Welcome to our weekly round-up of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam.Here’s what you missed while you were away.EV regulations prompt Tesla to release fart noise featureU.S. authorities recently implemented regulations stating all electric vehicles travelling under 30 km/h must make some sort of noise to help pedestrians identify there’s a massive chunk of metal moving nearby. Now, over in Europe, that “noise” is by law supposed to sound basically like a traditional car. Boring! In America, however, automakers were allowed to get a little more creative, and Elon Musk seemed to take that as a challenge. He recently Tweet-announced that Teslas will soon come with the ability to emit all sorts of clever sounds, from a cute little goat’s bleat to the clip-clop of coconuts to one of the all-time greatest sound effects: the fart. Winter tire deadline change prompts CAA-Quebec’s Winter Tire Appointment Week pushAfter the legal deadline for winter tires was bumped up to December 1 this year, the Quebec division of CAA took it upon itself to remind residents what that means. You’ve got to, um, change your tires to winters. OK?Winter Tire Appointment Week is indeed a real thing, and probably a good thing, too, even if incredibly dull-sounding. Because with 5.2 million passenger vehicles on Quebec’s roads and less than two months to go before the big day, there’s no time like the present to call your tire shop. Besides, how else are you going to celebrate Winter Tire Appointment Week?Striking U.S. auto union calls for end to imports, including Canada’sThe United Automobile Workers has been on strike against General Motors for almost a month and are now calling for the company to put a stop to the import of all cars from foreign assembly plants, including those in Canada and Mexico. Union reps also apparently expressing qualms about the move toward automation and electric power. Negotiation talks are ongoing, but this recent argument isn’t great news for GM’s Oshawa plant, which was recently made the beneficiary of a $170-million injection from GM.2020 Subaru Crosstrek’s $100 price bump earns it a stack of perks The most capable crossover in its segment is getting an extra dose of convenience, with the 2020 Crosstrek offering new standard and available features at a competitive price. (CNW Group/Subaru Canada Inc.) Subaru It’ll cost a bit more to get into Subaru’s Crosstrek this year than it did last year, but if you’re someone who needs to pile a little bit of everything on their buffet plate – not the Jello, for the love of God, not the Jello – then you might want to consider it. The base 2020 Crosstrek starts at $23,795 and comes standard with a six-speed manual and all-wheel-drive, an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-ready infotainment system, plus the brand’s EyeSight driver-assist system and X-Mode’s torque-splitting features in the CVT models. Now you can spend that $100 on something important, like that diet coach you obviously need. Canadian drivers sue Kia over alleged service schedule hoodwinkEveryone knows there’s no better way to care for a car than to follow exactly what it says in the owner’s manual. Right? Apparently not if you drive a Kia and live in Canada. A class-action suit alleges Canadian drivers are being misled by Kia in terms of how often they’re told to seek routine service. The book says 12,000 km, but if you live in Canada – most of it, anyway – the brand recommends a visit to the shop every 6,000 km. It’s just too bad you can’t sue
Origin: News Roundup: Tesla’s flatulent update, Quebec’s winter tire celebration and Kia’s alleged muck-up
How It Works: Regenerative Braking
Mild hybrid 48 volt drivetrain – Energy flow during recuperation with engine attachedAudi In the past, brakes were just brakes you pressed the pedal and your vehicle slowed down. But as more cars come equipped with electric motors hybrids or completely battery-powered the big deal is regenerative braking.This system captures kinetic energy during deceleration, storing it in the battery so it can be used as electricity to power the electric motor.This is why conventional hybrids dont need to be plugged in: they use regenerative braking to recharge their batteries as theyre being driven. Electric vehicles (EVs) run primarily off the charge they stored when plugged into an outlet, but use regenerative braking to help top up the battery.In addition to the regenerative system, all electrified vehicles have conventional braking systems as regular vehicles do. These use metal discs, called rotors, that are located behind the wheels and which turn with them. When you press the brake pedal, the pressure of hydraulic fluid squeezes metallic brake pads