Nick Tragianis: Dont you just hate it whenever you step out of the shopping mall, look to the parking lot, and your car is lost in a seemingly endless sea of crossovers? Well, like it or not, this new breed of people-movers are here to stay, the segment absolutely exploding in popularity over the last few years, particularly among the luxury subset.Land Rover mustve seen this coming. The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, now in its second generation, has been a consistently hot seller since its introduction in 2011. Oh, its still relatively small potatoes compared with the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, but the Evoque has proven itself as an established contender in the small luxury crossover segment. Weve also seen countless newcomers over the years vying for a delicious slice of that market share, particularly the Cadillac XT4: This is entirely new ground for the storied Detroit automaker, and its about time it certainly took GM long enough to offer up a small, luxury crossover. But the question remains, does the XT4 have the goods to go toe to toe against the established players in the segment?Brian Harper: Well that, my young friend, would depend on your definition of goods. Sales? Absolutely. For a brand-new model, the XT4 is doing quite well, handily outselling the Evoque for the first six months of 2019, although that could be partially attributed to the Land Rover factory ramping up production and getting the junior Range Rover to market. Price? That would also be a yes. Cadillac is being very aggressive with the XT4s MSRP, not just against the Evoque, but versus much of the competition in the compact luxury segment. And the loaded XT4 Sport testers $59,365 price is significantly more affordable when compared with the equally loaded Evoque P300 HSE $71,200 sticker. How about size? Again, the Cadillac enjoys an advantage; the XT4 is a slightly larger, more passenger-friendly crossover when compared with the truly compact-sized Range Rover. Yet, when it comes to luxury not just the features and content but also the sensation, the feeling of being something special? Quantitatively and qualitatively, the Cadillac is not in the same league. Agree?NT: Youre on the mark. On paper, the XT4 has the goods. A 2.0-litre turbo-four is standard, putting out 237 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Thats hooked up to an eight-speed automatic and, in the case of this particular tester, all-wheel drive is standard. Take note, though: The XT4 defaults to FWD and stays that way unless youve toggled the appropriate drive mode. And if you want the base, $34,400 XT4, youre stuck with FWD. In practice, though, the XT4 isnt exceptionally impressive, but it isnt egregiously offensive, either. Its simply adequate it wont leave you wanting for more power when, say, youre merging onto the highway, but overall acceleration just feels tepid. It rides well enough, too, but the XT4 is a bit firm over the roughest of pavement, expansion joints and potholes.Its a bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison to the Evoque, though, isnt it? Our particular tester was the fully loaded P300 HSE flavour: Although it technically uses the same 2.0-litre turbo-four as the base Evoque P250, you get a big bump in output (and price). The nearly $10,000 price difference is almost worth it, though the Evoque makes excellent use out of its 296 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. <img
Origin: SUV Comparison: 2019 Cadillac XT4 vs. 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P300 HSE
2020
First Drive: 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, M8
2020 BMW M8Handout / BMW FARO, Portugal Located in Portimao, Algavre Motorsports Park has a 4.7-kilometre circuit that is demanding and very fast. Its a track that really exploits the handling characteristics good or bad of anything challenging its paved surface. If theres anything wonky about a cars handling, itll come out somewhere along the undulating, serpentine and high-speed course.Halfway through my track session, my 2020 BMW M8 Coupe Competition tester has exhibited nothing but stellar road-holding. Its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 claims 617 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. of torque, an increase of 94 horses over the M850i xDrive Coupe and 17 more than the non-Competition M8). That brute power drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic, and transforms the circuits nearly kilometre-long front straight into a short chute between turns.It also drops a half second from the M850is zero-to-100 km/h time, to 3.2 seconds. Brakes haul it down hard repeatedly from more than 240 km/h without fading, though they are the optional, $9,500 carbon-ceramic brakes. Even after Im asked via radio to turn off the stability control something Ive never before been asked to do during a track test of a road-legal car it reveals no faults, at