VicariousSpring 2023的目錄

“We are a product of the choices we make, not the circumstances that we face.”– Roger Crawford If someone handed you $1 Million dollars, what vehicle would you buy? This is a question I have been asked in many different ways over the years as a seasoned automotive journalist. Usually it sounds more like this, “So, what’s your favourite car?” It is both a fair and completely unfair inquiry by those asking it. How do I possibly pick just one vehicle from the long list of fine automobiles I have had the privilege of driving in my lifetime? It is like trying to choose your favourite grandchild or pick between chocolate or red wine. Why must you limit me to just one? Of course, as a journalist I do my…

You’ve seen and felt it all before. The digitized version of the traditional five-gauge instrument cluster. The upright dash, windshield and steering wheel and seating positions. The “Braun shaver” shift dongle. The three-spoke wheel with its round hub. The ignition mounted to the left of the steering column. This is a Porsche 911, make no bones about it. Except this time, it’s a little different. Check that; it’s very different. It’s different simply because of what you’re looking at as you’re staring through that upright windscreen at the road ahead – but it’s not really a road, is it? It’s more a path cut through fine, red sand the likes of which you’ve only ever seen in a James Bond flick or on the glossy pages of National Geographic. But…

What happens when you combine 130 teams, classic cars 1974 and older, a zest for old-fashioned adventure, and a cross-country jaunt from Rhode Island to North Dakota? Nine days and 2,400 miles of smiles with memories that’ll last you a lifetime. Folks from across the world proved that primitive old-time cars were worthy of tackling tarmac by participating in the near 40-year-old competition. Normally familiar with off-road vehicles and modern ones alike, I was asked to be a driver and mentor for an all-female student team in last year’s Great Race vintage car competition, which occurred June 18-26. What ensued was anything but ordinary. Thrust into a world of classic cruisers, I donated two weeks of my time and flew 2,535 miles to join my newly assembled team. I left…

FIRST RIDE Every year, manufacturers bare the fruits of engineering labour at tradeshows, brandishing new models with clever updates to pique our interest. For the most part, engine or chassis tweaks here, a bit of finessed code there, and some fresh lipstick do the trick. The all-new 2023 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S isn’t futzing around with mere spit-shines and sees the storied Italian brand sprinting headlong into the modern era, embracing state-of-the-art technologies by the bushel. Part of a two-bike lineup, the standard V100 Mandello ($17,990) is joined by the swankier V100 Mandello S ($19,999) we sampled in the hills above Italy’s picturesque Lake Como. The S model upgrades adjustable KYB suspenders to semi-active Öhlins suspension and enjoys a bi-directional quickshifter. Other than that, they share the same lean-sensitive…

 ROAD TEST Heavy, low-slung clouds greeted me as I set foot in a land so familiar, yet so far away from where I live in the United States, specifically the damp and dark Pacific Northwest. A cold drizzle covered my rain jacket as I grabbed my gear and hopped into a Donny Grey INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster, one of the multiple right-hand-drive 4x4s I drove on this global media drive event. I was one of a handful of North American journalists invited to Scotland to test the production-ready INEOS Grenadier 4x4—a rugged workhorse off-roader made by newcomer INEOS Automotive, one of 36 companies owned by chemicals giant, INEOS Group. This highly anticipated 4x4 is slated to hit North American shores later in 2023—but the buzz surrounding it has been building for…

Scarface. Bad Boys. The Vice City episode of the Grand Theft Auto video game series. Indeed, Miami has been well represented in the video game and movie world. A look under the surface, however, reveals another side of the Miami art scene and it revolves around nothing more than the worldwide art of…graffiti. Far removed from the craziness that is South Beach and the pastels of the famed Colony and Boulevard hotels on Ocean Drive, you’ll find a whole slew of street art the likes of which you can hardly believe were created not with artificial intelligence, but with raw human talent. It stands to reason, then, that Genesis would choose these selfsame streets to launch their all new G90 flagship sedan, the latest evolution of the vehicle – the…

