What is it?It resembles the Kia Soul and it addresses one of the iconic little-car-that-could’s key weaknesses — the new Seltos (horrible name, in our opinion) arrives with an available all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring control and a lock mode to handle severe road conditions. In terms of size it slots neatly between the Soul and larger Sportage, although Kia describes it as having “Herculean interior” space. The hype is a bit over the top, but sitting in the back did prove it had ample space for a pair of six-footers in terms of both head- and legroom. The cabin is well conceived and comes with the latest mod-cons, including a seven-inch OLED screen for the instrumentation and a 10.25-inch high-resolution screen for the infotainment system in the top model. Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereWhy does it matter?People are crazy for crossovers right now, so another affordable one can’t hurt Kia’s push up the sales charts. It will have broad appeal with two engine choices. The base 2.0L four-cylinder produces 146 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque and works with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission. That’s a CVT to most. The second choice is a 1.6L Turbo with a more rewarding 175 hp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. It drives all four wheels paired through a seven-speed twin-clutch.When will Canada get it?The 2021 Kia Seltos is slated to hit Canadian roads in the latter half of 2020.Should you buy it?For far too long, the Soul has been left in the wilds because it was not offered with all-wheel-drive. The Seltos adds the missing ingredient, along with an attractive exterior look, lots of interior space and the latest in connectivity.
Origin: First Look: 2021 Kia Seltos
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First Look: 2021 Aston Martin DBX
What is it?This is the DBX, Aston Martins first SUV, one of the most-teased vehicles of all time (Gaydon has been rolling out “spy” photos of the DBX on an almost monthly basis for the past year) and, in the words the company itself, the sport utility with the soul of a sports car.Why does it matter?Well, for one thing, Aston Martin is 106 years old and this is the first time its built anything that even resembles an off-roader. For another, while other marques have built SUVs that are supposed to remind you of their sports cars Im looking at you, Ford, and your new Mustang Mach-E there is, for better or for worse, a lot of Aston Martin sports car DNA in the DBX.Most importantly, Aston Martin sales have been hurting as of late and, as much as many will scream Sacrilege!, if a sport brute can put Gaydon back on a firm financial footing, then so much the better.Thats why its important to Aston Martin. Why it might be important to you is that under the hood is a 542-horsepower version of the twin-turbo V8 sourced from Mercedes-Benz. An active exhaust system, in AMs own words, lets the DBX sound refined one moment and exhilarating the next. The sprint to 100 kilometres an hour takes but 4.5 seconds. Top speed is an impressive 291 km/h.Check Out All Our Auto Show CoverageEven more impressive at least when it comes to that soul of a sports car thing is the adaptive triple-chamber air springs, which allow a completely variable suspensions system. Even more technically impressive is the eARC adaptive roll bar system that, according to Aston, can generate as much as much as 1,033 foot-pounds of anti-roll force per axle. By combining the variable air spring, adjustable dampers and electronically controlled roll bars, Aston says the DBX can transport five in comfort and still handle like its soul is a sports car. When will it be available?In the second half of 2020.Should you buy it?Well, first off, do you have $218,400? You do? Okay, then here are the questions you need to ask yourself beyond is it fast? (yes, it is) and will it handle well? (yes, it should). First off, do you need to transport lots of passengers in the rear seats? Oh, dont worry, the front seats look marvelous the drivers seat, for instance, will accommodate anyone from the 99th percentile male to a 5th percentile female. But the rear seats look a little as is something of an Aston tradition cramped in the legroom. Not as bad as the Rapide (the companys four-door sedan) but tight(ish) nonetheless. Trunk space is, at 22.3 cubic feet, at least adequate.On the positive side, the interior is delectable, the leather and wood trim everything one expects from an English luxury marque. And there are truly bespoke touches such as the Pet Package yes, optional pet accessories in a luxury automobile that includes a portable washer to hose off muddy dogs, a bumper protector to ward off errant claws and even a pet partition just in case the portable washer misses a few bits.There are 10 other packages available ranging from a traditional Snow Package (ski bag and roof-mounted ski rack) all the way to and I am assuming this will be hugely popular in the United States a gun cabinet and shooting stick package that marries a lockable solid aluminum case for firearms with a stick made of leather and wood to help you, I assume, chase after pheasant. How very
Origin: First Look: 2021 Aston Martin DBX
First Look: 2021 Audi RS Q8
