2018 Chevrolet Equinox Premier Diesel AWD Thanks to the misdeeds of a few automakers, diesel-powered engines are currently enjoying the popularity of toothpaste-flavoured ice cream.This excepts large-and-in-charge pickup trucks, of course, as prodigious oil-burning torque remains the choice for getting work done. In the mainstream, however, its definitely fading from public consciousness.Chalk up another cancellation to market demand, then, as Chevy will not be renewing the diesel engine option in the Equinox crossover for the 2020 model year.Gearheads over at The Car Connection were told by Chevy spox earlier this week that the engine wont return thanks to poor demand.A quick check of the Canadian fleet order guide for General Motors confirms this decision will carry over to this country as well. In addition to binning the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel for 2020, the trim levels of 3LT and 3LZ will also vanish.The usual colour-naming dance is also being performed, with some shades like Orange Burst being swapped out for the likes of Cayenne Orange. A fresh Midnight Edition murders out all the chrome, while content that was once part of a Driver Confidence Plus package is now standard equipment.In case youre wondering, the GMC sales staff across the showroom also have one less diesel engine in their catalog. The 2020 fleet guide spells out deletions for the GMC Terrain, erasures which include the turbo-diesel. Minor trim and equipment changes are also on tap for the upcoming model year. These changes are reflected on the American fleet guide as well.The diesel was available in these crossovers for a couple of years, producing only 137 horsepower but a healthy 240 lb.-ft. of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic, a box which possibly explains its relatively meh real-world fuel economy, even though Chevy advertises an efficiency of 6.0 L/100 km on its Canadian
Origin: GM trashes the Equinox and Terrain diesel engines for 2020
VW will invest US$2.6 billion in Ford’s self-driving arm, deepening partnership
(From L-R) Jim Hackett, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company, Bryan Salesky, chief executive officer and co-founder of Argo AI LLC and Herbert Diess, chief executive officer, Volkswagen Group, pose for a picture ahead of a press conference July 12, 2019 in New York City.Johannes Eisele / Getty Volkswagen and Ford will cooperate on electric and self-driving car technology, sharing costs on a global scale to take a major step forward in the industrys disruptive transformation.VW will invest US$2.6 billion in Fords autonomous-car partner Argo AI in a deal that values the operation at more than US$7 billion, the two manufacturers said Friday in a joint statement in New York.This includes US$1 billion in funding and VW contributing its Audi US$1.6-billion Autonomous Intelligent Driving unit.While Ford and Volkswagen remain independent and fiercely competitive in the marketplace, teaming up and working with Argo AI on this important technology allows us to deliver unmatched capability, scale and geographic reach, Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Hackett said.Unprecedented shifts facing the auto industry are forcing players to consider new partnerships and potential consolidation. VW, the worlds top automaker, offers the industrys most ambitious roll-out of electric models, while Ford, also in the top 10, is developing advanced self-driving technology with Argo.For VW, the Argo investment offers an opportunity to potentially catch up with Alphabet Inc.s Waymo, and General Motorss Cruise unit. Road tests and accumulating huge amounts of data are critical for the further development of self-driving cars, and few apart from Waymo are equipped to do it alone.It took a while to get this deal done, but its because we actually sorted out a lot of the hard problems, Bryan Salesky, Argo AIs co-founder and CEO, said in an interview. We have a clear line of sight to production, vehicle supply and we have clear line of sight to where we want to go to market and how. Besides sharing costs for the development of self-driving cars, Ford will use VWs electric-car underpinnings to form the backbone of the most aggressive rollout of electric cars in the industry, with Volkswagen spending some 30 billion euros (US$34 billion). Adding more vehicles to production lines would help gain scale and save costs, and offer Ford a platform to better comply with tougher rules on carbon-dioxide emissions in Europe.Ford will build at least one mass-market battery car in Europe starting in 2023 and deliver more than 600,000 European vehicles based on VWs platform, dubbed MEB, over six years. A second electric model for Europe is under discussion.Teaming up with its U.S. peer is one of the key initiatives of VW Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess to overhaul the German industrial giant. Both sides reiterated on Friday the tie-up does not include entering equity ties between Ford and
Origin: VW will invest US$2.6 billion in Ford’s self-driving arm, deepening partnership
Fiat investing in new plant assembly line to build electric 500
Robots manufactured by Comau are pictured on the assembly line of the Fiat 500 BVE, the first of its kind in Europe, during its inauguration at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Mirafiori plant in Turin on July 11, 2019.Miguel Medina / Getty Fiat announced mid-July it was investing US$788 million into its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy in order to build a battery electric (BEV) version of its 500 city car.The first robots on the new assembly line were installed July 11 at a ceremony that saw the automaker announce the plants production target of some 80,000 BEVs per year.Production of these next-gen electrics will begin in the second quarter of 2020, said Pietro Gorlier, FCAs chief operating officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and the production target could later be expanded.FCA plans to invest a total of US$5.6 billion in Italian production by
