2019 Laramie Longhorn 4×4 Crew CabDerek McNaughton Many parents before me, and many parents to come, will make the trip the one where mom and dad pack up son or daughter and ferry him or her off to university, setting the kid up in an overpriced student hovel where, the hope is, these young adults become self sufficient enough to soar on their own. And for a lot of parents, that journey involves a long drive.Last year, we made this very trip from Ottawa to Halifax in an F-150 diesel, discovering the joys of great fuel economy that underlined the value of a diesel underhood, even if it does initially cost more to option a pickup with diesel. This year, having just driven Ram’s new EcoDiesel in the 2020 Ram 1500, it seemed obvious to compare Rams diesel with Fords on our same (and final) odyssey from Ottawa to Halifax and back this year, a distance of roughly 3,000 kilometres to drop the young lad at school.But because the new EcoDiesel is only now coming to market, the diesel was not yet available, so instead we chose to see how much different a long trip like this would be with a gasoline engine designed around fuel efficiency. With Ram promising a 10 per-cent improvement on its 5.7-litre Hemi, and bragging it has the most efficient gasoline V8 in the segment, could a gasoline engine equipped with eTorque, aero mode and cylinder deactivation come remotely close to its EcoDiesel alternative? If so, which engine would be the better choice when buying a new Ram, the EcoDiesel or the Hemi? The truck that FCA supplied was no regular Ram 1500. This was a 2019 Laramie Longhorn 44 Crew Cab equipped with air suspension, 12-inch uconnect system, drivers assistance package, 22-inch wheels, Ramboxes, panoramic roof along, 124-litre tank and a bunch of other options to sticker at $86,500 before fees. In other words, about as loaded as they come, and, yes, expensive, but in line with the many other expensive trucks from Ford and GM. And to be sure, the truck was stunning to look at, positively gorgeous inside, an utterly pleasing and rewarding truck to drive in so many ways (the glitchy navigation system notwithstanding.)So how thirsty was the eTorque gas engine? From full, the range to empty on the big tank (a $445 option) showed 956 km to empty pretty close to the roughly 1,000 km usually afforded by a diesel. On the trip out to Halifax from Ottawa, with a payload of about 400 kilograms consisting of my sons life possessions, including a big, fold-out couch, and with a constant speed ranging from 120 km/h to 125 km/h through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia where the speed limit is a more sensible 110 km/h, we averaged 10.9 to 12.9 L/100 km over 1,459 kilometres that took 13.5 hours to complete. On the way back, without a payload and one less person, we scored 11.6 over the 12 hours and 54 minutes it took to travel 1,451 kilometres. The onboard computer for the entire 3,023-kilometre trip registered 11.5.The diesel certainly costs more up front, but it brings more torque. Last year, in Fords F-150 diesel, we averaged 9.9 L/100 kilometres over the course of that same long, east coast trip to Dalhousie. Rams new EcoDiesel is not yet rated, but promises to be better than the last generation engine that averaged 8.8 L/100 km highway and 10.8 overall.That, therefore, makes the 5.7-litre Hemi only 1.6 L/100 km worse in fuel consumption over the Ford diesel, and 2.7 L/100 km poorer over the old Ram EcoDiesel, but likely to be 3.0 L worse off when the rating becomes official for the new EcoDiesel engine with 480 pound-feet of torque.Thats a fuel margin far closer than we thought possible in a gasoline V8 with 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Had we stuck closer to 100 km/h, the results would have been even better, closer to the diesel. Score one for the Hemi. Both there and back, we only stopped once for fuel, with a final fuel bill from full-on-departure to full-on-return totalling $478. Gasoline ranged from $1.11 to $1.20 / litre (but diesel was about 10 cents a litre more in Ontario, and on par in Halifax). In the diesel last year, we spent $450 (with diesel ranging from $1.21 to $1.39 per litre back then.) The Hemis Eco mode, which shuts down four cylinders when all eight are not required, definitely helped to make some of the gains, with Eco able to maintain operation even at 110-120 km/h, as long as the road was flat. The trucks aero mode also helped, lowering the truck slightly via the air suspension to improve aerodynamics. Eco mode does give off a strange exhaust note when the engine is forced to run on half of its cylinders, however, and makes the 5.7 Hemi feel far less smooth when its operating, partly because in normal mode, the 5.7 is fabulously silky. Noise cancelling features have been added to eliminate the gruffness of the four-cylinder Eco mode, but some coarseness is still detectable when the switch occurs, especially so when windows are open. Eco can, however, be
Origin: Hemi V8 or Ecodiesel? Which Ram 1500 engine should you choose?
