GM Canada adds 1000 jobs

General Motors was joined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Kathleen Wynne on June 10 is Oshawa to announce a major expansion of its engineering and software work in Canada with focus on supporting the development of innovative new automotive systems and technologies for the future.

GM will expand its Canadian engineering base to reach a total of approximately 1,000 positions over the next few years.

The new GM Canada work will be focused in the areas of Autonomous Vehicle Software and Controls Development, Active Safety and Vehicle Dynamics Technology, Infotainment and Connected Vehicle Technology, all important areas for the development of new connected, autonomous and shared vehicles and mobility systems.

This will bring the Oshawa Tech Centre beyond its maximum capacity and as a result, GM will also soon open a new Automotive Software Development Centre in Markham.

Hiring for the new positions has commenced and more details will follow in the weeks ahead.

Additionally, GM will be investing $10 million in its Kapuskasing Cold Weather testing facility which is an important part of our engineering capability based in Canada where we conduct important testing for a wide range of new GM products and technologies.

Steve Carlisle, president and managing director, General Motors Canada, said, “A dynamic new innovation cluster is emerging here to support some of the most exciting work in our global industry.

“We look forward to working with Canada’s leaders and innovation partners to place Canada at the forefront of the key transportation technologies that are changing our world for the better.”

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/gm-trudeau-wynne1.jpg?w=745&h=430"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-113798" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/gm-trudeau-wynne1.jpg?w=745&h=430" alt="Steve Carlisle" width="808" height="454" /></a>

RELATED: <a href="http://www.wheels.ca/news/gm-canada-president-steve-carlisle-challenges-canada-to-play-a-bigger-role-in-the-automotive-industry/">GM Canada president Steve Carlisle challenges Canada to play a bigger role in the automotive industry</a>

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GM Canada adds 1,000 high tech jobs

2024 EV9

Evan is an East Coast based automotive journalist and a Certified Engineering Technologist. He is an avid autocrosser, hack mechanic, and a member of AJAC. If you don't find him driving or writing about cars, you'll probably find him in the garage breaking one.

Kia’s reveals three-row EV

Kia revealed its biggest EV yet. The three-row Kia EV9 will seat up to seven, with electric power and a shape that looks just like the concept. While the bold and blocky shape won't get the coach-opening doors of the concept, it will get second-row seats that pivot rearward. Or sideways. Wisely, the dash is almost identical to the rest of Kia's conventional cars, with dual 12.3-inch screens and plenty of console space. Expect more details, like range, later this month.

BMW HUD 2.0

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175111" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-20-6-scaled.jpg" alt="BMW HUD" width="2560" height="1440" />

BMW just announced that its next generation of electrics will have a full-windshield head-up display. Called BMW Panoramic Vision, BMW says the driver can see more information or project it to be seen by everyone in the car. The automaker says it should give drivers a new feeling of space in the Neue Klasse EVs. The tech is expected to come to market for 2025.

Mercedes GLA and GLB refreshed for 2024

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175107" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-20-2.jpg" alt="Mercedes GLA GLB" width="2500" height="1666" />

Mercedes-Benz is giving the GLA and GLB small crossovers a facelift for 2024. The update consists mostly of new light signatures and grilles to bring them in line with the latest MB models. A 10.25-inch dash display is now standard and paired with a same-sized centre screen. Both models get the latest MBUX system and the centre touch control is gone. The GLA 250 and GLB 250 get 48-volt mild hybrid assist to help save fuel in certain situations. The GLA and GLB 35 models, the AMG vehicles, get the same 48-volt upgrade. Expect the models around the end of the year.

More Porsche EV

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175106" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-20-1.jpg" alt="Porsche EV" width="2500" height="1406" />

Porsche laid out more of its electrification plans, including a hybrid 911, electric 718 and Macan variants, and, now, a three-row electric SUV that will sit above the Cayenne. The electric Macan is still expected next year, with the 718 Cayman and Boxster "mid-decade." That fourth model will be based on Porsche's upcoming SSP architecture, developed with Audi. The brand says it will be sporty and luxurious, with Porsche performance. The Cayenne itself won't go electric just yet, but a new chassis and upgraded PHEV models are expected to be revealed this year. As far as the iconic 911, Porsche still says there are no plans for a PHEV and it is not talking EV.

Ioniq 6 sedan pricing

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175108" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-20-3.jpg" alt="Hyundai IONIQ 6 pricing" width="2500" height="1668" />

Hyundai has just priced the Ioniq 6. The longest-range EV for less than $120,000 will start from $54,999 when it arrives in Canada this spring. Just under the federal EV incentive cutoff. That's the Preferred RWD Long Range model, with a range estimate of 581 km. The Ioniq 6 will also be offered with AWD for $57,999 (509km), and the Ultimate Package brings the car to $63,999. Ioniq 6 will have 350 kW Level 3 charging, a full suite of driver assistance features, and sleek sedan style.

Michelin EV tires

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175110" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-20-5.jpg" alt="Michelin tires Nova Scotia Trudeau" width="2500" height="1542" />

Michelin announced plans to build more tires for EVs at its plants in Nova Scotia. The tire maker announced a $300m investment, including $44m from the federal government. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on-hand for the announcement along with NS Premier Tim Houston. The three NS plants will be upgraded to produce larger sizes of tires and tires designed to improve range for EVs and fuel economy for commercial trucks. Michelin says the investment will also help reduce plant carbon emissions.

&nbsp;

News Roundup: Three-Row EVs from Porsche, Kia; Michelin Invests in Canadian Production

DSC04376

Having worked in the automotive industry in many roles for over 15 years and currently the Content Strategist for Wheels.ca - Kunal's obsession with cars goes back to his early childhood. Even now his insatiable thirst to be in the know of anything with wheels and a motor continues, and will likely never fade. His idea of bliss is the open road,  good tunes and a manual gearbox. Kunal is a member of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada)

Kapuskasing, ON – General Motors has been cold-weather testing vehicles in Kapuskasing since 1941 but it didn’t start with passenger cars. Back in those days GM’s testing focused on military vehicles and airplanes for the Canadian government.

Three decades later, on February 14, 1973 the GM Cold Weather Development Centre was born. The town of Kapuskasing officially became GM’s permanent cold weather testing home for North America and it’s only evolved since then.

Now spanning 272 acres it is the largest facility of its kind in Ontario. The centre boasts a 3.6 km advanced test track, a decommissioned airstrip, 30 cold cells that can reliably recreate conditions of -45 degrees Celsius or lower, and a squeak and rattle building (we’ll explain that last one later).

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175096" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC04339.jpg" alt="GM Cold Weather Development Centre Kapuskasing" width="2048" height="1365" />

Most of Canada has cold winters but the weather in Kapuskasing, which is a 9 hour drive north of Toronto, has a consistently frigid winter climate. If you’re looking for dependable cold and snow, then Kapuskasing is ideal. We’re talking average temps of -30 degrees Celsius in the winter with dips into the -50 degree Celsius range not uncommon. It’s an extreme environment but if a vehicle can survive here, it’ll work just about anywhere.