What is it?Audi is on a tear when it comes to its go-faster RS-badged rides. The RS 6 Avant is making a return and the RS 4 is on the horizon. To further bolster its attack on the AMG and M brands, Audi pulled the wraps off the RS Q8. Usually, when you are dealing with a low-slung wagon or hatchback, shoehorning a monster motor under the hood and beefing up the dynamics is a natural. Doing the same to a higher-riding SUV is another matter. Fear not, the RS Q8 is every bit an RS model its fast, furious and will stay glued to the tarmac. The outward styling is bolder with wider front fenders and a unique honeycomb grille. The cabin follows this lead, especially if one opts for the serious RS sport seats wrapped in Valcona leather with a honeycomb pattern that mirrors the grille and RS badge embossed on the backrest.Why does it matter?The big news is a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that works with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It pushes 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all four wheels. In this application the quattro system sends 60 per cent of the drive to the rear wheels and 40 per cent to the front, which will give it a rear-drive feel. However, the system can send up to 85% of the power rearward, or up to 70 per cent to the front wheels if the conditions demand. The lot can be tailored to the tone of the drive and includes a driver-configurable RS mode button. To keep things shiny-side-up it has an adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering. The dynamic-plus package adds active anti-roll bars, real-time torque vectoring at the rear and a ceramic brake package.And so to the important number the RS Q8 runs from rest to 100 km/h of 3.8 seconds! When will Canada get it?Canadians will be able to buy the RS Q8 at the end of the second-quarter next year.Should you buy it?While my first choice would be the RS 6, the RS Q8 is an intriguing proposition that will find many happy, happy owners. It is blisteringly fast (read blatant understatement!), it promises to hug the road with tenacity when pushed, yet cosset the riders in first-class luxury when out for a night at the opera. How can you argue with the
Origin: First Look: 2021 Audi RS Q8
First Look: 2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring
2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand TouringClayton Seams Lincoln now builds no fewer than five different CUVs, and the Corsair is the second smallest of all of them. Just one slot above the aging MKC, the Corsairs design looks similar to that of the Nautilus and Aviator, which is to say its nice, but ultimately forgettable.The Grand Touring variant is a plug-in hybrid with a rear-mounted electric motor that gives the Corsair electric AWD, as Ford puts it.That means the 2.5-litre non-turbo four gas engine drives the front wheels and has no mechanical link at all to the rears. The rear wheels are powered (when needed) by an electric motor. The combined system output of the electric motor working in conjunction with the engine is 266 horsepower.Check Out All Our Latest Auto Show CoverageThe Grand Touring model is externally distinguished with a slightly different grille mesh and blue accents in the Lincoln grille logo and Corsair badges. The Corsair Grand Touring model is arriving for summer 2020, and Canadian pricing has not yet been announced. When it arrives you can expect it to have the same Conserve, Normal, and Excite drive modes as usual, in addition to the winter and mud ones.Lincoln has emphasized the interior of the Corsair is designed to be a sanctuary for relaxing and listening to music. The front seats are 24-way adjustable, and the rear seats fold down 60/40 to accommodate
Origin: First Look: 2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring
First Look: 2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP
Palm Springs, CALIFORNIAHardtop, soft-top, wagon or coupe, Minis come in more flavours than ice cream. Few Minis, however, have been bonkers-fast or able to attack a race track as well as other front-wheel-drive cars like the Honda Civic Type R or Golf GTI Clubsport, to name just a few.Sure, the 2012 MINI John Cooper Works GP and the 2006 MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP kit were tantalizing and speedy cars for their time.Built in limited numbers, they were quick enough to become sought-after jewels in the Mini portfolio. But neither were able to crack the 8-minute mark at the worlds benchmark for speed the Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife circuit in Germany.The 2020 Mini GP, however, scraps all that and sets a new benchmark for the brand, becoming the fastest, most powerful Mini ever produced for on-road use able to run the Ring in an impressive 7:56.69. Thats BMW M2 territory. Priced at $51,990 in Canada and limited to 59 units for the Great White North, only 3,000 Mini GPs will be produced worldwide. At BMWs Performance Center West test track in California, the 2020 Mini GP starts with a low gurgle that could be louder for us juveniles. Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder in-line turbocharged engine with 302 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque going only to the front wheels, the GP feels remarkably at home on the track. A larger-volume intake, free-flowing exhaust and a tweaked turbocharger help boost power, and an upgraded oil and cooling system help keep internals from overheating. The suspension has been reinforced for track use and rigidity.Check Out All Our Latest Auto Show CoverageMini says the new JCW GP will sprint to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. To be sure, the GP stays flat in the corners and brakes hard before the turns. Its more than enough car to compete with the Honda Civic Type R, yet exudes a lot more class.First seen in Frankfurt in 2017 as a concept, and then again at the 24 Hours of Nrburgring last summer in a camo-wrapped version that ran around the track as a teaser to the real thing coming this spring, the 2020 production version was revealed to us a day ahead of its world-wide reveal at the L.A. Auto Show, looking a lot like the original prototype. And what a cool-looking car it is, cutting a silhouette that looks part aircraft, part racing machine, part sea serpent. A massive carbon-fibre front apron, flared wheel arches, carbon-fibre side skirts with moulded air deflectors crowned by a prominent roof spoiler underscore the fact this is not your divorced aunts car. Black Jack Anthracite paint is complimented by Curbside Red metallic bits to accentuate the racing look.Theres a bit of boy racer here, but it still looks good while still looking like a Mini. Elliptical headlights and a hexagonal honeycomb grille sharpen its identity. The 19-inch wheels look perfect in the wheel arches.Unfortunately, there is no manual transmission, only an eight-speed automatic with manual shift mode and paddle shifters the same gearbox that resides in the Countryman and Clubman. But the transmission has been modified to meet the demands of the GP, and the mechanical limited-slip differential helps with traction.A 64-36 weight balance to the front keeps understeer to a minimum. Acceleration is strong but never overwhelming. The biggest take away is the go-cart handling that, with proper tires, makes the GP a proper track car that can still be driven to the mall on Sundays.Inside, the rear bench seat is conspicuous by its absence. Luxury touches abound in the black-and-white knitted seats. A digital instrument cluster and heads-up display makes relevant information easy to see and digest. The suspension can be adjusted with the touch of a button. Traditional MINI toggle switches with start/stop button maintain some footing in the analog world.While all Minis bring a degree of fun to driving, the GP raises the stakes with track credentials that should elevate the brand, and the car, to a status not seen since the last GP in
Origin: First Look: 2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP
First Look: Karma Automotive SC2 Concept
What is it?The SC2 is the latest concept from a car company that most people thought was long dead. Karma is the engineered-in-America-but-financed-in-China rebirth of Fisker, whose only car was now its starting to come back to you, isnt it? the Karma. More to the point, the new companys only product to date has been the Revero GT, a similarly-styled-but-much re-engineered version of Fisker’s old Karma. The SC2 marks its first departure from the old Fisker formula and is, unlike the current plug-in hybrid, a pure battery-powered EV.Why is it important?Well, an acceleration time of less than 1.9 seconds to 96 kilometres an hour (60 mph) always gets my attention. Thats Formula 1 territory, folks; the SC2 is going to jump off the line hard enough to make the strongest of stomachs churn at least a little. Some 1,100 horsepower is also pretty newsworthy, especially since its also accompanied by 10,500 pound-feet of wheel torque. Now, before you start writing in that I must have made a typo, remember that to get the ICE-equivalent number, you have to multiply the engines torque by the gear reductions in both the transmission and rear differential. Nonetheless, thats a whole whackload of those torque things enough, as I said, to churn stomachs and fry tires.On a more practical note, thanks to a huge, under-floor 120 kilowatt-hour battery that stretches from the dashboard to the rear seats, Karma claims 560 kilometres of range for the SC2.Check Out All Our Latest Auto Show CoverageThings are equally exotic in the chassis department. Oh, the torque-vectoring system that can direct different amounts of power to each wheel is nothing new for an electric vehicle. But there arent too many cars this side of a Lamborghini that boast pushrod-operated suspension.Then theres something called an ultrasonic dynamic regenerative panel dont ask me what it is; I havent a clue thats supposed to give the SC2 the high-performance handling expected in an electric hypercar. Anyone who knows what an ultrasonic dynamic regenerative panel is, please feel free to contact us.When does it arrive in Canada?Well, it is a concept car and a pretty far-fetched one at that so probably never. But boy, oh boy, you gotta love the way these Karma boys dream.Should you buy one?Well, the SC2 may seem like just more pie-in-the-sky Faraday-Future-like vaporware. But one thing is undeniable: It is absolutely, unabashedly stunning. A combination of avant garde styling cues and retro cab-back proportions, the SC2 is pure sex on wheels.Nor should its sultry shape be considered a fluke or reserved-for-concept-car flashiness. The Karma Revero-neé-Fisker Karma might have had a few that should be read a lot of technical issues in the past, but there is no denying it, too, was a stunner. If the SC2 proves anything at all, it is that whatever Karma produces next, it will be breathtakingly
Origin: First Look: Karma Automotive SC2 Concept
One of the first-ever Land Rovers just hit the mud for the first time in decades
