CUE THE MUSIC, TURN DOWN THE LIGHTS
Montreal auto show offers first look at redesigned models on the way to Canadian dealers
As the first auto event of the year across Canada, the Montreal International Auto Show provides the country’s first look at what’s making its way to showrooms and this will be a banner year for new products. Montreal will see a plethora of completely redesigned and all-new models premièring in Canada across a spectrum of segments.
Here are some of the more notable vehicles we’ll see for the first time.
Nissan’s all-new, all-electric Leaf offers longer range, more conventional styling and more driver-assist features. Nissan estimates up to 241 kilometres on a charge, a considerable jump from the outgoing model’s 172km range, and with more horsepower and torque than before.
Three trim lines run from $35,998 to $41,998 before Quebec’s Drive Electric rebate of $8,000. If the new one doesn’t go far enough for you, a higher-powered, longer-range and (naturally) higher-priced model will be added to the lineup for 2019.
All trim levels come with a cold-weather package of heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel and battery heater. It may seem odd to put such items in an electric car, but a warm seat and hands means you’ll probably turn down the even more power-hungry cabin heater.
The Leaf’s new e-Pedal system works almost like a combined brake and throttle, slowing down when your foot’s off the accelerator and holding the car at a stop without the brake. Combined with the ProPILOT Assist, which centres the car in its lane and follows traffic in front, the Leaf is about as close to a self-driving car as you’ll get right now.
There have been only eight generations of the Wrangler since it first signed up for duty in the Second World War, so Jeep had to make improvements while still sticking to the same basic recipe. The styling is new, but the heritage design still comes through. The windshield still folds down, but the soft top is now easier to open and you can get the hard top with a powerfolding canvas insert. As before, two- and four-door versions are available.
The current 3.6-litre V-6 is still here, joined by an all-new 2.0-L turbocharged four-cylinder with eTorque. This mild hybrid system includes electric power assist, auto start/stop, regenerative braking and the ability to shut off completely when decelerating. The six-speed manual transmission returns, along with a new eight-speed automatic. Next year, a 3.0-L diesel engine will be added.
Better on-road manners compliment the off-road ability. There’s a heavy duty Rock-Trac four-by-four setup for the really rough stuff and for the first time on Wrangler there’s an available system with full-time four-wheel drive.
The seventh-generation Jetta arrives in Montreal straight from its world première at Detroit’s show. Slightly larger than the model it replaces, the 2019 Jetta features elegant swept-back styling that’s almost coupe-like in its proportions.
For the first time, the Jetta is built on a platform that also underpins the Passat, new Tiguan and Audi A3, among others. First reports from early driving previews reveal a stiff, solid construction for improved ride and handling.
The new Jetta uses a 1.4-L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, hooked to a six-speed manual transmission or optional eight-speed automatic. Such safety technologies as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist are offered and the engine features a stop/start system that automatically shuts off when idle.
The new cabin matches the sweeping lines of the exterior, with wraparound styling, larger infotainment screens and the Jetta’s first digital instrument cluster. For those who want extra horsepower, a Jetta GLI is expected later this year or early next.
Compact sport utility vehicles are some of the hottest sellers right now and Volvo chimes in with its all-new XC40. It’s definitely a looker with its chiselled sides and unmistakable face and backs it up with taut handling and well-weighted steering. Pricing starts at $39,500.
The 2.0-L turbocharged fourcylinder engine is matched to an eight-speed automatic and allwheel drive is standard equipment.
As expected, the XC40 contains a whack of safety technology. Alongside such expected features as emergency braking (which now recognizes large animals such as deer) and a 360-degree camera, it includes Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, parking assist and guidance back onto the road if you unintentionally veer onto the shoulder. If it detects someone’s about to run into its liftgate, the XC40 flashes its rear lighting as a warning.
