Unhaggle has the scoop on tempting deals on the Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz CLA and Infiniti Q50.Handout / Lexus / Mercedes-Benz / Infiniti 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 at sports sedans with all-wheel-drive. The hot deals are on the 2019 Infiniti Q50T Luxe, Lexus IS 300 and Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. 2019 Infiniti Q50 2019 Infiniti Q50 Handout / Infiniti Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $44,995 Manufacturer Incentive*: $4,000 Unhaggle Savings: $500 Total Savings: $4,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,185 Total Before Tax: $42,680 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Infiniti Q50 model range has been streamlined — the 2.0L four-cylinder engine and hybrid model have been dropped. A well-equipped cabin supports the Q’s avant-garde looks with a dual-screen infotainment system dominating the centre stack. The eight-inch upper screen is accessed through steering wheel-mounted controls or central controller and looks after the driving information and navigation. The lower seven-inch screen is touch-sensitive and takes care of the infotainment and phone functions. It works nicely, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are conspicuous by their absence. The other letdown is the leatherette wrapping the power seats — it’s not great vinyl. The Q’s backseat has enough space for two adults to ride with headroom to spare and it has a roomy 382-litre trunk. While forward collision warning with auto braking is standard the rest of the desirable safety equipment is bundled up in the all-encompassing Sensory, ProAssist, ProActive package. It adds a whopping $7,800 to the Luxe’s sticker, which is regressive thinking and well behind the times. All Q50s get a derivative of Infiniti’s 3.0L twin-turbo V6. In the case of the Luxe it produces 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm (the same V6 produces 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque in the Red Sport 400!). The grunt reaches the road through a slick seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode and a good all-wheel-drive system. By monitoring an array of inputs the AWD system sends up to 50 percent of drive forward when needed. Once up to speed it reverts to rear-drive for fuel economy considerations. The combination delivers a 5.8 second run to 100 kilometres an hour and a posted average fuel economy of 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The Q50’s fun side is found in the quick steering, sporty suspension and P225/50R18 tires. The combination keeps the body flat through corners, which inspires driver confidence. It also hangs in well beyond expected limits. The Infiniti Q50T Luxe arrives with a generous combined Unhaggle discount of $4,500. It leaves a sticker of $42,680 after it’s applied. 2019 Lexus IS300 2019 Lexus IS 300 Handout / Lexus Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $43,550 Manufacturer Incentive*: $2,212 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $3,712 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,215 Total Before Tax: $42,053 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Lexus IS carries over. The confusion is found in the naming of the IS 300. The IS 300 rear drive model has a 2.0L turbo four while the IS 300 with all-wheel-drive featured here gets a 3.5L V6. The cabin is marked by its quality — the fit and finish is as good as anything offered. However, while IS 300 has many high-end amenities, including eight-way power front seats, a seven-inch infotainment system and an audio package with 10 speakers, many of the desirable features are missing. The notables include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a heated steering wheel. Finally, the NuLuxe vinyl upholstery is not up to much. Move rearward and there is room for two adults as long as the front seats are not moved all the way back and a 306L trunk. The IS 300 arrives with rain-sensing wipers and the Lexus Safety System+ as standard fare. The latter includes pre-collision with auto braking, dynamic cruise control, lane departure warning with keep assist and auto high beams. Unfortunately, to get blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert requires the $1,950 Premium package. As mentioned, the IS 300 with all-wheel-drive is powered by a 3.5L V6. It twists out 290 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque and drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. On dry roads the AWD system sends 30% of the power to the front wheels and 70% to the rear wheels. When the need arises it can send up to 50% of the power forward to help prevent wheelspin. It is seamless in operation under all driving conditions. The combination delivers a run to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 10.9 L/100 km. The IS 300 AWD blends ride comfort with agility nicely. The suspension cushions a rough road while keeping the body flat when pushed through a fast on-ramp. The steering