There are barn finds and then there are barn finds. In 2016, one of the three original launch Land Rovers was found in a garden near the Solihull factory where it was built. The company trotted it out to pay homage to its history, promising to restore the brute back to spec. After much work and careful planning, the OG Brit is ready to turn a wheel on U.K. soil once again.The truck built an impressive resum after helping to launch what would go on to be one of the countrys most well-known brands. After passing through several owners, it apparently found itself in Wales being used as a static power source, before its engine seized in the late 80s.Restoration work began last year, undertaken by a team of experts at Land Rover Classic at its Classic Works facility in Coventry.Interesting discoveries during the work included an original King George V sixpence coin from 1943, a piece which had been deliberately left under the galvanized capping of the rear tub as a hidden memento. After loitering in a field for decades, one can bet there was a generous helping of agriculture in there as well.This approach required the team to strip the vehicle down to its bare chassis and begin a painstaking process of testing and checking which components could be reused and rebuilt following decades of decay and rust. Some parts, such as the rear axle, were X-rayed and depth-tested in an effort to determine their fitness.For parts that needed to be replaced or had been removed over the vehicles life, the team used the archive of original drawings kept by Land Rover Classic, plus access to other surviving pre-production Land Rovers. These tech illustrations helped to restore the original routing and mounting of the exhaust, the brass wheel hubs, the gearbox, and transfer box. The original badge was also AWOL, so the team digitized a photograph of another Land Rover at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show and used that to replicate and place a new one.We this amount of fastidious attention to detail, we think its safe to add this Land Rover to a list of barn find greats even if it was, technically, found in a
Origin: One of the first-ever Land Rovers just hit the mud for the first time in decades
First Drive: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes-Benz proudly says it invented the premium SUV segment, way back in 1997 with the ML. Now, four generations in, we have the fresh-from-the-ground-up 2020 GLE with an 80-millimetre wheelbase stretch over its predecessor, the GLE offers Raptors-grade rear leg room, and for the first time, an available third row of seats.Pricing starts at $64,000 for the GLE 350 that runs with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder, good for 255 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. Move up to the $72,000 GLE 450, and that goes down the road courtesy of Benzs new 3.0L turbocharged straight-six engine, kicking out a healthy 362 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. Yes, you read that right straight-six. It seems BMW was right all along. All GLEs get a nine-speed automatic gearbox and 4Matic all-wheel-drive.Benz has given its new mid-size SUV some sharp duds. The GLE looks squat, muscular, elegant, and nicely resolved. Twenty-inch wheels are standard, but all GLEs we evaluated wore optional 21s. The sport package ramps up the attitude with a diamond grille and racier body bits. Its a class act from any angle.Inside, the cabin is an absolute showpiece a huge step up from the previous model. Its rich, beautifully rendered, and dominated by a huge swath of digital real estate housing two 12.3-inch screens. The screen on the left is a configurable gauge cluster, while the right is your window into the automakers new Mercedes Benz User Experience infotainment system, or MBUX for short. Yes, its daunting at first, but take some time and MBUX starts to makes sense.There are many ways to interact with MBUX the touchscreen (a first for Mercedes), thumb pads on the steering wheel, a track pad on the centre console, programmable gesture controls, or the voice command which follows the mould of Siri, Google Alexa, etc. Say Hey Mercedes at any time and the pleasant voice in the dash replies, What can I help you with? Beware, though, you cant say Mercedes inside the cabin without MBUX jumping to attention.If you say Im freezing, Ms. Mercedes will turn up the heat. Ask for the nearest steak house with a five-star rating, and shell show you the way and read you the menu if such info is floating about the cloud. Ordering up a destination was simply a matter of saying Navigate to There was the occasional vocal hiccup, and the console track pad is an ergonomic travesty. The old rotary controller was easier to use, and so much more precise for such things as the zoom function for navigation.On the plus side, MBUX is great for whiling away the time.Me: Tell me a joke.MBUX: Sorry. My engineers are German.Me: What do you think of BMW?MBUX: Theyre nice. I like seeing them through my rear-view mirrorMe: What do you think of Audi?MBUX: The same as you. Otherwise, you wouldnt be sitting here.Also available on the 2020 GLE is Benzs nifty augmented reality navigation display that layers street names, guiding arrows and house numbers onto a real-time video stream (courtesy of the front-facing camera) of upcoming intersections, etc. Mercedes offered three GLE builds to evaluate a GLE 350 optioned to $70,800, a GLE 450 checking in at $86,850 and another fully loaded 450 at $107,040. Jumping in the GLE 350s cabin, theres nary a hint youre in the base model. Its a sumptuous experience, resplendent here in standard Espresso Brown and Magna Grey Artico faux leather, and open-pore walnut wood trim.Its bumped up with the $2,900 Premium Package (adding active park assist, an integrated garage door opener, a Burmester Surround