least none when considering it weighs a hefty 1,960 kilograms.What prompted my hosts to allow a track session free of electronic intervention was their confidence in the M8s AWD system and its electronically controlled Active M rear differential, both of which contribute greatly to the cars turning ability via torque vectoring. Despite its weight, it steered precisely, readily forgave driver-induced miscues, and if coaxed into understeering, a harder push on the gas pedal pulled the front end back in. This is the same car or at least, the carbon-fibred hardtop variation of the M8 Cabriolet Competition that brought me to the track in near coddling comfort. While the ride is firm in Comfort mode, and sharp jolts upset cabin serenity when hitting sharp bumps, its nonetheless relatively compliant. In that same mode the engine is smooth, quiet and almost docile if driven accordingly in town. Switching to Sport or Sport Plus firms up the suspension considerably, and returns an angry snarl, especially if you hammer the throttle along your favourite back road.From the drivers seat of any of the M8 models youll see an uncluttered digital instrument cluster with speedometer and tachometer dials flanking a configurable central display, as well in the standard heads-up display. BMWs iDrive displays control buttons in a sidebar on the left of 10.25-inch touchscreen located atop the centre stack. The screen can be tailored to display navigational, infotainment and car setting info, and it works like a tablet, allowing you to swipe across for different tabs.The driver-centric cockpit is surrounded in warm and inviting materials, cueing you to the M8s blend of luxury with performance. The instruments and controls are logically laid out, and the front seats are comfortable and have deep side bolsters for added support when cornering hard. Of course, the rear seats are there mostly for appearance, since rear quarters are cramped and access is difficult. But if you want more room for passengers, BMW would gladly steer you toward the 8 Series Gran Coupe.M8 pricing starts at $151,000 for the Coupe and $160,500 for the Cabriolet. If the M8 Competition isnt exclusive enough, Canada will be the only market worldwide to get the M8 Individual Manufaktur Edition, which commemorate the M8 prototype of the early 1990s. Based on the M8 Coupe Competition, only 20 will be built, in exclusive exterior colours, interior finishes, and lots of carbon fibre, for $198,0008 Series Gran CoupeI get confused when manufacturers call sedans, coupes. Traditionally, a coupe has two doors and a sedan has four. Sounds simple enough, yet somehow adding a sloping roofline to a sedan magically transforms it into a four-door coupe. Call it what you will, but the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupes sloping roof does give it a flowing, streamlined, and sexy silhouette, as well as a sportier presence than a stately luxury sedan.From the outside, the Gran Coupe looks great from any angle, with near perfect proportions. The interior follows through with rich materials and a cockpit identical to its two-door sibling. Its the second set of doors that sets the Gran Coupe apart from the coupe, making access to the rear seats easy. With a 200-millimetre longer wheelbase, the Gran Coupe also has much more rear seat room a six-footer such as myself can sit back there without slouching to clear the sloping roof, though you can barely slip the palm of your hand in the space between your scalp and the headliner.Our test drive is in the M840i Gran Coupe, which we wont be getting in Canada. It gets a power from a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, claiming 335 hp and 369 lb.-ft. What will be available in Canada is the
Origin: First Drive: 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, M8
First Drive: 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel, 2500 Power Wagon
2020 Ram 1500 RebelDerek McNaughton / Driving Callaghan Valley, B.C. A large boulder normally sits on the upper trail leading to Sproatt Cabin, a tiny but breathtaking log abode nested in the alpine near Whistler. Its usually accessible only by snowmobile, ATV, skis or a serious hike, yet today, with the boulder mechanically moved aside, we drove to the summit in trucks.Not just any trucks, mind you. The 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel and 2500 Power Wagon two of the most off-road-ready pickups you can get right off the showroom floor became our steeds for this journey in an effort to prove these two pickups were not just about big grilles and badging, but that underneath those sculpted hoods were half tons and three quarter tons capable of conquering terrain better suited to a lifted Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.That much was evident by bush so narrow that the sides of these $60,000-plus pickups were constantly being scrubbed by branches that clawed at the paint more like brushes in an automatic car