Most models GM sells to the public from the humble Chevy Spark to the sporty Corvette spends a part of its development life cycle here. It must successfully pass a series of rigorous tests to get final approval for production.

We recently spent a day in Kapuskasing in order to witness the trials and tribulations a vehicle must undergo to get GM’s seal of approval.

There’s an air of secrecy here. Media usually aren’t allowed in, so getting to see it all is a big deal. With camouflaged experimental vehicles driving around we sense a bit of nervousness from the staff as any leaks could land them in hot water. The secretive nature of the site is understandable as the competition between automakers is cutthroat.

But I’m not here to spy on pre-production vehicles and I’ve always wanted to see what takes place in Kapuskasing. Much of the testing here is shifting to focus on electric vehicles. GM has ambitious plans to phase out internal combustion vehicles by 2035, and our focus in Kapuskasing is understandably centered on the EV.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175091" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC04366.jpg" alt="GM Cold Weather Development Centre Kapuskasing" width="2048" height="1365" />

A showroom ready Cadillac Lyriq (which you can find a review of <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/first-drives/2023-cadillac-lyriq-first-drive-review">here</a>) would be our test mule for the day and with the temps hovering at -25 degrees Celsius it was precisely the type of weather an EV like the Lyriq isn’t supposed to work in.

EVs not faring well in cold and snowy conditions is a common misconception and many think they aren’t suitable for many parts of this country. With the exception of reliable charging infrastructure, an ICE car faces the same set of challenges an EV does.

Josh Walton, Engineering Group Manager, is the project lead in Kapuskasing and has worked at the development centre since 2015.

“The only thing majorly different (when testing an EV) is obviously that you need to charge the vehicle. So what we do different with EVs compared to ICE (internal combustion engines) is test all three levels of charge. So Level1, level 2, and level 3 charging.” Walton tells wheels.ca.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175089" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC04374.jpg" alt="GM Cold Weather Development Centre Kapuskasing" width="2048" height="1365" />

The development centre has 21 Level 2 chargers but more importantly 6 DC Fast chargers capable of outputting up to 400kW of power making them some of the fastest chargers around. That’s an irrelevant number because there aren’t any EVs on the market that can make use of those charging speeds just yet. The Cadillac Lyriq itself maxes out at 190kW. But in Kapuskasing the main goal is to collect data and to then apply what they’ve learned to improving the products and correcting any issues before the cars arrive in customer’s driveways.

“Our general durability (testing) is a 12-week cycle. We evaluate everything from powertrain to HVAC performance to interior comfort and infotainment systems. The entire car is tested top to bottom inside of 12 weeks.

“ We go through roughly 9000 km of test mileage during that, so it’s pretty comprehensive,” says Walton.

During those 12 weeks the cars are tested 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, during which time every component is put under scrutiny. During a typical test cycle a window can be rolled up and down up to 1200 times! In a few months each vehicle sees about 2 years of regular use under extreme conditions and they can test up to 250 vehicles annually.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175094" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC04355.jpg" alt="cold cells kapuskasing" width="2048" height="1365" />

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175092" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC04361.jpg" alt="GM Cold Weather Development Centre Kapuskasing" width="2048" height="1365" />

The cold cells, basically giant freezers, can hold two <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/reviews/2022-chevrolet-bolt-ev-review">Chevy Bolts</a>. They recreate conditions of -45 degrees Celsius. Cars are parked inside overnight and then started in the morning and things like the heated seats, HVAC systems, defoggers, and defrosters are all tested.

We drive the Cadillac Lyriq inside what GM calls the “Squeak and Rattle” building, which is essentially a large tunnel with varying bumpy road surfaces that you drive the cars through up to 20 times an hour. There are speed bumps, rough surfaces, and interlocking tiles that mimic European cobblestone roads. It’s an extremely bumpy ride, even at 20 km/h. This test exposes any squeaks, or rattles from loose trim, improperly fitted components, or materials that have not fared so well in the cold weather. It’s also where they test how comfortable the cabin is.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175086" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC04393.jpg" alt="GM Cold Weather Development Centre Kapuskasing" width="2048" height="1365" />

Next we’re driving on the test track, which has a hard packed snow over gravel surface representative of the rural roads in Northern Ontario. We only took a few laps in the Lyriq but in actual testing the vehicles are driven here for up to 8 hours a day. They also use a decommissioned airfield across the street for dynamic testing, where things like traction control, ABS and stability control systems get put to the test.

For real world testing each car is also driven on the multitude of logging roads surrounding the proving grounds.

So after pouring through the reams of data extracted from testing has GM figured out the EV secret sauce to mitigating diminished battery capacity and the loss of driving range in cold weather?

“We do have data on this, but unfortunately a lot of that’s proprietary and I can’t get into the details and specifics of that,” says Walton.

A predictable answer but we had to ask.

It was a condensed but informative view of what happens in a day at the Kapuskasing winter proving grounds. It’s also an exciting time in the automotive industry and things are constantly in flux.

“It’s a dynamic environment, so it’s not the same mundane stuff day after day, says Walton. “Every day in Kapuskasing is something different and unique.”

GM Cold Weather Development Centre in Kapuskasing tests EVs under extreme conditions

The new GLC Coupé: The lifestyle model in the successful Merced

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is slightly larger, with more space for cargo. It also gets the latest big MBUX screens from the brand. But what has us the most intrigued is the fancy new LED matrix lighting system that can help you see better in the dark while also giving you warning messages and letting you know if you're about to run a stop sign.

Mercedes-Benz has stretched the bodywork at the rear by 31 mm. Now 4,763 mm long, the 2024 GLC has 545L of cargo capacity with the seats up. Fold them and you get 1,490L, which is 45L more behind the seats and 90L more overall. The roof is slightly taller and the wheels are pushed further out, though the actual width doesn't change.

You might need to see the two parked side-by-side to spot the differences, but the 2024 GLC Coupe has some big styling changes too. The latest Benz grille and new nose are the most apparent changes, but tweaking in the wind tunnel has lowered the coefficient of drag by 3 points.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175039" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2024-Mercedes-GLC-29.jpg" alt="Merecedes Benz GLC Coupe 300" width="2500" height="1666" />

Digital Light is what Mercedes-Benz calls its new headlight system. The GLC Coupe has LED lights as standard, but the optional Digital Light elevates the system. The matrix of LEDs inside the housing can be controlled individually. That lets Benz tailor the light to the situation for better visibility without blinding other road users.

The safety aspects of the light system are super cool. Mercedes-Benz says that it will be able to project guide lines, symbols, and even animations onto the roadway for the driver to see. Things like warnings to tell you you're entering the highway in the wrong direction or about to run a red light. The lights can also use a spotlight function that lights up pedestrians and shows an arrow so the driver can see which way they're walking.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175036" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2024-Mercedes-GLC-5.jpg" alt="Merecedes Benz GLC Coupe 300" width="2500" height="1668" />

A newly standard 360-degree camera system comes with features to make parking easier with a side benefit of off-road capability. The camera views include a "transparent hood check" that lets the driver see directly in front to get around large rocks or potholes. Parking sensors all around let the GLC park itself or help you to do it yourself with less stress.