Origin: Three sporty sedans with up to $5000 off the bottom line
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Hyundai Ioniq updated with more EV range and new kit
Hyundai has unveiled a refreshed version of its Ioniq family hatchback with a number of performance, technological and styling updates across the range. The Toyota Prius rival now offers 182 miles of WLTP-certified range in fully electric form, marking a 36% improvement over the range of the outgoing 28kWh model. It’s still around 100 miles less than the currently sold-out Kona Electric, however. The Ioniq Electric’s 38.3kWh battery pack is mated to an electric motor producing 134bhp and 218lb ft of torque, and is fitted with a new 7.2kW onboard charger compatible with Type 2 AC charging points. Hyundai claims the facelifted EV can be charged to 80% capacity in as little as 54 minutes as a result. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain variants are unchanged, but the latter now has a WLTP target electric range of 32 miles. Hyundai has also given the new Ioniq its latest ‘Blue Link’ connectivity software, which enables remote starting, locking, battery status checks and climate control via an associated smartphone app. Further technological upgrades include the addition of eCall, an automated emergency assistance programme, and a free five-year subscription to live traffic monitoring facilities built into the satellite navigation system. Visually, the new Ioniq is marked out from its predecessor by a redesigned front fascia (on both hybrid and electric models), revised front and rear bumpers and reshaped front and rear light clusters. Alongside a larger 10.25in touchscreen, changes to the interior include redesigned temperature controls, blue backlighting throughout and a range of new colour schemes for the optional leather
Origin: Hyundai Ioniq updated with more EV range and new kit
Tesla gets creative with Model 3 pricing to qualify for federal electric vehicle rebates
Tesla’s Model 3 now qualifies for Ottawa’s electric vehicle rebate program.SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg Tesla has announced that it will be dropping the retail price of its popular Model 3 electric vehicle to $44,999 in Canada, in a move that appears to just barely qualify the car for a $5,000 government incentive for green vehicles. The incentive was announced in the federal budget in March, and starting May 1 car buyers can take advantage of the subsidy. When the subsidy was first announced, it looked as though Tesla vehicles — the most popular electric cars on the market — would fail to qualify because Ottawa would only offer subsidies for vehicles with a price tag of less than $45,000, and in March the Tesla Model 3 was listed for $47,600. But in the past couple months, it appears that Tesla has gotten creative with its vehicle pricing to qualify for the rebate. The company is now selling a Model 3 vehicle with a range of just 150 kilometres, far less than the 386-kilometre range listed for the standard base model. That new ultra-short-range model comes in at $44,999. But the price-tag contortionism doesn’t stop there. The federal program specifies that vehicles with a base price of less than $45,000 qualify, even if they have add-ons of up to $10,000, bringing the total price of the vehicle to $55,000. This means that a standard Tesla Model 3 with a retail price of $53,700 will also qualify for the rebate. The federal government appears to endorse this pricing scheme because the Model 3 is now officially listed among the vehicles that qualify. John Zhang, an analyst with research firm IDC, said that Tesla is going out of its way to convince customers that they absolutely should not buy the 150-kilometre car. “The 150 km range is really just a deterrence that Tesla is trying to create in order to minimize the number customers purchasing these 150-km range Model 3s. Because there needs to be a base model that’s under the $45K mark in order for the higher-priced variant to qualify for the rebate as well, that’s essentially what Tesla did,” Zhang said. “Another piece of evidence that Tesla is deterring customers to buy this model is that you can’t order that specific car online. The