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.Alberta gov’t spokesperson gets hell for Tweet of grandfather using enclosed scooter on sidewalkSamantha Peck, Press Secretary to Alberta’s Associate Minister of Natural Gas, figured she was sharing a message the public could get behind when she Twitter-posted a video of her grandfather, who’d lost his license following a car accident two years ago, driving an enclosed scooter on a snowy sidewalk. But it turns out Twitterers were less happy about one man’s reclaimed freedom of mobility and much more concerned about the fact i) someone deemed unfit to drive a car on the roads was now basically driving one on the sidewalks; and ii) the video looked like it was shot by someone driving in a car. The Tweet has since been removed, but the question stands: do scooters that look like small cars belong on sidewalks? Take our poll here. BMW’s Halloween prank Tweet to Mercedes kinda backfiredNice one, @BMWUSA. That’s a really scary costume! Especially that radiator grille Daimler AG (@Daimler) October 31, 2019Feeling frisky on Halloween, BMW USA Tweeted out an image of a Mercedes-Benz wearing a ‘costume’ to make it look like a BMW, captioning the post “Now every car can dress up as its favourite superhero.” But M-B parent Daimler clapped back quickly, quipping “That’s a really scary costume! Especially that radiator grille…” Now, we say the Tweet only “kinda” backfired, because it only kinda fired to begin with. Partially because this is a heavy dad joke cloaked in some fancy Photoshop, and also because Pepsi did basically the exact same thing back in 2013. Dum-dum drivers close down Toronto highway to display sloppy drifting skills View this post on Instagram This is not only dangerous and illegal, it is disapointing when a mob mentality of hijacking a highway to make a scene like this is conducted. We are better than thisaren’t we? A post shared by Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@sgtkerryschmidt) on Nov 3, 2019 at 6:24pm PSTToronto police have shared a video of a group of young – let’s call it like it is, shall we? – idiots blocking a major highway in order to perform a bunch of sloppy donuts. The video shows a lineup of vehicles stopped by a crowd and waiting on Highway 409 as a few cars spin around on the road. The video’s caption reads “You car meetup mans are savages for closing down the highway like this…” The police re-captioned it: “We’re better than this…aren’t we?” The Bronco R prototype gives us a taste of truck to comeFord has revealed a Baja racing prototype of its upcoming Bronco SUV, providing the most in-depth look at what (might) be so far. The Bronco R is heading off to the Baja Peninsula to test its mettle and metals on the demanding off-road terrain. The prototype features a lightweight composite body with a clamshell hood and roof and body panels that throw back to the first-gen off-roader. Will the old-school design elements make it through to production? We’ll find out when the Bronco arrives next spring. Canada to get VW Mk. 8 Golf and ID.4 in 2021When the latest Golf debuted last month, it was unclear whether Canada and the U.S. would receive any trims other than the high-end GTI and R spec. But Volkswagen Canada recently confirmed that Canada will definitely be getting the base model Mk.8 Golf as well as the fully electric ID.4. Delivery of these products to the U.S. market on the other hand, is still TBD. The cars are expected to arrive in Canadian dealerships in 2021 as 2022
Origin: News Roundup: A sidewalk scooter scandal, BMW’s Halloween Tweet gone wrong and the Bronco R
Bronco
The new Ford Bronco will be revealed spring 2020
New Bronco Logo JPGFord In what has become the worlds longest automotive striptease, Ford this morning showed the new logo its using for the upcoming Bronco. Not the truck itself, mind you. Simply the logo.Well take this opportunity to remind our readers that Ford announced the development of this vehicle in January 2017, a full 32 months ago.Thats nearly 1,000 days, in case youre wondering, a period of time equivalent to how long itll take to get through all the leftover Halloween candy.The new Bronco logo will be immediately recognizable to anyone even tangentially aware of past versions of Fords SUV, with a kicking horse to the left of the trucks name. This time around, the script font was binned in favour of a heavy block type, which