2024 Genesis G80 and G90 secure Top Safety Pick+ honours

GENESIS CANADA - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that the 2024 Genesis G80 sedan and G90 flagship sedan have earned TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) recognition. The TSP+ award applies to 2024 model-year vehicles built after October 2023, when Genesis modified the rear seat belts in the G90 to improve rear occupant protection. Cars built before that date still qualify for the TOP SAFETY PICK award.

IIHS’ top safety award identifies the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories during a given year. This year’s evaluation upgraded G80 and G90 from their previous TOP SAFETY PICK ranking. G80 and G90 join the 2024 GV60 and GV80 with top honours.

“The top IIHS rating for G80 and G90 vehicles built after October 2023 proves our commitment to safety remains firm,” said Brian Latouf, global chief safety and quality officer for Genesis. “With two more vehicles added to the growing lineup of Genesis models proudly bearing the TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, customer safety endures as a top priority for the brand.”

To qualify for IIHS TSP+, a vehicle must earn:

• Good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, updated side and moderate overlap front tests
• Acceptable or good headlights standard across all trims
• Advanced or superior ratings of a front crash prevention system in both daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations
  
  

To earn the TSP+ award this year, an acceptable or good rating in the updated moderate overlap front test is required, while a good rating in the original moderate overlap front test remains sufficient for the lower-tier TOP SAFETY PICK.

Before results in the updated tests were available, the G80 and G90 sedans qualified for TOP SAFETY PICK. Genesis maintains a strong commitment to customer safety and following the initial tests modified the rear seat belts in the G80 and G90 to improve rear occupant protection.

All Genesis models are equipped with a comprehensive suite of exceptional active and passive safety technologies including Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning and more. Each vehicle in the Genesis line-up offers standard advanced safety features that help avoid collisions and provide advanced occupant protection if they do occur.

The 2024 Genesis G80 and G90 sedans are equipped with the latest in safety and driver assistance technologies, including:

• Ten standard airbags, including front centre airbag between the driver and centre console, minimizing collision damage between driver and passengers.
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist* which can help mitigate the risks of collisions with detected vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists in certain conditions.
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist**, helping reduce the chance of potential impact with a vehicle that is detected in the blind spot.
• An innovative platform – with strong focus on safety – including passenger compartment protection and reinforcement areas using advanced high strength steel for rigidity and safety.
• Genesis Connected Services and Connected Care, providing always-on connection and allowing for peace-of-mind safety features like Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and SOS Emergency Assistance when the vehicle has access to a cellular network connection.
  

 

The Nissan Sentra Cup enters its tenth season on Canadian tracks, from May 17 to 19

NISSAN CANADA - Next Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, renown Ontario racetrack, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in Bowmanville near Oshawa, will continue  the tradition of hosting the first Nissan Sentra Cup event of the season.  Presented by Nissan Canada and JD Promotion since 2015 (when the Nissan Micra Cup was launched), the Nissan Sentra Cup will begin its tenth season during Victoria Day Weekend SpeedFest.

In addition to this milestone, it will be the first season in history to only feature drivers racing Nissan Sentra race cars, as the Micra class will not be back this year. Between twenty and twenty-five drivers are expected to take part in this 2024 championship which will see Quebec driver Alexandre Fortin compete as the defending champion.

Five-time winner, and driver of the Ste-Foy/Beauport Nissan team, Alex will attempt to become the first driver since the Sentra models entered the series in 2021 to win back-to-back titles. But this goal promises to be difficult, as two former Series' champions will also aim for the title: Valérie Limoges, the first female driver to be crowned overall champion of a Canadian national road racing series in 2022 and who has won three events in 2023, and Xavier Coupal, who clinched the title in his only full season in the 2016 Nissan Micra Cup.

They will not be the only ones competing for the top step of the podium as more than ten competitors can legitimately claim the 2024 title. Among them are veterans Sylvain Ouellet and Éric Chaput, rally champion Simon Vincent, the very promising rookie Nicolas Lévesque (last champion of the Micra class), Nicolas Barrette (a first Series' victory in 2023), Daniel Fortin (Alexandre's father) or the brothers Matt and Nicolas Miron.