Mercedes-Benz announced just one engine at launch. That's the 2.0L turbo-four with 48V mild hybrid system that will be badged GLC 300. AWD is standard. The engine makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft, with both figures boosted slightly on demand by the 48V electric motor.

The cabin looks <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/features/the-mercedes-benz-c-class-is-better-than-ever-does-anyone-care">impressively high tech</a>, thanks to the 12.3-inch digital dash and the portrait-oriented 11.9-inch centre screen. That floating centre screen is angled toward the driver for a more cockpit-like feel. The screen operates with the latest MBUX system. Benz says voice controls and other responses are improved, with faster operation.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175038" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2024-Mercedes-GLC-24.jpg" alt="Merecedes Benz GLC Coupe 300" width="2500" height="1666" />

Last but not least, Mercedes-Benz says the 2024 GLC Coupe will have more standard equipment than before. That includes AMG Line trim, smartphone integration, power hatch, moonroof, and other goodies. Benz is also simplifying its options list, combining features that were frequently ordered together into packages. Paint, trim, and upholstery are all still widely customizable.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is set to go on sale in early 2024. Expect pricing, more details, and (probably) AMG variants as that date approaches.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Gets Bigger, Adds More Tech

Volkswagen Group steps up activities in North America – Canada

The Volkswagen Group and its new battery company PowerCo have been looking for a place to build a new battery factory. A facility that could initially supply more than half a million electric vehicles per year. They have now announced the location for the gigafactory, and it is coming to Canada.

VW and PowerCo announced last year that they were looking to build a battery plant in North America, but weren't willing to narrow down the list of locations. Though CEO Oliver Blume called Canada "a logical option" for a plant based on this continent.

That announcement came just a few months after <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/mercedes-benz-vw-partner-with-canadian-government-to-source-raw-materials-to-support-ev-production">VW Group and the federal government</a> entered a memorandum of understanding surrounding EV battery raw materials. The MoU said that both parties planned to continue to cooperate with the Canadian mining sector to secure a supply of metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, all crucial to EV battery cells.

Today's announcement is the plant location. The PowerCo gigafactory will be built in St. Thomas, Ontario. The city was previously home to a Ford auto factory as well as a Sterling truck plant. City officials recently announced that they had made possible a new 600-hectare site they were pitching to automakers for exactly this purpose.

“Our gigafactory in Canada sends a strong message: PowerCo is on track to become a global battery player. With the expansion to North America, we will enter a key market for e-mobility and battery cell production, driving forward our global battery strategy at full speed. Canada and Ontario are perfect partners for scaling up our battery business and green economy jobs, as we share the same values of sustainability, responsibility and cooperation. We are committed to be a reliable partner and good neighbor for the people in St. Thomas and Ontario,“ said PowerCo Chair Thomas Schmall.

This is the second gigafactory announcement for Canada. The first came from Stellantis, which announced plans for a $5b EV battery plant that is currently under construction in Windsor, ON. While the Stellantis/LG Chem plant is expected to open in 2024, the Volkswagen Group plant is set for 2027.

“Today’s announcement by Volkswagen is a true testament to our highly skilled workforce and Canada’s strong and growing battery ecosystem. VW’s decision to establish its first overseas gigafactory in Canada speaks to our country’s competitiveness when it comes to attracting major investments. It is also a vote of confidence in Canada as the green supplier of choice to the world. With Volkswagen and PowerCo, our government looks forward to working together towards a cleaner, more sustainable and resilient economy,“ said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

Volkswagen Group's facility will construct battery cells. Hundreds of these cells go into each EV battery pack. The cells will supply VW's existing plant in Chattanooga, TN. They will also go to the new Scout EV-off-road vehicle VW is planning to build in South Carolina.

&nbsp;

VW Announces Massive Battery Cell Plant for Ontario

news 3-13 (1)

Purolator making large investment to electrify fleet

Purolator courier has announced a massive upgrade to electrify its fleet in Canada. The delivery service announced it plans to spend $1B to lower the carbon emissions of its delivery fleet over the next seven years. The investment would add 3,500 fully electric vehicles to its fleet and electrify more than 60 terminals. The company was the first courier in Canada to launch electric trucks nationally. It will add 100 EVs this year and 150 next year including Ford E-Transit vans and the Canadian-built <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/gm-canada-plant-starts-all-electric-brightdrop-truck-production-in-ingersoll">BrightDrop Zevo 600</a>.

New Kona

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175021" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-13-2.jpg" alt="Hyundai Kona EV" width="2500" height="1667" />

Hyundai showed the second-generation Kona, starting with the latest Kona Electric. The 2024 Hyundai Kona grows larger than the old model, allowing for more passenger space and much more cargo space. This time around, Hyundai says Kona was designed as an EV first, not second. The most obvious result of this is a new front trunk, but there should be many less-obvious benefits under the skin. Tech upgrades inside include new screens much like Hyundai's other latest models. The Kona will make more power and will offer a Long Range model expected to hit 490 km on the WLTP cycle. It will be able to charge around twice as quickly as the current Kona on a Level 3 plug as well. Expect the new <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/vehicle-reviews/review-2021-hyundai-kona-ev">Kona Electric</a> on sale later this year.

Mitsubishi ups electric play

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175023" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-13-4.jpg" alt="Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV" width="2500" height="1667" />

Mitsubishi announced targets to move its full lineup to hybrid and EV by the middle of the next decade and said it will accelerate its low-emissions efforts. The goals were announced as part of the company's new three-year plan. Under the medium-term plan, Mitsubishi Motors says it will build on the momentum of launches like the latest Outlander. It will also work to accelerate EV development as part of its alliance with Renault and Nissan. Expect 16 new models over the next five years, and then for half of sales to be electrified by 2030.

Dodge Last Call

https://youtu.be/-VnDi7xYvag

Dodge is getting ready to launch the ultimate version of its Charger and Challenger muscle cars and has launched the final teaser ahead of the car's reveal next week. The third Dodge Last Call teaser video is called "Scream @ 215 mph" and is most likely a nod to the expected 215 mph (346 km/h) top speed of the car. The last Last Call, a series of seven low-volume special edition cars, was supposed to have been revealed late last year. It has been pushed back multiple times, with rumours that Dodge was having trouble with the car's immense horsepower output. There's also a math equation on the anemometer in the video, which has everyone guessing what it means. The likely answer is an engine that flows 1,582 cubic feet of air per minute. The 808 hp Demon flows just 1,150 CFM for comparison. We'll have to wait and see for sure.