could be construed as an indicator of the Broncos toughness or some other sort of marketing dross.Eagle-eyed marketers will note that both front legs of the bucking horse are visible in the new logo, unlike the original badge. The animal is also jumping at a much steeper angle than any previous iteration, though none of these observations are of any use to gleaning details about the, yknow, actual vehicle.What we do know about the truck is mostly cobbled together from conjecture and speculation. A bevy of patent applications strongly suggest the new Bronco will have removable doors and roof in similar vein as the Jeep Wrangler.All signs point to a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine under its flat hood, possibly backed by an optional manual transmission. The latter isnt completely out of the question, by the way, nor is a three-door model in addition to the five-door. Expect some trims to come equipped with tires sized to compete with a Wrangler Rubicon.At least we now have a firm(ish) date for the trucks reveal, suggesting we are now closer to its appearance than that 2017
Origin: The new Ford Bronco will be revealed spring 2020
Bronco patent docs suggest even the roll cage will be removable
Ford has filed patent documents for a removable roof and roll cage, apparently for the upcoming Bronco, giving us our best look yet at the new SUV.According to patent documents discovered by AutoGuide’s AllFordMustangs.com arm, the Bronco will have a removable hard top and a removable cage, allowing for a to provide an open-air driving experience.The Bronco is looking to compete directly with the Jeep Wrangler, which means it will have to offer a similar open-top experience. However, the Wrangler only has a removable roof, not a removable roll cage like these patents suggest the Ford might get.The documents show a cage that attaches to the B- and C-pillars behind the doors, and that can be removed with just a few bolts. The patent documents also give us a better look at the bodywork of the new truck, showing off the square styling the Bronco is known for.In order for the truck to comply with safety regulations with the roof and cage off, there will be smaller pillar posts to retain the third seatbelt mounting point. Ford calls these removable belt posts, and they attach to the pillars as well as the floor to offer more strength.The removable cage could offer some problems for off-roading fans, as the Bronco will undoubtedly be taken out on the trails. A cage is usually required to be completely attached to the frame to offer proper protection, but well just have to see if Ford can come up with a safe enough system for the final production
Origin: Bronco patent docs suggest even the roll cage will be removable
Is this a Ford Bronco pickup — and with a removable roof?
Fords upcoming new Bronco might morph into a pickup truck with a removable roof, putting it nose-to-nose with the Jeep Gladiator, at least according to some newly-unearthed patent drawings.According to Ford Authority, the patents show a truck that appears to be the Ford Ranger yes, the same midsize that will donate its platform to the Bronco sport-utility.The patent shows a removable hardtop, with a windshield header, rear body structure and roof cap that clamps on.The patent application says the roof caps mounting system would allow it to be installed or removed by one person, a tougher job that takes two on a Jeep. The patents include a version with a sliding rear window.Previously-discovered Ford patents show a vehicle, believed to be the Bronco, with removable doors. Theyd undoubtedly be included alongside a take-off top, allowing a Bronco pickup to shed doors and roof as the Gladiator can. Putting a removable roof on the Bronco sport-ute would also put it in the same category as the completely-openable Wrangler. Given that the Wrangler begat the Gladiator, were pretty sure Ford wont turn down an opportunity for its Bronco to similarly shift into a truck as well.As youd expect, Ford isnt saying a word about the patent drawings. Were not even sure when the Bronco will formally break ground, although it may happen at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in late November the same venue where, at the 2018 edition, the Gladiator made its first appearance, bumping up over a set of stairs on its way to the
Origin: Is this a Ford Bronco pickup — and with a removable roof?