order needs to be placed either over the phone or at a Tesla store. So essentially, Tesla wants customers to purchase the higher priced Standard Range Plus model, which has a range of 386 km.” Zhang also said that the 150-km version actually ships with the same battery pack as the 386 km version, and the range is only limited by a software lock, so customers can pay to upgrade their car after purchase. We can’t help but wonder how much that unlocking will cost, and how long it takes before some entrepreneurial software engineers take matters into their own hands with cheaper third-party solutions. Zhang said this isn’t the first time Tesla has engaged in this kind of pricing. “Tesla did this in Germany before in a similar situation. From a policy standpoint, the fact that the rebate was excluding the best-selling electric car in Canada partially defeated the purpose of putting the incentive in the first place, which is to promote/increase EV adoption,” he said. “Now that the base Model 3 is included, it’s levelling the playing field and customers have another choice when making their purchase
Origin: Tesla gets creative with Model 3 pricing to qualify for federal electric vehicle rebates
Aston Martin going hyper-limited with Vantage special editions
2020 Aston Martin Vantage AMR The need for the fabulously well-to-do to spend ever more of their untold wealth on limited edition automobiles continues unabated. Aston Martin, for instance, after recently announcing a customized Vantage limited to but 200 units worldwide, has unveiled an even rarer bird that takes 59 of those 200 to an even higher plateau. Think of it as a limited edition of a limited edition. The basis of all this is the twin-turbocharged V8-powered Vantage with its 510 horsepower scooting the new AMR version to 100 kilometres an hour in just 4.0 seconds thanks to its seven-speed manual transmission — with AMShift automatic “blipping” to coordinate downshifts and full-throttle upshifts. Speaking of the sophisticated stick shift, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO Andy Palmer said, “When I joined this company, customers asked and, as a gearbox engineer and racer, I promised that we would always offer a manual transmission in our lineup. The Vantage AMR not only honours that commitment but sets us apart from our competitors in continuing to offer a three-pedal option.” The first 141 examples of the AMR will be available in either Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone. The final 59 — that limited edition within a limited edition — are a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Aston Martin’s famed success at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic DBR1. Named “Vantage 59”, this top-of-the-line Vantage features a unique Stirling Green and Lime exterior paint scheme and Dark Knight leather interior (Christian Bale not included, but you could likely get Aston Martin to design you a matching utility belt), finished with a signature AMR lime stripe and will cost $242,494.25. Regular limited edition models will cost but a piffling $212,744.25. Aston Martin, meanwhile, continues to race at Le Mans, the Vantage GTE to take part in this year’s GTE Pro category. “With the Vantage GTE set to race again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June,” says Palmer,“ I hope that those customers who are lucky enough to take ownership of a Vantage 59, will have even more reason to celebrate with their new
Origin: Aston Martin going hyper-limited with Vantage special editions
6 cool things you can do with old vehicles
Some vehicles age gracefully and are sent to retirement in a collector’s garage, but most end up in a scrapyard, rusting away or crushed beyond recognition. Then there are other vehicles that go on to live entirely different lives after their transportation duties have been concluded. These vehicles are given an entirely new destiny, one that differs greatly from their original purpose. Read on to discover six cool things that have been done with old vehicles. Vinyl records Earlier this year, Porsche announced it was taking the Michelin tires from its 919 Hybrid Evo that won the LMP1 class at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans, breaking them down and giving them a new lease on life … as records. Two hundred vinyls were produced from the tires, each containing a 24-minute recording that tells 24 separate stories of Porsche’s best moments at Le Mans. Wine bar View this post on Instagram Kicking the dust off our boots after a weekend of exchanging stories from the road @descendonbend. P: @brooke_weeber A post shared