Lamborghini LB744 hybrid supercar to be revealed later this year

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175022" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-13-3.jpg" alt="Lamborghini LB744" width="2500" height="1667" />

In other 1,000 hp news, Lamborghini has announced the working name and hybrid powertrain of its next supercar. The car, codenamed LB744, will use a reworked version of Lambo's 6.5L V12 and will have three electric motors. The result will be 1,001 hp, all-wheel drive, and the ability to drive about 10 km using electric power. The gearbox is a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic unit. Lamborghini promises the full reveal will come later this year.

Ultra Cruise to debut on ultra-luxury Cadillac Celestiq

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175024" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-13-5.jpg" alt="Cadillac Celestiq Ultracruise" width="2500" height="1666" />

GM is talking about safety and the next iteration of its hands-off driver assistance. Ultra Cruise will debut on the <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/first-look-2024-cadillac-celestiq-ev">Cadillac Celestiq</a> and uses more than 20 sensors including radar, cameras, and LiDAR. GM expects it to enable hands-off driving "in 95 percent of all driving scenarios." To do this, it will also have to monitor the driver. To make sure that the driver is remaining ready to take over when the computer can't manage the situation. "A deep knowledge of what Ultra Cruise is capable of, along with the detailed picture provided by its sensors, will help us understand when Ultra Cruise can be engaged and when to hand control back to the driver. We believe consistent, clear operation can help build drivers’ confidence in Ultra Cruise," said Ultra Cruise Chief Engineer Jason Ditman. GM says it expects software updates will allow for hands-free driving across nearly every paved road in Canada and the U.S. over time.

News Roundup: Hyundai Kona Electric, Dodge Last Call, Lamborghini PHEV, More

De Tomaso P72-001

Stephanie Wallcraft is a multiple award-winning automotive and motorsport journalist, and she is also a parent who daily navigates living and driving in Canada's largest city. Stephanie is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.

It's time to bring back the romance to automotive.

This was the message from De Tomaso Automobili as its P72 supercar made its Canadian debut at an invitation-only reception, hosted by ultraluxury dealer Grand Touring Automobiles in Toronto.

If the brand name sounds familiar but you can’t quite place it, its Chairman Norman Choi can jog your memory. Choi is based in Hong Kong, and his automotive career has seen him raise financing for <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/hyundai-and-kia-establish-80-million-euro-partnership-with-rimac">Croatian automaker Rimac</a> and act as CEO of supercar brand Apollo. He rescued the De Tomaso brand out of bankruptcy in 2014 in a moved based largely on nostalgia.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174987" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Norman-Choi-scaled.jpg" alt="Norman Choi" width="2560" height="1920" />

“I went to school in the U.S. back in the late 80s, and De Tomaso at the time was still a big hit,” Choi told Wheels.ca. “My neighbour had a Pantera, so every weekend he would take out the car and I was like wow, holy smoke, that's a nice-looking car. So, that's how I got started.”

Upon taking ownership of the De Tomaso brand, Choi began development of the P72 supercar, which is named in homage of the De Tomaso P70 prototype from the 1960s that was touched by the hands of both Peter Brock and Carroll Shelby. The De Tomaso P72 is based on the Apollo Intensa Emozione, which itself was developed in part by HWA, a German motorsport company founded by AMG co-founder Hans Werner Aufrecht. The car uses a monocoque chassis formed from 26 layers of directionally laid carbon fibre, including the crash structure and subframes, meaning the chassis itself weighs only 135 kilograms (or just under 300 pounds). Pair that with a six-speed manual gearbox as the only transmission option to go with the supercharged Ford Coyote V8—which in some markets Choi says can produce as much as 820 horsepower and 678 pound-feet of torque, depending on local regulations—and the P72 is nothing short of a rocket on wheels.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174971" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image00006-scaled.jpg" alt="De Tomaso P72" width="2560" height="1920" />

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174967" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image00002-scaled.jpg" alt="De Tomaso P72" width="2560" height="1920" />

There are also persistent rumours that an associated Le Mans Hypercar is in development based on the P72, powered by a V12 engine and set to launch in 2024. And here’s some information to stoke the flames of that rumour: Choi says he’s planning to host the Pantera’s designer, Peter Brock, and his wife at the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans this June.

Back to the road-going version of the P72: the planned production run of the coupe, set at 72 units, is sold out. But a roadster is in development and is currently undergoing homologation for the North American market, which is expected to be complete by this summer with production getting under way by late 2024. In Canada, Grand Touring Automobiles will be the exclusive distributor, serving clients in eastern Canada from its luxury-marque dealership in downtown Toronto and on the west coast from its Calgary locations. Pricing is yet to be determined, but expect it to exceed $2 million Canadian.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174985" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image00076-scaled.jpg" alt="De Tomaso P72" width="2560" height="1920" />

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174978" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image00062-scaled.jpg" alt="De Tomaso P72" width="2560" height="1920" />

De Tomaso and Grand Touring Automobiles chose to host the P72’s Canadian debut on International Women’s Day and mark the occasion by telling a little-known story about the origins of the De Tomaso brand. Car enthusiasts may be familiar with the name of the marque’s founder, Alejandro de Tomaso, who was an Argentinian businessman and racing driver who entered a pair of Formula One races in the late 1950s. But little is said about his wife, Isabelle de Tomaso: her father, Amory Haskell, was a Vice-president of General Motors, and that exposure to the industry formed a passion for automobiles in her at an early age. She raced competitively, including at the 12 Hours of Sebring, but grew frustrated with her limited options in America and moved to Europe to further her motorsport career. There, she met Alejandro, and they married and later co-founded the De Tomaso automobile brand.

“Those Italian iconic (automotive brands), they never talk about the women behind them,” Choi said. “And actually, De Tomaso never talked about it, either. This is part of the respect that we want to pay to history, pay to women and their importance. At the end of the day, if it wasn't for Isabelle, there wouldn't be De Tomaso.”

An automotive brand, founded in romance, pays homage to it and brings it back to life. When we remember and honour these roots, our shared passion for the automobile lives on.

De Tomaso P72 supercar makes its Canadian debut

till (5 of 5)

"It would be sad if it doesn't get produced." Those were the first words Hyundai N Brand Manager Till Wartenberg said to us. We were at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, and Wartenberg was looking longingly at the Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept car.

For Hyundai, N means performance. Performance, though, means many things to many different people. Crucially for executives like Wartenberg, performance is a definition that is in the middle of a huge shift as the industry moves from gas to electric-powered vehicles. We sat down with Wartenberg alongside the <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/hyundai-vision-n-74-takes-la-by-storm">Hyundai N Vision 74</a> to talk about N, the two concepts, and the future of electric performance. Oh, and to ask what exactly "Corner Rascal" means.

Dealers didn't think the N brand would sell

Wartenberg has been with N since nearly the beginning. He made the move in 2016, not long after the N brand was launched, and was part of the launch of the i30 N hot hatch in Germany.

"Salespeople were actually questioning," he said of the formation of N. "This cannot be successful because it's a saturated market," he recalls dealers saying. Adding extra worry was the fact Germans were known for brand loyalty, and that loyalty was already associated with <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/reviews/track-tested-2023-bmw-m4-csl">BMW M</a>, Mercedes-AMG, and <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/reviews/why-i-love-my-vehicle-2022-volkswagen-golf-r">Volkswagen R</a>.

