The new Land Rover Defender lands a role in the upcoming 007 movie

It’s looking like Daniel Craig will get to drive (or be chased by) a number of pretty choice vehicles in the upcoming 007 film. Aston Martin has confirmed its Valhalla, DB5 and V8 Vantage will all appear in the movie earlier this year, and now Land Rover has thrown its new Defender into the mix. By way of a video teaser showing the off-roader tear around in the mud/sticks/hills, the British automaker recently announced the new Defender 110 will make an appearance in the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die. In the 40-second spot, the film’s stunt driver Jess Hawkins takes some “pretty much standard as it would be out of the factory” Santorini Black Defender Defender through the paces, smiling through much of it. “Everything we’ve given it so far, it’s taken,” Hawkins says in the video. “I’d do this every day if I could!” The short appears to show at least one of the four-door Defender 110s ending up on its side. Hopefully they got the shot. Land Rover says the Range Rover Sport SVR, Land Rover Series III and Range Rover Classic will also appear in the film. No Time to Die hits big screens on April 8, 2020, a month after the 2020 Defender’s
Origin: The new Land Rover Defender lands a role in the upcoming 007 movie

Kia K5 reveal hints at upcoming Optima

Kia has previewed the new Korean-market K5 fastback saloon, which hints at the design of the upcoming fifth-generation Optima, ahead of its release in December. The pictures show several stylistic changes for the new car, which are likely to be adopted by the next generation of its European sister model. The Optima is expected to be unveiled within the next year. The new car’s profile is now more muscular, due in part to the body being narrowed between its wheel arches and the greater swage lines adding heavier creases along its side panels. The windows receive chrome detailing and are frameless for the first time, with chrome touches extending to the rear bumper. At 4905mm, the new K5 is 50mm longer than the outgoing model and 25mm wider at 1860mm, making it similar in size to the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. The wheelbase has grown to 2850mm, but the height has been lowered by 20mm for a sportier look. Kia has yet to release any performance figures, only confirming that the car would benefit from a range of new alloy wheels, available in 16, 17, 18 and 19in, with gloss black, dark grey and light grey colour options. The K5 will not be released in the UK, and it is unclear whether the next-generation Optima will make it here either: Kia recently pulled the model from sale, at the time telling Autocar that it had no plans to launch a
Origin: Kia K5 reveal hints at upcoming Optima

Subaru’s redesigned Levorg could hint at the upcoming WRX

2021 Subaru LevorgGraeme Fletcher / Driving What is it?The Subaru Levorg is a performance-oriented wagon thats just a prototype at this point, but sitting on stage at the Tokyo Motor Show, it sure looks ready to go. Hopefully, the Star Trek-like name will disappear before it makes it to market, although some say the name resonates with Trekkies.Why does it matter?The companys new global architecture, which underpins the current Impreza and Forester, is the basis for the new wagon. Key among the new Levorgs attributes is the next generation of Subarus EyeSight technology it has a new stereo camera system with a wider viewing angle, and four radars to pick up on a potential collision. It also uses a new high-definition mapping system and a GPS locator to allow semi-autonomous driving. Also new is a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer engine. No mention of power output, but think back to the just-launched 2020 Outback and its 2.4L turbo-four, and you have two-thirds of that engines displacement. This should mean around 175 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque in the Levorg, which should make it pretty brisk when compared to the current Imprezas 152-horsepower naturally-aspirated engine.When is it coming?The production version of the Levorg goes on sale in the Japanese market in the second half of 2020. No word on a Canadian launch date; given the outgoing Levorg wasnt sold here, we wouldnt hold our breath but there is some hope.Check out all of our latest auto show coverageShould you buy it?The outgoing Levorg was, in a way, a WRX wagon. Given its compact dimensions, 2020 release date, and the fact that the WRX is currently the oldest model in Subarus lineup, the latest Levorg could be a subtle tease of the next-gen WRX. Its certainly sharper and swankier-looking than the current
Origin: Subaru’s redesigned Levorg could hint at the upcoming WRX

