The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
{also piping hot}
The second-generation Leaf is a significant leap
for Nissan: The most successful electric-car brand — in terms of total sales — in the world is about to get a boost as the second-generation model arrives for 2018. Although the original was competitively priced and provided reasonable power and cabin space, it was getting long in the tooth and sales were beginning to dip. The new Leaf not only looks great, but it’s also larger, has 40 percent more range (up to 150 miles) and delivers 26 percent more peak torque. Down the road, a more powerful battery option is expected to extend the range to about 300 miles. A number of autonomous-driving technologies, including a self-parking feature, will be available. Now that a number of major car companies are jumping aboard the battery bandwagon, The Sleuth predicts the next decade will see a huge swing to electric cars, especially ones that can drive themselves. • Please Proceed: Your Obedient Sneakster sure hopes so, although this stunning hatchback might be little more than a styling exercise meant to showcase a more modern design approach for this Hyundai subsidiary. If that’s the case, the same basic shape might find its way into the automaker’s North American lineup. For now, the Proceed likely signals a new approach for the nextgeneration Europe-only Pro Ceed hatchback coupe that The Sleuth really wishes was available here. Kia is keeping powerplant info to itself for the time being, but it’s not unreasonable that some sort of green energy source — possibly a plug-in hybrid — will be involved. • Who says sedans are dead? Not Mercedes-Benz:
The Sleuth confirms that the automaker will expand its sedan lineup with the launch of the A class sedan late in 2018 for the 2019 model year. The built-in-Mexico car will be smaller than the current CLA class four-door, which places it in range of the
Audi A3. Various spy shots indicate that the car will look similar to the A class concept model from
2017 Shanghai
(China) Auto
Show. That prototype was assembled using a front-wheel-drive platform (just like the CLA) and is designed to accommodate various turbo, turbodiesel and non-turbo four-cylinder engines, as well as a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain. There’s also word that the A-class will spin off a rugged looking utility vehicle that could look something like — but smaller than — the Mercedes-Benz G class. • Ranger Raptor rapture: The Spymaster’s sources have spilled the beans concerning the Ford Ranger that’s due to launch for the 2019 model year, one year ahead of the reconstituted Ford Bronco (both will use the same chassis). In particular, they’re confirming that the Blue Oval automaker has been putting an off-road Raptor version of the midsize pickup through its paces in the Australian outback. The engine is believed to be the turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 used in the F-150 pickup, or possibly a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 (in detuned form) from the much larger F-150 Raptor. Meanwhile, more sedate versions of the Ranger will likely be available with at least a couple of turbocharged four-cylinder engines. A turbo-diesel is off the table, at least as far as the North America is concerned.