Wartenberg, though, was not worried. "I knew, coming from my former employer (Wartenberg was in marketing at Mercedes-Benz for 16 years), that high performance branding really, really works."

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174928" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/till-3-of-5-scaled.jpg" alt="Till Wartenburg Hyundai N Vision 74" width="2560" height="1707" />

The product is key in performance branding

There are some caveats, though. You have to do it right and have a high-quality product, he said. Wartenberg said that Hyundai was well past its former reputation as a "cheap" brand and so "the time was right to uplift the brand." he said. "And you cannot do it any better than with motorsports and an emotional product. Because everyone wants to buy the winner."

"I think (the launch of N) was perfect. Because we surprised certain customer groups and car enthusiasts and racers who actually want to have fun with a really, really good car," said Wartenberg.

Now that the brand is established with models like the Veloster N, Kona N, and Elantra N here, and i20 and i30 N models in the rest of the world, Wartenberg feels the time is right to uplift the brand even more. That means electric vehicles.

N Says 'Don't Worry' About Performance EVs

Wartenberg said that N moving into performance EVs and alternative fuels (the N Vision 74 is fuel cell powered) should reassure performance car buyers. "I think there is a bright future for performance cars,” he said. "This is also the message from N: that you don't have to worry about what's coming."

Hyundai is planning an Ioniq electric racecar. The Ioniq 6 will compete in the FIA's eTouring Car World Cup, replacing an electric Veloster N. It will likely look a lot like the RN22e concept, which is a test bed for the eTCR car and a pretty good preview of the Ioniq 6 N. A model that Wartenberg all but confirmed is coming.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174925" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/52879-HyundaiAutoCanadashowcasesthefutureofelectrificationwithRN22eandNVision74Conceptatthe2023CanadianAutoShow-scaled.jpg" alt="Hyundai N" width="2560" height="1328" />

"We will see the Ioniq 6-based eTCR car," he said. "I think we want to focus right now on the Ioniq 5 N. But normal logic would be to continue that product portfolio with another."

Brand VP wants halo car

On that note, Wartenberg added that he wanted something even more special than the current and future N cars. "My personal wish would be to do something with even more advanced technology that's in a smaller number."

That means a Halo car. Would the halo car for the brand be an Ioniq 6-based car or something else? At this point in the conversation, Wartenberg turned back to the concept car. "The N Vision 74. It just looks even more stunning than anything else I've seen for a long time." It's not confirmation, but it is a sign that there are people high up at Hyundai fighting to make it happen.

Corner Rascal?

What about "Corner Rascal?" Hyundai N used the phrase as one of its brand pillars. We assumed that it sounded cooler in Korean, but it turns out the expression comes from Germany.

"Kurvenräuber," is the original, Wartenberg said. Which translates directly as "curve robber". Sort of a Hamburgler who loves to drive instead of snagging ground beef.

Wartenberg puts it better: "It (means) actually grabbing for the corners. It's not afraid of corners. This is 'Corner Rascal:' I don't only want to go fast from 0-100. Many cars can do that, you just have to add some power," he said. The N brand wants more.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174926" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/till-1-of-5-scaled.jpg" alt="Hyundai N Vision 74" width="2560" height="1707" />

More is a challenge for heavy EVs. "You cannot really cheat physics. But you can raise the bar and push the limits a bit further." Wartenberg is referring to features like the RN22e's twin-clutch rear torque vectoring system or using twin motors at each axle to boost agility.

Developing these systems is why the brand builds vehicles like the RN22e and N Vision 74 concept. They are cars where company engineers can learn how to make an EV as fun as a gas-powered N car. He said we can expect to see some of these engineering efforts in the Ioniq 5 N.

Developing Performance EV Sounds

Wartenberg said that Hyundai N knows that some buyers won't be happy with just handling. They want the missing sound. “We decided to not just copy the combustion engine sound into EVs. The Ioniq 5 N will have specific sounds for EV,” says Wartenberg.

“We did not go to famous musicians to do an EV sound,” he said taking a shot at BMW. And referring to the drill-like whine of an EV system, Wartenberg says “The dentist sound has to go.”

So, what will it be replaced with?

N engineers "try to really listen to what the demand is." That could include taking advantage of real sounds like tire noise, stones pinging from the undercarriage, and wind noise. He also said Hyundai N could reach out to the community and deliver crowd-generated sounds. A downloadable N sound of the week was the example he gave.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is coming, and Wartenberg has us itching to get behind the wheel of the electric N car. The full reveal should happen later this year, and we'll have to wait and see if the RN22e cum Ioniq 6 N and a production N Vision 74 come to market.

Hyundai N Brand VP Talks Future of Performance

HPD Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer

Indy CR-V

Honda built a CR-V like nothing else. No, not a CR-V Type R, but something even cooler. Honda Performance Development took a carbon (fibre) copy of the CR-V's bodywork and mounted it to an Indycar chassis. Complete with the 2.2L twin-turbo V6 and hybrid power, this CR-V makes somewhere north of 800 horses. The idea isn't to send it to production, though. It's to show off that Indycar hybrid power and look spectacular. The CR-V racer will show up at NTT Indycar Series races this year including the Toronto Indy in July.

Lightning production resumes

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174917" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-6-4.jpg" alt="F-150 Lightning Lariat off-road" width="2500" height="1446" />

Ford has restarted production of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup and it expects that production to go faster than ever. The line was halted after a battery fire early last month, but Ford says the issue has been solved. Ford has said previously it expects to hit 150,000 Lightning pickups per year by the fall of 2023. That's a significant figure, even for the F-Series trucks that see nearly a million built every year.

The Scout is back

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174915" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-6-2.jpg" alt="VW Scout" width="2500" height="2500" />

Volkswagen's latest heritage exercise is one step closer to market. The automaker announced on Friday that its new Scout line would be built at a new plant in South Carolina that would have enough capacity for more than 200,000 units per year. Early last year, VW announced that the Scout off-road brand, gas vehicles made by International Harvester from the 1960s through to the 1980s, would be coming back. This time as body-on-frame off-road-ready EVs. An electric competitor to the likes of Jeep and Ford's Bronco. Next up, the automaker plans to launch the Scout in 2024 to go on sale in 2026. We're also expecting a battery plant announcement for North America, possibly in Quebec or Ontario.

Income-based traffic fines proposed in B.C City

The City of New Westminster BC is looking to do something to even the playing field when it comes to speeding tickets in the province. Mayor Patrick Johnstone introduced a motion to tie traffic fines to the income of the person being fined. The Mayor pointed out that fixed fines are inequitable. They have a large effect on those with lower incomes, but a minimal deterrent effect on those with higher incomes. The measure passed 5-2. As this is beyond the city's mandate, the motion was to submit the resolution to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, then if advanced, to the Union of B.C Municipalities and eventually the provincial government. Means-tested fines and enforcement have long been law in Finland and are beginning to become more common in the rest of Europe.