Hyundai’s upcoming pickup will have a ladder frame, confirms exec

According to Hyundai, the Santa Cruz was not designed to be an alternative to a truck. The rumour mill continues to churn over Hyundais forthcoming pickup, a product that has seemingly been in gestation longer than a baby elephant.Recent scuttlebutt had the maybe-it-will, maybe-it-wont vehicle being built on a unibody platform think Santa Fe or Palisade with a bed instead of a cargo area and youd be on the right track.Now, however, it seems likely the Hyundai pickup will be built on a ladder-frame chassis. According to an interview with Aussie automotive site Which Car, development costs of a new separate frame will be shared with Kia, meaning theres every chance that brand will get a version of the truck as well.Whats clear to us is that if were going to bring a ute out, it had better be a ute, said John Kett, Hyundai Australia CEO, before setting off for the Outback to wrestle a gooly-gooly snake with his bare hands. Were going down that pathway and were working towards it. We just have to make sure that when it arrives, its a bloody ute.Clear as the water at Surfers Paradise, eh, mate? Kett went on to tell the Aussie gearheads the company is looking at a range of models, including two- and four-wheel-drive models and a possible array of cab configurations. Introducing anything other than a four-door Crew Cab would be a waste of time in this and many other countries, so, if a Hyundai pickup does materialize, expect it to launch in that body style.Another wrench in the works? Just because a company is selling a vehicle Down Under doesnt necessarily mean itll make it to this side of the pond. For proof of that in this very segment, one need look no further than Ford, a company which inexplicably refuses to sell the mighty Ranger Raptor in this country despite a favourable climate for doing so.Earlier this year, top brass at Hyundais U.S. unit spoke about the pickup truck in interviews, saying it would be very versatile and create a whole new class of buyers. Whatever form the truck takes, theres a good chance it will be manufactured in North America, thanks to the so-called Chicken Tax that levies stiff tariffs on imported pickup
Origin: Hyundai’s upcoming pickup will have a ladder frame, confirms exec

Upcoming electric Jag sedan will be followed by gas version: report

In the not-too-distant future, British supervillains will need to allow time for their getaway vehicle to fully charge. The good news? Theyll be able to accelerate away from Mr. Bond pretty quickly.The luxury EV race is heating up faster than a bank of un-cooled batteries. Companies like Audi, Mercedes, and, of course, Tesla, are hard at work either designing or churning out fast and sumptuous examples of electric vehicles.The latest to jump into the game? JLR, announcing a new XJ sedan and Range Rover SUV that will be powered by electrons.In fact, the next big sedan from Jaaag will launch solely as an electric car, taking aim at the Tesla Model S and upcoming Porsche Taycan. At a global investor meeting earlier in June, promises were made the companys new modular platform, one which is electric-capable, will first spawn a big SUV and premium sedan. Even without further specifics, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out what models they will be.This new platform will be adaptable to plug-in and mild-hybrid powertrains, so dont expect the new XJ and electric Rangey to be offered purely in EV form. Citing unnamed sources, Automotive News Europe says the XJ will be endowed with six-pot gasoline engines later in its development cycle. All-electrics on this new platform are said to pack a 90-kWh battery good for nearly 500 km of range. Plug-in hybrids using this architecture, meanwhile, will have a 13-kWh battery and be able to power themselves sans gasoline for about 50 km.Platform-sharing has become a key manner in which car companies can save a few dollars in the face of rising costs and competition. Look for these first two vehicles to appear in calendar year
Origin: Upcoming electric Jag sedan will be followed by gas version: report

