Lexus is updating its UX for the 2020 model year, to cram in more tech and better connectivity.There are two powertrain choices, the standard being a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 168 horsepower, sending power to the front wheels via a CVT transmission. The second option is a hybrid powertrain built around a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, coupled to Lexus fourth-generation self-charging gasoline-electric system.The hybrid option makes 181 horsepower, sending gasoline power to the front wheels via a CVT and using an electric motor for the rear wheels to make the vehicle all-wheel-drive. Lexus says more than 95 per cent of customers choose the hybrid.Taking a page from Tesla, the Lexus UX can now be unlocked with an included key card when specced in the Luxury trim options. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are now available as standard.The base model UX starts well-optioned at $37,450, featuring heated and ventilated front seats and 17-inch alloy wheels. Stepping up to the Sport Series 1 at $39,750 adds a heated steering wheel, LED fog lamps, F SPORT appearance package and 18-inch alloys.Hybrid models feature the same standard equipment, as well as all-wheel-drive, starting at $40,000. The luxury package is $45,300, and adds a 10.3-inch display screen with embedded navigation, head-up display, a drivers seat memory system, intuitive parking assist with auto-braking, hands-free rear hatch and a wireless charging system.The UX 250h F Sport Series 1 ($42,100) and Series 2 ($48,900) both add the same features as the gasoline versions.Both models are available
Origin: The Lexus UX gets a refresh for 2020, ups the tech quotient
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Kia Canada sells its 1 millionth vehicle in Quebec – and this customer gets her Kia Soul for free
Walking into Kia Sherbrooke to shop for a new vehicle, Sonia Blais was not in high spirits.The special education teacher from Magog, Quebec had recently become a single mother of two, with a looming divorce sapping her finances, an expensive holiday season at her door and an already harsh winter blowing over her Eastern Townships home.But a new car is what she need, so after weighing her options, she picked out a Kia Soul, a stylish subcompact, delivered, of course, with Quebecs mandatory winter tires. She paid via a roughly $25,000 loan, with financing.The purchase also made Blais, unbeknownst to her, Kia Canadas one millionth customer, a milestone that coincidentally lined up with the Korean brands 20th anniversary in this country.Even more coincidentally, Kia Sherbrooke was among the brands first concessionnaires here, selling more than a handful of the first 1,417 Sportage and Sephias to hit Canadian shores back in 1999.When Kia head office rang dealership owner Daniel Beaucage, from Groupe Beaucage, over Blais new purchase, he assumed it was over a problem with the order. Not quite, it turns outBlais was invited back to the dealership with her millionième Kia for a little ceremony this past Thursday, hosted by the new VP and COO of Kia Canada, Elias El-Achhab.She figured out from that she was in for some sort of surprise. Beaucage and co-owner Tommy Morissette started off by announcing a list of $2,000 worth of options they wanted to gift her like a remote start to keep her warm, and a bike rack, since shes a frequent rider.Then El-Achhab interrupted the declaration: C’est nous qui payons votre Kia Soul, or We are going to pay your Kia Soul.Blais croaked out a Really? before starting to cry. Kia means it when it says its cars have the power to surprise.Morissette told Driving.ca that Blais really touched its sales representatives, and everybody at the dealership was so happy luck befell her in particular.She moved us with the work shes been doing for the past 22 years with learning disabilities kids, he said. She said she never won anything in her whole life, but now shes driving one of our vehicles her second Kia were going to take very good care of her, and her Soul.For those wondering if a million vehicles is a big milestone, consider that, these days, about two million new vehicles are sold in Canada every year.When Honda Canada celebrated its 50th anniversary March 2019, the manufacturer of Canadas best-selling car, the Civic, claimed just over four million vehicles
Origin: Kia Canada sells its 1 millionth vehicle in Quebec – and this customer gets her Kia Soul for free
Nissan GT-R Nismo gets bricked by LEGO Speed Champions
LEGO has turned plenty of vehicles into toys over the years, but, believe it or not, never as an official partnership with a Japanese automaker. That makes the LEGO Speed Champions Nissan GT-R Nismo a first of its kind, kind of. The 298-part LEGO GT-R Nismo is 25-per-cent larger than previous Speed Champions sets. LEGOs designers say they enjoyed the challenge of getting the Japanese supercars aesthetic, including those crucial taillights, to come through in brick form. View this post on Instagram No driver’s license required! Thanks to our partnership with @lego, children of all ages can build and drive their own Nissan #GTR #NISMO – made out of #LEGO® bricks 🙌 Available globally in January 2020. #OMGTR A post shared by Nissan (@nissan) on Nov 25, 2019 at 8:22am PST“In LEGO Speed Champions, we always aim to include new types of racing vehicles. And when we focused on drifting and racing, the record-breaking Nissan GT-R, and especially the new GT-R NISMO, was at the top of our wish list,” said LEGO design lead Chris Stamp. “Authenticity is always our main concern, and we spent a lot of time exploring different building techniques to correctly recreate the taillights, as they are one of the most recognizable details on the car. I am really happy with the end result!”They’re happy, but how about you? The real GT-R Nismo does have some corners on it, but there’s still a roundness that never quite comes through in brick form. It took the LEGO pros a year total to develop the set, compared to the 10-plus years it took Nissan to build the actual car. Unfortunately, it’s not likely to help with your holiday gift list, because it doesn’t go on sale until January
