A Tesla car arrives at a service center in Los Angeles, California on March 4, 2019.Mark Ralston / Getty via AP Older Tesla models will be most likely retrofitted near the end of this year with a chip powerful enough to allow for full self-driving, according to a tweet-reply from the companys CEO.Teslas full self-driving FSD chip the first its designed in-house has been installed in Model S, X and 3 cars since about March 2019, chief executive Elon Musk said.He plans now to offer it as a free upgrade to owners of 2017-and-newer Tesla models who opted for the US$6,000 Full Self-Driving package upon purchase, reports The Verge. Thats about half-a-million cars.End of Q4, most likely Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 8, 2019Musk boasts that this new FSD chip offers 21 times the processing power of the Nvidia chips installed in Teslas prior to 2019, though that company says the claim is bogus, say The Verge.The hardware upgrade which includes two of the chips for redundancy will be powerful enough to allow for complete self-driving capability, if Musk is to be believed, though of course the software that allows for that sort of autonomy is still under development.For now, the Full Self-Driving package ordered by so many Tesla customers equipped their car solely with a Navigate on Autopilot feature, which the automaker says lets the car handle on-ramp to off-ramp highway driving, including self-directed lane changes and interchange navigation.The name of the package has come under criticism for apparently advertising more than it could
Origin: Older Teslas could get self-driving-capable chip this year: Elon Musk
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BMW’s 3 Series wagon is saying good-bye to Canada next year
Photos leaked mid-June of the wagon variant of the new BMW 3 Series, a good-looking Touring model that unfortunately won’t be headed for Canadian shores. Yes, the 2019 model year will mark your last chance to get a 3 Series station wagon here for a while, apparently. Der 3 has always been a worldwide staple for the brand, even in the face of ever-increasing SUV and crossover sales threatening sedans. And while spy pics of the new 3 Series Touring have been floating around the internet for a while, they’ve always shown a wagon draped in several iterations of camouflage. These images, posted by a member of Germancarforum, are allegedly the “first pictures G21”. Given what we’ve already seen, they’re surely not too far off the real thing. If accurate, the 3 Series Touring will be a bit of a looker. Its front end mimics that of the sedan, with angry headlights and a hood cutline that mercifully vanished during the redesign. The side looks familiar, too, at least until one get to the C-pillar. It might just be our jaundiced eyes, but that wagon liftback glass looks a lot more steeply raked than the old 3er wagon. Combined with taillights seemingly lifted part-and-parcel from the sedan, this is one car we hate to see go but love to watch leave. Twin sewer-cannon exhaust tips look righteous, too. We emailed the folks at BMW Canada, who confirmed our suspicions this über-wagon won’t be coming to our country. “The BMW 3 Series Touring, currently on sale as a model year 2019,” said Rob Dexter of corporate communications, “will not be part of the 2020 BMW 3 Series lineup in Canada.” The decision is understandable, as the Touring likely makes up a very small slice of the sales pie in this country. If you’re looking for a new Drei – German for three – Series Touring, then, best get yourself down to a BMW dealer before the 2019s
Origin: BMW’s 3 Series wagon is saying good-bye to Canada next year
Jaguar F-Type to get major overhaul for 2020 model year
Jaguar will release a heavily updated F-Type next year, and the first spy images of a disguised prototype have emerged. Spotted outside the firm’s Gaydon engineering centre, the camouflaged car shows significant styling alterations for Jaguar’s Porsche 911 rival, including a dramatic overhaul of the front end with a reshaped bonnet and slim headlights relocated further down the front fascia. A redesigned grille also features, while at the rear a new tail-light design can be seen with a squared-off rear profile mimicking the recently facelifted XE saloon. It’s the first major styling revision since the F-Type was launched in 2013. Although the prototype’s interior hasn’t been seen, it’s expected that much of the more advanced technology and infotainment features from the I-Pace and the 2019 XE will make its way into the F-Type. That means new digital dials, a larger and more feature-laden touchscreen, and substantial upgrades to the materials. Jaguar Land Rover is now phasing out the long-used supercharged V6 in favour of a new turbocharged and hybridised straight six, and the F-Type will benefit from this more efficient powertrain. The turbocharged four-cylinder and supercharged V8 engines should be carried over to the new car with limited changes, however. What remains unclear is whether the new F-Type will retain a manual option. The current V6 is still offered with one in the UK, although it has reportedly been removed from sale in the US. Regardless, manuals are a tiny fraction of overall F-Type sales. Jaguar’s priorities for 2019 are the roll-out of the new XE and the launch of a similarly updated XF and F-Pace. However, we could see the revised F-Type revealed before the year is out, with an on-sale date in the first few months of