Rumour has it Toyota and Lexus will use Mazda’s upcoming straight-six

Costa Mouzouris behind the wheel of the 2020 Lexus RC F.Handout / Lexus Back in 2016, Toyota and Mazda reached an agreement to share their technology.Since then, we’ve seen the fruits of the partnership ripen in a joint plant in Alabama, and in vehicles like the 2020 Yaris Hatchback, which borrows a platform from the Mazda2. Now, according to rumours uncovered by Japan’s Best Car magazine, which cites news broken in a Jalopnik story, and translated by Lexus Enthusiast.com, Toyota-Lexus will be dipping into the Mazda honey pot once more to put its second-generation Lexus RC coupe on a Mazda platform and use a Mazda engine.While speaking with Toyota about something else, Best Car’s editors uncovered information suggesting the brand has plans to use Mazda’s upcoming straight-six engine and rear-drive platform not just for the replacement to the Japan-only Mark X sedan, but also in an upcoming Lexus coupe slated to fit between the Lexus RC and LC. What’s more, Best Car suggests that Lexus will also use the platform for the generation after the next of the Lexus IS and RC. That means the first Mazda-Lexus models could arrive in 2022. It’s a juicy rumour, but a rumour nonetheless. And if you want another one: there have been whispers about a full merger between Toyota and Mazda. Shhhh.
Origin: Rumour has it Toyota and Lexus will use Mazda’s upcoming straight-six

Tesla’s upcoming Model Y SUV could be built at Fremont plant

Elon Musk is notoriously cagey when it comes to details about his automotive empire. Delivery numbers? Cost estimates? Time frames? Where most other auto manufacturers get their feet held to the fire over such minutiae, Musk and company seem to thrive on a foundation of sand and fog. After introducing the Model Y small crossover earlier this year, questions centred around where exactly the thing would be built. Since it shares much with the Model 3, a logical guesstimate would be for it to share assembly space with its smaller brother. Back in Q4 2018, however, the company stated it would likely utilize the Gigafactory 1 space in Nevada for Model Y production. That seems to have changed, according to a report from CNBC. Citing those in the know, Tesla is looking at pressing its Fremont facility into Model Y production, a plan Musk may have alluded to on an April call with investors. Nothing’s been publicly confirmed. In order for that plan to work, the company would need to shuffle a series of deck chairs at Fremont, a plant which currently produces all three of Tesla vehicles on sale today. Adding the Model Y to that mix would likely require new equipment, gear for which the company has barely begun to place orders, according to sources cited by CNBC. Those same insiders say that making way for the Model Y would necessitate consolidating Model X and Model S production onto a single line. And yes, Tesla’s four vehicles are called S, 3, X and Y. That ‘3’ would have been an ‘E’ if not for the Ford Motor Company crying foul over trademarks and copyrights. Keep in mind that Tesla is planning extensive upgrades to the Model S this year, including an interior that is said to mimic that found in the Model 3. If it utilizes some of the same forms and parts, it could reduce costs, or allow for more flexible manufacturing options at Fremont. The company recently cut production staff and, according to insiders speaking to CNBC, now makes the X and S on weekday
Origin: Tesla’s upcoming Model Y SUV could be built at Fremont plant

BMW teases upcoming iNext’s curved, ‘floating’ infotainment touchscreen

A teaser image of the backside of the iNexts infotainment screen, as seen through the windshieldBMW The days of in-dash screens and instrument clusters may well be numbered. BMW has released teaser photos of a curved, fully-digital screen that will debut in the iNext in two years. The iNext, which BMW calls its “new technology flagship,” will be electric, completely connected and capable of high-level autonomous driving. The screen is called the Curved Display (nothing like being direct with names) and is a single unit that contains all the car’s information and control display areas. BMW didn’t reveal exactly how large it is, but the picture looks like it takes up a substantial swath of the dash. It’s customizable so the driver will have the right information at the right time, and is touch-activated. It uses non-reflecting glass, so there’s no need for a hood to shade it. The front-seat passenger will be able to see the screen and activate controls on it, but it’s possible to move individual items directly into the driver’s direct line of sight where passengers can’t see them—and we’re seeing all sorts of possibilities with that one. (“No, dear, I’m not speeding, trust me…”) The screen is held in with a very slim magnesium bracket and is positioned so people in the car can’t see how it’s attached, giving it a floating look. The iNext crossover will go into production for 2021, and will be built in BMW’s plant in Dingolfing,
Origin: BMW teases upcoming iNext’s curved, ‘floating’ infotainment touchscreen

