Renault updates big-selling Captur with new platform and interior

Renault has followed up its strong-selling Captur crossover with a second-generation model that features a similar dramatic interior revamp as the Clio – and will also be offered as a plug-in hybrid. The French maker claims to have sold more of the outgoing Captur last year than when it first launched in 2013. To continue that success, the new Seat Arona rival adopts an evolutionary approach to the exterior design that Renault describes as “more modern, more muscular and more expressive, with more SUV design cues”. LED head and tail-lights are also now standard across the range. Set to go on sale at the end of this year, the new crossover is significantly larger than its predecessor, with 100mm added to its length – with a 33mm longer wheelbase – and a 19mm increase in width. The result is claimed class-leading rear seat space, aided by a sliding bench that can be adjusted by up to 16cm, and a 536-litre boot that is 81 litres larger than the outgoing car. The Mk2 Captur sits on the same CMF-B platform first used for the latest Clio. It’s said to weigh “about the same” as the old car despite its increase in size and equipment levels, thanks to details such as an aluminium bonnet and plastic tailgate. The interior of the new car, like the Clio, has had a more substantial overhaul than the exterior. Renault claims it offers “a new dimension of quality and comfort rivalling models from the class above” with extensive use of higher-grade materials and newly designed seats. There’s also a new floating centre console, freeing up additional storage and space for wireless phone charging. The infotainment is a big upgrade, with an optional 9.3in central screen – larger than in the bigger Kadjar – combining with standard customisable 7in digital instruments (a 10in display is available on higher grades). A greater range of standard safety assist kit is offered, too. Renault is also going big on customisation: there’s a total of 90 exterior colour combinations and 18 interior configurations. From launch, the Captur will be offered with three turbocharged petrol engines and two diesels, all new to the car. The base 1.0-litre three-cylinder TCe unit puts out 99bhp and 118lb ft of torque, while a 1.3-litre four-cylinder makes 128bhp and 177lb ft in ‘130’ form, and 153bhp and 199lb ft in ‘155’ form. A 1.5-litre diesel comes in 94bhp and 113bhp form. Depending on the engine, five- or six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are offered. The Captur will gain a plug-in hybrid E-Tech model in the first quarter of 2020. The system, for which Renault has filed over 150 patents, blends a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 9.8kWh battery and two electric motors, linked to a new ‘multimode’ continuously variable transmission, claimed to feel like a dual-clutch set-up. Renault says it can run for 28 miles on battery power alone at up to 83mph, while a braking system taken from the firm’s EV range allows strong brake regeneration for a ‘one pedal’ driving technique. Performance and efficiency figures have not yet been released, but engineers tell us it puts out around 150bhp and “substantially” more torque than the regular petrol
Origin: Renault updates big-selling Captur with new platform and interior

Aston Martin’s mid-engined Vanquish with have a manual transmission

The 2019 Aston Martin Vanquish ConceptAston Martin Aston Martins next Vanquish will be a mid-engined supercar, and CEO Andy Palmer just confirmed it will come with a proper manual transmission.Ive already made a commitment that I want to be the last manufacturer in the world to offer manual sports cars, and I want to honour that commitment, Palmer told Australia’s Car Sales. The transmission will be a variation of Astons built-in-house seven-speed manual with its dogleg-H pattern, meaning first gear is to the left and down, instead of up. The transmission is usually sitting behind a V8, but in the mid-engine Vanquish, it will be in front of a V6 mounted behind the driver.In an age where lap times and zero-to-100 km/h sprints are all the rage, its reassuring to see Aston Martin take the road less travelled with a more engaging, albeit slower-shifting transmission option. Also going against the norm, the Vanquish will use an aluminum tub instead of carbon fibre; while that seems like stone age technology now, Palmer has a reason for it.Our mainstream cars, have been created to be usable daily, he said. Thats why they employ an aluminum tub for a lower and narrower sill; it makes them easier to get in and out of.The Vanquish Vision concept was revealed earlier this year in Geneva, previewing the upcoming car. Aston plans to put it up against the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S, but unlike those two, Aston wont limit production and will actually build additional variants. plan is to go up against Ferrari with its F8 Tributo and McLarens 720S, but unlike those two, Aston wont limit the production, and will actually build additional
Origin: Aston Martin’s mid-engined Vanquish with have a manual transmission

