{also piping hot}
BMW hints at a new and smaller model heading our way: The Spymaster’s sources claim that the purveyor of loftily priced vehicles for the upwardly mobile is considering bringing the 1 series sedan to our shores. This is because competiUPST BSF lOEJOH TVDDFTT XJUI UJOJFS DBST BOE XBHPO VUJMJUJFT BOE UIFZ QMBO UP JOtroduce more. The 1 series that’s currently on sale in China uses the same frontwheel-drive platform that was designed for BMW’s Mini brand, but of course that can be adapted for all-wheel-drive. The base engine in the 125i (the likeliest model to arrive here) is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 231 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It connects to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 1-Series is also available in Europe in hatchback form, but with only two passenger doors it’s considered unappealing for buyers in North America.
Is FCA about to get a new owner from China? That’s entirely possible, The Sleuth thinks. Word is that China-based automaker Great Wall is eying Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and at least a couple of others are doing due diligence on the company. FCA is apparently denying that it’s talking to Great Wall, although for the past couple of years FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has attempted to convince General Motors to purchase all or part of FCA. No dice on that one. Of course the big QSJ[F JO BO '$" QVSDIBTF XPVME CF UIF QSPlUBCMF +FFQ BOE 3BN USVDL EJWJTJPOT
Stay tuned. Honda gains new Insight: The Spy Guy calls this one the car brand that refuses UP EJF 5IFSF BSF SFQPSUT UIBU UIF +BQBO CBTFE BVUPNBLFS JT SFWJWJOH B OBNF UIBU
was previously attached to a cute little hybrid hatchback, followed by a fourdoor gasoline-electric that appeared to be based on the previous-generation Toyota Prius. This time, it appears that the Insight hybrid will have its own unique shape, but will remain on the small side (i.e. much smaller than the 2018 Honda Clarity). Plug-in and non plug-in versions will likely be sold, but whether both will make it to North America is unclear. The Insight is part of Honda’s BOOPVODFE 7JTJPO 4USBUFHZ UIBU TQFDJlFT UXP UIJSET PG UIF DPNQBOZ T DBST XJMM CF QBSUMZ PS GVMMZ FMFDUSJlFE CZ UIBU ZFBS The Passat goes sporty for 2018: Word reaching The Sleuth has it that Volkswagen will add a trim level to the Passat sedan for the coming model year. 5IF (5 XIJDI XBT lSTU TIPXO BU UIF -PT "OHFMFT "VUP 4IPX JO /PWFNCFS
is clearly an attempt to spice up the car that has yet to achieve top-tier status alongside UIF 5PZPUB $BNSZ )POEB "DDPSE 'PSE 'VTJPO FU BM &YDMVTJWF UP UIF (5 XJMM CF B IPOFZDPNC HSJMMF XJUI SFE QJQJOH B SFBS TQPJMFS BOE FYDMVTJWF DPMPS TDIFNFT 5IF
JOUFSJPS XJMM CF lUUFE XJUI TQPSUJFS front seats and identifying GT trim. The ride height has been lowered BOE UIFSF BSF (5 FYDMVTJWF BMMPZ
wheels. The front-wheel-drive GT XJMM CF lUUFE XJUI 78 T MJUFS h73 v FOHJOF UIBU QSPEVDFT horsepower and 258 pound-feet PG UPSRVF NBUFE UP B TJY TQFFE automatic transmission.