This season, seven drivers will be making their first appearance at the wheel of the Sentra race car. Three of them experienced the series during the Micra Cup in previous years while four will be rookies in the Nissan Sentra Cup. This includes owner of the Nissan Thetford dealership, Steve Poulain, along with Stéphane Pouliot, the experienced Martin Harvey (several seasons in the Porsche GT3 Cup) and Rénald Hamelin, who started his Canadian racing career in the 1980s.

Once again, we find several veterans and drivers who simply want to participate and have fun  in a series with low price points  while  at the wheel of beautiful, high-performance production cars. With that said, it will also be interesting to follow the progress of the youngest drivers in the series: Marie-Soleil Labelle who is almost 20 years old, and returning for her second season, along with Vincent Lalande, who impressed during his debut last year at only 15 years old. After having perfected his experience in rally competitions where he has excelled in recent months, he will approach this new season in the Nissan Sentra Cup with confidence.

"I am happy to see that more than twenty drivers have once again entered for the tenth season of our series on Canadian tracks" mentions promoter Jacques Deshaies. "In addition, all the drivers who competed for the Micra class last year have acquired a Sentra to continue with us. It's a proof of loyalty for our series and I thank them for their involvement. I also believe that with so many Sentra's on the track, it will be an exciting season," he adds.

A season which, after the kick off at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP), will pick back up at the beginning of July at the Complexe ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec, as part of the second edition of the Nissan Grand Prix. An event which was a great success last year and is highly anticipated by fans and competitors of the series.

"I am also looking forward to the 2024 Nissan Grand Prix with great enthusiasm," says the president of Nissan Canada, Steve Milette. "The Nissan Sentra Cup is entering its tenth season of activities in the country and with all these Sentra's on the track there is no doubt that the battle for the title will be thrilling. For fans of the Nissan brand, competitors, partners, I am confident that with six very promising events (three in Ontario, two in Quebec and one in the United States), we will have a show that meets expectations," he adds.

Two weeks after the Nissan Grand Prix, the Nissan Sentra Cup will make its debut on United States soil, on July 19 and 20 for two races at Lime Rock Park, in Connecticut. The always popular Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (August 9 to 11) will be the third event, followed by a second visit to the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park during the Labour Day weekend in early September, then the final round, which will take place in Ontario, at the Calabogie Motorsports Park, south-west of Ottawa. This site replaces the previously announced Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Calabogie will offer a unique challenge to competitors in the series since this track  has never  hosted a Nissan Sentra Cup race, nor season finale!

Both events held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, will be broadcast live on the Nissan Sentra Cup Facebook page. During the first event, the Series' drivers will be on track Friday May 17 for three 30-minute practice sessions. On Saturday, a qualifying session will be presented from 8:40 a.m. and the green flag will be given on the first race of the 2024 season at 1:30 p.m., for 40 minutes of action. On Sunday May 19, the second 40-minute race will take place from 11:25 a.m.

For more information on the Nissan Sentra Cup, visit coupesentra.comOpens in a new tab. and the series' social media channels. To watch the 2023 season events on the web, go to the Nissan Sentra Cup Youtube pageOpens in a new tab..

2024 CALENDAR – NISSAN SENTRA CUP

May 17, 18, 19                     Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario
July 6 and 7                          Nissan Grand Prix, Complexe ICAR - Mirabel, Quebec
July 19 and 20                      Lime Rock Park, Connecticut (USA)
August 9, 10, 11                   Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, Quebec
August 30, 31, Sept. 1         Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario
September 27, 28, 29          Calabogie Motorsports Park, Ontario

The new Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet: exclusive and year-round open-air enjoyment

MERCEDES-BENZ CANADA - With the new CLE Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz is continuing its long tradition of four-seater open-top dream cars. It combines dynamic driving characteristics with a high level of everyday comfort for year-round open-air enjoyment. The AIRCAP® electric wind deflector system and the AIRSCARF® headroom heating system are standard, and both systems have been further developed. They make open-top driving in cool outside temperatures more pleasant. The standard fabric acoustic soft top also contributes to year-round usability. It is available in black, red or grey. Its multi-layer structure with extensive insulation allows for optimal thermal comfort in all seasons. It also reduces wind and driving noise. The soft top opens and closes within 20 seconds up to a speed of 60 km/h. For the first time, its operation is completely electric, making it even quieter. The folded soft top is automatically separated from the remaining space in the luggage compartment.