Origin: Nissan GT-R Nismo gets bricked by LEGO Speed Champions
GM’s electric pickup gets a fall 2021 on-sale date
2019 Chevrolet SilveradoDerek McNaughton / Driving GM CEO Mary Barra told investors at an event in New York on Thursday her companys first electric pickup will debut in showrooms in late 2021, and it will have a leg up on the competition. General Motors understands truck buyers, she said.Barra made the announcement hours before Tesla CEO Elon Musk was set to reveal that companys new Cybertruck.But other GM executives are confident Teslas pickup wont be in the same league as their electric truck.I suspect price-wise there might be some similarities, but I think in terms of size and capabilities, there might be a difference, Phil Brook, the vice president of marketing for GMs GMC brand, said in an interview. People who buy our trucks, they are very proud of the fact that theyll take their trucks anywhere, theyll get them dirty, then theyll wash them out and go to a five-star restaurant for dinner. So theyre not people who just drive them around and want to look good.Musk told a Tesla enthusiast podcast earlier this year he wants his truck, which is also aiming for a late 2021 market launch, to start at less than $50,000. During an October earnings call, he declared it will be the companys best product ever. But Tesla probably wont have the electric-truck market to itself for long, if at all. Amazon-backed Rivian Automotive plans to launch its R1T pickup late next year. Ford has vowed to start selling hybrid-electric and battery-electric versions of the F-150 starting in 2020, and GM has committed to producing plug-in pickups at a plant it had been planning to shutter in the Detroit area.Perhaps more importantly, Japanese automakers have spent two decades and billions of dollars trying to get in on the big pickup gravy train; 20 years after Toyota first started making the Tundra, they are still getting crushed by the Detroit Three, which control almost 92 per cent of the U.S. half-ton truck segment, according to IHS Markit.Customers who own Ram pickups are more loyal than owners of any other model line in the U.S., the researcher says, and brand loyalty to Ford or General Motors Chevrolet isnt far behind.Check Out Our Latest Auto Show CoverageTeslas Thursday night event bookends the press days for the Los Angeles Auto Show, where Ford generated buzz with the debut of the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV. But seeking attention of his own wasnt the only motivation for Musk to stage his truck reveal now and near the show.When announcing the date and locale, he joked on Twitter they were strangely familiar and shared a link to the opening credits and scene of the 1982 film Blade Runner, which was set in November 2019. He had referenced the movie before as inspiration for the pickups futuristic design.Musk is scheduled to begin making remarks around 8 p.m. local time at Teslas design center in Hawthorne,
Origin: GM’s electric pickup gets a fall 2021 on-sale date
Honda CR-V gets more trims, standard features for 2020
2020 Honda CR-V TouringHonda Honda has refreshed its CR-V for the 2020 model year so the SUV now comes in more trims and gets more standard features.Exterior looks have changed slightly to keep the CR-V moving with the times, adding a bit of Civic-style flair to the family-hauler.The front fascia now has broad openings for the available fog lights, giving the CR-V an aggressive look. Because thats what people want, an aggressive CR-V.Around the back, the taillights are dark-tinted on all trims, and the exhaust tips are chrome on CR-V Sport, Touring and Black Edition trims. There are two new colour options: Sonic Gray and Radiant Red; new 19-inch rims round out the changes.Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technology are now available on all trims, after previously being only available on LX AWD and above trims. On top of that, two new trims are available exclusively to Canadians: a Sport trim, which replaces the EX; and a new top-of-the-line Black Edition.In the cabin of the CR-V, the centre console has been redesigned with a few more cubbies for your things. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are both available, and Qi-compatible wireless cell phone charging now comes with Touring and Black Edition trims.All 2020 CR-V models are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 190 horsepower, sending power to either all the wheels; or just the front ones. A CVT gearbox is the only available option.For us Canadians, Remote Engine Start, heated front seats and front wiper de-icer are standard on all trims, with heated steering wheel available on Sport trims and above. Prices start at $28,690, up from $27,690 for last years
Origin: Honda CR-V gets more trims, standard features for 2020