tightly against the rotors, and the resulting friction slows the car. That friction converts kinetic energy to thermal energy, and the brakes get hot. The heat dissipates automakers design everything to cool very quickly, because hot brakes dont work as well and that energy is lost. The idea behind regenerative braking is to capture that otherwise-wasted kinetic energy and put it to use, converting it to electricity.Capturing kinetic energy from brakingWith an electrified vehicle, the electric motor drives the wheels, either in conjunction with the gasoline engine as in a hybrid, or on its own in a battery-electric vehicle. As you drive forward, the motor runs in that direction, supplying electric power to the wheels.But when you decelerate by taking your foot off the throttle, the electric motor stops supplying power so the vehicle will slow down. When the motor stops, it immediately disengages, and then starts running backwards. The transmission is still in Drive, so it doesnt reverse the wheels; instead, it acts like a generator. It captures the kinetic energy from the wheels as they slow down, and converts it into electricity. Its then stored in the battery, to be sent back to the electric motor when its needed to drive the vehicles wheels.“One-pedal driving”How much energy is captured can depend on how the system is configured. With some, the driver can decide how much regenerative braking to use, usually by moving the gearshift lever while slowing down. When more aggressive braking is selected, the system will capture and store more energy, but the vehicle will also slow down sooner, and in some cases, may come to a complete stop.Automakers often refer to this as one-pedal driving. With practice, drivers may be able to get through heavy traffic by only using the throttle, accelerating enough to move ahead as needed, and then letting off the pedal and letting the regenerative braking make the stop.But a regenerative system isnt enough to stop a vehicle in every situation, especially when driving at higher speeds, and this is why every hybrid or battery-powered vehicle also has conventional hydraulic brakes. The good news is that because the regenerative system is also slowing the vehicle down, the brakes dont have to work as hard. Drivers usually find their hybrids or EVs require new brakes far less often than regular vehicles do.Driving behaviour determines energy capturedHybrids generally get better fuel economy in city traffic than on the highway, and it isnt always because of speed. They need regenerative braking to charge their batteries, but if you maintain a steady speed and dont slow down on the highway, the battery is feeding the electric motor (which will either augment the gas engine, or run the vehicle by itself, depending on driving conditions) without getting anything back from the regenerative system. When it gets too low, the battery stops working with the gas engine, and instead siphons some of its power to recharge.How much energy a regenerative braking system captures depends on several factors the driver being one of the most important ones. Its estimated that a systems ability to capture energy can range from about 16 to 70 per cent, and thats all in how the vehicle is being driven.The highest rates of return are achieved when drivers slow down well in advance, while those who storm up to a stop and slam on the brakes at the last moment see the least amount of efficiency, especially since theyre depending heavily on the vehicles conventional brakes. It really is necessary to adjust your driving in an electrified vehicle if youre going to get the most out of it.And thats only part of the bigger picture when designing EVs and hybrids to be as efficient as possible. A larger, heavier vehicle will have more momentum, with more kinetic energy to capture but then it will take more energy to get it moving again from a stop than
Origin: How It Works: Regenerative Braking
Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo earns top crash safety award
The hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Hyundai Nexo has just undergone its first crash test, and subsequently, one of the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safetys (IIHS) first crash tests of a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.Not only did the vehicle pass, it also earned a Top Safety Pick+ award, plus a load of Good and Acceptable ratings for its other safety systems. Most importantly, however, the Nexo didnt explode into a giant ball of flames.Per the IIHS, to qualify for a 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.It also needs an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating. The NEXO, a midsize premium SUV, has good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests.Hydrogen doesnt have the best reputation for not exploding remember the H-bomb? The H stands for hydrogen. The infamous Hindenburg zeppelin was also filled with hydrogen. Luckily, hydrogen technology has come a long way since the days of using it as a literal bomb or of trying to hold it in a big balloon. Part of the reason the vehicle didnt toast marshmallows immediately after its small-overlap crash is the hydrogen tanks are fairly well-protected by the body of the vehicle, and are located underneath the rear seats.Theres more to the safety of the tanks than just the placement. In fact, Hyundai recently released a video explain more of the safety features of the
Origin: Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo earns top crash safety award
Manitoba GM dealer triples sales after hiring women in senior roles
In this Wednesday, April 26, 2017, photo, Chevrolet Camaros are lined up in the lot of a Chevrolet dealership in Richmond, Va.Steve Helber / Associated Press A GM dealership north of Winnipeg has seen vehicle sales almost triple within five years, and the reason? Women, reports Automotive News Canada.More specifically, women working in senior roles at the company. Selkirk Chevrolet-Buick-GMC has a staff of 75 people, with over a third of those people being women, many of them in positions such as sales, technicians, service advisers and financial management.Matt Walters, general manager of the dealership says weve created a culture where everyone can be successful.Women contribute at all levels at Selkirk, and even the dealerships nickname was the product of one of its general sales managers, Diane Little: Estrogen GM. The push to have more women on staff began five years ago, and since then, new and used vehicles sales have jumped from 400 to 1,100. The sales have been so good the family recently bought the Steeltown Ford dealership across the street.Women kind of have a different way with things, service adviser Nancy Wendell said. A lot of customers are just kind of put at ease.According to Kelly Balmer, general manager at Steeltown Ford, winning customers means paying attention to the small ball.The customer has to come first, she offered. Sometimes in the car business, we forget that.The women have all worked their way to the top, and have done their time down in the trenches. Theyre hoping the success of the two dealerships is a wake-up call for the
Origin: Manitoba GM dealer triples sales after hiring women in senior roles
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe leaked ahead of tonight’s reveal
BMW’s new 2 Series Gran Coupé is due to be revealed later tonight, but official images have been leaked online to spoil the show. The new shots show the four-door Mercedes-Benz CLA rival’s exterior styling in full, with a distinct visual difference compared to the larger 3 Series and new 1 Series. While the front-end is recognisable from the 2 Series’ hatchback sibling, the rear-end shape appears to be inspired by the firm’s latest coupe SUV, the BMW X4, with similar tail-lights and tailgate shape. The need to accommodate two conventional front-hinged rear doors and sufficient rear seat leg room is said to be behind the decision to give the new car a wheelbase that’s halfway between the 2690mm span of the 2 Series Coupé and the 2810mm of the 3 Series saloon. Inside, the 2 Series Gran Coupé will sport a new interior layout that’s also set to be adopted by the successors to today’s 2 Series Coupé and 2 Series Convertible, which are due in 2020. The turbocharged three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines of the 2 Series Gran Coupé will mirror those of the existing line-up. On the petrol side of the range, expect a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine in the 218i, 181bhp and 242bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder units in the 220i and 225i, with a more potent version in the M235i. Among the diesels will be 148bhp, 187bhp and 221bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines in the 218d, 220d and 225d respectively. Like its two-door siblings, the 2 Series Gran Coupé will offer a choice of a standard six-speed manual or optional eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, with xDrive four-wheel drive available as an option. However, the latter will be offered in combination with only a limited range of engines. The highlight of the new line-up, though, will be the M2 Gran Coupé. This model will use the same 365bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine as its highly lauded two-door sibling. It will be offered with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Although it’s still early