As the largest convertible in the mid-size segment, the sporty two-door model offers a high level of long-distance comfort for four people. Its dimensions are: 4,850 millimetres long, 1,861 millimetres wide, 1,434 millimetres high and a wheelbase of 2,865 millimetres. Thanks to a 25 millimetre longer wheelbase, the CLE Cabriolet is significantly more spacious than the C-Class Cabriolet. Rear passengers, for example, benefit from 14 millimetres more leg room, 22 millimetres more shoulder room and 17 millimetres more elbow room. With a volume of 385 litres (295 litres with the top down), the trunk is extremely practical for everyday use. If required, this space is expandable using the folding rear seat backrests. Customers can conveniently fold them down from the trunk in a 60:40 split. The trunk can also be opened contactless thanks to HANDS-FREE ACCESS as standard. KEYLESS-GO is also part of the standard equipment. The vehicle doors lock and unlock by touching a door handle.

Sporty luxury in a class of its own

The freestanding 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display and the 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display in portrait format are eye-catchers in the interior. The latter can be electrically tilted from 12 to 32 degrees to prevent distracting glare when the soft top is down. Another highlight is the optional dynamic ambient lighting. Bands of light sweep from the cockpit over the doors and rear side panels to behind the rear seats. This stylish wraparound feel is enhanced by two further details: the top of the dashboard, the beltlines and the soft-top stowage lid are upholstered in black man-made nappa leather effect. Added to this is the chrome trim that runs around the entire passenger compartment.

To prevent the optional leather seats from heating up too much in the summer, they have a special coating which reflects the sun's near-infrared rays. As a result, the leather remains up to 12 degrees cooler in direct sunlight than untreated standard leather. Even with the top closed, the interior heats up less thanks to the cool seat covers. The standard AVANTGARDE Line offers ARTICO man-made leather in black. The front seats, developed exclusively for the CLE, have an integral sports seat design. In conjunction with the optional Burmester® 3D surround sound system, they each have two loudspeakers level with the head restraints. This premium sound system has a total of 17 loudspeakers.

Exceptionally interactive and customized

The entertainment offering is highly interactive and personalized. Thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX offers a new level of personalization with automated convenience functions. At market launch, customers will be able to use templates for standard routines. Examples include "Cold days" (seat heating switches on at a certain outside temperature) or "Date night" (romantic music plays via Bluetooth audio; the ambient lighting turns pink). Users access the templates via a carousel in the central display. They can also create their own routines by linking several functions and conditions. They are able to do this on the central display and the resulting routines appear under the "My routines" menu heading.

Dynamic and comfortable driving experience

The chassis of the new CLE Cabriolet provides driving pleasure on winding roads. At the same time, it offers exceptional ride comfort on long journeys. The comfort suspension, which has been lowered by 15 millimetres, is standard. It combines a supremely comfortable ride with responsive, sporty handling. A sports suspension with an amplitude-selective damping system is available as an option.

The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 Cabriolet available in Canada offers a 2-litre inline 4-cylinder mild hybrid engine with integrated starter generator (ISG). The ISG also includes a 48-volt on-board electrical system that ensures functions such as coasting, boost and recuperation.

