2019 Jeep Renegade Limited 4x4Jil McIntosh Big changes are reportedly in store for everybodys favourite off-road brand, Jeep.The companys entire lineup is on track to get electrified by 2022, Jeep global president Christian Meunier revealed to Australias Car Advice at the debut of the 2020 Gladiator. This means in just a few years we can expect plug-in hybrid or battery-electric powertrains under the hoods of not just new products, but icons like the Wrangler as well.Its a lofty goal for the brand to complete in just two years, but its already got a start in the compact Hybrid Renegade.Jeeps also plans to expand its lineup into more on-road vehicles, according to reports from Auto Express, and has been confirmed to soon launch a rival to the extremely popular ultra-compact Suzuki Jimny.We want to make it more of a sustainable, iconic brand, not only an off-road brand, Meuniers said, which suggests this brand re-alignment rumour has legs. While its arguable Jeep is already an on-road brand, as probably less than half of owners actually take their vehicles out on the trails, a more road-friendly SUV would be a good move for Jeep.And a Jimny rival would do very well in North America, since Suzuki has decided not to bring the vehicle here thats a gap Jeep could potentially fill.With Jeeps new doctrine in mind, wed bet the vehicle could also be all-electric, making for the perfect little city car, especially for us Canadians that need a little more ground clearance for those particularly harsh winters.LISTEN: What do you get when you combine a cross-country electric vehicle road trip with a poignant love story? Mary Ann’s Electric Drive, that’s what. In this week’s episode of Plugged In, we chat with Harvey Soicher, a Vancouver man who tragically lost his soul mate 18 months ago but found some semblance of healing by embracing what he calls a ‘pioneer spirit’ to drive his Audi e-tron from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and back.
Origin: Jeep wants to electrify its whole lineup by 2022, says report
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Mercedes-Benz updates lineup with refreshed entry-level GLA
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC (Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 7,5-7,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 171-170 g/km) // Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC (combined fuel consumption 7.5-7.4 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 171-170 g/km) Mercedes-Benz is updating its lineup with the introduction of the refreshed 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA, the entry-level SUV in the brands successful family of SUVs.The new Mercedes-Benz GLA is ten centimetres taller than its predecessor, to offer more headroom for the driver and passenger; legroom has been improved in the rear as well.The rear seats can be moved fore and aft, and the bench is a 40-20-40 split-folding type.The front section of the GLA is upright, while the overhangs have been made shorter to allow for more off-road prowess, while simultaneously making it easier to park. The wheelbase has been lengthened to 2,729 millimetres, 30 more than the previous generation. Under the hood of the GLA is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 221 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is sent to either the front or all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission.Opt for the AMG 35 version of the GLA, and that powerplant delivers 302 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The transmission for the A35 is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, which helps it get to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. Top speed is an electronically limited 250 km/h. All versions of the vehicle have a fun party trick carried over from the full-sized GLS called Car Wash Mode, which folds the mirrors and closes all the windows, including the sunroof, and also turns off the rain-sensing wipers so they arent triggered by the water.The GLA is set to arrive in Canada by summer of
Origin: Mercedes-Benz updates lineup with refreshed entry-level GLA
2020 BMW X3 lineup grows with a new plug-in hybrid model
2020 BMW X3 xDrive30eDerek McNaughton / Driving What is it?BMWs most popular model the X3 will soon be available as a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of 50 kilometres.Why does it matter?While a fully electric X3 is still a distant possibility, the X3 XDrive30e with standard AWD bridges the gap between a future BEV and the partial electric X3 today. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder turbo engine with 184 horsepower and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereThe high-voltage battery can be charged via a conventional household socket using the standard-equipment charging cable. In this way, the battery will fully charge in less than six hours. For commuters who travel less than 50 kilometres each day, it could be months before ever needing gas. Together, the two drive units yield 292 horsepower, allowing for a zero-to-100 km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. Average fuel economy, when bolstered by the batterym is 2.4L / 100 kilometres.More importantly, the lithium-ion battery pack is located underneath the rear seat while the fuel tank is positioned above the rear axle, so the cargo space of 450 litres is the same as a conventional X3. When is it coming?The X3 plug-in hybrid is coming to Canada late spring, 2020, with pricing will be announced closer to the launch.Should you buy it? If you like the looks and driving dynamics of the X3, as lots of people do, then saving fuel, cutting emissions and never having to suffer range anxiety sounds like an ideal formula for this popular premium SUV.LISTEN: What do car dealers think about electric vehicles? Are they keen to have them in their showrooms? We talk to Vancouver GM dealer Blair Upton about this and much more during this week’s episode of Plugged In. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: 2020 BMW X3 lineup grows with a new plug-in hybrid model
Audi bolsters its EV lineup with the 2020 e-tron Sportback