Rivian unveils a Camping Special trim for its upcoming all-electric pickup

Electric vehicle start-up Rivian showed off a “camping special” trim available for its all-electric pickup truck late May—even though it’s yet to actually build its first production all-electric pickup truck. The California-based company showed the camper-equipped truck last weekend to visitors at the Overland Expo adventure travel show in Flagstaff, Arizona. The camping package includes a tent on top of the bed, roof racks for accessories, and a slide-out kitchen that fits into a storage compartment, called the Gear Tunnel, under the front of the truck’s bed. The kitchen included a two-burner induction cooktop, which runs off the truck’s battery. We’ve cooked up a mobile kitchen prototype that showcases just one of the many ways to utilize the extra storage space in the #R1T. It features 2 induction burners, a sink, 5 gallons of water storage and keeps all your cookware and utensils organized while youre out in the wild. pic.twitter.com/qsVXZUvCw8 Rivian (@Rivian) May 17, 2019 Founded in 2009 by R.J. Scaringe, the company unveiled its R1T electric pickup and R1S sport-utility vehicle at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. It says production models will go on sale in 2020, and claims specifications of around 800 horsepower, a battery range of about 750 kilometres, zero-to-96 km/h in less than three seconds, and towing capacity for the pickup of more than 11,000 lbs. The vehicles will also be capable of semi-autonomous highway driving. Prices haven’t been officially released, but the first higher-performance vehicles are expected to be around US$90,000, with less-potent models added later and starting at around US$50,000. They’ll be built in Normal, Illinois, in a former Mitsubishi plant the company bought from the Japanese automaker last
Origin: Rivian unveils a Camping Special trim for its upcoming all-electric pickup

VW launches online hub for upcoming electric I.D. cars

A camoflaged version of the VW I.D. HatchbackElektrowoz Volkswagen’s I.D. line of electric vehicles could be hitting the streets sooner than later. Starting May 8 at noon, London time, the company will begin taking pre-orders for its new I.D. Hatchback. To juice the process, VW’s U.K. arm launched a special online portal to welcome “registrations of interest” and to provide information on future members of the I.D. family. Alert readers will recall Wolfsburg has shown several vehicles designed to be part of its all-electric I.D. lineup. They include the curiously named Crozz, Buzz and Vizzion. At that rate, the company will quickly use up the world’s supply of Zs. The new I.D. Hatchback will be offered in a trio of flavours, ranging from an entry-level trim with about 330 km of driving range; all the way up to a fancy-pants 111-kWh model that can stretch its legs up to 550 km per charge. All versions will be powered by a rear-mounted electric motor cranking out approximately 168 horsepower. The company has indicated it will build future I.D. vehicles on a common skateboard platform, allowing them to drape the electric architecture with different clothing depending on market goals. Earlier today, a video of a lightly disguised I.D. Hatchback prototype briefly appeared online; screenshots from website Elektrowoz made sure images from the clip stayed around. Despite its overall shape being quite unlike anything in VW’s current catalog, there’s no mistaking it for anything other than a Volkswagen. The taillights are especially reminiscent of a Golf, while the round button of a VW badge stands out prominently between its headlamps. A camoflaged version of the VW I.D. Hatchback Elektrowoz What is presumably a flap covering its charging port appears on the car’s right-rear quarter panel in some images, but vanishes from that location in others. We’ll have to wait for an unveiling of the real thing to accurately determine details such as those. What is certain is that VW is jumping into the electric vehicle market in a big way. With entrants like these, competition for EV supremacy is going to a whole lot more
Origin: VW launches online hub for upcoming electric I.D. cars