Yesterday we reported on a story first published by CarChat, that raised serious questions about the credibility of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), Canadian Car of the Year Awards. This morning we received a response signed from AJAC President Clare Dear and CCOTY Chairman Richard Russell, with the other side to the story.

The letter refers to the same instructional webinar that Banovsky deals with in which it states that, “10 is a perfect score. That means it leaves no room for improvement. But there is nothing that can’t be improved upon. So there can be no 10 scores. If you score something as 10 that score will be discounted.”

AJAC counters that “discounted” does not mean “completely ignored.” Rather, that any vote of 10 will be reduced to a 9.9. AJAC also claims that over the years there have been very few times that the use of 9.9 instead of a rating of 10 has ever been used because, “AJAC’s experienced voters understand that there is always room for improvement, especially in something as complex as a motor vehicle.”

This would then eliminate the possibility of “vote rigging” by journalists.

The letter continues, “If Mr. Banovsky had been an accredited journalist with access to information provided voters and/or had made the effort to use facts, he would know that a ’10′ score has nothing to do with being ‘best’ in class. It has only one meaning: ‘perfect.’ It has nothing to do with the ranking of vehicles, best to worst. Every individual rating is independent. If there are five vehicles in a class, for example, they could all be given exactly the same ratings for any or all parameters. In short, his comments are clearly based on an ignorance of the facts and we have requested that he retract them.”

In addition, AJAC asserts its long standing record, stating that, “The Canadian Car of the Year awards program is one of the most thorough and unbiased of its type in the world and has been acknowledged as such by many critical observers – not the least the auto manufacturers whose vehicles we evaluate, more than 60 experienced and respected journalists invited to do the judging and the international accounting firm of KPMG who are responsible for tabulation of the secret ballots . We go to great lengths to ensure its validity and credibility and take strong exception to any suggestion that the results are ‘fixed’. We are prepared to protect our reputation by whatever means necessary.”

Lexus has just released a new promo video of its LFA supercar in all its glory. There’s plenty of track action and lots of clips of the 4.8-liter V10 revving at full song.

Lexus is building just 500 versions of the ultra-exotic LFA, which uses a state-of-the-art carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, that helps the car weigh just 3,263 lbs. That weight, plus 552-hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque, let the LFA hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 202 mph!

The LFA is prices at $375,000.

With Infiniti already having announced that it would debut the all new 2011 M at a private event the evening before the LA Auto Show, news has now leaked that the automaker will use the venue to showcase two more vehicles.

First up is the new G37, which is expected to get only minor changes, as shown in these leaked photos. The updates include tweaks like revised bumpers with separate fog lights. The photo above (obviously) shows the sedan, while the close-up photo below shows the updates to the front fascia of the coupe.

In addition to the G37, it has been reported that the new QX model will debut at the same venue. Little is known about this model other than what the spy photos (below) show. The truck does get a stylish new look that is certainly more cohesive than the old QX… plus, there’s plenty of chrome. Don’t expect big changes under the skin, however, as Infiniti isn’t likely to have invested too heavily in a model that, due to the recession and recent downsizing trends, is becoming increasingly unpopular.

As for the new 2011 M, expect a 330-hp 3.7-liter M37 model as well as a 400-plus horsepower 5.6-liter M56.

AutoGuide will be on hand with live coverage from the Infiniti event starting December 1st.

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

GALLERY: Updated Infiniti G37

GALLERY: New Infiniti QX

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti M

[Source: TheInfinitiSource]

With Infiniti’s parent company (Nissan) have made it clear that it would not display at the LA Auto Show due to budget concerns, the automaker is preparing to use the event to its advantage by showing the all new 2011 Infiniti M37 and M56 at a private event the evening prior to the show.

Infiniti has already teased us with a few CGI images, but not the real thing. What we do know is that, as the names suggest, the M37 will be powered by a 3.7-liter V6, much like in the G37, with an expected 330-hp. And as for the M56, well, it will boast a massive 5.6-liter V8 with more than 400-hp!