Toronto Auto show sees record crowds

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174916" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/news-3-6-3.jpg" alt="Toronto Auto show attendance" width="2500" height="1666" />

The Canadian International Auto Show returned with a blast. Taking two years off didn't stop demand, and the show saw its third-highest crowds ever. More than 350,000 people attended the Toronto show, with the opening weekend setting attendance records. The on-site EV Test Track saw more than 6,000 drivers behind the wheel of new EVs, with 83 percent of those driving an EV for the first time. More than 15,000 attendees went for a passenger lap. The Toronto AutoShow is set to return February 16-25 2024.

News Roundup: F-150 Lightning Production Restart, IndyCar Honda CR-V, More

SBO (1)

This year, Land Rover once again awarded Defender SUVs to charitable groups making a vital difference in their communities. Of this year's five winners, one was Canadian. Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais – Ottawa Volunteer Search And Rescue will be coming home with a new <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/reviews/2023-land-rover-defender-130-review">Defender 130</a> to help the organization's searches and rescues. We spoke with Stephane McDermott and Jack Ricou, the two members on hand at Land Rover's Winner's Weekend to collect the group's new Land Rover, about the group and what the award meant to them.

The 2022 Defender Service Awards were given out in five categories, reflecting the very different roles charitable groups have in their communities. Animal Welfare, Community Services, Environmental and Conservation, and Veterans Outreach were the other four. Ottawa Volunteer SAR won the Search and Rescue category, sponsored by Pelican.

Jack Ricou has been a member of the group since 2007, he said. Both Jack and his wife Katherine have had many roles in the group including President, General Manager, and training officer. Stephane has been part of the group since 2016 and handles logistics.

Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais started in 1996 after a hunter went missing in the area. Searches then were largely police-lead, but the police didn't have the numbers or expertise for this growing role. This was just 10 years after an event Ricou described as the birth of modern SAR in Canada, when the concept was still growing and taking hold.

Searchers Use Modern Techniques to Resolve Situations Quickly

Today Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais has 150 trained volunteer searchers. Volunteers take a two-weekend basic course and from there can upgrade their skills. Each volunteer spends more than 50 hours learning what to do to help find missing persons and make sure they don't become one themselves.

Group members can find themselves searching for lost children who have wandered off, missing hikers and hunters, and people with dementia. The group has ATVs, watercraft, dogs, and even drones to help conduct searches, and can quickly coordinate with other resources from near and far.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174911" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SBO-2.jpg" alt="Land Rover Defender service awards" width="1536" height="1536" />

Searches have moved beyond the classic movie-style line search, where a line of people walk in one direction until they find something. New high-tech methods are more effective and use fewer resources. McDermott told us that around a quarter of searches are concluded in under an hour using these modern methods.

But SAR is still incredibly dependent on volunteers. Search and Rescue efforts are not funded by federal or provincial resources. Groups like Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais raise their own funds for vehicles, equipment, training, and even the cost of fuel to get to a search. On top of that, the group is also called upon for disaster response. For managing what they called "spontaneous volunteers," doing work like filling sandbags, storm rescue, and cleanup.

Volunteers Cover Search area 10x Size of PEI

SBO operates in both Quebec and Ontario, covering an area of more than 58,000 square kilometres. They also will partner up in mutual aid agreements with other groups in both provinces when those groups need search help. Despite the distance, Ricou said that multi-day searches in Quebec might only see members reimbursed for mileage. In Ontario "we don't get that kind of monetary support," he said. Volunteers even bring their own food for an extended search.

This need for funding is why this new Land Rover is so important to the group. Initially, it will be replacing an older vehicle, towing a 14-foot trailer that holds the group's six-seat side-by-side ATV.

Land Rover Will Help Fundraising and Operations

The Defender will also be used for the group's public relations efforts. Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais members spend a great deal of time on what Ricou described as "trying to work ourselves out of a job." That means teaching people how to get outdoors safely, what to do if they get lost, and other wilderness skills.

The crew will also use the Defender 130 at fundraising events. The same bright yellow wrap that makes the Defender visible on the job should draw in anyone who sees it at an event to hopefully try and learn more about the group.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174906" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Land-Rover-DSA-1.jpg" alt="Land Rover Defender service awards" width="1731" height="1154" />

Eight days. That was all the time SBO's board and volunteers had to get their Defender Service Awards entry ready. McDermott said one of the group's latest recruits learned about the contest just over a week before the deadline for entries.

"It was almost surreal," said Ricou. "This little group of people met in my backyard, around the picnic table, and we looked at the requirements."

Ricou wrote a three-minute script to fit the guidelines, he said, and then promptly took seven minutes to say it on tape. The next day, they recorded a mock search in the park across from his home and added some photos from previous searches to help round out the visuals of the video. One team member even stopped at the local Land Rover dealer to try and find out exactly what the Defender could offer the group.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174909" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Land-Rover-DSA-4.jpg" alt="Land Rover Defender service awards" width="1731" height="1154" />

Weeks after making their submission came a call from Land Rover. "We get on the phone (with Land Rover), and there are five teams on there. Search and Rescue teams from all over North America," Ricou said. That's when the teams were told they were the five finalists.

From there it was all about getting out the vote from the community. "We were reaching out to friends and contacts, we were even canvassing at all of the outdoors stores," said McDermott. They also put together other videos and posted them to social media working to spread the word. The group's efforts worked, evidently, with the team securing the most votes in their category.

If you see the white and yellow Defender 130 around the Ottawa area, make sure to give a wave. The driver and passengers could be on their way to find a missing person or to help teach others how to not get lost in the first place. And if you're thinking the topo map lines in the wrap look familiar, they might be. The designer was a local architect who is also part of the group, and the map shows a small part of Gatineau Park

And while they might be driving around in a new Land Rover filled with new Pelican cases for their gear, this is a group that can always use your help saving lives.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q8zTThBZpyE" width="900" height="481" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue Wins Land Rover Defender Service Award

news 2-27 (4)

Electrified GV70 pricing

Genesis has announced pricing and packaging for the 2023 <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/weekly-news-roundup-new-genesis-gv70-ev-ford-transit-trail-more">Electrified GV70</a>. The brand's third electric vehicle will come in just one trim, the well-appointed Prestige model for $84,000. Dual motors offer a total of 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque and the 77.4 kWh battery delivers an estimated 383 km of range on a charge. 350 kW fast charging can boost the Electrified GV70 from 10-80 percent in as little as 18 minutes. The price is $6,500 more than the gas-powered 375 hp GV70 3.5T Sport Plus grade. The 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 is set to launch in Canada next month.