Dodge making a Pikes Peak hill climb run with new Charger Hellcat Widebody

Mere hours after letting the rabid feline that is the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody out of its cage for the first time, Dodge has announced that it’ll be testing the 707-horsepower car on the slopes of Pikes Peak. The automaker is teaming up once more with Michigan racers Wesley Motorsports to bring the Hellcat Widebody to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado. The team is hopeful that this year, with the new set of wider tires and adjusted fender flares and fascia, the Hellcat will be more nimble than ever. Dodge will run its new Charger Hellcat Widebody at this year’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Handout / Dodge The stock 2020 Charger Hellcat Widebody has a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 good for those 707 horses and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, and paired to an eight-speed automatic. Top speed is 315 km/h, but that’s running on flat ground. For the sloped test, Dodge and Wesley have added a racing exhaust, upgraded shocks, brakes and tires, stripped the interior for weight, and added roll cage, just in case. Pro racer and four-time Pikes Peak vetran Randy Pobst will coax the car around the 156 turns and up to the 14,115-foot (4,302-metre) summit of the 2019 Time Attack 1 class this
Origin: Dodge making a Pikes Peak hill climb run with new Charger Hellcat Widebody

Bentley rounds off centenary trio with Continental Number 1 Edition

Bentley has paid tribute to its 1929 Blower race car with the new Continental GT Number 1 Edition by Mulliner. Based on the Continental GT Convertible, the Number 1 can be had in either red or grey and features a number of bespoke styling elements that, the firm says, “celebrate some of the pioneering individuals from the marque’s first 100 years”. The Number 1 is equipped with a Centenary trim package that adds commemorative badges to the bootlid and wheels, unique LED lighting patterns and bespoke interior elements. The number 1 is painted on the grille, in reference to the brand’s historic motorsport markings, and a carbonfibre body kit is fitted as standard. Further styling upgrades include 18-carat gold badging, jewel-encrusted oil and fuel filler caps, and 22in alloy wheels finished in dark red or gloss black. The Continental’s rotating infotainment display now features a miniature replica of the Bentley Blower’s distinctive wheel spinner, formed from a piece of piston taken from the original car. The special edition is powered by the standard model’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine, with power sent through a dual-clutch eight-speed gearbox. The Number 1 Edition completes a trio of limited-run models Bentley has unveiled as part of its centenary celebrations. Last year’s Mulsanne W.O. Edition celebrated company founder Walter Owen Bentley, and the recently revealed Continental GT Number 9 was styled after the firm’s 1930 Le Mans racer. As with the earlier cars, just 100 Number 1 models will be made. The Bentley Blower, named for its prominent supercharger, set the Outer Circuit lap record at the now-closed Brooklands race circuit in Surrey in
Origin: Bentley rounds off centenary trio with Continental Number 1 Edition

Bentley rounds off centenary trio with Continental Number 9 Edition

Mitsubishi could return to performance cars with reborn Lancer Evolution

Mitsubishi is plotting a resurrection of the iconic Lancer Evolution as part of a return to its performance car roots. It is planned to continue a rich history of Lancer Evolution models kicked off with the launch of the first-generation model in 1992, by offering supercar-beating acceleration together with the choice of either traditional four-door saloon or five-door hatchback bodystyles, according to Japanese-based sources. Details remain scarce, but suggestions are the followup to the Lancer Evolution X produced between 2007 and 2016 would share key elements of its drivetrain with the next-generation Renault Mégane RS, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a dual-clutch gearbox and an advanced Mitsubishi-developed S-AWC four-wheel drive system. In its most potent form, the existing front-wheel-drive Renault Mégane RS’s MR designated engine delivers 296bhp and 295lb ft of torque. However, the possible addition of electronic boosting in a 48V mild-hybrid system being developed for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance is likely to increase its reserves closer to the 341bhp and 319lb ft of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant used by the limited-edition Subaru Impreza WRX STi S209. The 11th generation of the four-wheel-drive Lancer Evolution has been conceived to sit on the CMF-C/D F4 platform developed within Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. The current non-performance Lancer was discontinued as an international model in 2017, but the name lives on with a saloon model sold in Chinese-speaking markets due to its popularity. The Evolution’s revival, part of Mitsubishi chairman Osamu Masuko’s plan to restore the Japanese maker to its previous position of strength within the performance car ranks, would depend on the Lancer returning in a new generation. Masuko, 70, is set to surrender his position as CEO to Takao Kato. However, the Mitsubishi veteran will continue to lead the company in the position of chairman. Previous plans by Masuko to develop a successor to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X were placed on hold following heavy losses at the company and its subsequent purchase by Nissan in
Origin: Mitsubishi could return to performance cars with reborn Lancer Evolution

