More details on BMW’s hot new Z4 convertible
The Spymaster’s reliable sources have ferreted out some more details as to the Germany-based automaker’s new longer and wider Z4 sports car that should turn heads when it’s revealed in early 2019. Although sharing the same platform with the upcoming Toyota Supra, the Z4 will go its own way as to styling and available powertrains. Unlike the first-gen Z4, the replacement will focus on serious performance — in terms of speed and handling — and will be right at home running hot laps around a race course, especially the M model. It will get a twinturbocharged 3.0-litre sixcylinder engine that puts out 355 horsepower and 365 poundfeet of torque. A tamer turbocharged four-cylinder will serve as the Z4’s base engine. Kia moves the Sorento into premium territory: The Sleuth can confirm that the automaker’s soon-to-arrive 2019 utility vehicle with available three-row seating will continue to offer a V-6, which is surprising since most competitors in this class have gone with turbocharged fourcylinder engines. Meanwhile, the optional turbocharged 240-horsepower four-cylinder in the 2018 Sorento will no longer be available, leaving the nonturbo 2.4-litre engine as the base powerplant. According to sources at Kia, buyers either opted for the economy of the 2.4 or the grunt of the V-6 when ordering their Sorentos, while pretty much ignoring the midrange turbo. Other changes for 2019 include a mild body restyling and a redesigned dashboard and control panel. A reprieve for Chrysler, Dodge: The Sleuth was concerned about the future of these members of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles following the automaker’s news concerning the respective futures of the Jeep and Ram truck brands (new products coming for both). Although there were no pronouncements for Chrysler or Dodge, The Spy Guy’s sources hear that both are safe, for now. For Chrysler, the Pacfica minivan will survive in its current format — including the plug-in hybrid version — while the 300 sedan could eventually be replaced by a plug-in or an all-electric minivan wearing a Chrysler badge. At some point, an autonomous (self-driving) Chrysler is also a distinct possibility. As for Dodge, the latest intel suggests that the Charger and Challenger are in line for complete makeovers in the next couple of years and will both be built on a platform originally developed for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio utility vehicle and the Giulia sedan. Bad news for the Dodge Demon, though: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has pulled the plug on the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger-based Demon after a 3,300-vehicle production run. The Demon’s performance stats include a zero-to-60-mph time of 2.3 seconds and lifting the front wheels off ground in the process. The final Demon as well as the last production Viper are being auctioned off for charity. Volvo commits to electrification and autonomy for its upcoming models: Surprising no one, least of all the Sleuth, Volvo is now on record that fully 50 per cent of its future vehicle lineup will be electrified (plug-in or fully electric) by 2025. In addition, half of Volvo’s customers will be subscribers and will pay a monthly fee (including service and insurance) to drive its products, instead of actually purchasing their cars. Volvo also intends to have one-third of its vehicles to be fully autonomous by 2025. Hyundai creates a bigger utility model: Your Obedient Sneaky One is prepared to bet the proverbial farm that the Koreabased automaker’s Grandmaster (the name given to chess champions) concept will retain that name when it shows up in late 2019 as a 2020 model. The fullsize eight-passenger tall wagon with the code name HCD-2 will wear Hyundai’s bold and brash grille that will likely begin to show up on other Hyundais. Also new will be a more rigid and scalable front-wheel-drive platform that can be adapted for allwheel-drive use. It’s still hushhush as to powertrain choices, but a plug-in hybrid option is a virtual certainty. Pace-car oops: It’s embarrassing enough when anyone wrecks an expensive sports car on a racetrack, but when millions of viewers see you do it on live TV, that embarrassment is taken to a whole new level. Mark Reuss, the vice-president of global product development for General Motors, was piloting a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 pace car at the Detroit Grand Prix IndyCar event in Belle Isle, Michigan, earlier this month when he lost control and smacked the wall, resulting in a half-hour race delay.