2020 Polestar 2Supplied / Polestar Gradually — very gradually a cynic might say — we’re getting a handle on this whole Polestar project. In San Francisco, not far from the Silicon Valley startups that seem to influence so much of Polestar’s modus operandi, the Swedish/Chinese upstart peeled away yet another layer of the onion that is its first all-electric car, the Polestar 2. What this latest layer revealed is an interior worthy of its German — and, not forgetting Tesla, its American — competition, a little more detail on the pricing/range equation and a whole bunch on how Polestar plans on flogging its emissions-reduced performance future. First and foremost, Polestar in Canada will, no surprise here, focus its attention on the sophisticated hubs of Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, places where its new sales language — one doesn’t go to a dealer anymore, you visit a space and you certainly don’t “option” your car, you “curate” it — will find a welcome home. Initial “Launch” cars will cost $69,000 and will include everything but the Sport Package (20-inch tires and Ohlins suspension) and leather seats (the standard seat coverings are vegan, by the way). That’s for the 78 kilowatt-hour version that boast a 275-mile EPA-assured range and 500 kilometres EU rated range (if you’re wondering why those numbers don’t convert, it’s because, like all continental ratings, their EV testing standards are a little more, uhm, liberal). Rumours of a shorter-range, possibly 40 kWh, version are exactly that; rumour. China will be getting an entry-level version but the cheapest 2 we Nord Americanos will see will be a stripped 78-kWh version that will undercut the launch version by some 10 grand. It will also only arrive after the “Launch” version, which is due in about a year from now. One last interesting little tidbit: At least initially, the 2 will be available for traditional purchase or lease as well as the “subscription” basis that the company is pushing so hard. The big news from this latest (of what is sure to be many) reveal was a quick peek at Google’s new embedded — as opposed to projected, i.e. from your phone — in-car infotainment system. Called Android Automotive — yes, I easily confused it with Android Auto too — it is an even more seamless integration of the Google user interface into the touchscreen, which, unsurprisingly, looks an awful lot like Volvo’s 11-inch portrait-oriented screen. We’ll be covering its operation in tomorrow’s Motor Mouth, but we’ll leave you with this little tidbit. The Polestar 2 doesn’t require a key. You don’t even have to push a button to start it. Your phone is the key and a weight sensor in the driver’s seat is the electric motor’s on/off switch. Tres
Origin: Polestar reveals more details about its upcoming 2 EV
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News Roundup Auto Show Edition: The most popular reveals from New York
2020 Toyota HighlanderDerek McNaughton / Driving The 2019 New York International Auto Show hasn’t been a record event in terms of bombastic reveals. There’s the Shanghai Motor Show happening at the same time; Genesis revealed its tiny, futuristic EV in NYC before the auto show for some reason; and BMW didn’t even bother attending at all this year. Well who needs BMW anyway?! Not only did our editors find plenty of new rides to nerd out on (and some to make fun of) down in the Big Apple, they also picked up on a handful of new vehicles that are, for one reason or another, considerably important in the grand scheme of things. Here are five of the most significant reveals from the 2019 NY Auto Show. VW forays into small-truck territory with the Tarok Concept The Tarok Concept is part SUV, part small truck and all gamble for Volkswagen. And as a concept, it’s a gamble they’ve yet to fully make, but we’re kind of hoping they do, because this functional unit with a reconfigurable cargo bed with more capacity than the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger or Jeep Gladiator, is bound to have its share of use cases. The powerplant is the same 147-hp turbo’d 1.4-litre 4-cylinder the Golf uses, and a solid rear axle is an unlikelihood at this point, but if you’re looking for a way to ease into a pickup truck, this segment-defying concept from VW could show you the way. The 2020 Toyota Highlander takes the high road with a full redesign Picking up on what the newly restyled RAV4 recently put down in terms of design language, the fully redone 2020 Toyota Highlander debuted in NYC looking fresh and ready to carry the next generation of North American middle class families wherever it is they need to go. The Highlander is riding on Toyota’s New Global Architecture Platform (TNGA-K), and contains a 295-horsepower V6 that’s paired to smooth 8-speed automatic. The new hybrid variant is more