wash. It was clear, too, in the perilous drop offs, that the big rocks, steep inclines, tight turns, scraped trees, the muddy and greasy and water-laden path that would be a challenge even to the knobbiest-tired ATV. Yet onward and upward the trucks marched, like snowcats of the dirt. Introduced in the Second World War as a weapons carrier, the Power Wagon is known to many as the first mass produced 44, replete with a 10,000-pound winch and two-speed transfer case. Many of those old rigs are still around and still working. About 95,000 trucks were built from 1945 to 1968, all in the original 1945 cab style. The model was revived in 2005.Today, the big winch remains a trademark of the Power Wagon, upgraded to 12,000 pounds; the former steel winch cable is now a unique synthetic line with a much higher breaking strength. A manual transfer case also remains, but it shifts on the fly for those panic situations where momentum must absolutely be maintained. Identified by its factory two-inch lift, unique grille, roof lights, wheel flares, and glaring decals that can be optionally deleted thank goodness there really is little else like Rams Power Wagon in the HD class. The closest rival, perhaps, is the GMC Sierra 2500 AT4, itself a formidable machine for the backcountry (and available with a heavier diesel engine).The Power Wagon, available only with a six-foot-four-inch box and only as a Crew Cab, is limited to one engine choice as well a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque, and mated to a ZF eight speed automatic. But it sounds great, feels remarkably smooth, and pulls with impressive grunt. Riding on 33-inch Goodyear DuraTrac AT tires on 17-inch wheels, the Power Wagon also wears enough under armour to lead all of Scotland into battle. More importantly, it has electronic-locking front and rear Tru-Lok differentials, hill-descent control, tow hooks, specially tuned Bilstein shocks in the front and rear, and, like the Jeep Rubicons, it employs an electronically disconnecting front sway bar that allows for 26 inches of wheel travel to keep the truck from being tippy when going over large rocks. The sway bar can be disengaged in 4WD high or 4WD low below 29 km/h. A 4.10 rear axle ratio is also standard.All of which pretty much makes the Power Wagon an ideal partner for not only logging, fire, or tree-planting crews, but also heli-ski and ski operators, outdoor adventure camps or lodges, hydro-line and tree planting crews, conservation officers, park wardens, trail builders, weekend off-roaders anyone whose work or play takes them to some of the more extreme parts of our world. Starting at $64,245, the Power Wagon can also take those who might never venture into the back forty but want to know they have all the capability of doing so should the moment ever arise in high luxury. A more basic Tradesman Power Wagon, without the decals and menacing grille, is available for industrial or fleet users.But for those who want it all, Rams brilliant, 12-inch Uconnect screen is an option that comes with leather seats and 17-speaker stereo in an interior that looks and feels plenty opulent with excellent storage. A 360-camera and Ramboxes are also options on the HD and half-ton.And to be honest, while the Power Wagon does ride plenty stiff, and it sure is a tall climb to get up into the saddle, it also returns a remarkable tolerant ride. The five-link rear coil suspension removes a lot of the truckiness that normally comes with an HD truck with leaf springs. The rear suspension is also designed with joints that allow for plenty of travel for greater axle articulation. Power is excellent, the steering decently weighted, the brakes over big 14.1-inch rotors reacting with good pedal feel. Towing is decent enough at 10,620 pounds, but payload is a bit light at 1,510 pounds.On the lighter side, the 2020 Ram Rebel half-ton gets many of the same off-road features as the Power Wagon,
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel, 2500 Power Wagon
SUV Review: 2020 Mitsubishi RVR
2020 Mitsubishi RVRChris Balcerak OVERVIEW A surprisingly complete package from Mitsubishi PROSHandling, ride, interior décor, all-wheel-drive CONSinfotainment a little basic VALUE FOR MONEYExcellent compared with some of the faux-by-fauxs out there WHAT TO CHANGE?Eventually it’s going to need a total redesign. For now it’s soldiering on admirably. HOW TO SPEC IT?I could easily do without the booming bass of the Rockford Fosgate audio system and save a few bucks. I’d probably get the SEL AWC trim that costs $29,798. The RVR is Mitsubishi’s best vehicle. By that I mean that it’s the company’s most complete package, the Mitsu nameplate that best competes against those in its segment, has the fewest consumer-facing flaws and, most importantly, offers key features otherwise unavailable in its class. You’ll note that I didn’t say that, despite the RVR being the company’s best-selling vehicle (some 6,229 RVRs finding homes in Canada