World Traffic Index

TomTom has just released its latest Traffic Index. A look at 389 cities around the world that measures travel times and how long residents spend stuck in traffic. Toronto topped the list of Canadian cities to no surprise, with drivers there spending 199 hours a year in rush hour. The average time to drive 10 km rose 1 minute 40 seconds for the year to 22 and a half minutes. Vancouver tied that 10 km drive, but with Vancouverites spending "just" 197 hours in rush hour, the city was 31st overall to Toronto's 30th. Filter by metro area instead of just the city proper and Vancouver is number one. Drivers in Greater Vancouver spend 132 hours in traffic, 58th overall. Slightly shocking was Halifax Regional Municipality in the second spot with 118 hours in rush hour per year. The worst city was London, UK, at 325 hours per year and the worst metro area the greater Bogota area at 244 hours.

BC getting more EV charging options

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174873" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/news-2-27-1.jpg" alt="BC EV charging" width="2500" height="1406" />

EV charging is set to get easier in BC following a new announcement from the federal government. The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced $19m in funding to install up to 2,416 EV chargers, with 1,880 of those to be installed across Greater Vancouver. At the same time, the government of BC announced $2.2m for Level 3 chargers in the province. The new charge station installations are lead by municipalities, residential buildings, businesses, and utilities, said the announcement. Natural Resources Canada now says that funds invested to date should see more than 34,500 charging stations from coast to coast by 2027, with investments coming for another 50,000.

Refreshed X5 and X6M get hybrid boost

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174875" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/news-2-27-3.jpg" alt="2024 BMW X5M competition" width="2500" height="1667" />

BMW has just announced new X5 and <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/vehicle-reviews/review-2021-bmw-x6-m-competition">X6 M Competition</a> models, with a new V8 but no new power. The new 4.4L twin-turbo V8 will produce 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, just like last year. What it adds is a 12 hp and 147 lb-ft 48V electric motor integrated with the transmission. This will help save fuel, and boost torque from launch. BMW M has tweaked the chassis with extra bracing and the suspension with new tuning and geometry to make the new M models quicker. BMW is also giving the X5 M and X6 M its new curved display cockpit which combines the 12.3-inch digital dash and 14.9-inch center screen. The 2024 BMW X5 M Competition starts from $142,000, the X6 M Competition from $145,000. Production starts in April.

IIHS Top safety picks

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174874" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/news-2-27-2.jpg" alt="IIHS safety pick winners" width="2500" height="1406" />

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced its 2023 Top Safety Pick award winners. Only 48 vehicles earned the honour this year, down from 101 last year. That's because of a new side impact test that simulates being hit by a big SUV at higher speeds. Of the 48, 27 earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation, which requires top-rated headlights as well as the high crash test rating. 65 vehicles got the Pick+ last year.

IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Awards 

SMALL CARS
Acura Integra
MIDSIZE CARS
Subaru Outback
Toyota Camry built after January 2023
LARGE LUXURY CARS
Genesis G90
SMALL SUVS
Honda CR-V
Honda HR-V
Lexus UX
Subaru Solterra (electric) built after October 2022
MIDSIZE SUVS
Hyundai Palisade
Kia Telluride
Nissan Pathfinder
Subaru Ascent
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen ID.4 (electric)
MIDSIZE LUXURY SUVS
Acura MDX
Acura RDX
Infiniti QX60
Lexus NX
Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid
Lexus RX
Tesla Model Y (electric)
Volvo XC90
Volvo XC90 Recharge (plug-in hybrid)
MINIVANS
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
LARGE PICKUPS
Rivian R1T crew cab (electric)
Toyota Tundra crew cab
Toyota Tundra extended cab

News Roundup: IIHS Safety Awards, Electrified GV70, X5 M, More

IMG_6902

Automotive journalist from Montreal, AJAC-member, and owner of claveyscorner.com

If you’re an automotive enthusiast looking for something cheap and fun in the secondhand market these days, things are a little rough. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit us back in 2020, prices of iconic enthusiast-friendly classics have skyrocketed, making them, in some cases, more expensive than a brand-new sports car. But not all hope is lost, because there are still some hidden gems out there for any budget. One example is the first-generation MINI Cooper R50, an underrated future classic. It was sold here in Canada from 2002 to 2006 (2008 for the convertible).

When these cars came out, they were all about smiles per gallon. They were lightweight and tiny compared to anything else on the road, huge fun to drive and beautifully styled by non-other than Frank Stephenson. They also marked the return of the iconic MINI brand thanks to new BMW ownership.

Here’s a fun fact about these cars: in 2022, Hagerty UK listed the MINI Cooper R50 in its Bull Market List. Hagerty, a classic car insurer, considers that this generation of the MINI Cooper is currently at its most affordable and that it will slowly appreciate over time. Hagerty believes that the MINI Cooper is a future classic due to its significance in automotive history, but also because it’s a bookend car in the sense that it reincarnated the entire MINI brand that we know today.

Unfortunately, one of the reasons they’re so underappreciated and forgotten by enthusiasts is because of their shady reliability record. Stories of first-generation MINI Coopers blowing their engines, dropping their transmissions, or ending up with serious cooling or electrical issues are far too common, which has seriously hindered their appeal and resale value over time.

Finding the right Mini

Yes, it’s true that the R50 (base MINI Cooper), R53 (supercharged Cooper S) and R52 (Convertible Cooper and Cooper S) aren’t the most reliable cars out there. But it’s also true that if you pick the right one, you’ll end up with a MINI that’s “not bad”. That’s the one you’ll want to buy as a foundation for your build.

The good news in all of this is that you can still find a well-kept example with decent mileage in the vicinity of $10,000. When I bought my Cooper back in 2020, I paid $6,000 for a model that had never seen winter and it only had 115,000 km on the odometer. Needless to say, it was a keeper.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174243" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_6949.jpg" alt="Mini Cooper R50" width="2000" height="1125" />

The first rule of thumb when buying an R50 is to stay away from anything that’s pre-2005. The early years were a nightmare, but in 2005, BMW basically overhauled the car, replacing several key components with sturdier and better parts. The transmissions were now supplied by Getrag instead of Midlands, which made them a lot more reliable.

The second rule when shopping for a first-generation MINI Cooper is to avoid the automatic transmission. As an enthusiast, you won’t want it anyway since it’s a CVT, but also because it was plagued with problems, leading to a <a href="https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settlements/mini-cooper-class-action-lawsuit-settlement/#:~:text=Under%20the%20terms%20of%20the,mileage%20of%20the%20repair%2Freplacement.">class-action lawsuit</a>.

The final and perhaps most important rule of all: do not buy a Cooper S!

Now at this point, you’re probably wondering why? Why not start off with the high-performance, supercharged model for your performance build? The reason for this is that you’ll want to stay away from the complexity, as well as the oil consumption and cooling issues that resulted from the supercharger. The base Cooper, while underpowered, has a much simpler engine, while remaining a fantastic platform on which to build from.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174247" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mini-r50-manual.jpg" alt="Mini Cooper R50" width="2000" height="1123" />

So, let’s recap. You’ll want to find a 2005 or 2006 MINI Cooper, non-S R50, equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and, ideally, without low mileage. Also make sure that the car has been properly maintained and has its service records. This is a European car after all.