efficient than ever; 17 per cent more efficient than its predecessor, in fact, and it comes with the option for AWD or FWD. The 2020 Subaru Outback takes centre stage Subaru displayed its new 2020 Outback in a sort of terrarium it set up within the Javits Centre, showing off the car’s new style, new engines, and updated platform and tech. It may not be the main breadwinner, but the Outback epitomizes Subaru in many ways, and is an important vehicle for the brand in that sense. Power for the sixth-gen Outback comes from either the new direct-injected 2.5-litre Boxer four-cylinder, or a 2.4-litre turbo-four, the latter of which makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. Other new tricks in the Subaru bag include its ability to send power to side-to-side with its new active torque-vectoring system; new modes for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud; and Subaru’s DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System that searches driver facial cues for signs of fatigue. Mercedes brought a rare and noteworthy product: a hot sedan 2019 Mercedes-AMG A35 Derek McNaughton / Driving The 2019 Mercedes-AMG A35 is a sedan. Remember those? But its rarity as a four-door car is just the hook here. It’s also something of a limited edition, and pretty speedy too. Inspired by its 2.0-litre turbo-four making 302 horsepower and 29295 lb.-ft. at just 3,000 rpm, the AMG A35 will do 0 to 100 in 4.8 seconds with Race Start launch activated, which is a tenth of a second quicker than the hatchback variant for some reason. Coming early 2020, but there’s no price yet, so maybe wait to place your order. Nissan honours the 240Z with the 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition Fifty years ago the Datsun 240Z debuted in New York. This year Nissan is celebrating the anniversary with a limited edition coupe featuring retro racing stripes a la BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises), a 332-horsepower 3.7-litre V6 engine, a 6-speed manual or 7-speed auto, and a bunch of unique badging and suede-trimmed details. We’re the Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition a bonafide future collectible right off the bat, especially with only 50 destined to arrive in Canada. And finally, here is our take on the best and worst of the New York Auto Show from our Editors:
Origin: News Roundup Auto Show Edition: The most popular reveals from New York
Nissan reveals retro-inspired GT-R 50th Anniversary edition
Nissan has celebrated 50 years of the GT-R sports car line with the launch of a special 50th Anniversary Edition at the New York motor show. The GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition celebrates the anniversary of the GT-R (Gran Turismo Racer) badge, which was introduced in 1969 as a variant of the Skyline. The GT-R became a standalone model in 2007. The special edition will be offered in three ‘heritage-inspired’ colour schemes, which are all based on liveries from Skyline GT-R cars that competed in the Japan GP series. That includes ‘Bayside Blue’, a colour retired since the R34 GT-R model. The interior features a special grey colour, and features unique steering wheel trim, Alcantera headliner and sun visors and seat trim. The 50th Anniversary Edition, along with other 2020 model year GT-Rs, retains a hand-built 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 powerplant, which produces 562bhp and 467lb ft, and Nissan says new turbochargers help improve low rpm response and improve efficiency. There is also a revised six-speed dual clutch transmission, which also features a reworked ‘R mode’ performance setting with more aggressive downshifts. Nissan has also tweaked the electronically controlled suspension in a bid to improve ride comfort and cornering stability. Nissan has also unveiled the new race-honed GT-R Nismo, which uses a turbocharger from the GT3 race version to boost output to 592bhp and 481lb ft. It also gets the revised transmission, R mode and suspension from the regular GT-R. The GT-R Nismo features revised bodywork, with greater use of carbon fibre to save weight and new downforce-generating front bodywork based on the GT-R GT3. The model features a new carbon-ceramic braking system to improve reaction times and durability. It sits on 20in wheels, and uses new Dunlop tyres which offer an increased contact patch with the road. Nissan has yet to confirm pricing for either model, but an increase from the current starting price of £76,875 is anticipated, particularly for the 50th Anniversary Edition. The current NISMO model costs £148,820. Nissan has also launched a limited edition variant of the 370Z to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Z performance
Origin: Nissan reveals retro-inspired GT-R 50th Anniversary edition
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