Custom Dodge Challenger gets stolen, wrecked in police chase, still makes it to SEMA
A Dodge Challenger show car with 1,000 horsepower was stolen just before this years SEMA convention and crashed but still managed to make it to the show floor on time.The car was built by Quintin Brothers Auto and Performance in Vermont, who sent it to Las Vegas where the SEMA parts convention is held. The Challenger was reported stolen on October 30, when it was swiped from the overflow parking lot of the Main Street Station Casino.According to local news, Nevada Highway Patrol was at some point dispatched to the parking structure of the Rio Hotel and Casino, where they found the stolen vehicle. In an attempt to stop the thief from leaving, an officer parked in front of the car, but before he could leave his vehicle, the Challenger rammed into the side of his cruiser and proceeded to escape the parking complex.The vehicle was later abandoned at The Boulevard Mall and then given back to its owners to display at the show. We were in shock, we couldnt imagine that anything like this could ever happen, shop co-owner Cole Quintin said. It looks like they were living in the thing, but they only had it for about 11 hours.The front end was smashed in the hit-and-run police chase, making it look more like a drift missile than a straight-line star. Were sure that with 1,000 horsepower it would burn up the rear tires either way. Props to the builders on still showing the car, even though everyone wouldve completely understood if theyd decided not to. The 2020 Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, unveiled at the 2019 SEMA Show, delivers sportsman racers a new, turnkey package loaded with suspension and chassis upgrades and is certified for NHRA and NMCA competition. Production is limited to 50 serialized units. Mopar Speaking of Challengers, Mopar itself had a little debut at SEMA heralding the return of the Drag Pak after a five-year hiatus. The fourth generation of the special edition makes more power than the previous version, according to Mopar, and the previous version made 1,200 horsepower and ran mid-7-second quarter-miles, so hold onto your socks for the official numbers.That massive output comes courtesy of a supercharged 5.8-litre V8 coupled to a manually shifted three-speed automatic transmission. Mopar will build 50 of the
Origin: Custom Dodge Challenger gets stolen, wrecked in police chase, still makes it to SEMA
Ford gets into aftermarket off-road parts with ARB kit for Ranger
Ford Performance and ARB 4×4 Accessories are teaming up to develop components for Ford off-road enthusiasts. The all-new winch-capable front bumper for Ford Ranger is the first component from the collaboration, bringing even greater capability to the adventure-ready Ranger.Ford Most pickup truck owners have modified their whip in some manner. Be it a simple tonneau cover or an extensive lift kit, there is no shortage of aftermarket gear to buy for ones 44.Ford is seeking to cash in on the long-running trend, teaming up with ARB 44 Accessories to develop kit for the midsize Ranger. Kicking off the collaboration is the stout front bumper you see here, one capable of accepting a winch and other off-road goodies.Designed specifically for Ranger, the all-new front bumper complements the trucks rugged lines despite turning up at the corners like a villains evil smile. It is finished in a powder coat and is built from welded sheet steel up to 3/16ths of an inch thick. Attaching to the truck using existing chassis mounting points, it continues to incorporate the full suite of Ford CoPilot360 driving aids and safety nannies.That latter point is a big deal, given that the Blue Oval has spent untold gazillions developing and marketing those features. According to Ford, its the only aftermarket steel bumper available for Ranger that meets regulatory crash test standards and can be installed on any North American Ranger configuration (the new ones, at least it probably wont fit Uncle Alvins rusty 2009 XLT).The trend of OEMs partnering with an aftermarket company is rapidly gaining steam. Chevy is currently playing house with AEV to build the Colorado ZR2 Bison, another midsize truck with acres of off-road cred. Jeep and Ram have also introduced expansive (and expensive) catalogs of rugged kit for the Wrangler, Gladiator and their line of pickup trucks.Its the latter point that impacts the company bottom line, as the cost of these accessories can often be worked into the vehicles selling price. Rather than pay $1,495 for the bumper, a dealer would be more than glad to tack $20 a month onto your payment. This also has the effect of raising the trucks average transaction price, an investor-pleasing metric.Aftermarket gear is a huge business, estimated to be a multi-billion dollar industry with plenty of room for growth. Next week, the worlds leading aftermarket companies will descend on Las Vegas for the SEMA Show, an annual soire in which hundreds of vendors show and display their wares. By teaming up with an OEM, companies like ARB and AEV are getting ahead of the game and assuring themselves a piece of a pie that is, with the likes of Jeep and Ford selling their own gear, being sliced into increasingly slim pieces. View this post on Instagram Feeding the long faced animal that isn’t mine and other jobs. Even made a beetle bank. A post shared by Jeremy Clarkson (@jeremyclarkson1) on Oct 27, 2019 at 6:33am PDTOf course, little of this would be necessary if Ford would simply grow a pair and import the tremendous Ranger Raptor to our market. While the Blue Oval is quick to point out the diesel engine fitted to these trucks in other markets wont play in Peoria, one cannot logically assert the company which literally invented the assembly line cant figure out how to fit a set of Fox dampers and a wider track onto a North American Ranger.Hey, by all appearances, Jeremy Clarkson has one. Endorsements dont get much heartier than
