Chrysler looks to reinvent the minivan, again
The Spymaster’s sources hear that the futuristic minivan concept Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recently unveiled at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas could be headed for production by the end of this decade or early in the next. The Chrysler Portal is an all-electric sixpassenger lightweight van that can be adapted for commercial use by removing the second- and third-row seats. Equipped with a 100-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, the Portal has a claimed range of up to 400 kilometres on a single charge. Initially, it will also offer limited autonomous-driving capability, but will eventually be upgraded to a fully autonomous state.
The 2018 Mustang will get a subtle makeover: The Sleuth likes what Ford is doing with its iconic pony car, although he wonders why it wasn’t revealed during the two press days preceding the official opening of the North American International Auto Show in January. Instead, Ford staged a surprise unveiling during the public show days in Detroit (along with simultaneous reveals in New York City and Los Angeles), long after about 5,000 traditional news and social-media attendees from around the world had departed. Along with interior, exterior and suspension adjustments, the base 300-horsepower V-6 will be replaced by the previously optional turbocharged 310-horsepower 2.3-litre four-cylinder (currently selected by about 40 per cent of Mustang buyers). An updated 5.0-litre V-8 remains optional. Each will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission, or newly available 10-speed automatic that replaces the previous six-speed. Both coupe and convertible ’Stangs arrive this fall.
Mitsubishi readies a brand new utility while it gets out of cars: The Sneakster has seen a number of concept vehicles from Mitsubishi, only to find out that most are far from production-bound. However, the Sleuth hears that tall wagon he has viewed only in silhouette form is the real deal and will wind up in dealer showrooms in about a year. The yetunnamed Mitsu will slot between the Outlander Sport (RVR outside the United States) and the larger Outlander, and will come in fourcylinder-gasoline-engine and plugin-hybrid variants. With the Lancer sedan due for retirement this year, a new model is urgently needed to bolster the Nissan-Renault-owned automaker’s lineup.
At last, a new Continental is on the way: No, the Sleuth isn’t referring to the 2017 Lincoln Continental, but the $200,000 US-plus Bentley Continental GT coupe and convertible. Other than more horsepower for the 6.0-litre 12-cylinder engine and the addition of a turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8 option for the 2011 model year, the Continental has remained static since its 2003 introduction. From what the Spy Guy’s operatives are saying, the next-gen all-wheeldrive Continental GT will have a considerably sleeker body with more pronounced fenders and a smaller grille. However, the car’s signature oval-shaped headlights will remain virtually unchanged. Although the current powertrains remain pretty much the same, a plug-in-hybrid option is expected following the new Conti’s early 2018 arrival.
Subaru takes the Crosstrek to the next level: The Sleuth is pretty certain that a revamped Imprezabased tall-roader will look like the concept model shown at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland. That means buyers will get a much more rugged-looking vehicle than before, including a bit more ground clearance and extra protective side cladding around the fender opening and rocker panels. A unique grille and headlights will further separate the Crosstrek from its Impreza roots, but both will share the same 152-horsepower four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive system.
No turbo, AWD for BRZ: Despite speculation to the contrary, Subaru has confirmed that a turbocharger for its rear-wheeldrive sporty coupe is not, and never will be, part of the BRZ program. The reason, apparently, is that there simply isn’t enough room for a turbo under the hood. At the same time, Subaru quashed another rumour concerning the addition of all-wheel-drive in the future, stating that AWD would require increasing the BRZ’s ride height, thus disturbing the car’s centre of gravity and handling abilities.
Can we interest you in a Shelby Super Snake?: The company founded by legendary race-driverturned-car-constructor Carroll Shelby is producing a limited number of high-performance coupes based on the Mustang GT. The upgrade to base Super Snake trim sees the GT’s output increased to 670 supercharged horsepower from the stock 435. Buyers selecting a larger supercharger get a 750-horsepower return on their investment. Prices start at $70,000 US plus the cost of the donor Mustang.