{also piping hot}
Could Dyson clean up on the electric-car business?
The company headed by 70-year-old Sir James Dyson of England is well known for making vacuums, bladeless fans and other household items. However, according to The Spy Guy’s sources, Dyson is planning to enter the automobile business. He has reportedly earmarked US $2.7 billion to develop electric vehicles and plans to hire 400 staff. Much of the initial effort will be directed at battery development as well as engineering lightweight composite body structures. Given Sir James’ expertise in both areas, albeit on a smaller scale, he seems to have a good shot at succeeding in his new venture.
Ford’s “secret” minivan reworked for 2019:
The Sleuth wonders why The Blue Oval automaker isn’t making a bigger deal of its revised Transit Connect van that will debut this fall in regular- and extended length models. The passenger wagon, as Ford calls it, is based on the work-van version and has seating for up to seven passengers. It also has plenty of oversized (for a van) windows to scope out the passing scenery. And with a high roofline and a low load floor, the Transit Connect will easily swallow plenty of bulky cargo once the enormous liftgate is opened. And if fuel economy is a concern, there’s a new optional 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, says Ford. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine is standard. Pricing for the passenger van is expected to start in the upper-$20,000 range in Canada.
Arteon nouveau from VW:
The Germany-based automaker recently outed the successor to the coupe-like CC sedan and The Sleuthy One is pretty impressed with the result. In fact, he’s so gobsmacked by the Arteon’s sleek lines that he wonders what its fall arrival will mean for the more conservative Passat sedan. To maintain a premium footing, all Arteon models will come with tri-zone climate control, heated front seats and a pile of dynamic safety technologies. The Arteon will also use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is the same torque rating as the Passat’s optional 3.6-litre V-6. Pricing is expected to begin in the upper-$30,000 range.
Kia rejigs the K900, hoping it will finally click with luxury buyers:
The sedan that uses the same platform and powertrains as the Hyundai Equus/Genesis G90 has been a bit of a sales dud, but The Spymaster’s intel is revealing that a second-generation K900 will be revealed later this year. Word is the styling will differ considerably from the current model, resulting in a slightly longer and wider body that will project a more luxurious presence. Both the 3.8-litre V-6 and optional 5.0-litre V-8 engines are expected to return, however a hybrid power system hasn’t been ruled out. Base pricing is also expected to remain in the low-$60,000 range. As sound a value as it seems, The Trenchcoated one remains skeptical that a full-on luxury Kia will succeed in the brand-conscious world of automobiles.