New Clubman biggest Mini of the bunch
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto on way at GM
If you’ve lost track of the number of Mini models on the market, the redesigned Clubman probably won’t make things any easier.
Canada already gets a five-door version of the Mini Clubman, a hatchback that was a bit smaller than the Countryman. The all-new 2016 Clubman, however, is now not only larger than the outgoing Clubman, it’s also bigger than the current Countryman and now the longest and widest Mini yet. And, of course, it comes as a Cooper or Cooper S.
More than 25 centimetres longer and nine centimetres wider than the five-door hatch, the new Clubman gets conventional doors on each side but retains the original’s trademark split, rear doors hinged like a barn door, heralding back to the Mini Traveller wagon of the 1960s. The 2016 model, however, has the option of hands-free opening: place a foot under the bumper and the rear doors pop open.
Engines include either a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder with 134 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque or, in the Cooper S, a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 189 hp and 207 lb.-ft.
Pricing will be announced in September.
GM models get much-improved smartphone integration
Automakers have for years struggled for a way to seamlessly integrate smartphones with cars, but the rush to employ two systems that finally do — Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — is starting to gain steam.
General Motors announced it is adding Apple CarPlay to the 2016 GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon. Android Auto will also be offered on some Sierra models at the beginning of the 2016 model year, followed by all Sierra, Canyon and Yukon models later in the year. Buick will also add CarPlay to the 2016 Regal and LaCrosse sedans
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow all the functions, look and feel of a smartphone to be mirrored on the vehicle’s on-board system, presenting the same familiar interface and suite of apps as your phone — most importantly Google Maps. Ferrari, Hyundai and Volvo are among other automakers either planning to or are already using CarPlay.