Origin: Fiat investing in new plant assembly line to build electric 500
Big weekend of celebrating classics
The Chi-Town Hustler is one of the most iconic Funny Cars from the Seventies and is one of the highlights of the LeMay Collection in Tacoma, Washington.Cam Hutchins This weekend underscores that July is Collector Car Appreciation Month in B.C. The official designation is pretty much Canada wide, and with all the grants going to those buying electric vehicles, its nice to see some support for the collector car culture. The old car hobby is a big deal in Canada and we certainly love our old cars in this province.ICBCs collector plate program has certainly allowed for a lot of older cars to still get used for a reasonable cost, and the care, maintenance and restoration of these old cars is a big business and contributes quite a lot to our economy. Certainly, joining a car club allows you to benefit from all the collective knowledge about your car, but also allows you to meet like-minded carnuts.I probably wont do any car events this weekends as Im travelling across three provinces to visit our son in Saskatchewan. I wont be seeing any Mustangs, Tigers or Barracudas, but I am hoping to see some Bears and Buffalo in Jasper.Last weekend I did see some Mustangs; in fact the mother of all Mustangs to be exact. We went a few hours south of Vancouver to Americas Car Museum in Tacoma, Wash. to see the actual 1968 Mustang used in the 1968 movie Bullitt. This car was actually driven by Steve McQueen in the movie and the sound of him double clutching the big block Ford 390 converted more people into carnuts than any other sound before or since. This car is unrestored and still shows the square tubes under the rockers that were used to mount the camera gear used to capture the iconic car chase sequence. Cam’s younger brother Jeff with the mother of all Mustangs, one of the movie cars used in the long chase scene in Bullitt starring Steve McQueen. Cam Hutchins The museumalso known as the LeMay is well worth the trip. In addition to great collection of cars, there is all sorts of auto-related memorabilia and a huge slot car track.A highlight for me was the actual Chi Town Hustler, a 1972 Dodge Challenger that ran a best ET of 6.56 seconds at 218.97 mph back in the day. Also, one of its three drivers, Pat Minick, invented the long smoky burnout that has become such an iconic part of drag racing.Another standout was the 1960 Rambler station wagon that won the Ridler Award at the 2008 Detroit Autorama. The reason a Rambler wagon won one of the biggest awards in the car hobby is that it has a Ferrari 360 Modena drivetrain behind the drivers seat and a front end modeled after the early-60s Ferrari Lusso!But this weekend there are lots of reasons to stay in our beautiful , from way up north in Dawson Creek to eight events and two races on Vancouver Island. Maybe a ferry ride is in your future this weekend? Have fun and dont forget to take a kid with you!SHOWSJULY 12-14What: Vernon Cruise-InWhere: Polson Park, Downtown VernonWhen: Friday Movie Night; Saturday Back Country Cruise, Car show from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: FreeInfo: Info@VernonCruiseIn.com or 250-542-1477Website: VernonCruiseIn.comJULY 13What: Oliver Twist Show, Shine WineWhere: Oliver Twist Estate Winery, 398 Lupine Lane, OliverWhen: Noon to 5 p.m.Admission: Free, charitable donation being collectedRegistration: 10 a.m. to noon. $25 and cars must be eligible for collector plates to registerInfo: 250-485-0227 or info@olivertwistwinery.comWebsite: olivertwistwinery.comWhat: Wheel O Rama 2019 Festival of WheelsWhere: Began Park Grounds, NanaimoWhen: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8:30 a.m. to 10a.m. $20 and open to all vehicles.Info: 250-802-9558, 1-877-888-0125 or info@wheelorama.caWebsite: wheelorama.caWhat: Pender Highlanders Show ShineWhere: Karl Hamsons Field, Pender IslandWhen: 11 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. parade from Browning Pub parking lotAdmission: FreeRegistration: By donation and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-538-8331 or paulhamsonconstruction@hotmail.comJULY 13-14What: Antique Truck ShowWhere: B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, DuncanWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: B.C. Forest Discovery Centre admission ratesRegistration: $10 and open to all trucksInfo: 250-246-3630, olcrab@shaw.ca, 250-743-2213 or onlytrucks4me@gmail.comJULY 14What: Cartel Classics Car ShowWhere: 5327 192nd St., SurreyWhen: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8:30 a.m. $15 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-649-0477 or aeyton@telus.netFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/CartelClassicsCarShowWhat: Philip Jackman Show ShineWhere: Jackman Park, AldergroveWhen: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Registration: Open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-897-8433 or tlatter@shaw.caWhat: Galaxie Club Car ShowWhere: Triple Os, 1988 United Blvd., CoquitlamWhen: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9 a.m. to noon. $15 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-325-6298 or blue428gt@telus.netWebsite: fordgalaxieclub.caWhat: Mile Zero Cruisers Silver
