HIGHS
Robo-cars are real: In 2014, it finally feels like self-driving cars are more than a far-off fantasy. You might even see one on the street.
California granted permits this year to Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Google to test driverless cars on public roads. Florida and Nevada already passed similar legislation, and Britain is reviewing its highway code with a view to doing the same.
In a way though, driverless cars are already here. With the suite of technologies in the new Mercedes S550 Coupe, it's at least semi-autonomous. For example, it will automatically accelerate and brake in stop-and-go traffic if you ask it to.
A good year for Speed: A bumper crop of sports cars were introduced: the Jaguar F-type R, Shelby GT350 Mustang, Lamborghini Huracan, Audi TT and many more. Chevrolet and Chrysler both unleashed cars with 7.0-litre V-8 engines.
Breaking new ground: On the other end of the ecoconscious spectrum, BMW's first all-electric vehicle hit Canadian streets. The i3 represents a radical departure from the way cars have been built for the past 100-odd years. Instead of pressed steel or alloy and an internal combustion motor, it offers a carbon-fibre-and-plastic passenger cell over a bed of lithium-ion batteries. It's not perfect, but it is new.
The Virtual Cockpit: That's Audi's name for the new dashboard layout seen in the TT and Lamborghini Huracan. The large central infotainment screens common on most cars is eliminated, replaced by a single multifunction screen in front of the driver. The result is a cabin that's minimalist, elegant and functional.
Maybach lives: The luxury auto maker is back, henceforth to be known as Mercedes-Maybach, to rival Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The ultrarich will rejoice that they no longer have to make do with a pedestrian S-Class Mercedes.
Low, low gas prices: In November, the price of crude oil hit its lowest point in more than four years. It's good news for drivers because the average price of gas in Canada has been falling since June.
Celebrity endorsements: Jean-Claude Van Damme for Volvo Trucks.
Goodbye: Discontinued cars we won't miss: Scion xD, Chrysler 200 convertible and Nissan Cube.
LOWS
Recalls: Spiders in the gas tank, loose bolts that set engines on fire, engines that shut off without warning and airbags that explode like grenades: These were just some of the defects for which vehicles were recalled in 2014.
A fault with the ignition switch in millions of General Motors vehicles has so far been linked to 36 deaths and 44 injuries, according to an official report. And those figures will likely rise as lawyers for GM continue to evaluate thousands of claims.
The investigator hired by GM to probe the ignition-switch fault criticized the company for taking 11 years to issue the recall, even though engineers were aware of the problem as early as 2006.
The small overlap: Small and mid-size SUVs continue to fare badly in this crash test, which simulates the front corner of a vehicle colliding with another car or a utility pole.
The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested nine mid-size 2014 SUVs. Of those, six didn't pass the crash test, receiving "poor" or "marginal" ratings. Small SUVs aren't any better: with 16 tested, 11 failed.
More Fast, More Furious: The Fast and Furious film franchise will get "at least three more installments" after Fast 7 comes out in 2015, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Yours truly is ashamed to admit he will be seeing all of them. In theatres.
So long, Bertone: The Italian design house, which brought us such avant-garde machines as the Lamborghini Miura and the Lancia Stratos, closed its doors for good. We can only dream about what wild machines it would've penned next.
Touchscreens: Apple is on iPhone No. 6, but car touchscreens are still universally poor. As a rule they're sluggish and distracting. How long before auto makers get this right?
You (still) can't replace your beloved wagon: Have an old Subaru Legacy or Ford Focus wagon on its last legs? Want another affordable wagon? Too bad. No auto maker sells one in Canada, unless you want a compact Volkswagen Golf wagon. Blame your neighbours who all bought SUVs and crossovers.
Celebrity endorsements: Neal McDonough for Cadillac, will.i.am for Lexus, Stella McCartney for Jaguar.
We'll miss you: Discontinued cars we'll miss: the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Mazda2, Cadillac CTS-V, Lamborghini Gallardo and Honda Fit.
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