Genesis planning to launch Tesla rival with new pure-electric EV

Genesis has been on a roll with its vehicles, taking on big names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz and taking home awards.But now its targeting an American manufacturer: Tesla.In 2021, Genesis will be launching its first pure electric car, reports Australias Drive, and it will come in two different body styles: a sedan and an SUV.Genesis has not revealed the vehicles yet, but we assume well soon hear about it considering the upcoming release date.Something we do know a little bit about is the Mint concept, shown at the 2019 New York auto show. The Mint is a small coupe designed for the city; it runs on pure battery power. We are very well positioned with alternative technologies. For now, we are focused on the near term, spake Genesis global boss Manfred Fitzgerald during the recent Australian launch of the Genesis brand.In 2021 we have our first fully dedicated new EV platform () We are moving very fast on this.In addition to the EVs, Genesis will also be bringing more hydrogen-powered models to market, although it has not revealed the full details of that range. Genesis will likely follow in parent company Hyundais footsteps and introduce a raft of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, pure electric and hydrogen-powered fuel cell
Origin: Genesis planning to launch Tesla rival with new pure-electric EV

Tractor nabs world speed record with help from F1 team

British industrial equipment manufacturer JCB has just set the record for Worlds fastest tractor with a little help fromthe Williams F1 team!?Yes, it was none other than the vaunted Formula One constructor that restyled the body to give it some actual aerodynamics, allowing it to better cut through the air.The real achievement is the engine, though, a 7.2-litre diesel straight-six that produces 1,843 lb.-ft. of torque and 1,000 horsepower.Special modifications were made to the engine to increase cooling, and the CVT transmission was swapped out for a six-speed wet-clutch unit from a lorry.To complete the record, they would need a steely-eyed missile man who laughs in the face of danger, and former motorcycle racer Guy Martin was just the person to do it. Martin managed to get the massive tractor up to 103.6 mph (166.7 km/h), beating the previous record of 87.27 mph (140.4 km/h) set by the Top Gear crew in March 2018.She felt rock-steady on the runway, jobs a peach, Martin said. JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford was quite excited about the whole thing, too.Weve long harboured a dream to attempt a speed record with the Fastrac and the whole team has worked tirelessly to achieve this amazing result, he said. Im extremely proud of what they have achieved in such a short space of time.JCB is actually no stranger to world records: in 2006 its DieselMax streamliner reached 350.092 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting a new diesel land speed record.The entire effort will be encapsulated in a documentary, to be released later this
Origin: Tractor nabs world speed record with help from F1 team

Lightyear One solar-charging EV revealed with 450 mile range

Dutch start-up Lightyear has revealed a prototype of its upcoming new One, which it claims will be the world’s first long-range solar car. The One is a lightweight, four-wheel drive, coupé-style four-door, which Lightyear says will offer a range of around 450 miles on the WLTP combined cycle from a solar-electric hybrid powertrain. Lightyear claims the One is able to achieve this segment-leading range even with a much smaller battery than that found in equivalent BEVs, because it consumes much less energy than conventional electric cars. Each wheel is independently driven, minimising loss of energy throughout the drivetrain, while the use of ultra-light materials for its body construction reduces strain on the battery’s output. As well as generating as much as 12,430 miles worth of energy each year from solar power, the One can be charged from a conventional domestic 230V outlet, gaining up to 250 miles of range overnight The car’s five-metre-square solar panels are located on its roof and bonnet, comprising solar cells integrated in safety glass so strong that, Lightyear says, “a fully-grown adult can walk on them without causing dents.” Company boss Lex Hoefsloot said: ““The main goal of the car is to fill in where electric cars fall short. Research has shown that range and the lack of charging options are still the top concerns that people have when considering purchasing electric cars.” The One marks the start of Lightyear’s planned solar vehicle development strategy. While reservations for the One open at €119,000 (£106,000), future models will “have significantly lower purchase prices”. The company also says the One’s successors will be geared towards car-sharing, with high levels of autonomy and low operating costs, as it strives to create a product range that is fully sustainable. The first 100 One models, of a total planned production run of 500, have been reserved already. Build is set to get underway in
Origin: Lightyear One solar-charging EV revealed with 450 mile range