Origin: Big weekend of celebrating classics
The Tesla Model 3 AWD scores perfect in new U.S. crash tests
The Tesla Model 3 all-wheel-drive has just earned itself a five-star overall crash rating from American federal highway officials.The popular electric car scored the exact same as the rear-wheel-drive-only model in NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) testing, which is to say, perfect, according to Green Car Reports.The official data hasnt been released, but the dual-motor Model 3 apparently passed with flying colours, scoring five stars for front-and passenger-side front protection; for front and rear barrier and pole protection; and in a calculated rollover test.One of the marks the NHTSA scored against the car was for the lack of dynamic head restraints. The cars active safety features got thumbs-up from the administration, though.Another safety authority, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), was not as keen on the car’s driving aids, specifically because they ramped up owners’ tendencies to think of the car as self-driving.One name in particular (Teslas) Autopilot signals to drivers that they can turn their thoughts and their eyes elsewhere None of these systems reliably manage lane-keeping and speed control in all situations, the IIHS wrote in a report. The NHTSA achievement marks an improvement for the Model 3 compared to when it was last tested, earning better scores for its headlights, and earning the top score for its standard automatic emergency braking system.The Model 3 also earned top scores in Europe, which happens even more
Origin: The Tesla Model 3 AWD scores perfect in new U.S. crash tests
Alpina to stick its badge on a tuned BMW X7 SUV
The Alpina name classically ushers to mind fantastic super-sedans; in the past, the brand has brought us some truly wild and wonderful variations on BMWs best designs.Now, however, its going to play with BMWs X7 SUV. Yeesh.According to an interview with Automobile, Alpina CEO Andreas Bovensiepen confirmed the tuning house was turning its attention to the X7, but didnt reveal many details further.BMW itself isnt going to touch the X7 with any M performance parts, but Alpina has a history of touching what the Bavarian brand wont, even going back as far as the first 7 Series.Currently, Alpina builds the B7, a hotted-up version of the latest 7 Series with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 rated modestly at 600 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. A sport exhaust also helps the big motor breathe a bit better, and the track-tuned suspension makes it more of a performer and less of a couch. Signature Alpina 21-spoke rims are also present. So if the B7 is what Alpina does to a big, luxury sedan, we can guess the same tricks are likely to end up on the SUV. Currently, the fastest X7 that BMW makes is the M50i, which has 523 hp and 553 lb.-ft. coming from that same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. Highway speeds happen from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds, so that number would surely drop once Alpina gets its hands on it.Alpina already offers tuned versions of the X3 and X4, so the X7 probably isnt too farfetched. Bovensiepen also said Alpina might be turning its tune toward the 8 Series Gran Coupe to fill the space left by the B6 Gran
Origin: Alpina to stick its badge on a tuned BMW X7 SUV
Ford sold transmissions it knew were faulty, claims report
2016 Ford Fiesta SE Ford allegedly pressed on with the development and manufacture of its six-speed PowerShift automatic despite internal complaints and a cavalcade of repair issues, according to a new investigative report from the Detroit Free Press.The newspaper mid-July published a lengthy feature on its exploration of transmission problems experienced by owners of Ford Fiesta and Focus small cars.According to the report, problems with the transmission also called the DPS6 reared their ugly heads in testing, well before finding their way into the hands of unsuspecting customers.The PowerShift is a dual-clutch transmission that utilizes parts resembling a manual gearbox but is operated by the driver like a traditional automatic. Lighter than their conventional slushbox counterparts, they were intended to reduce weight and provide fuel economy advantages.They certainly achieved those goals, but it was apparently at the expense of smooth and reliable operation. Using a dry-clutch system, unlike modern dual-clutch units which use a wet-clutch system that bath the clutches in oil, the transmission quickly became notable for jerky shifts and the propensity to slip out of gear, even at highway speeds. Internally, this was apparently called an Unintended Neutral.The Freep reports:“As years wore on, Ford would make the case in emails, internal documents and an affidavit that if the steering, turn signals and other power worked in the car, then the situation couldn’t be considered dangerous. In theory, people could turn on a blinker and steer to the side of the highway if the car slipped into neutral at 70 mph.”Yikes. As costs and complaints piled up, Ford kept trying to find a fix while creating talking points for the poor souls unlucky enough to be in customer-facing positions and bearing the brunt of their complaints.Ford told the Detroit Free Press in a statement that conversations during development about challenges common to innovative new technology were normal exchanges.After the new transmission was on the road, other problems developed. We acted quickly and determinedly to investigate the problems, said the statement.While we eventually resolved the quality issues, the solutions were more complex and took longer than we expected. We regret the inconvenience and frustration that caused some consumers. Heres the kicker apparently, none of this was a total surprise to those on the dev teams. Six months before the 2012 Focus began shipping to dealers, a product development engineer expressed We also cannot achieve a driveable calibration that will get us to production, he wrote in an email to colleagues. The clutch torque delivery MUST BE IMPROVED.When a veteran engineer uses all caps in an email, you know theyre serious.Yet the company pressed on, producing cars equipped with a transmission that has been the catalyst for class-action lawsuits and countless hours of repair work. For many owners, there is still no resolution. Head over to The Freep for its entire