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”– Ralph Waldo Emerson Sitting deep in the bowels of terminal one at Pearson, the visibility through the window is near zero. Meteorological models were predicting between three and five centimetres in total, but I swear I’ve seen that fall in the two hours I’ve been waiting to board my flight. And I’m starting to question Mr. Emerson’s logic… This trip marks the first vacation abroad my wife and I have taken in over five years. Sure, there have been a sprinkling of press trips here and there, but travel for work – even when it lands us spoiled journalists in exotic locales – is never the same as travel for pleasure. There is much more pressure – or maybe it’s just a longing?…

Relax. Those tales of Mafiosi and trash-strewn streets are bunk. The only thing to beware in Naples is that there’s too much to do or see. Making decisions gets hard. Visit with the attitude that you’ll return soon, though the expression always leave the table a little hungry won’t apply in this foodie’s crack house. FIRST: ANCIENT ROMAN OVERDRIVE. Imagine taking a 40-minute Canadian subway ride (or Metro, SkyTrain, etc.) and disembarking 2000 years in the past. A nondescript commuter milk run from Naples’ chaotic Central Station stops at the very gates of Pompeii, just 22.5 rattling kilometres from 2023. Assuming you visit in the off-season to avoid the choking crowds — and evaporating amid these exposed roofless ruins — you can casually absorb Pompeii’s Insta-ssentials in four hours. Included?…

“You know the story about how you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a big one!” says Kevin Buckler. “It’s the same in the wine business, and what kind of knucklehead would get into both?!” Buckler is a man who has managed to not only do but has conquered both worlds—well before he had the resources to do so solo. With the help of his wife, Debra, and several early sponsors, Buckler worked hard to become a successful racing entrepreneur. His team, The Racers Group, just celebrated the 20th anniversary of its overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2003, as well as a class win the same year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, both juggernaut feats to say the least, let alone for…

Ralph Gilles resume reads like a what’s what of positions at a car company. Over the course of his 31-plus year tenure at Stellantis, he has held roles as diverse as president and CEO of both the SRT and Dodge brands, director of truck exterior and interior design, president of motorsports and senior vice president of design. He has helped pen everything from the Chrysler 300C sedan to the latest Dodge Viper. He was there, giving rides around the all-new Circuit of the Americas F1 track in Austin, TX during the launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and on stage at the New York auto show when the Viper debuted in 2012. If there is an event involving anything Mopar, Jeep, Dodge or anything else in the Stellantis world,…

In many respects, Newfoundland is an impossible destination. Not because there aren’t enough spectacular places to visit or interesting things to experience, but because the province has more natural beauty per square kilometre than your typical country. To cap it all off, Newfoundland is a surprisingly big island, and the network of roads is not as extensive as might be hoped. In other words, a reasonable visit takes time. One quick trip doesn’t even scratch the surface of the surface. I’ve been to Newfoundland a profound number of times—eight in total, including my latest visit, a marathon family vacation that took place in record-breaking heat last August. Finally, after countless miles travelled, mainly in the eastern and central parts of the province, it’s safe to say that I need to…

There’s no higher point in north-eastern North America than New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. It may not sound tall at 6,288 feet (1,917 metres), but at its peak, the wind blows harder than anywhere else, and snow can fall on any day of the year. Even so, there’s a road to its summit and I wanted to drive up it to celebrate my birthday. The views should be fabulous from such a height, so I drove a Mazda MX-5 convertible, still a Miata in America. This was the 30th anniversary special edition in bright “racing orange” with orange accents throughout. It’s not the fastest car around and it’s certainly not spacious, but there was room for my wife to come along for the ride with all her luggage. Well, most of…

The post-lockdown influx of air travel is well underway. For jetsetters logging six and seven-figure partner miles, a watch that displays multiple time zones is essential. Even for those of us who don’t get to bypass lines and score seating upgrades, I’d argue the benefit outweighs the costs. This landscape – or should I say airspace? – was long dominated by Rolex’s GMT Master, however a number of new competitors have stepped up from all ends of the pricing spectrum. We’ll be flying business class with the Longines Spirit Zulu Time, and coach with the Q Timex GMT for this trip, so please fasten your seatbelts and raise your tray table to its full upright and locked position. WHAT’S A GMT? For those of you scratching your scalps at those…