last year), it’s Mitsu’s most desirable product. That title, despite a few flaws (an aging interior, slightly wonky infotainment system and middling looks), remains the Outlander PHEV, mainly by dint of being the industry’s only affordable plug-in SUV. Being in a class of one means you’re also the star pupil and the hybridized Outlander is not only setting the sales charts ablaze but winning converts to electrification and Mitsubishi.That’s not to say the RVR does not also offer unique features. My significant other, who knows a thing or two about hardcore off-roading, loves the RVR for its truck-iness. By that she means — and it does lose something in the translation from colloquial Quebecois to prim and proper English — there’s a sense of robustness about the Mitsu lacking in so many of the subcompact segment’s faux-by-fauxs. Mitsubishi calls the revisions “robust” and “ingenious.” I don’t know about the latter, but the former is certainly apparent, the RVR quite easily the butchest looking among subcompact sport cutes. Effective and efficient powertrainNor is said purposefulness completely illusory. Unlike most of the competitors — I’d say all, but I’m worried I’ve missed some off-brand — the RVR offers the segment’s only lockable 4WD system. Yes, just like the big boys — you know, real sport brutes can be negotiated with all four wheels driving forward. I’m not sure how many people need a lockable four-wheel-drive system in this segment. I’m not even sure how many people shopping compact SUVs know what lockable 4WD is or what its benefits are. But the RVR’s All-Wheel-Control system offers it. It’s good to have around in emergencies and Mitsubishi’s RVR has it, at least in GT spec. Said GT AWC model is also powered by the better — that should be read larger — of the RVR’s two available engines. While the 2.4L four cylinder’s 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque are only middling, its actual performance is not. Always torquey, always responsive, the sportiest of the RVR’s always has plenty of git-up-and-go as well as a reserve of passing power. No, it’s not a Ferrari. Or even Civic Type R for that matter. But combined with Mitsubishi’s latest INVECSIII CVT transmission, there’s plenty of pep. It is also, except when said CVT occasionally hunts for “gears”, quite civilized. And, as for fuel economy, talk about truth in advertising: Mitsubishi rates the GT versions of the RVR at 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, almost exactly the 9.6 L/100 km I averaged.Ditto for the handling, which, though unchanged for 2020, speaks to a chassis well sorted. There’s nothing special here folks, just a MacPherson struts up front and an independent multi-link system in the rear, but it tracks well, isn’t particularly squishy and still manages a decent ride. A step above most subcompact crossovers, in other words. Interior upgradesInside, the RVR is pretty nice, especially this GT format, though if one were looking for criticisms, some of the plastic trim isn’t quite up to Toyota’s synthetics. That said, the build quality is excellent, with panel gaps minimal and uniform, the leather seat covering is quite elegant and the new infotainment system, now with a larger screen, adds a touch of modernity. The GT option offers a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with subwoofers that rival the Bose 901s that used to pound out the bass in the discotheques of my youth. Said infotainment is also simply and well laid out. That said, I did encounter one anomaly. Whenever I received a call to my bluetoothed phone, as soon as I “picked up,” the radio would start blaring some country station at top decibels. My SO was sure I was exaggerating or somehow screwing up some of what she never tires of reminding me is simple technology. That is, until she was in the car when someone phoned and she was greeted by the dulcet plaints of Billy Ray Cyrus. I never did figure that one out. Credit one for the dark side of electronics then.As for the rest of the
Origin: SUV Review: 2020 Mitsubishi RVR
Nissan Micra discontinued in Canada for 2020
2019 Nissan Micra SPeter Bleakney / Driving Nissans budget-minded hatchback and Canadian racing series star, the Micra, will be discontinued after 2019.The subcompact car has served the entry-level market well since 2014, and delivered on what we intended Micra to do in its life cycle in Canada, which was expand the segment and bring new customers to the Nissan brand, Nissan spokesperson Claudianne Godin confirmed to autoTRADER.ca.Production of the Canadian vehicle will end in Mexico in December of 2019, apparently so Nissan can focus on other lower-priced models in its lineup like the Kicks and Sentra.Nissan says it has enough stock to hold the company over until the end of 2020, however, so if you still want to get your hands on the small hatch, you have time. The small vehicles biggest selling point was a price tag just over $10,000, a measure the next-generation Micra will not be able to match, says Godin. Thats why the fifth-generation vehicle simply wont be sold in Canada instead.Powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 109 horsepower, the small vehicle was more than adequate as cheap transportation for the masses. With a five-speed manual transmission, it was fun, too.As for the Canada-only Nissan Cup racing series, Godin says the 2020 season will be completely consistent with previous years Micra Cup in terms of execution and engagement with fans and