2020 Audi e-tron SportbackHandout / Audi What is it?The Audi e-tron Sportback takes the lower half of current e-tron SUV and marries it with the top half of an A7. When launched, the sharp-looking Sportback will be offered in two different flavours: The Sportback 55 has the same powertrain as the current e-tron, meaning a 95 kWh battery and two electric motors good for 355 horsepower and 414 lb.-ft. of torque. The key difference is Sportbacks sleeker aerodynamics, mechanical improvements, and increased regenerative braking extend the the driving range to 450 kiometres. The second model is the Sportback 50 it has a smaller 72 kWh battery, a net output of 320 horsepower, and a driving range of 340 kilometres. Sharper fastback look aside, the only real difference is the cargo capacity it drops by 45 litres to 615. The rest, from the cabin layout to the suspension, is carried over from the SUV.Why does it matter?Perhaps the highlight of the Sportback is its optional digital matrix LED lighting, with a 1.2-million-pixel chip. The chip itself isnt new, as its been used in overhead projectors, but the e-tron Sportback is the first automotive application. In theory, and if/when legislation permits, the chip has the capability to play a black-and-white movie on the road ahead using just the headlights!CHECK OUT ALL OUR LATEST AUTO SHOW COVERAGEAs each of the pixels can be controlled individually when an oncoming car is detected, the pixels of light that would normally blind that driver are shut down. The pixels are also used to put virtual lines on the road ahead of the car. These represent the width of the Sportback, which makes it is easier to judge placement within the lane and how space there is should the lane narrow.The party trick is the driver can pick one of five pre-programmed light patterns when the car is first unlocked. The demo saw a twirling logo light up the wall ahead of the car in a dancing light display. Gimmicky? Yes, but it is also a very interesting extension it has much more visual punch than projecting the name of the car on the ground! When is it coming?The 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback will hit Canadian roads in middle of next year.Should you buy it?The e-tron Sportback adds a sharper-looking alternative to the e-tron SUV. While the new 50 model is an interesting take on things, its the topline 55 thats going to be the seller. The good news is that the price increase will be small estimated to be around $3,000 when compared to the current
Origin: Audi bolsters its EV lineup with the 2020 e-tron Sportback
BMW i1 will be the first in a lineup of new electric vehicles
BMW plans to kick off an electric car revolution with a brand-new i1, with a more conventional appearance than the space-age i3, says a new report.According to Auto Express, 12 fully electric cars and 13 plug-in hybrids will be making their way to BMW showrooms within the next four years. The first of the breed will be the i1, followed by the iX3 SUV and the fully electric i4.Robert Irlinger, head of BMWs i Division, says the electric platform that underpins its front-wheel-drive cars can be adapted to almost any vehicle the customer wants. Whatever they demand, they can get a plug-in hybrid X3, a fully-electric 4 Series, too. Thats a big step and a big change in our strategy.This means that essentially any BMW could be made electric, and in configurations such as front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive with electric front assist (so, all-wheel drive) as well as obviously fully electric and hybrid. To give you an idea of the styling on the i1, Auto Express suggests itll likely look like a 1 Series with the kidney grilles censored by that, we mean BMWll put a honking black rectangle across the front of them. Presumably, itll fit some piece of safety tech or a bumper there or something. The rest of the vehicle should look like a conventional hatch, which should make it a hit with buyers.Expect to see this electric 1 Series within two years, with the other models to follow
Origin: BMW i1 will be the first in a lineup of new electric vehicles
Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
Hyundai is changing the names of its trim lines for the Veloster, as well as taking away the manual transmission options for the lower, non-turbocharged trims.Before, we had 2.0L, Turbo, and Turbo Tech, now we have Preferred, Luxury, and Turbo, with only the Turbo trim option carrying forward the manual transmission for the 2020 model year.Starting at $22,399, the base model Preferred trim of the Veloster comes with a 2.0-litre engine that makes 147 horsepower, price has gone up $2,000 from the 2019 model. The Luxury trim also comes with the same engine, priced at $25,099. Both Preferred and Luxury trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, the manual option is no longer available for these two trims. The Turbo Tech trim is disappearing, effectively merging with the $27,499 Turbo trim as the sole option available with the 201 horsepower 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is available for another $1,500.The Turbo trim option adds a few niceties to the Preferred and Luxury trims, including leather seats, a 4.2-inch cluster display, LED headlights and Taillights, and alloy wheels.The Veloster N is also on the table, and thatll set you back a little more cash at $34,999, but for that price, you get a 275-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four, sport exhaust, 19-inch wheels, selectable drive modes, and its six-speed manual transmission is graced with rev-matching.Shame to see the manual options go on the cheapest of the trim levels, but were glad Hyundai is keeping it around for the more sporty trims that enthusiasts are more likely to
Origin: Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
Volkswagen is planning some serious changes to the Golf lineup in the U.S.
2018 Volkswagen GolfHandout / Volkswagen Volkswagen is poised to release the eighth-generation of its venerable Golf hatchback, but the future of lower-end models could be in jeopardy in the U.S. According to Motor1, a spokesman suggests only the next-gen GTI and Golf R will be available in the U.S. as the base Golf will be dropped, leaving budget-minded buyers out in the cold. VW’s U.S. division hasn’t confirmed this, but sales figures support the rumour. VW Canada, however, remains committed to a full lineup. Almost half of Golf sales in 2018 were the GTI and R, with the GTI selling almost three times as much as the base model. Only 6,642 base hatchbacks were sold in the U.S., which accounts for less than two per cent of the brand’s overall car sales down there. The Golf Sportwagen is also on the chopping block in the U.S., which doesn’t bode well for the Alltrack on which it’s based. In Canda, a base Golf with a manual transmission starts at $22,500. Stepping up to the GTI requires an extra $8,345. The Golf R requires even more cash, starting at $42,495 — nearly double over a base hatch. Last year, Canadians bought just over 17,000 Golf models of all
Origin: Volkswagen is planning some serious changes to the Golf lineup in the U.S.
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