by Union Wine Co. (@unionwinecompany) on Oct 1, 2018 at 5:17pm PDT Oregon’s Union Wine stands out from its competition thanks to Celeste, its 1972 Citroen HY van converted into a roaming watering hole. The bar opens on the passenger side and battery-powered, 12-volt LED lights brighten the interior when in serving mode. Imbibers, park your cars and plan to stay a long while if and when you spot this rig on the road. Last year, Union Wine brought its Citroen to Descend on Bend, one of North America’s largest van meetups in Bend, Ore. Artwork Telecom giant Sprint wanted to raise awareness for Distracted Driving Awareness Month in 2016, so it went to a junkyard, picked out a beat-up yellow VW Beetle, enlisted contemporary artist Rudolf Kohn, and had him transform it into an eerie sculpture called The Last Emoji.’ If you find it unnerving, that means it’s working — the point was to show texting and driving kills. Bookstore A number of avid readers have created bookstores on wheels, but Argentinian artist Raul Lemesoff’s 1979 Ford Falcon conversion is the coolest. First, he transformed the Falcon into a tank. Then, he armoured the outside with 900 books, all of which were free for the taking. Lemesoff was commissioned by 7UP, purveyors of pop, to create this particular Weapon of Mass Instruction” rig. He drove around the streets of Buenos Aires, giving away a paperback to anyone who promised to read it. Coffee Shop View this post on Instagram You can wait your whole life to feel like you finally achieved your purpose. Thing is, if you if you’re doing what you believe in and you’re happy doing it, you’ve already achieved the biggest goal there is. Happy Monday my friends, find something to be grateful for today! ❤️🤙🙏😊🏔☕️🚌 http://www.carabinercoffee.com #carabinercoffee A post shared by Carabiner Coffee Co. (@carabinercoffee) on Jan 7, 2019 at 10:04am PST Erik Gordon hasn’t just turned his 1971 Volkswagen bus into a home, but a business, too. The American entrepreneur runs Carabiner Coffee, a teensy cafe that sells cups of fresh joe out of the side of his rig. Most often you’ll spot the bus in the Boulder, Colo. area, parked at a National Park, in a parking lot of a climbing gym, or at a hiking trailhead. Fish Tank Andy Tate has a love for aquariums — the Brit estimates he’s built around 1,000, as explained on his YouTube channel. But converting an old Nissan Micra into a giant fish tank was a first for the 45-year-old, taking 10 months to complete. Tate gutted the interior, filled every hole with expandable foam, then lined it with fibreglass. Once the space was air-tight, he filled it with water, then added his aquatic friends. The results? The quirkiest garden display on the
Origin: 6 cool things you can do with old vehicles
Want a 2019 Toyota Prius with all-wheel-drive? Don’t miss its competitors
So you want a Prius: More specifically, one that can challenge a Canadian winter. You’re not alone: Toyota’s Prius is, after all, the most popular “electrified” vehicle of all time, Toyota having moved more than six million of them — if you count the entire Prius family — a number that represents almost half of all hybrids — not just Toyota — that have ever been sold. Half of all the hybrids ever sold by any manufacturer. What’s new, as you no doubt surmised from the title, is that four-wheel motivation has been added to the Prius’ repertoire. Like so many all-wheel-drive hybrids, the Prius conversion is accomplished without a mechanical connection, the rear wheels now driven by an electric motor, thereby eliminating the friction and drag a mechanical AWD system might have engendered. It must work because, despite weighing some 65 kilograms more than a front-wheel-drive Prius, the AWD-e version’s overall fuel economy is rated at only 0.3 L/100 kilometres less than the standard FWD version — officially, the Prius AWD-e is rated at 4.5 L/100 kilometres in the city and 4.9 on the highway. It averaged about 5.4 during its stay at the Booth manse. The downside of that efficiency is that the rear electric motor is miniscule, rated only at seven horsepower. Yes, you read that right — 7 horsepower — the non Canadian Press-compliant writing of a numeral less that 10 emphasizing that the addition of an electric motor doesn’t make a rocketship out of the Prius. It does feel a bit perkier off the line, however. The rear motor is always engaged below 10 km/h — above that, it becomes “on demand” — and it does offer a more substantial 41 pound-feet of torque right off zero rpm. No doubt about it, for the first 10 or 20 metres across an intersection, there’s a little more giddy in the