Toyota tunes up the Camry ... and Avalon?
Set to launch at Los Angeles is a couple of sporty versions of the Camry and Avalon sedans, as tuned by Toyota Racing Development, Toyota’s performance arm. Wait. The Avalon?
Yes, even Toyota’s full-size armchair of a machine isn’t safe from the demand for sportier versions of pretty much every wheeled vehicle these days. Expect stiffer suspension, bigger wheels, and maybe a louder exhaust.
Oh stop it. The Avalon is intended to be a big comfy highway cruiser, and no more needs a TRD version than your La-Z-Boy needs flames and side exhausts. Everyone just calm down for a bit.
G7 Summit vehicles sold off on the cheap
No one would mind paying taxes if those taxes went where they were needed most. Regrettably, what often seems to happen is minor debacles like the current auction of hundreds of vehicles in the wake of the G7 summit held in Quebec.
Rather than leasing or renting cars needed to ferry various officials around, the RCMP decided to purchase them. A lot of them. Six hundred in total.
On the plus side, if you’re now in the market for a black Chrysler 300C with tinted windows, you can have your pick of the litter at a deep discount. Or, perhaps you’re in the mood for a five-pack of police-spec Dodge Chargers? Buy in bulk and watch the savings roll in.
Of course, most of these vehicles were at least built in Canada, so it can at least be pointed out that some of the money went to Canadian factory workers. And, when the dust settles, perhaps it really will turn out to have been more cost effective to buy and then auction off the cars. We’ll see.
My take? Well, the summit was held in picturesque old Quebec City, wasn’t it? Maybe everyone could have just walked instead.
Jeep Wrangler pickup on the way
Of all the Fiat-Chrysler brands, Jeep is probably the most profitable for the company. It’s a nameplate known around the world, and one that continues to keep money flowing into the coffers.
Anxious to exploit all types of markets, FCA appears ready to launch a pickup truck version of their popular Wrangler, set to debut at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The Wrangler’s already a pretty outdoor lifestyle-oriented vehicle, so making it easier to throw a few mountain bikes in the back will undoubtedly make the Jeep-pickup a regular sight around the North Shore.
Mopar unveils Hellephant engine
Never one to shy away from potentially overdoing things, here’s Mopar unleashing a 1,000 horsepower 426ci (7.0-litre) V-8, perfect for dropping into your classic Dodge or Plymouth. The name is a blend of tribute to the Elephant Hemi V-8 of the past, and the current Hellcat twins.
On one hand, the gearhead side of me says that more horsepower is great. On the other hand, maybe we could stand back a little and reconsider the whole horsepower wars? Fewer mammoth motors, and more stuff that might survive a new ice age.
Watch this space for all the best and worst of automotive news, or submit your own auto oddities to [email protected].