Origin: Jaguar F-Type to get major overhaul for 2020 model year
Jaguar IPace wins World Car of the Year award
Jaguar I-Pace wins World Car of the Year award The EV SUV has racked up the awards recently Jaguar’s I-Pace has won the World Car of the Year 2019 title, taking the overall prize from the Audi e-tron and the Volvo S60/V60. To have two pure-electric models in the last three says a lot about how quickly the electric car market has moved on. Two years ago, it was the Jaguar F-Pace winning the award, and Volvo’s XC60 took the title last year. Despite all three being SUVs, this is the first time since 2011 that an EV has won the prize, when the Nissan Leaf won. The I-Pace won its section in the World Green Car of the Year category, and also was awarded the World Car Design of the Year title. Of the six categories available to be won – including the outright prize – the I-Pace didn’t win the Urban, Luxury, or Performance awards. These were won by the Suzuki Jimny, Audi A7, and McLaren 720S respectively. Jaguar’s win comes soon after the prestigious Car of the Year 2019 prize, which is a European award, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show in March. It also won the UK Car of the Year title, completing a hat-trick for the electric Jaguar.
Origin: Jaguar IPace wins World Car of the Year award
600-hp Nissan GT-R returns to Canada for 2020 model year
2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition What is it? It’s not as awesome as the GT-R50 Nissan revealed last year and then decided to build for well-heeled customers, but the 2020 GT-R introduces a 50th Anniversary Edition with heritage colours that pay tribute to the greatest racers to bear the GT-R badge. Why does it matter? Don’t be distracted by the flashy colours and pretty stripes Nissan is showing off for their 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R. The real news is the return of the 600-hp Nismo engine tune under the hood of 2020 GT-R Track Edition cars, not seen since the very brief appearance of the GT-R Nismo in Canada for the 2017 model year. While 600 hp is a wonderful round number to make good headlines, it’s not the only change on the menu for the heavyweight AWD supercar, though it is the most meaningful for performance enthusiasts. Each and every twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 that goes into a GT-R is handcrafted by its own takumi technician, with a signed badge commemorating his work. In standard Premium trim, horsepower is an already robust 565, with 467 lb.-ft. from 3,300 to 5,800 rpm, while the 600-hp Track Edition gets a bump to 481 lb.-ft. from 3,600 to 5,600 rpm. Changes for the 2020 model include new turbochargers that yield quicker responsiveness, race-inspired exhaust manifold designed for easier servicing and potential tuning. Nissan continues to tinker with the transmission refinement, but hopefully they will never go too far and strip away the endearing mechanical orchestra of gears and differentials from the 6-speed dual-clutch. R mode gains more aggressive downshifts, particularly during ABS moments, when it interprets that hard braking as preparation for corner exit. However, both Auto mode and R mode will dial back the aggression based on driving inputs, so if you are just driving around town, it won’t downshift for max rpms every time you brake gently or regularly. and as with every update, the suspension is tweaked to enhance both cornering attitude and comfort to go along with refined steering and braking. With the GT-R climbing the pricing ladder thanks to impeccable performance credentials, Nissan is working to keep up appearances and quality for customer that could just as easily spend their money on a Porsche 911 or Mercedes-AMG GT. While the 8-inch touchscreen and controls are looking a bit dated, the single, seamless piece of leather stitched across the dash and matched by door panel inserts do bring a touch of class to the cabin. However, if you can get your hands on one, the 50th Anniversary Edition is the one to have, with a grey colour scheme Nissan likens to the twilight sky (fitting for a car that is in the twilight of its generation), special embossed seats, and stitched Alcantara headliner and trim. Sadly, the 50th anniversary special is paired only with the Premium trim, so you can’t have your 600-hp track beast in that guise. When is it coming? The 2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition will be in dealers this summer. Should you buy it? Well, if you couldn’t afford the GT-R50, then this isn’t a bad way to get into GT-R, especially the Bayside Blue that is as loud and special as the car