The XC40 will also roll out the first Canadian application of Care by Volvo, an available 24-month subscription service that includes insurance, maintenance, repairs and concierge service, including pickup and delivery if it needs to go into the shop. Volvo says the no-haggle, all-inclusive plan bundles the vehicle payment and all ownership costs into a single monthly payment with no down payment required.
JAGUAR E-PACE
Hot on the heels of the F-Pace, its first SUV, Jaguar now adds the compact E-Pace. At a starting price of $42,700, it’s also the company’s most affordable model. It bears considerable resemblance to its larger sibling and the design really works well on this smaller version.
Its engineering comes from across the company’s lineup, combining the Range Rover Evoque’s basic platform with a modified version of the F-Pace’s sporty rear suspension, along with aluminum front components to reduce weight and improve handling. All models use a 2.0-L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with nine-speed automatic, making 246 horsepower in the E-Pace E250 and 296 horses in the R-Dynamic models.
Expect this little sport ute to offer quick acceleration and agile handling, especially since its aluminum fenders and liftgate help shave the E250’s curb weight down to just over 1,800 kilograms. The E250 uses an all-wheel-drive system that automatically shifts torque from front to rear as required, while the R-Dynamic’s system adds an electronic rear differential that can also split power side to side, along with a continuously variable suspension-damping system.
For this initial model year, the E-Pace is also available as the First Edition package with an exclusive 20-inch wheel design, unique black leather interior with red stitching, LED headlights, advanced driver assist systems and a head-up display.
SUBARU ASCENT
Those who need to haul a household now have the Ascent, a seven- or eight-passenger SUV that’s the largest vehicle Subaru has built so far. It’s not just about sheer size; the Ascent includes Wi-Fi, eight USB charging ports, standard three-zone climate control and, for really thirsty families, 19 cup and bottle holders.
The Ascent uses an all-new, 260-hp 2.4-L turbocharged engine with the newest version of Subaru’s CVT. All-wheel drive is standard, of course, and the Ascent can tow up to 5,000 pounds and includes trailerstability assist. It also includes EyeSight, a camera-based safety system with emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lanedeparture warning, while blindspot monitoring, lane-change assist and reverse automatic braking will be available.
Handsome inside and out, the Ascent could be a viable alternative for families that don’t want a minivan, especially since only one — the Toyota Sienna — offers optional all-wheel drive. For moving more than just people, the Ascent’s second and third rows fold flat and while ground clearance is higher than with many SUVs, Subaru says there’s a low step-in height for both front and rear passengers.
BMW X2
Adding to the seemingly endless supply of crossovers in the North American market, the all-new BMW X2 makes its Canadian debut in Montreal after appearing for the first time at the Detroit show. Based on the X1 and Mini chassis, the subcompact crossover follows the current trend of “four-door coupe” styling, with a long hood and sloping rear roofline, and carries an allnew interpretation of the BMW “kidney” grille, something that is likely to carry over to the rest of the lineup. The only engine available here will be a turbocharged 2.0-L in-line four making 228 hp and 259 lb.-ft. of torque. While it is based on a front-wheel-drive platform, Canada will likely see the X2 in the xDrive AWD version only. It will also be available with the M Sport X package, which gives it paddle shifters and a lower ride height.
Basically, the X2 is a sportier version of the X1; think of it as a smaller X4 or X6, which are the “coupe” versions of the X3 and X5 SUVs, respectively.
KIA FORTE SEDAN
Sedans aren’t dead yet and the Forte is especially important for Quebec, which generally appreciates smaller cars more than does the rest of Canada.
First debuting in Detroit, the all-new compact sedan comes in longer, wider and higher than the previous version and structural improvements in the chassis give it 26 per cent more stiffness than before.
While the 2.0-L in-line four cylinder is carried over to the new model, it’s hooked up to a completely new continuously variable transmission, designed in house by Kia. Inside, even the base model gets an eight-inch touch screen, complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Advanced driver-assist features are optional.
More details on the Canadian versions of the Forte sedan, including pricing, will be available after the Montreal show opens its doors.