days, that engine – designated S55B30 – is expected to provide the M2 Gran Coupé with similar performance to the M2, which has an official 0-62mph time of 4.4sec in manual form and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The 2 Series Gran Coupé will be produced alongside the 2 Series Coupé and 2 Series Convertible at BMW’s plant in Leipzig, Germany. A plug-in hybrid model is also mooted. This is expected to use BMW’s turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor mounted within the forward section of a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. With a lithium ion battery pack positioned beneath the floor of the boot, the hybrid set-up is intended to provide the 225e with an electric-only driving range of up to 31
Origin: BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe leaked ahead of tonight’s reveal
SUV Comparison: 2019 Maserati Levante GTS vs. 2020 Range Rover Sport SVR
Brian Harper: Theyre big, brutish, and politically incorrect, not to mention overpowered, overpriced, and thirsty as hell. And if theyre not quite at the top rung of the SUV ladder, theyre still in rarefied air. Naturally, Im referring to that segment of the sport-ute market occupied by premium European automakers that, responding to the shift away from high-priced sports cars, coupes, and sedans to SUVs, have stuffed mega-horsepower engines into these products to give these all-weather haulers performance dynamics that amaze and confound.Porsches Cayenne Turbo, the Mercedes AMG G 63, BMWs X6 M and the subjects of this comparison, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR and relative newcomer Maserati Levante GTS, all greatly surpass $100,000 and have powerplants pumping out well in excess of 500 horsepower. I suspect anyone driving one of these ber-utes would automatically receive invitations to join the Friends of OPEC.Land Rover is an old hand at this, pushing its Range Rover Sport SVR to increasing levels of horsepower excess. Maserati, however, has only been in the SUV game for a few years with the GTS edition new for 2019. Im surprised at its competency.Nick Tragianis: I wouldnt quite call these two subtle, but the Levante definitely seems like the, er, smarter choice here. I know, I know its difficult to rationalize a $150,000 sport-ute, but hear me out: Despite the price tag, the Levante is actually somewhat subtle. You wouldnt really expect that from an Italian SUV with a 3.8-litre, Ferrari-built, twin-turbocharged V8 pumping out 550 horsepower and 538 lb.-ft. of torque, not to mention the ability to hit 100 km/h from a standstill in about four seconds before topping out at just over 290 km/h, yet the Levante doesnt make a big deal about it. Dont get me wrong, the Levante is bloody fast, but it builds that power smoothly and confidently. The exhaust note is certainly gnarly, but even in Sport mode it doesnt assault your ears. The eight-speed automatic delivers quick shifts when you drive the Levante with gusto, but settle down and it operates nearly invisibly. The steering is tight and provides stellar feedback, but you dont need to muscle the wheel. Its remarkably flat when you take a tight highway on-ramp quickly, but it soaks up bumps and rough pavement incredibly well. Dare I say, its almost like an Italian Cayenne certainly more powerful than the Cayenne S we recently pitted against the BMW X5, but there are similarities.The Range Rover Sport SVR, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. Perhaps its the matte orange paint job in which our tester was finished thats a $9,000 option, by the way but the Range is brash and outlandish. Its certainly entertaining; the 575 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque from its supercharged 5.0L V8, working in concert with an eight-speed automatic, tends to keep a big, dumb smile on your face, especially when the exhaust snaps, crackle, and pops. Like the F-Type SVR, the Range Rover Sport SVR has a flair for the dramatic. Subtlety is far from its forte. Something tells me its mannerisms will wear on you quickly, particularly if you live with the Range on a daily basis.BH: Gee, kid, the Range Rover is clearly superior in the fuel economy department, its 14.1 L/100-kilometre average in the city (and 10.7 on the highway) is almost miserly against the big Masers respective 17.9 and 12.9 results. Wouldnt that make it our winner? Kidding! Nobody motoring around in these rigs gives a wet rats rear end about being green. Look, these are high-powered, high-priced nameplates were driving. Theyre for extroverts who want to be noticed. And yes, Im in agreement; the Sport SVR is especially polarizing. Its as in your face as these vehicles come noisy, brash and obnoxious.Yet, considering that neither will see anything bumpier than a cottage road, the Range Rovers off-road bona fides are completely legit, though the testers choice of rubber is more suited to the track rather than mud, loose rock, and germane to our four-season climate snow. To be fair, though, I have taken a Levante out on a respectable off-road course and it acquitted itself quite well. But its normal driving mode is rear-wheel drive, shifting up to 50 per cent of its power to the front as necessary. <img src="/uploads/img/comparison/28-suv-comparison-2019-maserati-levante-gts-vs-2020-range-rover-sport-svr.jpg" alt="SUV Comparison: 2019 Maserati Levante GTS