Origin: 600-hp Nissan GT-R returns to Canada for 2020 model year
600-hp Nissan GT-R makes its return in Canada for 2020 model year
2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition What is it? It’s not as awesome as the GT-R50 Nissan revealed last year and then decided to build for well-heeled customers, but the 2020 GT-R introduces a 50th Anniversary Edition with heritage colours that pay tribute to the greatest racers to bear the GT-R badge. Why does it matter? Don’t be distracted by the flashy colours and pretty stripes Nissan is showing off for their 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R. The real news is the return of the 600-hp Nismo engine tune under the hood of 2020 GT-R Track Edition cars, not seen since the very brief appearance of the GT-R Nismo in Canada for the 2017 model year. While 600 hp is a wonderful round number to make good headlines, it’s not the only change on the menu for the heavyweight AWD supercar, though it is the most meaningful for performance enthusiasts. Each and every twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 that goes into a GT-R is handcrafted by its own takumi technician, with a signed badge commemorating his work. In standard Premium trim, horsepower is an already robust 565, with 467 lb.-ft. from 3,300 to 5,800 rpm, while the 600-hp Track Edition gets a bump to 481 lb.-ft. from 3,600 to 5,600 rpm. Changes for the 2020 model include new turbochargers that yield quicker responsiveness, race-inspired exhaust manifold designed for easier servicing and potential tuning. Nissan continues to tinker with the transmission refinement, but hopefully they will never go too far and strip away the endearing mechanical orchestra of gears and differentials from the 6-speed dual-clutch. R mode gains more aggressive downshifts, particularly during ABS moments, when it interprets that hard braking as preparation for corner exit. However, both Auto mode and R mode will dial back the aggression based on driving inputs, so if you are just driving around town, it won’t downshift for max rpms every time you brake gently or regularly. and as with every update, the suspension is tweaked to enhance both cornering attitude and comfort to go along with refined steering and braking. With the GT-R climbing the pricing ladder thanks to impeccable performance credentials, Nissan is working to keep up appearances and quality for customer that could just as easily spend their money on a Porsche 911 or Mercedes-AMG GT. While the 8-inch touchscreen and controls are looking a bit dated, the single, seamless piece of leather stitched across the dash and matched by door panel inserts do bring a touch of class to the cabin. However, if you can get your hands on one, the 50th Anniversary Edition is the one to have, with a grey colour scheme Nissan likens to the twilight sky (fitting for a car that is in the twilight of its generation), special embossed seats, and stitched Alcantara headliner and trim. Sadly, the 50th anniversary special is paired only with the Premium trim, so you can’t have your 600-hp track beast in that guise. Should you buy it? Well, if you couldn’t afford the GT-R50, then this isn’t a bad way to get into GT-R, especially the Bayside Blue that is as loud and special as the car
Origin: 600-hp Nissan GT-R makes its return in Canada for 2020 model year
China’s Wey bringing premium SUV range to Europe this year
Chinese premium brand Wey will launch into Europe at this September’s Frankfurt motor show, with a range of SUVs designed to rival the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The SUV marque, owned by leading Chinese firm Great Wall, was established just over two years ago. It has already sold more than 250,000 cars in its home country. Wey’s entry into Europe will be one of the most intriguing yet for a Chinese car maker given that it was set up with the express intention of global exports and is trying to position itself as a maker of quality and desirable SUV models. “Yes, we do have a global strategy,” said sales and marketing boss Liu Yan. “It’s too early to say today but we will launch in September at the Frankfurt show. We’re already doing preparation for products and the business model. Our founder Wei Jianjun says to be a successful brand you need to be a global brand.” Wey launched its new VV5 SUV at the Shanghai motor show, and that model will spawn an all-electric version in 2020 that’s understood to be key to Wey’s plans in Europe. Plug-in hybrid versions of its VV6 and VV7 SUVs are also set to be launched. The brand’s models cost from £14,800 to £30,800 on the Chinese market. Wey has so far only launched SUVs but has not ruled out other bodystyles in the
Origin: China’s Wey bringing premium SUV range to Europe this year
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