast here, at lunch or dinner, on papri chaat—crunchy wafers filled
with spicy vegetables, yogurt and Tamarind
sauce. Entrees include a fish tikki prepared
in a charcoal-burning tandoori oven and
classic curries such as prawn masala.
For co-owner Ed Madon, who grew
up in the area and studied business at
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby’s
Saltaire
East Hastings has come into its own.
‘There’s no other part of Burnaby that
represents so many cultures,’ he says,
‘and people have always come here to
shop for their foods. I’ve always thought
that we lacked an Indian restaurant on
this street, and that it would do well.’
And so it has.
Indeed, for the best eating out, you’ll
never—well rarely—need to venture into
the city. Lots of tempting possibilities lie
a short drive from your doorstep.
Saltaire
Also Lounge and Restaurant
OpenRoad driver |57
Take them for a test drive. Or as we like to call it, a victory lap.
2006 Azera • Best New Family Car Over $35K
2006 Sonata • Best New Family Car Under $35K
Recently, Hyundai won not one, but two coveted AJAC Awards for the
2006 Sonata and Azera. Further proof that Hyundai continues to build
what just may be some of the finest cars you’ll ever drive.
hyundaicanada.com
BRIAN VOTH
In
Training
Reflections on Fatherhood
‘Kick the ball as high as you can Dad!’
I yelled in anticipation. He picked
up the ball and kicked it high up to
the treetops. ‘Did it almost touch
the clouds?’ I asked. ‘Almost son,
almost.’ my dad would say. As a 6
year old you see your father as a mix
of Superman, Albert Einstein and
Mickey Mantle, all rolled into one.
Nobody on earth was smarter or
stronger than he was. It was a feeling
I carried with me until I was about
twelve years old. But then a funny
thing happened. He started to change.
I started to notice he sometimes
made mistakes. He seemed to listen
to strange music. But mostly, instead
of always playing with me, he would
make me do his work. Like cutting the
lawn, washing his car and sweeping the
driveway. You name it, I had to do it.
Heaven forbid if I left one of his
tools out in the rain. He was especially
strict with putting things back where
they belonged. I learned to do his work
rather well over the years; in fact, I
probably cut the nicest lawn on the
wouldn’t call for a few days. Did he forblock. Just when I thought I had it all
get he had a son? I was going to configured out, I turned sixteen. And what
front him and ask him why it seemed
do you know, good old Dad decided to
that I’d been left to fend for myself. throw me a curveball.
I went to his house that
You see, at sixteen I
My thirteen year evening, and found him
already knew everything
I ever needed to know.
old son thinks I’m sitting quietly on the back
porch, enjoying the last
Unfortunately, my father
goofy, my six year moments
of the day. ‘Hey
didn’t see it that way.
old son thinks
dad, whats up?’ I asked.
He passed all sorts of
new household legislaI’m the president And with that we spent the
rest of the evening talking,
tion, without even bothof Toyota, and
like two old friends. I lisering to let me vote. No
my five year old tened intently to his reflecdriving with friends in
daughter thinks tions, and finally came to
my car for the first year.
realize the ultimate truth.
I fought with him on
I’m Superman.
My Father hadn’t changed
that one for months,
since my first memories as a 6 year
but like usual he stood his ground. An
old. The only person changing was me.
after school job is a must, not a choice
Time has passed and I now have
he would say. Good grief, I thought
three children of my own. My thirteen
when you turn sixteen it was smooth
year old son thinks I’m goofy, my six
sailing. I wondered why he held me on
year old son thinks I’m the president
such a close leash. Around the time I
of Toyota, and my five year old daughwas nineteen though, Dad decided to
ter thinks I’m Superman. Can it get
change again.
any better than that?
I spent a lot of time working in
my early twenties, and had my own
Brian Voth is the Assistant Service
little apartment to call home. I found
Manager at OpenRoad Toyota Richmond
myself wondering why sometimes Dad
© 2003 The New Yorker Collection from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.