Sophisticated aerodynamics for maximum ride comfort

Open-top models such as the CLE Cabriolet face particular challenges in aerodynamic development. In addition to low aerodynamic drag, comfort properties take centre stage. These include reduction of draughts for all four passengers as well as acoustic comfort, which reduces annoying wind noise. Although the standard AIRCAP® reduces unwanted air turbulence when open, it is also a potential source of noise. Extensive fine-tuning in the wind tunnel led to an optimised design of the AIRCAP® system, which reduces noise to a minimum. The airflow is largely responsible for the final shape. This applies to the louvre geometry, the design of the radii and shapes in detail, the flow through the mesh fabric and the interaction with the rear wind deflector. Artificial heads and near-field microphones record all sounds precisely. At the same time, a dummy for analysing draughts measures the air currents close to the passengers' bodies. Both measuring instruments use data analysis to quickly and accurately detect and eliminate sources of error.

The requirements for the opening and closing of the soft top are also stringent. This function must work smoothly at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The soft-top system is subjected to even higher speeds in the wind tunnel. This is to ensure that the design functions reliably even in headwinds. No twisting or turning of any components is allowed, in order for them to reach the correct end positions. In addition, the entire system must seal acoustically. This includes the kinematics with its many moving parts, the gasket joints and all side windows including the guides. A new feature in the CLE Cabriolet is the seamless one-piece cover as the outer closure. In order to capture the acoustic contribution of the soft top, all body joints right up to the door handles are meticulously masked. The fabric roof must also retain its properties up to a top speed of 210 km/h, even if the wind load deforms it slightly at top speed ("ballooning,") at which the soft-top seals then have to work hard. Overall, the wind noise level has been further improved compared to the previous models.

Driving in the rain is also part of the specification. This is because the side windows must remain free of water film so that the view to the exterior mirrors is clear. However, the soft top has no rain gutters or rain mouldings like vehicles with a fixed roof. Precision work on the windscreen frame, the A-pillars and the exterior mirror covers of the CLE Cabriolet ensures that the rainwater is channelled so that the views to the mirrors remain as clear as possible.

Extensive safety equipment

Like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the CLE Cabriolet meets all high internal safety requirements, which go beyond the legal regulations and are based on real-life accidents. Thanks to specifically reinforced bodyshell structures, the four-seater has a high level of structural safety even without a fixed roof. Added to this is the rollover protection system. Together with the rigid A-pillars, it is intended to ensure survival space in the event of an imminent rollover. The restraint systems also offer a high level of protection in the event of an accident. The new centre airbag between the two front occupants and the PRE-SAFE® system, which can prepare the occupants and the vehicle for an imminent collision, also comes as standard.

Numerous driving assistance systems, some of which have been further developed, can support drivers and thus relieve them. The standard equipment includes ATTENTION ASSIST, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist and the Parking package with reversing camera. The Driving Assistance Plus package is available as an option. It includes more than 10 latest-generation assistance and safety systems.

Technical Specs at a Glance

			CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet
Displacement	cc		1,999
Rated power	hp		255
at	rpm		5,800
Additional power boost	hp		23
Rated torque	lb-ft		295
at	rpm		2,000-3,200
Additional torque boost	lb-ft		151
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	s		6.6
Top speed	km/h		210

Shelby American Announces 2024 Super Snake, Its Most Exciting and Capable Version of the Ford Mustang In 60 Years

  

SHELBY AMERICAN – Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), shocked the performance community when it introduced the limited edition 2024 Shelby Super Snake on the international Barrett-Jackson stage in Palm Beach, Florida. One of the most highly anticipated vehicles of 2024, the 830+ horsepower sports car was designed to be the highest performing Shelby Super Snake in history.

“We designed the Shelby Super Snake to be the pinnacle of our performance cars based on Ford’s world-class Mustang sports car,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “It follows Carroll Shelby’s vision that each generation of car improves the breed. By collaborating with Ford Motor Company, Whipple and other top companies, our Las Vegas team created our best Shelby Super Snake yet.”

 

The 5.0L V8 powered Shelby Super Snake is offered in both 480 and 830+ (supercharged) horsepower versions, giving it super car capabilities. The suspension was tuned for sharper turn ins and the exhaust for better air flow, while the brakes and cooling were enhanced to leverage the powertrain’s potential.