Origin: Ford gets into aftermarket off-road parts with ARB kit for Ranger
Mazda MX30 gets Tokyo debut
Mazda MX-30 gets Tokyo debut The new crossover is the first production EV from Mazda Mazda has revealed its first production EV at the Tokyo Motor Show – the MX-30. A compact crossover is a new model, rather than an added option for an existing badge. A driving range hasn’t been announced, but the battery pack will be 35.5 kWh so expect something around 130 miles on a single charge. Charging will be via a CCS inlet, with no specs for DC charging – though even 50 kW will see a good top up only take 20 minutes or so. The on-board AC charger is 6.6 kW. With a smaller battery comes shorter charging times and greater efficiency. Mazda isn’t targeting the likes of Hyundai’s Kona Electric with the MX-30, rather the Mini Electric and Honda e; stylish compact EVs with a range that comfortably exceeds most people’s daily driving needs. It also keeps weight down, so should continue Mazda’s focus on good driving dynamics for its models. The interior is made from some interesting materials, including cork in the console tray and recycled plastic bottles are used in the door trim. The entire cabin is made of environmentally friendly materials. Access is via a set of centre-opening doors, with conventional front doors complemented by a pair of shorter rear-hinged ones for access to the back.
Origin: Mazda MX30 gets Tokyo debut
The 2020 Audi A6 Hybrid gets better all-electric mileage
Audi A6 55 TFSI e quattroAudi Audis latest plug-in hybrid for 2020 is the A6 TFSI e 55 quattro, the automaker revealed late October, a sedan thatll join the lineup alongside the A7, A8, Q5 and Q7.Under the hood of this A6 is a 2.0-litre gasoline engine paired with a 105-kW electric motor; in total the powertrain makes 362 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, which helps get the sedan to 100 km/h from zero in just 5.6 seconds.The name feels its longer than its been before, but maybe thats because the electric-only range is slightly longer, too, now 53 km in European testing, a small improvement over the 40 km range of the A7. It might not be enough for a full trip out of the city, but its enough for a trip downtown.The A6s batteries can be recharged in just 2.5 hours at public chargers with an output of 7.4 kW. There are three drive modes that can be selected: EV for pure-electric; Hybrid to turn both gasoline and electric motors on; and Hold, to save electric power while using the gasoline engine only.On a side note, who edited these pictures for Audi? The wheels have clearly been poorly pasted on after the fact theres no depth. Perhaps they only had steel wheels lying around for the shoot, and proclaimed well fix it in post? Either way, poor form.Canadian pricing has not been announced, but in Europe the 2020 Audi A6 TFSI e 55 quattro plug-in Hybrid costs 68,850 Euro, or about CAD$100,500. Its likely the vehicle wont come to the U.S. or Canada anyway, as the last A6 hybrid we saw in North America was cancelled due to poor
Origin: The 2020 Audi A6 Hybrid gets better all-electric mileage
The Ram 1500 Classic Warlock gets a new Mojave Sand Package
2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock now offers Mojave Sand PackageRAM The Ram Power Wagon and Rebel’s Mojave Sand Package is moving on over to the 1500 Classic Warlock, to add a bit of ruggedness to the already ready-to-work truck.The Warlock name first appeared in 1976 on a truck based on a concept vehicle. According to period notes, it had bucket seats, fancy wheels, fat tires, chrome-plated running boards, real oak sideboards and special gold accent stripes inside and out.The modern Warlock, based on the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, features a different grille with RAM lettering, powder-coated front and rear bumpers, a one-inch lift, and a Warlock decal.Exclusive to the new-for-Warlock Mojave Sand Package is a sport performance hood, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, cloth/vinyl performance seats, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment, 7-inch customizable in-cluster display and an exclusive Mojave Sand exterior colour. The Ram 1500 Classic Warlock continues to prove that value never goes out of style, said Reid Bigland, head of Ram Brand. With the addition of the popular Mojave Sand exterior paint option, this truck will continue to resonate positively with buyers.Powering the Warlock is a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque; or an available 5.7-litre V8 with 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.Other colours available are Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Diamond Black, Pearl Red, Blue Streak, Billet Silver Metallic, Flame Red, Granite Crystal Metallic, Maximum Steel and Patriot Blue.The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock Mojave Sand Package has a starting price of $53,690 in
Origin: The Ram 1500 Classic Warlock gets a new Mojave Sand Package
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