EPOCH Bar & Kitchen Terrace redefines pub culture and pays homage to traditional British Gastrobars. Tucked away on the lobby level of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, the restaurant gives a nod to iconic food and beverage trends of the past, reimagined with a new perspective on modern dining. Designed by Design Agency’s Allen Chan, EPOCH provides a contemporary and welcoming atmosphere. Guests are greeted with a relaxed chic dining room, the ideal place to unwind and socialize among a thoughtfully curated gallery of works by Canadian artists, Caitlin Cronenberg and Heidi Conrod. The centerpiece of the restaurant is a stunning wraparound bar fitted with pale stone countertops. The Green Room, adorned with a fireplace and pool table, is a cozy space, perfect for intimate events, and a tribute to the entertainment…

 ROAD TEST It’s rarely a bad day for automotive scribes when a manufacturer chooses to showcase its products on a racetrack. The day gets better when the track happens to be fast and flowing in nature, such as the configurations on offer at Utah Motorsports Campus, a half-hour outside Salt Lake City. Things reach a crescendo when said manufacturer places next-to-no-limits on the number of laps allowed, apart from the sun setting on an early September day. While it may be surprising to some, the manufacturer in question is Toyota. Now, some out there may still consider the beige Corolla to be the poster child for the entire Toyota brand. But look again: Over the past few years, Toyota has become a legitimate enthusiast brand. Name another manufacturer that competes…

After weeks of dreaming, days of planning and hours of anticipation, my mini road trip had arrived. Let’s admit it; any biker knows where the slightly curvy roads are near where they live. And let’s also admit, other than going way out into cottage country, the roads in the USA are far better for good riding than in Ontario. With tools, cameras, clothes, packed, I backed the bike out of the garage and got loaded up, nervous for my first few days away in the ‘post-covid’ era. Launched in 2020, the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro was Triumph’s latest addition to their adventure class. Not only was this model the top of the Tiger 900 range --and the most expensive --but it was also a completely new bike rather than…

The convoy of five black Rolls-Royce Ghosts looks distinctly out of place, coursing the winding, snow-covered roads of the scenic Laurentian Mountains near Mt. Tremblant, Quebec. It’s a black and white winter wonderland up here. The dark conifers are draped in a fresh snowfall, the open fields a blaze of white, and our obsidian Rollers are getting similarly caked in the white stuff, although it’s not quite as romantically pristine. More grimy road slush, actually. Most Rolls-Royce Ghosts live a pampered life - think warm sunny climes, spotless garages and a gentle dust and detailing before heading out to the shops. Not here. The Flying Ladies adorning these hoods are facing a windchill of minus-a-jillion degrees along with the ignominy of a fresh coating of filth. “Blimey,” they must be…

Canada’s fourth-largest city has a population of 1.3 million and reportedly one of the highest counts of exotic cars per capita of anywhere in the world. Yet since the closure of Race City in 2011, there has been nowhere in Calgary for supercar owners, local racers, car clubs or tuners to legally exercise their pride and joy. That changed in August 2022 with the opening of Rocky Mountain Motorsports (RMM), a ground-up, multi-configuration road course designed by serial Formula 1 architects, Tilke, on land near Carstairs in Mountain View County, a 40-minute drive north on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. But reaching this milestone has been anything but straightforward for RMM’s CEO and driving force, Dominic Young, who has spent the best part of a decade pursuing his dream of…

When I attended the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) in 2018, I was obviously quite impressed – but not entirely for the reasons one might think. Anybody who knows GIMS knows that in the world of supercars, hypercars and their manufacturers, the Geneva show is the place to be. It’s not only for the OEMs, either; high-end tuning houses like Ruf and the carbon fibre fetishists over at Mansory also choose the halls of the Palexpo convention centre to show off their wares --or they used to, anyway. After a three-year hiatus, the Geneva show is actually taking place in Doha, Qatar. But I digress. All these years later, even amongst all the Paganis, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Mansorys, the booth that I remember best was – wait for it –…