New Seat el-Born: 2020 electric hatchback begins testing
Seat’s first bespoke electric car, the el-Born, has hit the road in new disguised testing shots ahead of its launch in 2020. The model, named after a fashionable Barcelona neighbourhood, can be seen to sport dimensions and design details similar to the Geneva motor show concept (below), despite the usual camouflage. Autocar was told earlier in the year that the Geneva concept was 95% production-ready, with only a few minor changes coming ahead of production, and that appears to be the case. The el-Born will be the second EV built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric architecture to go on sale when it is launched in 2020, after the Volkswagen ID hatchback. The engineering and powertrain of the two compact models are expected to be closely aligned, with a range of power outputs offered. The el-Born concept featured a 62kWh battery mounted in the skateboard chassis, with an electric motor making 201bhp. Seat claims it will achieve 0-62mph in 7.5sec. It will be compatible with 100kW DC supercharging, allowing the battery to be filled from empty to 80% in 47 minutes.The total range is quoted at 261 miles for this concept. It will also feature a thermal management system to maximise range in hot weather. The machine features a similar hatchback profile to the ID and styling that showcases what Seat design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos calls “the ultimate translation of our emotional design language into the new world of electrical vehicles”. He added that “we have to make customers fall in love with the idea” of an EV. The design features several streamlined areas to boost aerodynamic efficiency, including the Seat logo positioned flush on the front bodywork of the car, above small cooling vents that provide air to the battery pack. The A-pillar of the car has been pushed forward to maximise internal space, with the sharp side lines creating an air curtain. The rear features an LED light strip that runs the full width of the bootlid, with a double-layer spoiler contributing to the car’s aerodynamic efficiency. The interior features a digital instrument display and a 10.0in infotainment touchscreen in a dashboard design that, Seat says, is driver-orientated. Seat also says the el-Born will feature “state-of-the-art” driver assistance systems capable of level two autonomy, meaning it can control steering, acceleration and deceleration. A large central bag compartment is located where the transmission tunnel would sit in a regular combustion-engined car. The el-Born will be built alongside the ID at Volkswagen’s plant in Zwickau, Germany. The first bespoke electric car from Skoda, Seat’s Volkswagen Group sibling, will be based on the Vision E concept and also use the MEB platform and similar
Origin: New Seat el-Born: 2020 electric hatchback begins testing
VW faces Germany’s largest-ever legal claim for Dieselgate
Proceedings in the largest legal claim in German history begin against Volkswagen today in relation to the Dieselgate scandal, with owners seeking compensation for either being missold their car or for financial losses as a result of altered emissions or lower resale values. The case is viewed as highly significant for owners of all affected VW products – including cars from the Audi, Porsche, Seat, Skoda and VW brands – as it will likely have a bearing on how the Group approaches legal action in other European territories, including the UK. The VW Group has already reached a settlement with American and Australian owners, but is vigorously defending European claims as a result of what it says are different regulations that it did not breach. To date, the scandal, which broke in 2015, has cost VW more than £30 billion in fines and costs, while it has made a provision of around £1bn for defending its European cases. The law in Germany was changed to allow a group civil action against VW – previously claimants would have had to take individual action. As a result, more than 400,000 owners are said to have grouped together ahead of today’s hearing, while around another 100,000 are said to be still pursuing individual action. They must prove that they were either mis-sold the car, that the technical fix approved by technical authorities has had a detrimental affect on efficiency or that resale values of affected cars have fallen. In defence, VW argues that it did not breach European law by using a device to cheat emissions tests – such was the laxity of wording of the rules – and that the effect of the cheat was to lower NOx emissions, which would have had no immediate financial impact on owners, plus the fix has been independently approved as not negatively altering any emissions criteria. In addition, it says it has compelling evidence that there has been no long-term impact on resale values. Court proceedings in Germany could take up to four years, according to local media reports, by which time effected cars would be at least eight years old, and there are three possible outcomes: VW wins, the claimants win or an out-of-court settlement is reached if the court determines the cost of the case will exceed the likely compensation. Although it is yet to be confirmed, around 85,000 UK owners are reported to have launched a joint action against VW, which will begin in December ahead of a full hearing likely to take place after spring