More patents further hint new Ford Bronco could have removable doors
1966 Ford Bronco ICON DerelictIcon Tom Petty once sang that waiting is the hardest part. Hes exactly right especially when it comes to the new Ford Bronco.It seems like an eternity since the company announced the trucks return in Detroit nearly three years ago. Since then, weve been kept alive with the dribs and drabs of teasers and leaks.The latest leak comes courtesy of the sharp eyes at AutoGuide, who have found patent drawings which seemingly confirm rumours the new Bronco will have removable doors in addition to a removable top. These drawings depict a squared-off SUV with, to put it mildly, a free-flow interior.Binning the doors on command would be a great feature, one that until now was reserved for owners of Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators. Nothing is certain, of course, especially since car companies frequently patent ideas and never use them for any number of reasons. But even the possibility of a door-less Bronco gets us jonesing to visit a Blue Oval dealer post-haste.Also buried in these patent drawings is a nifty method of providing side protection for occupants. It seems that the company is developing some sort of remote inflator, one which could be permanently fixed in the door pillar but fire its charge some distance to inflate a bag located inside a set of rugged tubular doors.The filings suggest this could be accomplished by way of a stout-but-telescopic bar equipped with strategically placed holes. As for the rest of this new Ford, well have to wait like everyone else. Your author found a listing at Canadian Tire, of all places, suggesting the 2021 Bronco will have a 2.3-litre four-banger under its hood, a mill which likely shares much with that found in the Ranger.This man is also willing to bet money a removable roof, or at least removable roof panels, will be in the offing on Bronco, along with off-road kit from the Ranger
Origin: More patents further hint new Ford Bronco could have removable doors
Man spends daughter’s college fund on 1972 Ford Bronco he used to own
Gateway Broncos Fuelie edition recreation 1966-1973 A Reddit user who took money earmarked for his six-month-old daughters college fund to buy back 1972 Bronco petitioned others asking whether or not he did the right thing.User my1972pony had, as a teenager, a classic 1972 Ford Bronco his dad bought for him he would drive it to high school, and had lots of great memories tied to the truck.He and his dad would spend hours working on it, found a real true passion in the off-roader, and it even brought him and his father back together after a rough patch.When he was 19 however, he decided to sell the Bronco, and two months later his dad died of a heart attack.AITA for using money we earmarked for our 6 month olds college fund to buy back the exact 1972 Ford Bronco I owned as a teenager? https://t.co/GuSTnLs3QC pic.twitter.com/A5BL4Z7ShV relationships.txt (@redditships) July 27, 2019Fast-forward to 2019, and my1972pony gets married and has a daughter, and one day while driving through the warehouse district, spots a Bronco that closely resembled the one he used to own. Way back when, he and his dad glued a penny under the dash, and when the seller let him check for it, the penny was there, confirming this was indeed his high school ride.A deal was made for US$23,000, and he drove his high school car back home.It sounds like a heartwarming story between a man and his reconnection with the last memories of his father until you realize that $12,000 of that money was given to him by his wifes parents to set up a college fund for their daughter.Eventually, his mother bailed him out on the college fund. That should fix everything, right? Maybe, if he hadnt lied to his wife and said he sold the car to get the money back. Sorry dude, you messed up this
Origin: Man spends daughter’s college fund on 1972 Ford Bronco he used to own
Ford Bronco may be powered by Ranger’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost
The all-new Ford Bronco will be one of eight SUVs in Ford’s North American lineup by 2020 — and one of two off-road SUV offerings. Theres been no shortage of digital and actual ink spilled about the upcoming Ford Bronco.Weve seen spy photos, guesses re: its removable roof system, and rumours regarding available powertrains.Now, we learn a little bit more about that latter part.Speculation about the Broncos available engine comes to us courtesy of Off-Road.com, where it has been reported that the trucklet has appeared as a 2021 model on the parts lookup tool at are you ready for this? Canadian Tire.Thats right, folks; it appears that your local wrenching hut has more details on the new Bronco than anyone.According to images taken with a smartphone and posted on the site, a tablet-style lookup tool tasked with selecting the correct spark plug for ones vehicle displays a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine as the only option for the 2021 Ford Bronco.This isnt the first time that