Three family-oriented sedans with cash in the trunk

On the last three Fridays of every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look a trio of affordable sedans. The hot deals are on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Luxury, Kia Forte EX Premium and Volkswagen Jetta Highline.2019 Hyundai Elantra Luxury 2019 Hyundai Elantra Handout / Hyundai Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $24,099 Hyundai Canada Incentive*: $3,000Unhaggle Savings: $250 Total Savings: $3,250 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,845Total Before Tax: $22,694The sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra gets a refresh for 2019. Along with sharper styling comes more standard equipment. The cabin has decent materials, leather seating, a lot of amenities and a straightforward layout with the buttons and controls being logically placed. The seven-inch infotainment touchscreen works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and displays the back-up camera with its dynamic parking guide.The rear seat has room for a pair of adults, although those pushing six feet will find headroom at a premium. Out back is a nicely squared-off trunk with 407 litres of cargo space.The Elantra Luxury arrives with forward collision warning with auto-braking; blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert; and lane-departure warning with keep assist as standard equipment.Elantra arrives with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 foot-pounds of torque. It drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is civilized and works well with the automatic. Interestingly, the 2020 Elantra, which is on dealer lots now, replaces the automatic transmission with the intelligent variable transmission (IVT) found in the Kia Forte.The Luxurys powertrain combination delivers a run to 100 kilometres an hour of 10.4 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres.The Elantra has a smooth highway ride and it is comfortable about town as long as the road is reasonably smooththe rear suspension tends to protest a little if the road deteriorates mid-corner. The steering is pleasantly light at parking lot speeds and firms up nicely on the highway. For those that want a little performance, Sport mode not only ups the responsiveness of the engine and transmission, it puts some extra weight in the steering.The Hyundai Elantra Luxury arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $3,250 and a pre-tax sticker of $22,694.2019 Kia Forte 2.0 EX Premium IVT 2019 Kia Forte Handout / Kia Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $25,065Kia Canada Incentive*: $3,000Unhaggle Savings: $250Total Savings: $3,250Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,825Total Before Tax: $23,640The 2019 Kia Forte sedan has been fully reworked for 2019 and now features Stinger-influenced styling and a lot of new features. The cabin is classy and logical in its layouteverything above the steering wheels central cross-bar is about information; below is all about the control side. The format puts everything in the right place. The touch-sensitive eight-inch infotainment system follows this logical lead and it works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The rear seat is, for the compact class, generous in its accommodations. Theres good headroom and surprising legroom. Behind is a 434-litre trunk. The deck lid automatically pops open when the smart key is detected.The Kia Forte EX Premium arrives with advanced forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning with keep assist and a driver attention warning systemif it picks up on a drowsy/inattentive driver, it suggests they take a break.The Forte shares its engine with the Hyundai Elantra. The 2.0-litre four pushes 147 hp and 132-lb.-ft. for torque through the front wheels and an intelligent variable transmission. The latter differs from most continuously variable transmissions in that it uses pre-set ratios under both moderate and hard acceleration, which dispenses with the usual droning racket. Whenever possible, however, it adopts fully variable ratios to improve fuel economy.The combination delivers a run to 100 km/h of 9.8 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 6.9 L/100 km.The Forte holds a flat attitude through a corner and feels stable at highway speeds. It is also one of the quieter rides in the segment. As with Elantra, mid-corner bumps unsettle the rear suspension. The steering is nicely weighted across the operating range. If needed, Sport mode adds yet more weight and a sportier driving feel.The Kia Forte EX Premium has a sticker price of $23,640 after the combined Unhaggle discount of $3,250 is applied.2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI Highline 8 Tiptronic 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Derek McNaughton / Driving Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $25,495Volkswagen Canada Incentive*: $1,500Unhaggle Savings:
Origin: Three family-oriented sedans with cash in the trunk