BMW preparing a new Z-mobile
BMW and its new best friend Toyota have been busily plugging away on their joint-venture sports cars. From the intel that the Sleuth has picked up, BMW’s version will be called the Z5 while Toyota is reportedly reviving the Supra name. It will be larger than the current Z4 (think Jaguar F-Type) and will come with a soft top in place of the Z4’s retractable solid roof. A turbocharged fourcylinder engine will be standard, while an inline six-cylinder (also turbocharged) will be optional. All-wheel-drive will likely be standard with six-cylinder Z5 models. The least expensive version is expected to cost significantly more than the Z4, which in Canada began in the high-$50,000 range. The Z5 is expected to launch in early 2018. A bigger, more powerful CR-V: Now that the all-new and enlarged 2016 Civic models are out and about, Honda is going to work on the next-generation CR-V tall wagon that is based on Civic platform. That means a significantly larger CR-V that will use the optional Civic-based turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder as the base engine. The Civic’s version delivers 174 horsepower, but buyers can anticipate about 15 extra horses in the heavier CR-V. Another hot rumour suggests that, for the first time, the CR-V will also offer an optional third-row seat, which would match the Nissan Rogue in that department and also necessitate the need for more power. The 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. is the likely launching pad for the new 2018 CR-V. Cadillac powers up the ATS: The Sleuth reports that Cadillac’s attractive base model — which lines up against the Audi 3-series, Mercedes-Benz CLA and BMW 3and 4-series — will move a bit more up-market for the 2017 model year. As a result, the ATS sedan will no longer be available with the 202-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Instead, the previously optional 272-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre fourcylinder will become the new base powerplant (it’s already standard in the ATS coupe). As a startingpoint engine, the 2.5 was outclassed by virtually all competing models from Germany, Japan and England. Pricing is expected to increase as a result, but the sedan will be less expensive than the 2016 ATS with the same turbo engine. “P” stands for Panamera and power: The Spy Guy is a big fan of Porsche’s four-door hatchback sedan, but his mind has been blown by the second-generation model that’s due out for the 2017 model year. From every angle the Panamera’s mostly aluminum body is considerably sleeker and from the front the car now resembles the 911. The Panamera also gets a brand new platform, resulting in slightly more distance between the front and rear wheels as well as in terms of overall length. Initially, North American buyers can choose from a twinturbocharged 2.9-litre V-6 that makes 440 horsepower, or optional twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8 with 550 horses. Both engines come with eight-speed transmissions and allwheel-drive is standard. Pricing is expected to start in the $100,000 range. A plug-in hybrid Panamera as well as wagon body style will arrive later. G, a new Mercedes-Benz: The German automaker’s militaryspec off-road cube has been around in one form or another for decades but the Sleuth confirms that a completely new G-Class will make its debut in 2018 as a 2019 model. This time the super (as in powerful and pricey) offroader will gain about 10 centimetres in width, apparently to accommodate new suspension pieces. Surprisingly, though, body length has been slightly reduced. That, along with greater use of aluminum body panels and various components and smaller and lighter inline six-cylinder engine choices, is expected to take a 200-kilogram bite from the current model’s 2,550-kilogram base curb weight.