this engine has been speculated to end up between the fenders of the new Blue Oval off-roader, but it is neat to see a semi-formal confirmation of such.It isnt a stretch of the imagination to envision that 2.3-litre engine, also found in the Ranger, as an option for Bronco. After all, common belief has the new off-road focused SUV being built in the same factory as the Ranger and sharing some key drivetrain components. That they may also share engines is not a surprise at all.Thinking laterally, finding the F-150s 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 on the options list would be a very sweet treat, indeed. Any news about Bronco is worth printing, given the hype and excitement surrounding the model. Other rumours include the appearance of two- and four-door models, the ability to jettison its roof and doors, and the chance of a hybrid model.Tom Petty had it right: waiting is the hardest part. The new Ford Bronco should appear sometime within the next twelve
Origin: Ford Bronco may be powered by Ranger’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost
News Roundup: Tesla gets wet, the Kia Telluride debuts strong and Ford confirms a hybrid Bronco
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. Watch a Model S drive down a flooded street, water up to its door jambs If this isn’t a commercial for Tesla then I don’t know what is. pic.twitter.com/Fid0A9L2lr Richard Richter (@Ricardo_Lee_) May 3, 2019 Just because a Tesla could drive through a flood doesn’t mean it should. In fact, as Driving’s in-house mechanical expert Brian Turner points out, the fact that the machine is basically one giant electrical system on wheels means it definitely should not be driven through water. Yet there’s this recent Twitter video showing a Model S driving down a flooded street, submerged in water at least a foot high. Not only are the risks of imminent failure high, says Turner, but there may be long-term effects as well, as “a wet connector can play havoc with these signals, and the water-shielding will keep moisture in…” So, don’t try this at home. People are making Tesla autopilot porn now A modified Tesla Model X drives in the tunnel entrance before an unveiling event for the Boring Co. Hawthorne test tunnel in Hawthorne, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. Elon Musk unveiled his underground transportation tunnel on Tuesday, allowing reporters and invited guests to take some of the first rides in the revolutionary albeit bumpy subterranean tube the tech entrepreneur’s answer to what he calls soul-destroying traffic. (Robyn Beck/Pool Photo via AP) Robyn Beck / AP If it’s larger than a breadbox and contains an atmosphere with even a little bit of oxygen, people will find a way to have sex in it. It was only a matter of time, then, that Tesla’s Autopilot feature was used to turn the interior of one of the brand’s EVs into a rolling porno set. That moment arrived earlier this week when ‘Tesla’ became the top search term on popular porn site Pornhub thanks to a new video featuring adult entertainer Taylor Jackson, some guy and a Model X with Autopilot engaged. And judging by the viral nature of the upload, it’s pretty safe to say this won’t be the last Autopilot porn we see. Did Pornhub just get a new category? The 2020 Telluride leaves a lasting first impression 2020 Kia Telluride Nick Tragianis / Driving The world doesn’t need just another SUV, but it may need this one. Driving’s Nick Tragianis was in Banff, Alberta recently to test out the new three-row truckster from the South Korean company. After falling for its peppy and hearty-sounding V6 engine and convenient AWD setup, immensely spacious interior with generous infotainment system, and reasonable price range, he came to his conclusion: “Kia will sell every single one of these.” Ram’s getting a new midsize truck is in the works, and it’s not going to be built on the Gladiator Even older pickups – like the Dodge Dakota that’s been discontinued for quite some time – can still charm pickup buyers. Handout / Dodge Ram has set its sights on a new midsize truck to help fill out its lineup. Automotive News reports that Ram boss Mike Manley is aware of the “clear hole in (Ram’s) portfolio” and promises the team is “focused” on finding the solution. Contrary to previous rumours, it appears the new product won’t be based on the Gladiator platform. And in other good news for Ram fans, the popular and more affordable Ram Classic will remain on sale through 2019. Missouri HOA says this truck is too old, threatens to foreclose on owner’s home Some people have no taste. Like members of the Missouri HOA, for example, who recently threatened to foreclose a man’s house over his truck, which allegedly shows “severe body damage”—parking such a heap in his own driveway goes against HOA rules, they argue. But the truck’s owner claims the 1965 Ford F-250 runs perfectly and is “beautiful the way it is.” Take a look and you tell us: is the old Ford pickup wearing ‘charming patina’ or ‘severe body damage’? Overloaded Chevy