Sound system, a panoramic sunroof, a foot-activated hatch rear hatch, and a proximity key), along with the $1,200 Premium Plus (including rapid heating for the front seats and heated second-row seats, plus heated front armrests). The $2,400 third-row is tight at best, but fine for occasional usage. With that, you also get a power-adjustable second row and two additional USB ports back there for the kiddies.The turbo-four generally provides enough poke to move this heavy SUV, but at times feels strained and gravelly. Otherwise, its a pure premium experience ride quality on the standard steel-sprung suspension is good, and while youd never accuse the GLE 350 of being sporty, it handles well and proves to be a stable highway cruiser.Moving into the GLE 450 ramps up the urge, and while it doesnt feel worlds quicker, its considerably more relaxed in the way it goes down the road. The 362 horsepower turbocharged straight-six features a 48-volt mild hybrid system that can add 21 horsepower to the proceedings. Its a sweetheart of an engine not as eager or creamy-smooth as BMWs straight-six, but still a step up from the outgoing V6. Unlike the 4Matic system in the GLE 350 that runs with a default 50/50 torque split, the GLE 450s all-wheel-drive system operates primarily in the more sporty rear-drive mode, only bringing the front wheels into play when conditions dictate. With the $100,000+ GLE 450, Mercedes
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Lexus to reveal first production EV at Chinese show
Lexus will reveal its first series production electric car, which Autocar understands will be an electric version of the UX crossover, at the Guangzhou motor show in China later this month. The Japanese firm hasn’t given any firm details of the machine ahead of the 22 November reveal, but says it is “specifically crafted to suit the needs of audiences in China and in Europe.” But the machine will be based on the electric Toyota C-HR, a sister crossover to the UX, that is currently offered in the Chinese market. The machine will likely be named the UX Electric. Lexus and parent firm Toyota are due to launch three electric models by the end of 2021. Lexus showcased a dramatic EV concept called the LF-30 at the Tokyo motor show recently, which was intended to preview the general style of its future battery electric cars. The LF-30, which is similar in size to the Jaguar I-Pace, uses a new EV architecture being developed by Lexus and Toyota, which is planned to be introduced from
Origin: Lexus to reveal first production EV at Chinese show
Bristol City Council approves first UK ban for diesel cars
Bristol City Council has approved plans for Britain’s first no-diesel zone in the city centre as part of a drive to improve air quality in the area. The so-called Clean Air Zone, to be implemented in 2021, has been devised as a means of delivering “the fastest possible improvement in air quality against targets for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) legal limits”, according to the council. The measures will see privately-owned diesel vehicles banned from entering a designated section of the city centre between 7am and 3pm every day. A wider charging zone would be in constant operation for high-emission commercial vehicles, with vans and taxis facing a £9 fee and buses and taxis facing a £100 fee for entering it. The announcement comes two years after Bristol City Council was ordered by the government to produce a plan for bringing the area’s NO2 levels to within legal limits. It has been suggested that the Clean Air Zone could help to achieve this by 2025. The proposal still needs government approval, however. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said: “These ambitious plans demonstrate our commitment to tackling air pollution so we meet legal limits within the shortest time, without disproportionally affecting citizens on lower incomes, which would happen with a blanket approach to charging vehicles. “Protecting the most vulnerable people from pollution is central to these plans and we have ensured that all impacts have been carefully considered. If approved, mitigation measures will support those most affected, especially those living in the most deprived communities.” Nicholas Lyes, head of policy at the RAC, said the planned restrictions could have an adverse affect on roads elsewhere: “Major routes into, out of, and even around the city – like Temple Way and Brunel Way – would become out of bounds, with diesel vehicles forced onto other roads, which risks causing congestion problems where they don’t exist at the moment.” He also called attention to the fact that “drivers of diesel cars who are locked into finance packages may face a significant penalty to exit their contract early”, and suggested that drivers of older vehicles could be forced into upgrading at significant cost. SMMT boss Mike Hawes echoed the RAC’s concerns, adding that “this proposed blanket ban, which goes against government’s guidelines, fails to distinguish between modern vehicles and decades-old technologies and will only cause confusion for drivers while also undermining efforts to boost air quality”. The predicted cost of implementation of the scheme totals £113.5 million, with comprehensive upgrades to the city’s ANPR network, road marking and signage necessary to its successful operation. The final business case is due to be submitted to government in February next
Origin: Bristol City Council approves first UK ban for diesel cars
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