AWD Prius’ up. That’s especially true here in the Great White Frozen North, where for at least a third of the year, having extra horsepower — no matter how little — transmitted to the rear wheels will always aid initial acceleration. You will not be drifting this new Prius, however. For one thing, seven horses are not smoking rear tires, even in winter and with aggressively treaded winter tires on all four corners. For another, Toyota deactivates the rear motor about 70 km/h, at which point the Prius AWD-e reverts to traditional format. Expecting more is to really not understand the typical Prius driver. That all being said, I found the drive in the AWD-e more satisfying than Prii past. I don’t know if it was the extra jump off the line or merely that I now qualify for TD Bank’s senior’s discount chequing account, but the CVT notwithstanding, I actually enjoyed driving this Prius. Save for the $1,000 the additional motor costs and the slight fuel economy penalty (when converted, a mere four miles per gallon — 64 mpg versus 60), there’s no reason not to buy the AWD-e if you’re shopping Toyota’s most popular hybrid. 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Chris Balcerak / Driving You need the cargo-carrying ability of a hybrid SUV: Then you should probably mosey on over to your local Mitsubishi dealer and take a look at their electrified Outlander. A plug-in hybrid, the Outlander PHEV can travel about 35 kilometres on electrons alone and then fairly sips gas afterwards. I averaged about 5.4 in the Prius AWD-e, while the worst I managed in the much larger Outlander was 6.4. Oh, the Mitsubishi is far from perfect. The transmission has a bit of the rubber-band effect common to CVTs, the suspension is definitely on the mushy side, and the interior, though improved for 2019, could use a bit more upgrading. All that said, however, the Outlander PHEV drives, rides and hails just like a regular SUV. It just consumes somewhere between 50 and 80 per cent less gas. For that alone, it’s a stupendous achievement. 2019 Hyundai Kona EV Clayton Seams / Driving You crave the full electric experience: Well, if you want a fairly traditional drive only 100 per cent electric, then Hyundai’s Kona Electric makes an excellent choice. For around $50,000, you get a 64 kWh battery, about 415 kilometres of range, and 201 horsepower. It’s fairly peppy, rides very well, and fairly generous with its interior dimensions — both for humans and their cargo. Perhaps most importantly, at least for those who just want their EVs to feel familiar, the Kona Electric’s interior differs little from the traditional gas-powered version. Indeed, except for the not-quite-completely-silent motors — there is a noticeable hum from — and the need to plug in, not fill up, there’s precious little different about the Kona. For those looking to make jump to a battery-powered car with minimal fuss, the Kona should be at the top of your list. 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Handout / Toyota You want a more normal hybrid experience: Nothing is more normal than Corolla, so if you’re looking to blend in while driving (semi) electrically, nothing could be better than the new Corolla
Origin: Want a 2019 Toyota Prius with all-wheel-drive? Don’t miss its competitors
Hyundai Sonata N Line confirmed with at least 275 horsepower
2020 Hyundai SonataAndrew McCredie / Driving Hyundai wants you to know that it hasn’t abandoned the sedan. The automaker revealed the 2020 Sonata at the New York Auto Show, and the eighth-generation midsize sedan might be its most attractive yet. Our own David Booth goes as far as to say “it’s set to become one of the best-looking midsize sedans on the road.” Now, Hyundai has confirmed that an N Line-spec Sonata is also on the way, along with a hybrid model. Jim Trainor, director of communications at Hyundai’s U.S. division, revealed in a conversation with Autoblog that the Sonata N Line will come with at least 275 horsepower, and probably a lot more. Pressed for more details, Trainor only reiterated that there was “more” on the way. Whether that means upgraded suspension, brakes or other bits is unclear, but it’s sure to include some aesthetic adjustments as well. The 2020 Sonata that will arrive in Canada this fall, meanwhile, is powered by either a 178-horsepower, 1.6-litre turbo-four, or a normally aspirated 2.5L inline-four with 191 horsepower. The source of the promised 275+ horsepower in the Sonata N Line remains unconfirmed, but it’s worth noting in Canada, the Hyundai Veloster N’s four-cylinder turbo makes exactly that — 275 horsepower. Coincidence? We hope not.