 

“The roots of the Shelby Super Snake began with the race bred Mark IV Ford GT, which won Le Mans in 1966,” said Gary Patterson, President of Shelby American. “That car’s engine was the inspiration for the first Shelby Super Snake, a one-off experimental built for high-speed testing on the track. Over the years, the Shelby Super Snake has evolved but continued to keep its ‘competition-edged’ personality. The 2024 Shelby Super Snake is pure American performance.”

 

This is Shelby American’s first car based on the new S650 Ford Mustang platform. The 2024 Shelby Super Snake demonstrates the perfect balance of form and function.

 

“We set out to make the 2024 Ford Mustang the most technically sophisticated Shelby Super Snake in history,” said Vince La Violette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Senior Designer. “Through careful engineering, we were able to add much more power while working to keep the weight more balanced with a new aluminum hood and carbon fiber fenders that also redirect the wind for ultimate cooling. Our lightweight magnesium alloy wheels cut pounds off the rotating mass so you can run deeper into and accelerate faster out of the corner. The featherweight carbon fiber tail wing keeps the retuned suspension firmly planted.”   

 

Shelby American has spent the past years designing its elite version of the car. Lessons learned through thousands of hours spent on the track, the dyno and design studio over the decades have made the 2024 Shelby Super Snake truly a special car. 

 

“We have an unwavering commitment to the enthusiast,” said LaViolette. “With the Super Snake’s competition heritage, we knew it was critical to dial up a car that is enjoyable during daily commutes and deeply rewarding during spirited driving. While the styling inside and out is certainly handsome, functionality drove every decision. This car checks all the boxes.” 

 

The 2024 model roars with over 830+* horsepower from its supercharged** 5.0L V8; it is available with a manual transmission or automatic, as well as either a fastback or convertible. Pricing will be announced soon. Only 250 total 2024 model cars will be available in the US with production beginning mid-summer.

 

Each vehicle from Shelby American is documented in the official Shelby Registry. The cars come with a 3 year/36,000-mile warranty; the powertrain warranty from Ford remains intact. 

 

“The 2024 Shelby Super Snake is visually stunning,” said Patterson. “It is such a contrast in styling from European marques yet has the performance capabilities to compete with them at half their price. With only 250 available in the US, it will be ultra-rare.”

 

The Shelby Super Snake is offered through Shelby selected Ford dealers in the United States. A limited number may be built by select Shelby mod shops and distributors internationally. Individuals interested in a Shelby vehicle can visit their local dealer or go to shelby.com.   

 

* 830+ FWHP using 93 octane (US and 98 octane ratings in Europe and some other markets)

**Supercharger available for post-title sales only

 

2024 Shelby Super Snake Specifications*

 

Performance and Powertrain:                                                                                

• 830+ horsepower supercharger system
• Shelby extreme cooling system (radiator, heat exchanger)
• Shelby by Borla exhaust system
• Performance half shafts
• Short throw shifter (manual only)
• One piece drive shaft (manual only)
• Hardened extended wheel studs, open ended lug nuts
• Shelby suspension system
• 20” forged magnesium wheels with Shelby performance spec tires
• Shelby brake rotor upgrade

 

Interior:                                                         

• Shelby spec interior upgrade
• Embroidered floor mats
• Cobra puddle lamps
• Shelby shifter ball (manual only)
• Super Snake door sill plates
• Serialized dash plaque and engine plaque
• Engine cap set
• Convertible light bar (convertible only)

 

Exterior:                                

• Super Snake aluminum vented hood with hood pins
• Carbon fiber hood extractors
• Carbon fiber Wide Body front fenders with vents
• Wide Body front fascia assembly
  • Wide Body front bumper
  • Upper, lower, outboard grilles
  • Front splitter supports
  • Lower front splitter
  • Carbon fiber splitter wickers
• Side rocker assembly
• Carbon fiber rocker wickers
• Rear ducktail spoiler
• Carbon fiber Super Snake rear wing (fastback only)
• Carbon fiber rear lower diffuser
• Super Snake stripes and badges
• Deep tinted windows (per state regulations)

 

Notes:

Available in automatic or manual transmission, fastback or convertible.

*Subject to change