Origin: Nissan Micra discontinued in Canada for 2020
Fisker to show electric SUV prototype in January 2020
American start-up company Fisker will show a ‘production-intent prototype’ of its upcoming electric SUV in January 2020, according to a tweet by the firm’s founder Henrik Fisker. The American-Danish entrepeneur also confirmed that the new model’s name will be officially revealed later this week, and that the production variant will only be available via a ‘flexible lease’ plan, with no long-term contract necessary. Next week. Announcement: name of the sustainable luxury electric Fisker SUV , together with other info.#Fisker #Sustainable #ClimateChange #ElectricCar #Automotive #cleanenergy #CleanUp #cool #technews @FiskerInc pic.twitter.com/OGVUHFWBwD — Henrik Fisker (@henrikfisker) October 27, 2019 Preview images shows that the Tesla Model Y rival will ride high and feature modern, utilitarian styling. Flared arches hint at the EV’s performance potential, while narrow headlights and chrome detailing are a nod to the brand’s 2018 Emotion concept. Like the Model Y, the as-yet-unnamed Fisker will be priced from less than $40,000 (£30,200) in the US. It features what the firm calls “captivating design touches that have been traditionally reserved for supercars in the past”. Confirmed styling details include a front-mounted radar in place of a grille, a large front air intake, flared wheel arches and a futuristic headlight design. Performance details haven’t been revealed, but an 80kWh lithium ion battery pack is claimed to provide of a range of nearly 300 miles. The car will be available in four-wheel-drive form with an electric motor mounted on each axle. Fisker hints at the presence of a targa-style removable roof section, stating that “with the touch of a button, an extended open-air atmosphere will be made possible without compromising the rugged and safe structural integrity of an SUV”. It also claims the interior will offer class-leading space and feature a large head-up display and an intelligent user interface. Henrik Fisker previously said the new model will take the form of “a desirable, luxuriously rugged and green vehicle that’s accessible to people across the US and the world”. It’s not yet confirmed where the new model will be produced, but Fisker said prototype testing will begin before the end of this year. The company is also at work on developing solid-state battery technology, which it says would allow its vehicles to gain 500 miles worth of charge in as little as one minute. Fisker Inc. was formed in 2016, succeeding the bankrupted Fisker Automotive company that launched the Karma range-extender electric luxury saloon – now re-engineered and on sale as the Karma Revero – in
Origin: Fisker to show electric SUV prototype in January 2020
The next-gen 2020 Volkswagen Golf is going high-tech inside, low-key out
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk. 8 as revealed late October a day after just about every press photo of the thing leaked online and while it hasnt changed much outside, the inside has been revamped completely.The new eighth-generation Golf is a real looker, even if its dimensions are almost the same as the outgoing car. Slightly lower and longer, its still instantly recognizable as the classic hatch.The Mk. 8 has slimmer headlights and a revised, smaller grille; but the VW logo is as prominent as ever, and cuts into the hood like on a classic Golf. The two-door body style is gone for good, but a wagon may still be on its way for Europe.The interior has also been revised, with a new flat-bottom steering wheel and a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster. A free-standing infotainment screen sits atop the stepped dash with illuminated accents. Digital sliders replace buttons and knobs, as does optional voice control. There is nothing traditional about this Golfs dashboard, in short.Furthermore, the car will have built in V2X, or vehicle-to-infrastructure, communication; and will be updated with over-the-air improvements to its s 2.0-litreoftware. Europe will be seeing a wide range of engines on the Golf order sheets, including three gas ones in the form of a 90- or 110-horsepower 1.0-litre three-cylinder; a 130- and 150-hp 1.5L mild hybrid with cylinder deactivation; or a 2.0L four-cylinder.Theres also a 115- and 150-hp TDI diesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder available overseas, but if that wasnt enough, VWs confirmed a GTD trim with a 200-hp TDI; two plug-in hybrids with 204 or 245 horsepower; and a natural-gas-driven TGI. Oh, and you can option all-wheel-drive, too.Before you get too excited, not any of these engines or cars have been confirmed for Canada quite yet. All we should expect as of now is a GTI trim (with a 240-hp 2.0-litre four) and an even more powerful Golf R, though the timeline on both is uncertain. (2021 is a good guess.) There are hints the plug-in hybrid could wind up here, too.Volkswagen may show off the cars coming to our shores sometime next year, and if it does, well make sure to let you