Origin: Hyundai Sonata N Line confirmed with at least 275 horsepower
Three roomy hatchbacks under $25K with generous Unhaggle discounts
Unhaggle has the scoop on generous deals for the Kia Rio, Hyundai Veloster and Chevrolet Cruze.Handout / Kia / Hyundai / Chevrolet 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 at affordable hatchbacks. The hot deals are on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Hyundai Veloster 2.0 and Kia Rio EX Tech. Chevrolet Cruze 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Handout / Chevrolet Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $21,409 Manufacturer Incentive*: $3,000 Unhaggle Savings: $500 Total Savings: $3,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,840 Total Before Tax: $21,335 — lick here for exclusive local pricing This may just end up being the requiem for the Chevrolet Cruze — the last one rolled off the production line last March. That out of the way, the cabin is ringed with decent materials and there’s plenty of standard equipment, including Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system with its seven-inch touchscreen, plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a feature called Teen Driver. This kills the radio until the seat belts are buckled, prevents key safety items from being disabled, and gives a report card on how the car was driven. It’s a boon for a parent with a young driver. The rear seat accommodates two adult riders easily, however there is a faux pas — there are three rear seat belts, but only two headrests, which eliminates the middle seat position. This makes the Cruze more of a two-plus-two, and trunk capacity measures 394 litres. 2+2 proposition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors is listed as a $545 option, but it mandates purchasing the $1,450 True North package to get the items, as they magically become part of said package in spite of the stand-along price. That’s a less than smart, albeit moot point now. The Cruze sedan arrives with a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 153 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm, and paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s some turbo lag off the line, but the engine builds nicely through the mid-range. The Cruze also has a brisk 7.8-second run from zero to 100 km/h, and a posted average fuel economy of 7.3 L/100 kilometres. For those into better fuel economy, a turbodiesel is available. Ride and handling delivers what you’d expect — minimal body roll and crisp response to steering input when pushed through a series of corners, but the Cruze is far more at home on the highway. The Cruze arrives with a generous $3,500 combined Unhaggle discount, speaking to the fact it’s done. The discount leaves a $21,335 price tag. Hyundai Veloster 2019 Hyundai Veloster Handout / Hyundai Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $22,299 Manufacturer Incentive*: $1,250 Unhaggle Savings: $250 Total Savings: $1,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,845 Total Before Tax: $22,644 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has been reworked and is now offered in 2.0 and Turbo models, along with the frenetic, 275-horsepower Veloster N. The base Veloster, featured here, has sharper exterior styling and takes an intelligent approach to space utilization. The asymmetric door design puts a third portal on the passenger’s side of the car. While it eases entry to the back seat, the limited leg and headroom means it’s best viewed as space to augment the 565-litre trunk. Up front, the Veloster has supportive buckets and Hyundai’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen. The materials do take a step forward, although some of the plastic pieces are still hard. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard, but that’s it for safety equipment. Strangely, a similarly priced Elantra has more available safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning with keep assist. The Veloster arrives with a new base engine — a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder that pushes 147 horsepower and 132-lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. While it’s quiet and unflustered for the most part, the performance it generates is anemic for a car with a nameplate that suggests velocity — the proof is in the 9.8-second zero-to-100 km/h sprint. A note about the turbocharged models: The Veloster Turbo, with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, has 201 horsepower and cuts the zero-to-100 km/h run to 7.2 seconds. The kicker is the 2.0L engine also uses more fuel than the 1.6 — the 2.0L has a posted average fuel economy of 8.2 L/100 kilometres, while the the 1.6 burns 7.8. No prizes for picking the preferred engine. The revised suspension balances the need for comfort with the ability to keep the body flat through a corner. The quick-ratio steering feels connected, with brake-based torque
Origin: Three roomy hatchbacks under $25K with generous Unhaggle discounts
GM talks with Amazon-backed electric truckmaker may be dead