Origin: SUV Comparison: 2019 Maserati Levante GTS vs. 2020 Range Rover Sport SVR
Toyota’s 2021 Mirai Concept is a truly stunning hydrogen-powered car
Toyota revealed mid-October a concept for its 2021-model-year hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered Mirai, which now looks like it could replace just about anything in your garage.This is only the second-generation Mirai, following up the firsts debut in 2015, and we think youll agree the styling has vastly proved. The vehicle now looks more like a standard sedan, with hints of European styling all around, especially in the rear three-quarter view.Some trick 20-inch alloy wheels are included and look to be sourced from a Lexus classy. The Mirai (which means future in Japanese) uses a hydrogen fuel cell to charge its batteries, which means it makes even less of an environmental impact at fill-up compared to pure electrics. The only emission it creates from the tailpipe is water.This latest generation of Mirai also has a larger hydrogen capacity, and a target 30-per-cent increase in driving range. The previous-gen Mirai had a 500-km range, so the new model could potentially have a 650-km range.To add to the good news, the vehicle is based on a rear-wheel-drive platform, which means the vehicle might even be more fun to drive than previous models.While Toyota is calling this vehicle a concept, we have no doubt it will go into production looking largely unchanged. The second-gen Mirai will go on sale in late 2020, but pricing has yet to be
Origin: Toyota’s 2021 Mirai Concept is a truly stunning hydrogen-powered car
First Drive: 2020 Ford Escape
Louisville, KY If imitation is the highest form of flattery, Porsche should be blushing over what Ford has done with its 2020 Escape. From the headlights to the overall silhouette, the all-new Escape takes on some very Porsche Macan-like features. Heck, even the side moldings and lettering on the rear deck look so Macan-like, it would be easy to mistake one for the other in the dark.Toyota, too, might be impressed: the rear taillights of the Escape essentially mirror those of the 2019 RAV4, currently the hottest vehicle in the small SUV category today, a segment once owned by the Escape until a few years ago when the spunky little Ford began to look and feel its age. Having soldiered on for some seven years, the third-gen Escape ran well past its best before date in a segment that was producing fresher produce in the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, RAV4, Mazda CX-5 or Nissan Rogue.Ford only admits to looking at its own sports cars for inspiration, the trapezoidal grille and lower front end borrowed from the sixth-generation Mustang and Ford GT, although some see a bit of Tesla in there as well. Maybe all new cars are starting to look the same; but the new Escape is definitely attractive, far better looking and more aerodynamic than ever before, sitting lower, wider and longer, but also dropping some 90 kilograms thanks to a new platform with plenty of lightweight, high-strength steel. That platform is Fords scalable architecture found beneath the all-new Focus (which we wont get) and the new Lincoln Corsair. And, holy, has the chassis change made a difference. Where the former Escape rode more like a rhino, the new generation glides almost as quietly as a Lincoln, with front seats that are especially comfortable. The new Escape far exceeds the ride quality of its biggest rival, the RAV4, both in plushness and sound. Only a hint of tire or wind noise can be heard. While the suspension may not feel as responsive as the Toyotas, the Ford seems better able to eat up so many deficiencies in the road. Electronically assisted steering is accurate with good weight, and the brakes feel positively excellent. A drive mode select, standard on all models, allows for even more adjustment to the throttle and transmission, with Normal, Eco, Sport and Slippery settings.Even the engine in the base model feels sprightly. Standard on S, SE and SEL trim levels, the 1.5-litre three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque pulls the Escape quickly off the line, but runs out of breath into the mid and upper range. It should be efficient, too, with cylinder deactivation that enables the 1.5L to run on just two of the three. Engine noise is evident but not horribly bothersome, with some growl and an absence of smoothness, which isnt surprising given theres only three pistons at play. Far more impressive is the revised 2.0-litre turbo thats available on the two highest trims, the SEL and Titanium. The 2.0L EcoBoost is a thrill to unwind, with 250 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft., able to scamper the Escape forward with surprising force, even with ample cargo aboard. Exhibiting little turbo lag, the 2.0L remains calm and collected right until redline, although theres no real exhaust note to speak of. It can be optioned with paddle shifters and can tow 3,500 lbs when paired with the tow package, compared with just 2,000 lbs for the 1.5L. Both engines are bolted to a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic, controlled by Fords simple-to-use rotary dial near the right knee. The dial will automatically click into park if the driver opens the door while still in gear with the seatbelt unbuckled.All Escapes are powered by the two front wheels, but AWD is now available on all trims.In spring, a hybrid Escape arrives with an all-new, 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine married to a continuously variable transmission. The hybrid engine will come standard on the Titanium trim in FWD or optional AWD. In the hybrid, a briefcase-sized, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery sits beneath the right-side floor, so it doesnt take up space in the cabin. More impressive is its 880-kilometre range on a single tank of fuel. A plug-in hybrid with an electric range of 48-kilometres is also coming in 2020, but it will only be FWD. Pricing for the base S starts at $28,549 for FWD and $30,049 for AWD; the SEL with AWD and the 2.0L engine costs $37,049 while the Titanium with the 2.0L and AWD crests the $40k threshold by $49. The Titanium hybrid with FWD, meanwhile, sits at $36,549 but $38,049 with AWD. Add $1,850 for freight and delivery.Fuel economy figures have not been released, but in our anything-but-slow drive through Kentucky, we were able to achieve a respectable 9.4 L/100 km with the 2.0L EcoBoost. Expect the hybrid to be significantly better.Also taking a giant leap forward is the interior, which can for the first time be optioned with a head-up display, although the white numerals are reflected on a small piece of
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Ford Escape
2019 Tokyo motor show preview – one week to go
Every edition of the biennial Tokyo motor show explores a different facet of Japan’s unique automotive industry. Some put an unabashed focus on performance while others place technology front and centre. What never changes is that the event is dominated by Japanese carmakers, you won’t hear much from European, American and other Asian brands, and the companies that display cars in Japan’s capital are on a bold quest to show their wild side. This is their chance to shine on their home turf. The 2019 Tokyo motor show opening its doors on October 24 will, somewhat unsurprisingly, highlight electrification. Most of the production and concept cars scheduled to break cover during the event will incorporate some degree of electrification, whether it’s mild hybrid technology or a battery-powered drivetrain. Here are the cars we expect to see in the Big Sight convention centre, though keep in mind carmakers often announce new models days, hours and minutes before the start of the show. Honda 2020 Jazz The next-generation Honda Jazz (known as the Fit in some markets) will exclusively be available with petrol-electric hybrid powertrains. Honda previously explained it developed a more compact version of the twin-motor i-MMD hybrid technology that equips the CR-V to use in smaller cars. While additional details remain few and far between, spy shots show a front end that falls in line with Honda’s current design language and familiar proportions. Jazz sales will begin in early 2020. Although it has historically lagged behind its rivals, it’s a hugely important model because it’s Honda’s best-seller in the UK. Lexus Electric car concept The concept Lexus will introduce in Tokyo will take it into the electric car segment for the first time. It’s a small, city-friendly model with a tall roof that clears up a generous amount of cabin space. Screens positioned on either side of the steering wheel display the infotainment system and the model relies on innovative in-wheel electric motors for power. While it will