AutoGuide will be on hand with live coverage of the Infiniti unveilings starting December 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti M

BMW has officially debuted the all-new 2011 5 Series, luxury sedan with a long very long list of innovative features and, importantly, a brand new look. We honestly can’t make up our minds if it looks more 7 Series or more like the current 3 Series. Either way, it’s a huge improvement.

At launch the 5 Series will be offered in both 550i and 535i trim. The 550 model boasts a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 400-hp and 450 ft-lbs of torque, enabling it to hit 60 mph in just 5 seconds. As for the 535i, it gets BMW’s excellent twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six motor for 300-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque. Both models will be available with either a standard six-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic. A “Sport Automatic” 8-speed will also be optional.

No fuel economy numbers have been released yet, but BMW has made significant efficiency improvements with “green” technologies like electric power steering and Brake Energy Regeneration, where the alternator only recharges the car’s batteries under braking. The tall gears of the 8-speed transmission should also help deliver much improved fuel economy.

Those really in search of the best fuel mileage will, however, want to wait for the 528i, which will debut later with a 240-hp inline-six.

In terms of improvements to handling, the new 5 Series gets a completely new front suspension that uses a multi-link setup as opposed to a strut setup. This system is also found on the new 7 Series, which is no coincidence, as both the new 5 and 7 Series share the same platform. Along with the electric power steering system, the new 5 Series gets the Integral Active Steering setup as found on the 5 Series GT, which turns turns the rear wheels. In low speed situations, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels for better maneuverability, while at speed the rear wheels turn in the same direction to deliver better cornering and stability. And to further improve performance, there’s an electronic limited slip differential, which comes into play once DSC (stability control) is completely shut off.

Real driving enthusiasts will opt for the Sport Package with Adaptive Drive. This package includes Driving Dynamics Control (same as on the 7 Series and Z4), which lets the driver choose from Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+ driving settings, which control the throttle response, transmission shift points, power steering assistance level and traction control. It also includes Dynamic Damping Control, which constantly changes the car’s shock settings and includes a 10mm lower ride height. Finally, the sport package includes Active Roll Stabilization, with hydraulic stabilizer bars that actually firm up when body lean is detected.

Inside, the new 5er gets BMW’s latest iDrive system, which on the 7 Series is much improved and quite easy to use. The iDrive setup includes a 7-inch LCD screen, or a 10.2-inch screen if the Navigation Package box is checked. The larger 116-inch wheelbase makes for a roomier interior and to help keep passengers comfortable, the car’s active cruise control now has a feature that will slow the car in a corner if the vehicle detects the curve is to extreme.

Another great tech item is the heads-up display that can even show some navigation instructions.

There’s also plenty of safety features in the new 5 Series like Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Headlights that switch to hi-beam if necessary. A larger section of the taillights will also illuminate under hard braking to ensure those behind you will know you are stopping. The Active Cruise Control system also includes Frontal Collision Warning that will warn the driver of an impending impact and actually apply the brakes if he does not act.

Additional highlights include new Top View and Side View displays of the car for ideal parking, which works in conjunction with BMW Parking Assistant.

GALLERY: 2011 BMW 5 Series

That covers the generalities, but if you want even more, check after the jump for all the details:

Continue Reading…

Lexus has announced that it will lease, rather than sell the 500 LFA supercars it intends to built in an effort to avoid speculators and resellers profiting off the car’s rarity. Valued at $375,000, the LFA will be offered as a two-year lease, with Lexus actually owning the vehicle. It is not clear if the original leases will be able to re-lease the vehicle after the point.

Brian Smith, VP of sales at Lexus says the company wants people out driving the cars and not storing them in a museum or flipping them for an inflated profit.

In the past, automakers like Ferrari have made customers sign contracts saying that they would not sell a vehicle within one year of taking delivery.

The LFA is powered by a 552-hp 4.8-liter V10 engine. It can hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and tops out a 202 mph! Lexus says it will begin production of its first supercar in December of 2010 and vehicles will only be built once they are ordered.

GALLERY: Lexus LFA

[Source: Automotive News]

What’s the best way to make a car (any car) cool, to give it immediate interweb fame and ensure it becomes a highly searched item in Google Images? Why, turn it into a police cruiser of course!