2019 Rivian R1T Electric TruckHandout / Rivian It’s becoming clearer why electric truck-making startup Rivian may have spurned the chance to form a partnership with General Motors: The company appears to be doing just fine on its own. With a US$700 million funding round led by Amazon.com just completed, Rivian has six vehicles planned by 2025—and that’s just the models that will be sold under the Rivian brand. The startup also will be making several models for other companies, founder R.J. Scaringe said in an interview at the New York auto show. One of them is related to the Amazon deal, Scaringe said, declining to give more detail. Scaringe’s grand plan helps explain why talks that would have given GM a stake have reportedly fallen apart. With both consumers and businesses showing interest, Rivian is rebuffing a deal that may have required a level of exclusivity that would have kept it from building vehicles for others. “In general, my reason for starting Rivian was to do big things without anything preventing us from doing that,” Scaringe said, while declining to discuss talks with GM specifically. GM and Rivian came close to a deal that could have benefited both companies. GM would have been able to lend engineering and manufacturing expertise. In return, Rivian may have helped the largest U.S. automaker get an electric pickup to market quicker. With those talks in the past, Scaringe has big ambitions. He said that by 2025, Rivian’s plant – a former Mitsubishi factory in Normal, Illinois, bought for just US$13 million – will make the half-dozen different pickups and sport utility vehicles of varying sizes. None of the vehicles Rivian has in the pipeline will be a sedan, Scaringe said. All of them will be larger pickup and SUVs because those vehicles are popular and burn the most fuel. Rivian’s electric-vehicle platform, which Scaringe prefers to refer to as a “skateboard,” is a big part of his vision to deliver returns to those who’ve backed him. In addition to retailing trucks and SUVs, he’s open to selling the technology to others for a myriad of applications, such as stationary batteries. The company, headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, is drawing significant interest from consumers. As Tesla did with the Model 3 sedan, Rivian has been taking $1,000 deposits for the R1T pickup and R1S SUV that will go on sale starting in the fall of 2020. Rivian invited all depositors to check out the company’s vehicles at an event Tuesday at Classic Car Club Manhattan. While Scaringe said he figured he would draw a limited audience from the New York Metro area, about 1,200 people showed up, with some visiting from as far away as Hawaii. Rivian has more than 1,200 pre-orders, Scaringe said, though he declined to say how many. He’s already looking for ways to expand production in Normal. A little more than half the depositors want the pickup
Origin: GM talks with Amazon-backed electric truckmaker may be dead
This tuner is building 100 new GMC ‘Syclone’ trucks with 455 hp
The 2019 GMC Syclone by Specialty Vehicle EngineeringSVE A New Jersey-based tuner is bringing back one of the most hallowed names in sport truck history, Syclone, and fixing them to 100 new GMC Canyons each boasting a healthy 455 horsepower. Specialty Vehicle Engineering may be better known for its modern Yenko/SC Chevrolet Camaros, but it apparently wants to continue building its reputation on nostalgia with these new 2019 GMC Syclones. Based on a extended-car midsize Canyon, reports CNET, the trucks come in either 2WD or 4WD, and trade the stock 308-horsepower six for a supercharged 3.6-litre unit that now churns out 455 horsepower, which we’d call more than adequate. The exhaust note growls out of a new set of pipes, and the pickup’s been lowered, too, by two inches in front and five out back, for handling less akin to a work vehicle and more akin to a performance car. Front brakes have been upgraded with six-piston discs, and the suspension’s been tricked out with new sway bars, traction bars and shocks, too. The 2019 GMC Syclone by Specialty Vehicle Engineering SVE To let people know what you’re running, there’s Syclone badging on the doors and tailgate; a power bulge on the hood; rocker panel extensions; and colour-keyed grille and bumper pieces. Four 20-inch wheels round out the look, along with a set of custom-trimmed seats. While the Sonoma-based Syclone of 1991 was famous for being made available only in black – well, and for being able to pull off zero-to-100 km/h sprints under 5.0 seconds, which is good for a truck even today – the 2019 resurrection comes in any stock Canyon colour you would ask for. Though, really, you’re going to want it in black, let’s be honest. SVE will be making the 2019 GMC Syclone available through U.S. GMC dealerships, though you might not like the price. The firm is charging US$39,995 for the conversion, which means when you include the price of the donor truck, you’re looking at at least US$70,000 or so. GMC built 2,995 Syclones back in ’91, but Specialty Vehicle Engineering is limiting its production run to just
Origin: This tuner is building 100 new GMC ‘Syclone’ trucks with 455 hp
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