be presented as a simple design study, Lexus strongly hinted at least some parts of it will reach production in the coming years. “We feel that our future could resemble this design,” Lexus vice-president Koji Sato told Autocar. Mazda 2020 production EV Mazda’s Wankel rotary engine will make a long-awaited comeback in Tokyo but don’t look for a follow-up to the RX-8 on the show floor. It will perform range-extending duties in the company’s first series-produced electric car. We haven’t seen it yet, the test mules are all disguised as CX-30s, but we know it will arrive as a standalone model rather than as a battery-powered variant of an existing nameplate. It will be an SUV with a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack that zaps a 140bhp motor into motion. Mitsubishi MI-Tech Concept Mitsubishi’s Tokyo-bound concept will primarily serve as a preview of its next plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which swaps the traditional combustion engine for a gas turbine generator. The company pointed out it made the powertrain smaller and lighter than the one currently found in the Outlander in order to electrify more compact models like the Eclipse Cross. A selection of preview images show the technology will be showcased in a futuristic-looking SUV with externally-mounted speakers and carbonfibre inserts. Expect the powertrain, not the concept, to reach showrooms in the coming years. Nissan IMk concept As with most Japanese kei cars, Nissan’s new IMk concept is tall, boxy and geared towards urban mobility, but, in a break from convention, sits atop an all-new EV platform and showcases the firm’s plans for the future of small cars. The concept builds upon Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility programme with a lounge-style interior and lack of physical controls, and early suggestions are that it could be sold globally. Subaru 2020 Levorg The next generation of Subaru’s Levorg estate will arrive with a more streamlined design and an array of electronic driving aids. The company’s teaser video noted we’re “in an era where autonomous driving technology is widely spreading” so it’s reasonable to assume the scope of its EyeSight suite of driver assistance features will be expanded. At the other end of the spectrum, Subaru will send off the 20-year old EJ20 flat-four engine with a commemorative WRX STI limited to 555 examples. Suzuki Waku Suzuki’s big themes for Tokyo are mobility and personality, as embodied by its retro-styled show star – the Waku. An ultra compact plug-in hybrid, the Waku features a number of design elements that can be swapped out according to personal preference, and is intended for families to “share fun and excitement”. Hanare The Hanare, taking its name from the Japanese for a small dwelling attached to a house, is Suzuki’s take on the autonomous shuttle. As with the Waku, it blends futuristic technology with 1960s-style design elements, and is said to be fully
Origin: 2019 Tokyo motor show preview – one week to go
Toyota unveils Copen GR Sport as hot compact convertible
Toyota has revealed a hot GR Sport version of subsidiary company Daihatsu’s Copen convertible. The compact two-seater, built to Japan’s ‘kei car’ specifications, receives a number of styling and chassis upgrades to create an entry point into Toyota’s growing range of performance models. Toyota’s modifications are primarily handling-focused, with the addition of a front brace and reshaped centre brace enhancing body rigidity. Suspension modifications, including a retuned spring rate and bespoke shock absorbers, are claimed to achieve a balance between smoothness and grip. The Copen’s electric power steering system has been tuned for enhanced dynamics, and is claimed to improve turn-in response and make it easier to use the car’s full performance in all environments. Design tweaks include the addition of a more aggressively styled front bumper, a grille design inspired by other Toyota GR models and new sports-style BBS forged aluminium wheels. Inside, the Daihatu’s seats are replaced with performance-oriented Recaro items, while the speedometer and rev counter are redesigned to reinforce the car’s sporting ambitions. There are eight colour options for the exterior, but the Copen GR Sports’ interior can only be specified in black. The Copen’s 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine is retained, sending power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual or seven-speed CVT gearbox. The model is currently unavailable outside Japan, with domestic prices starting from 2,380,000 yen, equivalent to roughly
Origin: Toyota unveils Copen GR Sport as hot compact convertible
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