Toyota teasing its next 86 sports car?
Toyota’s latest sports-car tease: The Sleuth is hearing that the Japanbased automaker might be preparing to bring more than one sporty car to market. We already know that the Supra is a go and will likely arrive within the next 12 months, and Toyota is now also showing the GR HV Sports Concept in its home country. Since the show car is built on the bones of the Toyota 86 that was previously labelled the Scion FR-S, it’s logical that the GR HV (the GR stands for Gazoo Racing, which is Toyota’s competition arm) could become the next version of that coupe. Interestingly, the targa-roof model has a hybrid powertrain with the batteries located in mid-platform to keep the centre of gravity low and the front/rear weight distribution close to even. Since the current Toyota 86 is likely to stick around for at least another two model years, its replacement could arrive for 2020.
The 2018 Honda Accord is love at first drive: The Sleuth was a bit leery about the new turbocharged four-cylinder engines in the automaker’s latest midsize sedan, but after spending time behind the wheel he’s a believer. The base and optional engines are smooth and potent enough to effectively propel the Accord. The larger turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque has the tough chore of replacing the smooth 3.5-litre V-6, but the fourcylinder acutally has more torque. The only real downside is that the Accord coupe is now retired, but that’s understandable since it constituted only about five per cent of annual Accord sales.
Fiesta on life support; Focus gets bigger: That’s the word from the Spy Guy’s mole within the Blue Oval automaker’s product planning lair. Word is that the little Fiesta is lacking in more than size; it also hasn’t been selling very well. As a result, we’re not likely to see it around once the current generation fades out after the 2018 model year. The good news is that the next-sizeup Focus will arrive for 2019 in a slightly larger size (i.e. longer and wider) and will have more powerful turbocharged fourcylinder engines. Both the higherperforming ST and RS models will return, but perhaps a year or so after the launch of the new platform. A wagon version of the Focus is also in play, but it’s not clear if that body shape will wind up in North America.
Next Jetta will have more panache: The Sleuth thinks that the current version of Volkswagen’s entry-level sedan is on the plain side, but his sources claim that that will definitely change with the arrival the all-new 2019 model. Reports are that the Jetta will undergo a transformation along the lines of the Midsize Coupe Con- cept that was first shown in 2014. Although not dramatically different, the reshaped and slightly larger body will be different enough to generate second glances. There won’t be anything too dramatically different under the hood, as both the turbocharged 1.5- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines are in play, and there will definitely not be a turbodiesel.
Polestar shows potential new flagship model: Volvo — controlled by Geely of China — recently stated it would launch a new sub-brand that will focus on plug-in-hybrids and pure electric propulsion. Now, Your Obedient Sneak believes that he has witnessed the birth of the brand’s flagship model. The made-in-China Polestar 1 2+2 GT coupe’s body is primarily made of lightweight carbon fibre. The four-cylinder gas engine will be teamed with an electric motor powering the rear wheels to make an estimated 600 net horsepower. When fully charged, it will be capable of operating for 145-plus kilometres) on battery juice alone. The Polestar 1 will be followed by an all-electric sedan and utility model following its 2019 debut.
Trending up, glass sunroof blowouts: Pardon the pun, but it can be a shattering experience when your sunroof glass blows up in a hail of sharp granules. But that’s happening more frequently, according to a study by the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Apparently, such occurrences, although relatively rare, have increased by 71 per cent since 2011. One possible explanation is that sunroof failure could be linked to the increasing size of socalled panoramic roofs.
Ikea teams with XL Hybrids: The box store that sells knocked-down furniture has invested in a company that sells hybrid powertrain conversion kits primarily to commercial-fleet operators. Apparently, the decision was influenced by Ikea’s desire to convert its substantial delivery fleet to hybrid power.