Cadillac goes small with new tall wagon
The Spy Guy is liking Cadillac’s new XT4 wagon that goes on sale later this year and sees it as a critical addition to the lineup. This model offers plenty of space, especially for second-row passengers. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine — 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque — should prove powerful and thrifty enough to satisfy most buyers. If there’s a down side, it’s a lack of cargo room compared to the XT4’s major competitors, including the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Lincoln MKC and Lexus NX. Cadillac says that the XT4’s starting price will be a shade under $36,000 in the United States (count on the low-$40,000-range in Canada), which is in line with other compact luxury brands. The bell tolls for some Ford and Chevy nameplates: The Sleuth is saddened, but not surprised, with the news that some large and small vehicles in the Ford and Chevrolet fleets will be eliminated. In the full-size class, the Ford Taurus that has survived in one form or another since the 1986 model year will be retired this year. Its primary customers have been fleet buyers. In the small-car class, the Ford Fiesta hatchback and sedan will depart North America, but will remain available in Europe. At General Motors, it’s adios to both the Michigan-built Sonic sedans and hatchbacks that were originally introduced for the 2012 model year. The Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Fusion are also “on the bubble,” as sedan sales continue to slide compared to utility vehicles. Will the Lincoln Continental finally get the suicide doors it’s owed?: That’s what the Sleuth’s sources are claiming. Apparently at a recent closed-door meeting of Lincoln Dealers, it was revealed that the brand’s flagship sedan that was reintroduced for the 2017 model year will be modified with rear-hinged rear doors. That’s what made the 1960s-era Continentals so unique. Changing to these “suicide doors,” which isn’t expected until the 2020 model year, would also help differentiate the car from the smaller MKZ sedan. At first glance, both models look nearly identical, which probably hasn’t helped sales of the more expensive Continental. A new Forester is on the way: The 2019 version of Subaru’s popular compact utility vehicle looks much the same as before, other than it’s more-rugged-looking nose. Behind the sheetmetal, however, an allnew platform extends the distance between the front and rear wheels by about 2.5 centimetres, which adds rear legroom. A lower load floor translates into slightly more stowage volume. All Foresters will henceforth come with Subaru’s EyeSight active-safety technologies, while an available assist system, called DriverFocus, warns if the operator appears to be inattentive due to fatigue, or is otherwise distracted. The Forester’s standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine now makes 182 horsepower (a gain of 12 ponies), although the optional turbocharged 250-horsepower 2.0-litre fourcylinder will no longer be offered. Think diesels are done? Not so fast, says Hyundai: With the diesel scandal hanging over Volkswagen’s head, The Sleuth figured that that particular propulsion system’s days were numbered. However, just because VW is abandoning diesels and, going forward, is doubling down on electric models, doesn’t necessarily mean that other automakers are following. Hyundai’s new 2019 seven-passenger Santa Fe XL will be available with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel rated at 197 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Fe’s larger size and squared-off shape also means more passenger and cargo room. The new model is expected to arrive in the third quarter of 2018. Tesla Model 3 production: After months of delays, it appears that the electric-car maker might finally have sorted out various production and supply glitches that had previously crippled output of its leastexpensive model. Recent figures claim that Model 3s are leaving Tesla’s Fremont, California, factory at a rate exceeding 2,000 cars per week, with an eventual target of 5,000 a week within the next three months. 2019 Focus RS’s output: Following the upcoming launch of the next-generation compact sedan and hatchback, Ford apparently plans to introduce a second-generation Focus RS. This time, the high-performance model will make up to 400 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque (compared with 350 horsepower/350 pound-feet for the current model). A 48volt electric motor/generator will assist a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine, especially under hard acceleration.