Origin: VW faces Germany’s largest-ever legal claim for Dieselgate
Next-gen Mercedes-Benz C-Class to gain S-Class tech
The next Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been redesigned from the ground up, with highly efficient new hybrid drivetrains and advanced autonomous driving technology set to be some of its key draws. Having experienced a sharp drop in C-Class sales in recent years because of the universal gravitation of buyers towards SUVs, the German maker is providing the fifth-generation model with many of the developments being readied for the new S-Class. The new C-Class, codenamed W206, will challenge the recently facelifted Audi A4 and new BMW 3 Series when it arrives in UK showrooms in 2021. As evidenced by the latest prototypes, the design of the new C-Class is a clear evolution of the styling seen on today’s model. Although its exterior features a new-look front end with more angular headlights, the new car’s proportions, dimensions and overall silhouette remain very close to those of the model it replaces. The starting point for the new C-Class is Mercedes’ MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform. It offers a number of advances over the earlier version of the steel and aluminium structure. These include, according to insiders, more advanced electrical architecture that supports a 48V system, which is key to providing the 2021 model with a new range of plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The MRA structure uses a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, with adaptive damping likely to be offered as standard across the range in most markets, including the UK. The new C-Class will continue to provide the option of rear air springs on selected models. As well as being used by the C-Class saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet, the new platform will underpin successor models to the GLC and GLC Coupé, with a choice of both rear-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive. New all-terrain model As an addition to the existing line-up, Mercedes has given the green light to a new Audi A4 Allroad rival in the C-Class All Terrain model. Based on the standard estate, it will receive more rugged styling, with unique bumpers and wheel-arch cladding, increased ride height and beefed-up underbody protection measures already brought to the larger E-Class All Terrain. The engine line-up for the fifth-generation C-Class will consist primarily of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines featuring a choice of EQ Boost mild-hybrid and EQ Power plug-in hybrid functions in combination with either a starter/generator or gearbox-mounted electric motor. New electric motor and battery technology should increase the efficiency of future hybrid drivetrains, although the plug-in C-Class is likely to continue to offer the 31-mile range of the current C300de at the start of sales. Despite the focus on efficiency, Mercedes is also planning successor models to today’s C43 and C63. The C43’s 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine will adopt mild-hybrid tech, but the C63 is set to continue with an updated version of today’s 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, with up to 550bhp in a new range-topping C63 S 4Matic+. That will use a fully variable four-wheel-drive system rather than today’s rear-driven set-up. In a bid to make the new C-Class the most advanced car in its class, Mercedes will bring in the very latest autonomous driving features to set what one source involved in its development has described to Autocar as “new standards in human-machine interface in the automotive field”. Leading the push is a new Drive Pilot function with level three functionality. Due to make its debut on the seventh-generation S-Class in 2020, it will allow hands-off driving at speeds of up to 80mph for extended distances. This brings a whole new range of sensor functions, including long-range lidar, multi-mode radar, the latest ultra-sonic sensors and a new stereo camera from Korean supplier LG. It also provides the basis for a new level four automated valet parking function developed by Mercedes in partnership with Bosch. It allows the new C-Class to negotiate parking garages and manoeuvre into free parking spaces – all via a smartphone app interface. Advanced adaptive cruise control will allow the C-Class to follow the car ahead at speeds of up to 130mph, slowing down automatically when speed limits change. It will also support the usual active lane change, lane keeping, emergency stop and brake assist with cross-traffic functions. To make the most of these functions, the C-Class’s new interior will be inspired by the earlier Concept EQ. It will feature large digital displays incorporating both the instruments and infotainment functions as well as new touch-based controls in a less bulky dashboard. This will also provide a greater feeling of interior space, it is
Origin: Next-gen Mercedes-Benz C-Class to gain S-Class tech
BTCC 2019: Silverstone double for Toyota star Ingram