OpenRoad driver |59
News from our Dealerships...
OpenRoad
Experience

The big news at OpenRoad Auto Group is the
completion of the Middlegate Honda renovation.
Middlegate now offers a
full complement of
facilities to make your
shopping and servicing
experience a pleasure.
Neighbourhood
Revitalized
Middlegate Honda’s renovation is
one of several major projects in the
area. Things have changed
dramatically since the dealership
opened in 1980. With the
development of Highgate village
there is a renewed energy in the
neighbourhood and Middlegate
Honda is pleased to contribute to
the new face of the community. With
an investment of over $3 million we
have created a facility to rival any
other dealership in the Lower
Mainland (even our own!). The
building may have a new look but
our team remains the same hard
working and dedicated group of
Associates.
Creature Comforts
The new customer lounge offers a
comfortable place to wait for your
vehicle. Complimentary tea and
coffee are available. Relax and read a
newspaper, watch TV or get some work
done. With complimentary wireless
access you can stay connected.
Express Service
means no appointment
necessary
Shopping is a Pleasure
When you think oil and filter change think fast with Express Service – done
while you wait!
Available Monday – Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Shopping is a breeze in our spacious
showroom. There’s also space to
enjoy a coffee while you review
brochures. If you have little ones with
you, there’s a play area just for them.
Service Drive Through
– Convenient (& Dry)
With our new service drop off it’s
even easier to bring your Honda in
for servicing. Simply leave your
vehicle under the covered Service
drive through and step inside to
speak to one our Service Advisors.
Then you’ll have a tough choice to
make – do you read the paper, watch
TV or take advantage of our shuttle
service. One option is to take
advantage of our Express Service.
• Oil & Filter Changes
• Tire Rotations, Repairs
& Replacements
• Minor Maintenance
• Fluid & Filter Changes
• Battery Replacements
• Wiper inserts & bulb replacements
• Muffler Replacement
Visit the new Middlegate
Honda at 6984 Kingsway
Locations...
Middlegate Honda
Visit Middlegate Honda in their brand new
facility. In addition to all the latest
conveniences you have come to expect from
OpenRoad, we have just started our new
Express Service. Come when you like, no
appointment necessary!
Services 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9
6984 Kingsway Burnaby
604.525.4667
MiddlegateHonda.com
General Manager Ian Quinn
Service Manager Brian Calbury
Parts Manager Tom Berry
North Shore Acura
The Lower Mainland’s most sophisticated and
modern Acura retailer, North Shore Acura is
conveniently located in the North Shore Auto
Mall. Come see the new CSX or visit our
extensive inventory of pre-owned vehicles online.
Services 1 3 4 6 8 9
828 Automall Drive
604.929.6736
NorthShoreAcura.com
General Manager Ian Quinn
Service Manager Mark Chambers
Parts Manager Steve Paxon
OpenRoad Hyundai - RiCHMOND
Opening Soon
3351 No.3 Road Richmond
604.606.9033
OpenRoadHyundai.com
General Sales Manager Joe Kwok
Service Manager Brad Gerry
OpenRoad Hyundai will soon be moving into the
Richmond Auto Mall to meet the rapidly
growing demand for our award winning Sonata
and Tucson as well as the luxurious Azera.
Services 3 9
OpenRoad Lexus – Port Moody
OpenRoad Lexus is the region’s newest Lexus
addition. Visit us to found out why we’ve been
called the ‘The Lexus of Showrooms’.