Origin: The next-gen 2020 Volkswagen Golf is going high-tech inside, low-key out
The next-gen 2020 Volkswagen Golf totally leaked ahead of its debut
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk. 8 was leaked late October ahead of its debut. But not just like a low-res teaser thumbnail. Man, we can see everything.The leak comes courtesy of German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine, which apparently was so excited about the new car of the people it posted it a whole day before it was supposed to be released.At any rate, were glad theres a new Golf, and this new, eighth generation is a real looker. Still instantly recognizable as the classic hatch, the Mk. 8 has slimmer headlights and a revised, smaller grille. The VW logo is as prominent as ever, and cuts into the hood like on a classic Golf.The interior has also been revised, with a new flat-bottom steering wheel and a digital gauge cluster. A free-standing infotainment screen sits atop the stepped dash with illuminated accents. Full specs are still to be revealed, but reportedly the vehicle will come with a wide range of engines, at least in Europe, including a 1.0-litre three-cylinder; 1.5- and 2.0-liter four-cylinders are also coming. A 1.5-litre Compressed Natural Gas unit and an assortment of 2.0-litre diesel models may also be on the table.Obviously, we can expect a GTI version of this new Golf as well, due out next year. The GTI will feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 232 horsepower, but higher-horsepower variants will be out soon, too, including a 286-horsepower GTI Cup; and a 325-horsepower Golf
Origin: The next-gen 2020 Volkswagen Golf totally leaked ahead of its debut
New 2020 Audi RS3 to take fight to AMG with 394bhp
Following recent sightings of Audi’s new A3 undergoing testing, our spy photographers have caught the hardcore RS3 variant in public for the first time. The range-topping hot hatch is set to take its power from the same five-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the latest generation RS Q3 performance SUV. That unit’s 394bhp output will make the RS3 one of the most powerful cars in its segment, save for the 416bhp S variant of the Mercedes-AMG A45. The RS3 is likely to improve upon the larger RS Q3’s 4.5sec 0-62mph time, potentially taking it below four seconds, and could also be capable of beating the SUV’s 174mph top speed, although Audi’s RS models are traditionally electronically limited to 155mph as standard. The prototype in these images wears extensive camouflage, but we can see the RS3 will feature a number of unique design elements aimed at differentiating itself from the standard model, which is due to launch at the beginning of 2020. The performance model’s alloy wheels are considerably larger than any we’ve seen on A3 prototypes, and are wrapped in much lower-profile tyres. The RS3’s performance potential is further hinted at by a set of large ventilated brake discs and a pair of classic RS-style large-bore exhaust pipes. The front end features the latest iteration of Audi’s corporate grille design, with the aggressive lower air intake styling aping that of the new RS6 flagship and facelifted RS4. Notable by its absence is the prominent chrome trim that featured on the sides and rear of the 2020 A3 prototype we saw most recently. It remains unclear as to whether this design element will make production for any A3 variant, but Audi’s exterior design boss Andreas Mindt has already promised ‘big-time’ exterior design changes for the model. Audi is yet to confirm a launch date for the RS3, but it can be expected to follow some way behind the A3, which will break cover at March’s Geneva motor show. Audi Sport’s line of RS performance models is as varied as it has ever been, with performance variants of the TT, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, Q3 and Q3 Sportback currently on offer. The range will soon be headed up by a new RS Q8 flagship, which is set to pack around 670bhp from the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s electrified
Origin: New 2020 Audi RS3 to take fight to AMG with 394bhp
First Drive: 2020 Subaru Outback
