New Race Track

Oro Station adding race track, auto innovation hub in consultation with Goodwood experts

Oro Station will serve as a live-work-play space in Ontario.

Photo courtesy of Oro Station

North America is getting a new purpose-built motor circuit. Oro Station, located one hour north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, will also be home to an automotive innovation campus.

The track will be developed in collaboration with Kinarara Consulting, the group behind Goodwood, one of England’s premier motoring circuits and event centers.

The Oro Station Motor Circuit itakes much of its design and layout inspiration from Goodwood. It is designed to be a 4.1 kilometer road course that will be able to be run in a number of configurations. The full course layout includes 16 corners.There will also be split track formats, dynamic test areas, and skid pads.

Oro Station Ontario, CanadaThe development will be looking to host high-profile clients.Photo courtesy of Oro Station

Drive International is responsible fo the design of the track. The company has most recently designed the Silverstone FIA world rallycross track in the U.K. and NCM Motorsports Park In Kansas, U.S.A. along with being responsible for circuit improvements to Goodwood.

Oro Station will include 500,000 square feet of industrial space that joins an automotive business park with a motorsport road course and testing facilities. Additional facilities centered around automobile engineering, education, service, supply and manufacturing businesses will be present.

It will be the home of the Bexley Motor Club. Membership in the club will grant members access to the circuit and facilities as well as year-round white glove treatment and maintenance by Carcierge Service. Fly-in, fly-out access is available helipad or the nearby Lake Simcoe Regional Airport.

Members will also be able to access a clubhouse, autominiums (private garages available for purchase), a fitness center, and dining facilities.

Kinarara Consulting will be advising on circuit management, the organization of high-profile events, and retaining high net worth members.

"We are delighted to be able to offer Goodwood's expertise to Oro Station,” said Dan Hughes, Director of Kinrara Consulting. “There are clear synergies between Goodwood as the traditional home of speed in the UK and this incredibly exciting new facility near Toronto. Our hope is for a strong and long-lasting collaboration where each of our great circuits supports and learns from the other."

"The Duke of Richmond and his talented team have created the pinnacle of automotive events at the Goodwood Estate", said Geoffrey Campbell, Managing Partner of Oro Station. "The care and attention to detail is evident in the success of their facility and the quality of experience for customers, sponsors and manufacturers alike. We are honoured to be working with the Goodwood Group to ensure Oro Station and Bexley Motor Club learn from and follow in their pursuit of perfection."

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Updated premium crossover

2022 Infiniti QX50 picks up new standard features

The new QX50 gets more tech and safety features.

Infiniti

Infiniti is one of a handful of automakers that have continued developing and building cars instead of focusing only on higher-profit and much more popular SUVs and trucks. That said, Infiniti's catalog is crossover- and SUV-heavy. Its smallest and least expensive crossover, the QX50 gets a handful of new features for 2022, and today Infiniti announced pricing.

Infiniti offers the 2022 QX50 in five trims: $40,025 Pure, $43,375 Luxe, $47,825 Essential, $52,525 Sensory, and $57,975 Autograph. All trims get Infiniti's variable compression (VC-Turbo) engine that makes 268 horsepower and returns up to 26 mpg combined. The advanced engine shifts its compression ratio to match the driver's behavior. When more power is needed, the compression changes, and when efficiency is the priority, it changes again. It's a marvel of engineering, but it's not as fuel-efficient as a hybrid. Power reaches the front or all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission.

2022 Infiniti QX50Pricing starts at around $40,000.Infiniti

Beyond the new standard features for 2022, buyers of the new QX50 will have to step up to the Luxe trim to get the most desirable features such as auto-folding exterior side mirrors, power lumbar support, and perforated leather upholstery. Standard comfort gear includes eight-way power front seats, dual-zone climate controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Infiniti stuck with its dual-screen infotainment configuration with the 2022 QX50. The top eight-inch screen handles wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto duties, as well as navigation. The bottom seven-inch screen handles vehicle controls, radio stations, and other settings. Though the system looks great and adds a high-tech feel to the cabin, two screens can be distracting and confusing while driving. The good news is that the QX50 gets an excellent 16-speaker Bose stereo starting with the Luxe trim.

2022 Infiniti QX50ProPilot Assist and Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are now standardInfiniti

The 2022 QX50 hasn't been crash tested by either major ratings organization yet, but the 2021 model performed well. It earned Good ratings in crash testes and a Superior score for its standard crash prevention systems. The 2022 QX50 comes standard with Infiniti's ProPilot Assist system, which brings advanced adaptive cruise control functions that can center the car in its lane, brake, and accelerate. Other standard tech includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, rear automatic braking, predictive forward collision warnings, and forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.


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The LEGO Speed Champions series is adding two new Dodge models to its lineup.

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

The new LEGO Speed Champions series is expanding by two. A 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A and Mopar Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster are being added to the growing collection. They are the first purple vehicle and first Top Fuel Dragster in the Speed Champion series.

"Owning, or aspiring to own, a Dodge muscle car is as much about the lifestyle of joining the Brotherhood of Muscle as it is about the vehicle purchase," said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer – Stellantis. "As a result, our brand enthusiasts are passionate about all things Dodge, including the latest cool collectibles. So, following the success of the Dodge 2018 LEGO Speed Champion building set, fans will now be able to build and show off not only the first ever 8-inch-wide (8W) muscle car, but also the first ever Plum Crazy 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A, along with an incredibly detailed 13½-long Top Fuel Dragster."

LEGO Speed Champions Dodge boxThe 627-piece Challenger T/A and Dragster include box art of their Rea-life counterparts. Photo courtesy of Stellantis

LEGO has had the Challenger over two inches high, five inches long, and 2.5 inches wide. The Dragster is four inches high thanks to its wing, and has a body that is 13.5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide.

The set features a male Challenger driver in Dodge-branded clothing. The Dragster has a female driver in a Dodge race suit.

"In 2021, we are extremely excited to reteam with Dodge and expand the Speed Champions 8W Vehicle Collection even further by including new vehicle types and building experiences, for the first time, that appeal to vehicle fans of all ages," said Christopher Stamp, LEGO Design Lead.

LEGO Speed Champions DodgeThe set includes two models.Photo courtesy of Stellantis

The models will be released on June 1, 2021 at LEGO.com. Pricing for the models is not yet available.

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