Services 1 2 3 4 6 8 9
3150 St. Johns Street
604.461.7623
OpenRoadLexus.ca
General Sales Manager David Lam
Service Manager Cameron Ma
Parts Manager Sherry Baziuk
OpenRoad Toyota – Port Moody
3166 St. Johns Street,
604.461.3656
OpenRoadToyota.com
General Manager Rob Steele
Service Manager David Pearce
Parts Manager Sherry Baziuk
OpenRoad Toyota – Richmond
13251 Smallwood Place,
604.273.3766
OpenRoadToyota.com
General Manager Rob Steele
Service Manager Al Rensen
Parts Manager Dave Horton
OpenRoad Toyota in Port Moody is the fastest
growing Toyota dealer in the Lower Mainland.
Visit us and see our amazing four story car tower.
Services 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9
Western Canada’s largest volume retailer is the
flagship for Toyota Canada. Our expansive
showroom and friendly team members will help
you understand why, once again, OpenRoad
Toyota was awarded the coveted President’s
award in 2005.
Services 1 3 6 7 8 9
Richmond Lexus
5631 Parkwood Way
604.273.5533
RichmondLexus.com
General Sales Manager
Mark Worbeck
Service Manager Anke Minty
Parts Manager Dave Horton
Services Legend
1. Playstation
2. Complimentary wireless access
3. Complimentary coffee & tea
4.Indoor service reception
Richmond Lexus has been Western Canada’s
largest volume Lexus retailer for ten years
running. Exceeding expectations is what sets
us apart.
Services 3 6 8 9
5.Express service
6.Valet or Shuttle service
7.Your car is ready system
8. Television
9. Complimentary newspapers
OpenRoad driver |61
The Racing page
diary
of a
Video
Game
Junkie
...................................................................
Quinn Field-Dyte
I guess it all started a long time ago with the Intellivision, but
it didn’t fully capture my imagination.
With my parents unwilling to let me
monopolize the TV any more than I did
already, it’s not like they were going to
gift me with a video game system, so it
was left to my friends to supply my fix and
kick me out on my ear when I overstayed
my welcome. Besides, most had the Atari
2600, which was the graphic equivalent
of caveman drawings – I didn’t know if I
was shooting an alien or playing tennis,
and I wasn’t moved enough to care. Fast
forward a few years to the Nintendo game
console, which, while better, still didn’t
have the games I would come to lust over,
as addictive as Donkey Kong was on a
rainy afternoon. So it was to this way of
thinking that I concluded I’d grown out of
video games, its initial promise of postadolescent thrills being supplanted by kegger parties, term papers and, well, porn.
It was right about this time that the
Gameboy changed all that. It didn’t sit
like a lump on your floor for all to see, like
some shame from your past; it was portable, with passable graphics and a wide
variety of hokey, addictive games. More
importantly, it had volume control. With
this, you could hide it from your girlfriend,
friends, or your priest during confession.
As the segment gained a more moneyed
demographic, the third wave of consoles
debuted, with Sega and Nintendo leading
the way, and it was on these consoles that
EA’s NHL game was released and was the
Rosetta stone for what was to germinate
Near photo-real cinematics enhance the Gran Turismo experience.
© Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
into a full blown addiction. Friends were
more than generous in feeding it, misery
loving company, after all – especially this
type of misery – and lives were adapted
around playing time. It was right about
then that my career as a stockbroker was
beginning in earnest, and it was at this
time that Sony made for me the unfortunate decision to launch the Playstation
and the first Gran Turismo video game.
Now readers might be forgiven if this
name doesn’t call to mind a circle of cherubs trumpeting the birth of a new dawn,
because it didn’t for me either. I was
nurtured from a very young age to love all
things automotive and I considered that a
company as large as Sony wouldn’t know
a connecting rod from a kick in the pants.
Most wouldn’t – and not like there’s
anything wrong with that, it’s just that
they’d know well enough not to attempt a
video game, let alone tout it as ‘the most
advanced driving game ever created’. I
treated this almost as an insult, but put it
out of my mind and focused on work and
building my client base.