Such a thing has just been done by the blue and white (er… green and white?) at the Broward County Sheriff’s office in Southern Florida. The car is a shiny new Dodge Challenger R/T and it looks even more intimidating with that big light-bar up top and the county sheriff’s white and green paint scheme.

Check out the gallery of photos below and try and remember (as hard as it might be) to keep your speed down while traveling along southern Florida’s flat and straight highways. Otherwise, you might get to see this R/T up close.

GALLERY: Broward County Sheriff’s Office Dodge Challenger R/T

[Source: LawOfficerConnect]

We recently reported that his uber-richness, James Glickenhaus, had confirmed that he and several partners were going to build P4/5 Competizione race car to enter in endurance racing events.

The P4/5 name comes from the P4/5 vehicle that was custom built for Glickenhaus by Ferrari design house Pininfarina, based on an Enzo and inspired by the Ferrari P 3/4 race car.

Initially it was reported that this race car would be built on a Ferrari 612 chassis and then the obvious connection was made with an Enzo underpinning the race car. Glickenhaus has, however, confirmed that the race car will be based Ferrari chassis, but use a V8 – leading us to speculate that a 458 Italia would be a nice place to start.

The plan is to enter the car at the Nürburging 24 hour race next year, in a class that allows one-off vehicles. This would not be a homolgated race car, however, and wouldn’t be able to run in other series, whether FIA GT3 or the American Le Mans Series.

[Source: FerrariChat via Autoblog]

Rumors that a Lexus might bring a premium hatchback model to North America have been swirling since the automaker first introduced us to the LF-Ch concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show a few months back. Toyota’s luxury arm then stoked those flames by announcing that the premium hybrid hatchback concept would be shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week.

Now a company exec has confirmed Lexus is using this showing, as well as one a month later at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, to gauge the public’s interest.

In an interview with TheDetroitBureu, Lexus General Manager Mark Templin said that if response is favorable, then a production model could see dealerships by as early as 2012. A model based on the LF-Ch is already confirmed for European Lexus dealerships for 2011.

Templin also said that while the car would be premium and come with plenty of high-tech goodies, it would not be cheap. He pointed to a more European-style buyer that is emerging in North America, that doesn’t necessarily equate luxury with size. He even said that in the future Lexus would look at even smaller luxury cars, but ones priced beyond the ES or IS.

Word hat the LF-Ch would become a production reality in the U.S. first emerged when it was confirmed that Lexus has registered the CT200h name – which presumably stands for a compact touring (read wagon or hatchback) model with roughly 200-hp and a hybrid setup . Surprisingly, however, Templin said that despite the focus on a hybrid model, it is likely the car would launch with a conventional gasoline engine.

GALLERY: Lexus LF-Ch Concept

[Source: TheDetroitBureau]

Despite the huge concentration of exotic and high end cars in Los Angeles, many exclusive automakers won’t be in attendance at this year’s annual LA Auto Show. The latest two to drop from the list are Bentley and Lamborghini. That means attendees won’t be able to see the amazing new Reventón Roadster or the massive Mulsanne luxury sedan, with both vehicles having recently made their official world debuts at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Mulsanne, also made an appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance earlier this year.

Bentley’s Pebble Beach debut proved successful and was part of the brand’s approach to better utilize its resources, by showing the vehicle in front of a crowd where almost everyone in attendance could buy the vehicle – or a few of them. Official auto shows, like in Los Angeles, don’t usually bring buyers, however, the media exposure also has a lot of value in spreading the word about a new product.

High end automakers have been hit particularly hard in the recent recession and many are still scaling back to meet decreased demand. With far fewer vehicle sold than a Toyota or General Motors, every unit moved by a company like Lamborghini represents a much higher percentage of overall sales. In total, this year Lambo’s U.S. sales are down roughly 40 percent, while Bentley’s have been chopped in half.

Other automakers that have already announced they will be no-shows include Ferrari/Maserati and Aston Martin, which recently said it will have a dealer display. Unfortunately, this means we don’t see the new 458 Italia, GranCabrio or Rapide either.

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

GALLERY: Bentley Mulsanne Debut in Frankfurt

GALLERY: Lamborghini Reventon Roadster Debut in Frankfurt

[Source: TheDetroitBureau]