2020 Subaru OutbackBrian Harper / Driving WHITEHORSE, Yukon Although its sales in Canada currently have it in third place in behind the Crosstrek and Forester, the Subaru Outback remains the manufacturers most iconic nameplate, as well as its most successful marketing coup taking a Legacy station wagon, jacking it up, adding on some macho body cladding, larger wheels and mud flaps, and then having Australian actor Paul Hogan (a.k.a. Crocodile Dundee) pitch it in commercials. Beating the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 to market by a year or two, the public, sensing the need for compact, all-wheel-drive, winter-friendly transportation, ate it up.Twenty-five years later, the sixth generation version makes its debut, having long ago lost most of the plastic cladding that identified its predecessors, yet retaining the core attributes far more car-like ride and handling than the bulk of its crossover rivals, paired to characteristics that define both the Outback and Subaru, including standard full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive, 220 millimetres of ground clearance, and Subarus standard X-Mode assist with hill descent control.Of course, Subaru, not wanting to upset its very loyal customer base who, according to the companys marketing gurus, loath change for the sake of change has made sure the new model is instantly familiar to one and all. So, yes, the Outback is now packed with the latest in comfort, convenience and safety features, and its exterior dimensions and cargo room have increased slightly, though it retains the same wheelbase. But it looks a lot like the previous model which is to say, if you squint your eyes, its profile resembles a hiking boot.The standard 2.5-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine is familiar, albeit now thoroughly overhauled with 90 per cent new parts and putting out a few extra horses 182 horsepower, to be exact, plus 176 pound-feet of torque as well as direct injection and automatic start/stop for reduced emissions. The optional 3.6L six-cylinder from the previous two generations has been deep-sixed in favour of a more powerful, turbocharged 2.4L Boxer four-cylinder that pumps out a solid 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. (It should not come as a surprise that these same two engines are found in the equally new 2020 Legacy sedan.) Towing capacity also increases to 3,500 pounds from the four-cylinders 2,700. Conservatively restyled it might be, but the 2020 Outback is now built on the modular Subaru Global platform that, along with an increase in the use of structural adhesive and ultra-high tensile-strength steel, means a much stiffer car. Subaru claims torsional- and front-suspension rigidity increase 70 per cent and front lateral flexural- and rear-subframe rigidity increase 100 per cent compared to the previous Outbacks platform. So the car a $40,995 Premier model with the 2.5L engine was more than tough enough to handle what turned out to be remarkably smooth (and lightly travelled) highways. We headed south from Whitehorse, through northern B.C. and into Skagway, Alaska for lunch, just in time to bump into a horde of tourists coming ashore from two cruise ships.The Outback proved to be impressively quiet over the entire route, no matter the road surface. Equally notable was the crossovers ride and handling. The Outback offered up well-damped suspension and an agility bordering on jaunty the standard active torque vectoring holding up its end in the sweepers. The steering is light to the touch and a bit remote, though, seemingly more so in models with the turbo-four.As with the new Legacy we sampled a few weeks ago, the Outbacks 2.5L Boxer four is smoother and quieter than the engine in the previous-generation model. The issue is a paucity of solid mid-range urge, the engine requiring a solid prod of the gas pedal needed for passing pokier RVs on steeper, longer inclines. Stepping up to one of the XT trim levels, which comes with the turbo-four and an additional 78 horsepower, renders this issue moot. An added plus is that the turbo engine is engineered to perform on regular-grade 87 octane.After lunch, we grabbed the keys to the newest addition to the Outback model range the Outdoor XT ($38,695) touted by Subaru as the most off-road-ready version to date. Though the engine and transmission are the same as the other two XTs (Limited and Premier), the Outdoor gets dual-function X-Mode, which adds Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes to the equation. There are a few detail differences as well, including all-weather seat surfaces, heavy-duty floor mats, a front-view camera and a full-size spare tire instead of a doughnut. A quick off-road detour onto a hilly and rutted dirt trail showcased the Outdoors competency as far more than a suburban mall assault vehicle. Whether out adventuring or just heading to the local Dairy Queen for a milkshake and a burger, families get the peace of mind that comes from Subarus standard
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Subaru Outback
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