But it was during that Christmas when
I read an article about a Formula 1 driver,
and how he kept his reflexes sharp during
the off-season. ‘I play Gran Turismo’,
came the clipped-English response. That
statement, probably more than anything,
was what turned me around on the notion
that this game was different from the
others. I’d long cherished the dream of
racing, padding my ego with clichés about
Diary of a Video Game Junkie
I’d long cherished the dream of racing - it would
be me in the winner’s circle at Monaco getting the
laurels and a smooch from Princess Stephanie.
how were it not for a few cruel twists
of fate, it would be me in the winner’s
circle at Monaco getting the laurels and
a smooch from Princess Stephanie. But
to hear this from a driver I held in some
regard – a winner, no less - I had to reevaluate what I thought, and picked it up
as an early present to myself.
My opinion didn’t change overnight.
In Gran Turismo, in order to qualify to
drive the high-end cars, you first had to
become licensed to drive them by taking a
series of tests, each harder than the last,
until you accumulate them all or pitch the
game out the window in frustration. I’d
never been challenged like this in a game
before, and sublime playability or not I
reacted accordingly, throwing fits with language that a longshoreman would blush
at, but still I kept at it. With the brokerage
industry’s holiday lull in effect, I took to
coming home right at the closing bell
and playing until midnight – still in my
suit, no dinner, no ironing done and no
work lunch made. Bachelors being what
they are, I didn’t give a toss whether I
showed up with a lunch, let alone my
pants, as it was all I could do to not
have my waking thoughts occupied
by camber settings and tire choices.
Arbitrages and index funds were so
pre-Christmas to my then-current way
of thinking; besides, I reasoned, at this
time of year the markets were so dead
the only commodity being traded were
tumbleweed futures blowing across the
tickers, so I forwarded my phone to my
office mate and told him to call me at
home if anything was happening.
Well, you can guess the rest. I shut
myself away, and all too soon I’d finished
the game. I did get a little heat from my
superiors, but I didn’t care, and in the
three subsequent sequels of Gran Turismo
I’ve established a little tradition of sequestering myself and having my meals slid
under the door. But other than that, I’m
completely normal.
Rallying has also been a feature
for all the hardcore nutters
since GT2.
Obsessive attention to detail is one of the hallmarks
of the Gran Turismo franchise.
OpenRoad driver |63
Extreme Makeover
Middlegate Honda
The
Parting
Shot
Before
Dean Sanderson
more juice,
less thirst
’06
RAV4
available 269 HP V6
2006 RAV4 4WD
lease from
349
$
per mo./48 mo lease
Longer wheelbase. Bigger interior. More power with legendary gas mileage.
There’s more of everything with the re-designed RAV4, part of the complete
lineup of Toyota SUVs. Whatever your lifestyle, now’s there’s a Toyota SUV
to suit you. From the versatile Highlander and sporty 4Runner, to the mighty
Sequoia, quality and value comes to the fore.
a n i c e r w a y t o b u y a c a r.
w w w. t o y o t a . c a
IT PAYS TO READ THE FINE PRINT: *For the 2006 RAV4 4WD, BD33VP (A) Monthly lease payments of $349 based on a 48-month walk away lease with $4,638 down at 6.9% APR. Total lease obligations are $21,390.
Cash purchase price is $30,210. Lease payments are at a maximum of 96,000 km over 48 months. If exceeded additional charges are 10¢/km for RAV4 4WD. The refundable security deposit for RAV4 4WD is $400. All
offers include freight and pre-delivery inspection, tire levy, battery levy and air conditioning federal excise tax (where applicable) of: $1,510 for RAV4 4WD. Federal and Provincial sales taxes are not included. Down
payment and first payment required on signing. Monthly purchase finance plans are available from Toyota Financial Services on approved credit to qualified retail lessees / purchasers. Contact 1-888-Toyota-8 or visit
your Toyota BC Dealer for more details. Some conditions apply; offers are time limited and may change without notice. Dealer may sell for less.

2007 RAV 4 - OpenRoad Driver Magazine

Transcription

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