Toyota Corolla driver Tom Ingram took a pair of Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship victories in the penultimate race weekend at Silverstone, while BMW ace Colin Turkington’s charge through the field to second place in race two helped him extend his points lead. Jack Goff also left the Northamptonshire circuit a winner, securing Team Hard’s first BTCC victory in the reverse grid final race in his Volkswagen CC. Double BTCC champion Jason Plato had claimed pole position in his Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra, and led the first race early on in difficult conditions. But Team Toyota GB driver Ingram soon closed in, and claimed the lead at Luffield with a paint-trading move on lap four He pulled away to take a clear win from Plato and BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R pair Chris Smiley and Josh Cook. Andrew Jordan finished tenth in his WSR-run BMW 3 Series, while his team-mare and title rival Turkington could only manage 14th. Works Civic Type-R driver Dan Cammish, also in with a shot at the title, was 11th. Ingram won again in race two, despite dropping back to second behind Tom Oliphant (BMW 330i M Sport) after further contact with Plato at the start. A safety car bunched the field, and it began to rain shortly before racing resumed. Oliphant was the first man to reach the wet track at Copse on the restart, sliding wide and falling down the order, and gifting Ingram a lead he held until the race was stopped early as the rain worsened. Turkingon thrived in the rain, charging from 14th on the grid to second to build his points lead. Cammish was third ahead of Plato and Cook. The final race was also affected by the rain, with the field starting on dry Dunlop tyres only to find conditions worsening. Cook and Cammish led the way early on, but a mid-race safety car provided a golden opportunity for some runners to gamble on wet tyres. Goff and Aiden Moffatt (Infiniti Q50) both gambled early, and stormed through the pack. Their battle for victory was decided when Moffatt spun, although he still finished second. Matt Neal (Civic Type R) took third, ahead of Oliphant. Turkington was seventh, while Cammish could only muster 12th. That means Turkington leads Cammish by 16 points heading to the Brands Hatch season finale on 13 October, with Jordan a further point
Origin: BTCC 2019: Silverstone double for Toyota star Ingram
The 2020 Nissan Titan just got an update to its styling and performance
The Nissan Titan full-size pickup undergoes an extensive redesign for the 2020 model year.Nissan Nissan has updated its Titan pickup truck with better looks and a host of new technological and performance updates.Styling has been improved Nissan calls the new exterior design Powerful Warrior, and we can see why. The grille has been revised to look more aggressive, but its not ridiculous like some other trucks; and the LED headlights provide much more illumination.There are more LEDs hiding in the bed, as well, to light up your cargo; theyre activated by opening the tailgate.Inside the Titan is a much more luxurious interior, with a wood-grain steering wheel and real wood touches available, which should stand up to the more expensive truck interiors were seeing these days. Speaking of seeing, you can now peer up through the panoramic sunroof when the crew cab is specced, and 8.0- or 9.0-inch touchscreens are available for when you arent stargazing. Under the hood is Nissans trusty 5.6-litre V8 engine, now producing 400 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is connected to a new nine-speed automatic transmission two more gears than previous. A 3.69:1 axle ratio also gives the truck a little more leverage when the going gets tough. Its also helped to knock almost a second off the 80-to-110 km/h time.Safety is a big concern with any vehicle, and Nissan is stepping its game up in the 2020 Titan. Eight airbags now come standard, as well as Safety Shield 360, which includes forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and automatic high-beam headlights. Surround-view camera, traffic-sign-recognition, and adaptive cruise control are also available.The truck was unveiled at a state fair in Texas, a place that knows a thing or two about trucks. It will be made available to customers in early
Origin: The 2020 Nissan Titan just got an update to its styling and performance
The 2020 Mitsubishi RVR starts at $22,998 in Canada
The 2020 Mitsubishi RVRMitsubishi Mitsubishi is cramming more advanced tech into its popular RVR sport utility while keeping prices competitive at a low starting MSRP of $22,998 in Canada.A refreshed exterior, 8-inch display, safety features like blind-spot monitoring and the brands All Wheel Control (AWC) system are now available at prices lower than theyve been before, and on the Mitsubishis best-selling model, too.The base price is attached to the five-passenger ES FWD trim, which includes bits like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a large rear-view camera, heated front seats, heated power side-view mirrors, and a suite of safety features. AWC on the small SUV can be had on an ES AWC trim that starts at $25,498; while the ranges biggest seller, the SEL AWC, with a 168-hp 2.4-litre instead of the base 2.0 litre, starts at $29,798.The range is topped by a GT AWC that adds a panoramic roof, leather seats and a 710-Watt Rockford Fosgate sound system; it starts at $33,998.The 2020 RVR gets new styling fronted by the brands Dynamic Shield grille; plus three new colours. Mitsubishi has sold almost 59,000 RVRs in Canada since it was launched in
Origin: The 2020 Mitsubishi RVR starts at $22,998 in Canada
Trans-Canada Highway may be built right over Nova Scotia sinkhole: report