sedan sparks outrage on Ontario highway This is not how you carry wide loads in a car. David Fafinski / Facebook Innovative? Perhaps? Dangerous? Absolutely. Video of a Chevrolet Lumina sedan driving along in the right lane of a major highway near Burlington, Ontario with its rear doors and trunk open and bursting with what appears to be various pieces of large furniture and building supplies has inspired our columnist Lorraine Sommerfeld to pull out her soapbox and megaphone. Preach, Lorraine, preach! Should this person be applauded for their innovation and organizational skills, or arrested for stunt driving? You know where Lorraine stands, now put on your own Judgy-Pants and vote in our online poll here. There will be a 2020 Ford Bronco hybrid A teaser image of Ford’s upcoming production Bronco off-road SUV. Ford / Ford Ford is taking another step toward its goal of electrifying
Origin: News Roundup: Tesla gets wet, the Kia Telluride debuts strong and Ford confirms a hybrid Bronco
The 2020 Ford Bronco will come with a hybrid option: report
The Ford Bronco Concept from 2004 promised to be slightly smaller and less expensive that the Escape.Ford The 2020 Ford Bronco could possibly be the most anticipated new vehicle of the year, right behind the Toyota Supra and the mid-engine Corvette C8. Well, now we’re learning the buzz-building off-roader will be made available in a hybrid version, to appeal to a wider range of buyers. Ford CEO Jim Hackett himself confirmed the new Bronco will, indeed, have a hybrid version, at an investor presentation early May, tweeted Michael Martinez, a journalist with Automotive News. The Explorer, Aviator and Escape hybrids were just recently announced, and we expect the Bronco will likely use a version of the same system they will use, which means a proprietary 10-speed automatic and electric motor that doesn’t take up much more space than the standard drivetrain. It’s also possible the Bronco will use a version of the upcoming F-150 hybrid platform, but no details about that have been released yet. Hackett confirms the upcoming Bronco SUV will come in a hybrid variant as Ford focuses on electrifying its lineup. Michael Martinez (@MikeMartinez_AN) May 9, 2019 Ford’s staying mum on details, putting out a statement May 9 confirming only we are on track to electrify our most popular vehicles, including launching the all-new Ford Explorer and Ford Escape hybrids this year along with the new F-150 hybrid in 2020. It promised to reveal more news soon, but in the meantime speculation circulating online may help fill in the gaps. Word is the hybrid won’t differ too much from the gasoline version, which means it will still have a short wheelbase, independent front suspension and possibly a live rear axle with coil springs. The hybrid model will likely be made available shortly after the regular gasoline-powered one debuts, so we expect to see it some time in the middle of 2020. Although the Bronco seems to be debuting a lot of forward-thinking technology for a truck, it’s still going to be playing catch-up-ball to the Wrangler, which already has a coil-sprung rear end and will soon also have its own hybrid version, in
Origin: The 2020 Ford Bronco will come with a hybrid option: report
Classic-looking Bronco sports EV powertrain — but it’s not a Ford
If the return of the Ford Bronco gets you all hot-and-bothered, more things will be tingling once you check out the Zero Labs Bronco. Featuring the retro styling inspired by the original Bronco, Zero Labs’ recreation throws it back to the days of classic 44 adventures — but with much more power, courtesy of what’s hiding under the hood. No, there isn’t some hopped-up Ford 302 under there. Instead, there is a brushless, permanent-magnet AC motor that produces 434 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque, a big step up from the anemic straight-six in the original. Sending power to all four wheels is a five-speed manual gearbox, which is unconventional for an EV, considering the torque of the engine and the fact that it doesn’t need to continue spinning when the vehicle is stopped. To make sure you get to your destination in style, there is a 70 kWh battery pack good for 190 miles, or 305 kilometres. If the journey requires a stint in the dirt, a two-speed transfer case, high-performance front and rear differentials, an adjustable coilover suspension and Brembo six-piston brakes will get you there. Over 1,000 new parts are used, while the original chassis has been significantly modified to accept the electric drivetrain. The body is completely carbon fibre, making it very light, and the interior can even be ordered with vegan materials. The instrument panel has even been designed to mirror the original. Zero Labs is only building 150 of the initial production run, so if you want one, you’d better act fast. It won’t be cheap, either — pricing is expected between US$200,000 and
Origin: Classic-looking Bronco sports EV powertrain — but it’s not a Ford
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