Origin: Ford sold transmissions it knew were faulty, claims report
Voitures Extravert expanding its run of electric Porsche 911s to 36
We’ve had our eyes on Dutch company Voitures Extravert for a while now. Last year it debuted the beautiful electric-converted Porsche 911 “Quintessenza” in a limited production of just five cars. Then, earlier this year, the firm let on that it would be upping this year’s run of Quintessenzas to three per month, for a total of 36 per year, due to high demand. And now we’ve got some images to go with that intention.As you can see in the photos of the handsome e-Porsches, the companys experts go beyond swapping petrol power for electric-battery power, breaking the 911s all the way down to make sure every piece is up to snuff. Each car gets power steering, a bespoke suspension with adjustable dampers, and a custom gauge displaying torque in place of the old tachometer. A 58-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery powers the single electric motor, generating 222 horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque, and moving the car up to 96 km/h from zero in under 6.0 seconds. The brand rates driving range right around 400 km. The 2019 Quintessenza will be available as an SE, which takes 911s from the ’70s and ’80s and styles them to look like the ’60s classics; or the TE, characterized by a wider, ’80s-style rear end. Or there’s a Targa version.Canadians wishing to get their own 2019 Quintessenza will have to import privately, as Voitures Extravert has yet to be given the go head from North American sales authorities.
Origin: Voitures Extravert expanding its run of electric Porsche 911s to 36
Lorraine Explains: What’s cooking in your car today?
June 2019. Officially the hottest June ever. In the world. In Northern California, thousands of mussels cooked in their shells — on the beach. Roads buckled in North Dakota. Europe is bracing for temperatures expected to hit 38 C in coming days.But it doesn’t have to be anywhere near that hot for you to risk many things that are in your car. Even on a non-record-setting day, there are dangerous and costly mistakes you can make by leaving things in your parked vehicles.You would never leave your child, your pet or your grandma in a parked car in summer. We don’t need to go there in this piece. Don’t leave any living creature for even ten minutes — don’t. But what about other things, especially things we haul around with us the rest of the year? You might be surprised to know there isn’t much that high heat can’t wreck. About the hottest your car can get is 82 C (180 F). It doesn’t take long, however, and in just the first hour, temps can soar. I locked myself in a hot car to test it. Outside was a lovely, breezy 26-C (79-F) day, but within an hour, it was 52 C (126 F) inside that car. You’ve probably noticed there are times you can’t even touch your steering wheel when your car has been sitting in the summer. Hard plastic dashboards, centre consoles and seats also store heat and radiate it back into the cabin, where it can’t escape. So many surfaces absorbing heat, so many contributing to the escalating temperature inside. So here’s what you shouldn’t leave in your car. Basically, preheat your oven to 170 degrees, and then decide what would be OK in there for several
Origin: Lorraine Explains: What’s cooking in your car today?
Ford and VW reveal electric and autonomous plans
Ford and VW reveal electric and autonomous plans Ford will use the VW MEB platform for a new EV Volkswagen and Ford have announced that the two firms will expand their collaboration efforts to include new electric models and advance autonomous driving development. Perhaps the most significant news is that Ford will use the VW Group’s Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) platform to build a mass-market, high-volume pure-electric model in Europe, starting in 2023. VW has previously said that it is open to working with other comapnies with its MEB architecture, and the announcment will be a real bonus for Ford which, although having EV plans of its own, is a long way behind many rivals in the electric marketplace – the VW Group included. Ford expects to build and deliver more than 600,000 vehicles in Europe, built on the MEB platform over six years, and a second all-new Ford model for the European market is under discussion. The two companies will work with Argo AI’s self-driving system, which will see each manufacturer integrate the platform independently into its purpose-built vehicles to support driverless systems for people and goods from both companies. Argo AI’s focus is on delivering Level 4 self-drive systems, for ride sharing and delivery service in urban areas. Ford and Volkswagen will have an equal stake in Argo AI, combined owning a substantial majority.
Origin: Ford and VW reveal electric and autonomous plans
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