Floor plan I High on hybrids I Going to the dogs I OfftheAutobahn I OFFICIAL SHOW GUIDE VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL CIJ o o AutoShow N Over E~"" car previews• in this issue V iliirosiioi March 29 - April 6, 2008 I Be Place Win this year's grand prize, a customized 2009 TOYOTA Corolla XRS! www.VancouverlnternationaIAutoShow.com owners are best served by vehicles designed to be easy-clean and simple to access. The Honda Element, among the best overall for dog owners, includes full-length vinyl flooring, waterproof upholstery, fold-up and removable rear seats, a low floor and an available sunroof over the cargo area. That's primarily because it was designed for out­ door activities, but it works out perfectly for dog owners as well. Pet-friendly accessories are also important, such as the dog guards Subaru sells for its Forester, Legacy, Outback and Tribeca models. The company takes people and pets into consid­ eration, offering guards that also fit vehicles with sunroofs. "A moonroof shouldn't be a limitation when transporting your pet," says Ted Lalka, Subaru's vice-president of Product Planning, and owner of a Portuguese Water Dog. "It's a popular option and people want that accessory, but they also want to keep their pets safe. The guard also doesn't impede rearward Visibility. The dog can look forward and see people. Car tips and tricks for when They're pack animals and they want to be with people." your life is going to the dogs Looking for a dog-friendly vehicle: With an estimated 5.5 million were brilliantly designed with dogs x Easy clean-up is a primary dogs in Canada, many pet owners in mind. consideration. Look for stain-resis­ are making sure their automotive The Honda W.O.W - for tant fabrics, plastic-covered cargo choices are Fido-friendly. Gone "Wonderful Open-hearted Wagon" areas or rubber mats. are the days when the dog stayed - debuted at the 2005 Tokyo Motor x Low floors and easy access at home; they're now seasoned Show and was designed specifi­ will become more important as travellers, and vehicles cally for pet owners. It included your pet ages and finds it difficult with pet-appropri­ a small dog kennel in the dash, to jump into an SUV. ate features will help seats that could be turned into x Your dog should always be keep both canine and larger pet crates, a walk-through secured with a pet harness that human occupants seating configuration, built-in buckles into the seatbelt, or in a comfortable and safe. water bowls and an easy-clean crate or behind a pet barrier. A Surprisingly, floor. front-seat lap dog will be killed if while many automak­ Nissan also took four-legged the airbag deploys in a collision. ers are adding con­ friends into account with the Bevel Dogs should never ride unsecured venience and safety Concept, shown at the Detroit in top-down convertibles or pickup features for children Auto Show in 2007; while its pri­ truck beds. to their vehicles, very mary focus was handymen who x Not all aftermarket pet bar­ few are concentrating would use its features as exten­ riers work if you have a sunroof. specifically on pets at sions of their workshops, the Be sure your dog guard is compat­ the retail level. Most vehicles with Bevel also included a 360-degree ible with your vehicle. dedicated dog facilities progressed pet leash swivel connection and a x Cats need love, too. Make no further than as concepts, removable "doggie hutch" pet car­ sure there's enough room for a cat although these styling exercises rier that snapped securely into the carrier, either on the floor or prop­ cargo area. erly secured with a seatbelt, so a By Jil Mcintosh I Cars & Lifestyle Until automobiles like these sudden stop won't send it tumbling come to market - if ever - pet from the seat. 22 Show Guide 2008 .