In this file photo, construction continues on the Connecting Link section of Highway 101 in northern Ontario.Len Gillis / Postmedia Network Back in May, this publication wrote about a sinkhole threatening the main road leading into the town of Oxford, Nova Scotia. At the time, your author also included an image from Google Maps, highlighting a trio of areas that seemed to indicate the problem could spread to the nearby Trans-Canada Highway.Now, nearly half a calendar year later, it seems other people including the Department of Transportation have begun to pick up on the problem as well.According to aerial photographs collected by the CBC dating back to the 1930s, there is the potential for sinkhole calamity to rear its head underneath a busy part of the Nova Scotia highway.Looking at the CBC photos, its clear that stretch of highway was built over something whether it was a sinkhole or small pond is currently up for debate. However, the general understanding is that when the link was built nearly fifty years ago, common roadbuilding techniques would have had construction crews simply fill the offending area with rocks and gravel. An animation of aerial photographs of the affected area, compiled by the CBC National Air Photo Library and Brett Ruskin / CBC If the spot is indeed a sinkhole a reasonable assumption given the topographical challenges nearby that decision could spell disaster if the floor of the sinkhole shifts, something sinkholes tend to do.These days, building around or over a sinkhole isnt too much of a problem, as construction of a special bridge will shift the roadways weight away from the trouble spot. This author travels this section of highway several times a month, and can confidently assert there is no bridge of any kind on the main part of the TCH in this area, sinkhole-proof or otherwise.Local politicians are calling on other levels of government to step up and help solve this issue before it becomes a problem. The provincial transportation department has committed to an in-depth geotechnical investigation over the next few weeks, but asserts there has been no significant changes in the topography over the years. Its worth noting that the nearby community of Springhill was a mining town for ages.Alert readers will note there rarely are significant changes before a major sinkhole event, given that the significant change usually rears its head at the moment all the ground gives way. Caretakers at the Corvette Museum can attest to that
Origin: Trans-Canada Highway may be built right over Nova Scotia sinkhole: report
Ford’s new 2020 Super Duty can tow 37,000 lbs, thanks to 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque
The 2020 F-Series Super Duty is delivering next-level capability in an all-new way – the Tremor Off-Road Package. Tremor pushes the boundaries of Super Duty off-road capability with new hardware and tech to handle rough terrain, providing greater towing and payload than Ram Power Wagon. This is the most capable off-road Super Duty ever. Fords new 2020 Super Duty has taken the title for best-in-class towing, the automaker says, boasting its truck can haul a maximum 37,000 lbs (16,782 kg) on a gooseneck trailer.Equip your pickup with the venerable 6.7-litre Power Stroke diesel and you should theoretically be able to lug 32,500 lbs (14,741 kg) if youre using a fifth wheel; or 24,200 lbs (10,976 kg) via a conventional hitch.The mill pulls it off thanks to 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque.The Super Duty also comes available with a 6.2-litre gasoline V8, good for 385 hp and 430 lb.-ft. of torque, which give it a best-in-class payload rating of 7,850 lbs (3,560 kg), Ford says. Finally, theres the new 7.3-litre gasoline V8, which boasts some pretty big output figures 430 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque but no class-leading moving-things capabilities, apparently. Specific payload and max towing capacities for all engines vary depending on body style and axle ratio.The 2020 Super Duty should hit Ford dealerships later this
Origin: Ford’s new 2020 Super Duty can tow 37,000 lbs, thanks to 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque
Texas tuner Hennessey to hit Porsche Taycan with style and performance upgrades
A rendering of the 2020 Hennessey Porsche TaycanHennessey Performance Hennessey Performance in Texas is known for adding gobs of horsepower to new muscle cars most people assumed already had more output than they needed.But the tuner is planning to tackle its first electric vehicle next year in the form of the 2020 Porsche Taycan sedan.While past efforts have seen them crack the 1,000-hp mark with a 1,200-horse Shelby Mustang GT500; or add an extra axle to the Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss, were not certain you should expect any of those enhancements on the battery-driven Hennessey Taycan.All we know for certain is that theyll throw some wheel, tire and interior enhancements on the thing, reports Car and Driver, as well as new front and rear fascias. But it wouldnt be a Hennessey if the firm didnt also bump up the wattage coming out of the Taycans motors, right? Like some other electric performance vehicles, the Taycan is already plenty darn quick, so well see what one can do once it passes through Texas.Development of the Hennessey Taycan will begin in earnest once the first cars hit the U.S. in early
Origin: Texas tuner Hennessey to hit Porsche Taycan with style and performance upgrades
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