The Tuning Guide – Handling

The R50 MINI is already a fantastic handling car, but you can make it even better. One of this car’s main problems out of the box is that its ride is very stiff. You can improve ride quality and durability with a quality aftermarket coilover set.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174248" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mini-bilstein-coilovers.jpg" alt="Mini Cooper R50" width="2000" height="1125" />

Take the time to carefully shop for the brands that are available. Try to go for well-established companies that have made a good name for themselves in the aftermarket and OEM world. I personally chose Bilstein due to its extensive experience with all sorts of vehicles, more specifically European cars. I went with the B16 set due to its adjustability. Working with a trusty mechanic, I was able to find a sweet spot between handling and comfort. The upgrade led to a car that handles better, rides smoother, but that’s also more solid when hitting rough pavement.

Wheels and Tires

Since the R50 has a power disadvantage versus the R53 Cooper S, you’ll want to keep those wheels as small and light as possible. From the factory, the non-S Cooper comes with 15-inch wheels. I recommend staying with those. If you plan on going larger for looks, do not exceed 16 inches.

There’s a great website called <a href="https://minicooper.fandom.com/wiki/OEM_Wheels_and_Tires#15%22_Wheels">minicooper.fandom.com</a> that lists all the available OEM wheels for a first-gen MINI Cooper, with the weight of each set. The lightest wheels are the R81 “phone-dial” type, weighing in at only 12 lbs. each.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174249" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/stock-wheels.jpg" alt="Mini Cooper R50 wheels mod" width="2000" height="1125" />

I personally couldn’t resist the look of the R90, Italian Job style 16-inch wheels. But I do realize that at 24 lbs. apiece, they’re on the heavy side.

Lastly, you’ll want to wrap those wheels with sticky rubber and if possible, not too wide. What you want from your MINI is to feel it at the limit, so you don’t want too much grip. From the factory, these cars come with 175-mm wide tires. I wouldn’t go past 205-mm, which is what I chose to put on my MINI.

Power – You’ll Need More of it

The biggest problem with the R50 is its lack of power. While immensely fun to throw into a corner due to its lack of body roll and small size, you might find things a bit boring in the straights. You’ll need to extract more horsepower and torque from that basic, but bomb-proof 1.6-liter, single overhead cam, 16-valve Tritec four-cylinder. Stock, it’s good for 115 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque.

But what this engine lacks in refinement, it makes up for it for by how simply it was engineered. When designing the MINI Cooper, both Rover and BMW wanted the car to be easily customizable. This also meant easily tunable. They therefore engineered a cast-iron block so it could endure massive abuse, either through natural aspiration, supercharging or turbocharging.

Breathing

The first step is to improve the engine’s breathing through an upgraded intake system. A cold air intake is typically the best route to take for this.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174233" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Engine.jpg" alt="Mini Cooper R50 intake mod" width="2000" height="1123" />

Just like the coilovers, carefully research each brand and find the one that is best suited for a MINI Cooper. Try to prioritize quality over low pricing. <a href="https://www.outmotoring.com/">Outmotoring.com</a> is a wonderful place to find aftermarket parts for all generations of the MINI Cooper. They suggested that I go with an A&amp;E cold air intake system for maximum gains. Upgrading your Cooper’s intake will also give it a pleasant, raspy snarl when climbing through the revs, further adding to the driving experience.

Exhaust

Intake modifications don’t do much if they’re not paired with a proper exhaust system. What you want from this tiny engine is to give it a chance to breathe properly, but also to adequately get rid of its waste.

A full exhaust system may be costly, but it’ll give you the greatest number of gains, especially if it’s mated to a proper intake system. In my case, I went with the Milltek setup, which is specifically designed for the R50 MINI Cooper.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174246" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MINI-R50-exhaust-mod.jpg" alt="Mini Cooper R50" width="2000" height="1125" />

Designed and hand-built in the UK, the system is said to add about 15 horsepower while improving the exhaust note, but not to the point of getting you pulled over by the police. One other aspect I particularly like about this exhaust system is that the muffler’s tip fits perfectly well inside the bumper hole, put there for the OEM exhaust tip.

True MINI connoisseurs will argue that the R50’s original “Coke can” exhaust tip is part of the Frank Stephenson design. And it is. But Milltek’s system is discrete enough to make it look like an OEM part, all while significantly improving your car’s performance and sound.

Ignition

Now that air and exhaust are flowing through your engine faster than before, you’ll also want to improve the entire ignition system so it can keep up. Out Motoring sells a great package for this that they call the <a href="https://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/out-motoring-MINI_cooper_ignition-upgrade-out-ig-kit-kingsborne-beru-standard-screaming-deamon-coil-tune-up-performance-upgrade-spark-plugs-coil-pack-high-volt.html">Out Motoring Stage 3 Ignition Kit</a>. It comes complete with an upgraded coil pack from Screaming Demon, upgraded NGK spark plugs, and performance Kingsborne wires. This engine modification may seem insignificant, but when you mix it up with a proper intake and exhaust upgrade, you’ll notice the gains.

ECU Reflash

This is a tricky one and I highly recommend you read up on it before you embark on an ECU reflash. It’s also important that the company you work with knows everything about your car before they send you the tune.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174239" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_6945.jpg" alt="Mini Cooper R50" width="2000" height="1126" />

I learned this the hard way by working with Superchips, a UK-based company. They sell a great kit called the Bluefin which allows you to simply connect it to your OBD port, giving you up to 10 horsepower in the process. Unfortunately, I hadn’t informed them ahead of time that I had already installed the parts listed above. This led to a reflash that simply wasn’t compatible with my already tuned engine.

My recommendation is as follows: either you begin with this upgrade or, if you plan on doing it last, like I did, make sure to inform the company of all the upgrades you’ve done prior. Also make sure to work with a company that has extensive experience with gen-1 MINI Coopers. Superchips is a good one, but they’ve already begun to legacy their kits due to their age.

How About the Brakes?

Upgrading your brakes is never a bad idea, but I’ve realized that the stock Cooper brakes are plenty capable of withstanding the augmented horsepower and torque. That’s why I decided to stay with the original four-wheel disk setup. All I did was upgrade my brake pads with Hawk performance ceramic units.

Enough Gains to Have Massive Fun

If all these steps are taken properly, your MINI Cooper R50 should end up in the vicinity of 140 horsepower give or take. Considering that these cars only weigh about 2,500 pounds, that’s a great power-to-weight ratio.

You’ll also notice that the engine revs easier all the way to its 7,000-rpm redline and that the throttle response is improved. Lastly, since the car’s entire intake, exhaust and ignition system is overhauled, I suggest always running on 91-octane fuel or higher.

In total, expect these mods to cost you anywhere between $5,000 and $7,000. Considering how affordable these cars are right now, you could end up with a highly fun, analog, and vocal little brat of a hot hatchback for less than $15,000.

Buying and Modding a first-generation BMW Mini Cooper R50

wh-AskMechanic-Nov12

Dear Ask a Mechanic,

My 2009 Toyota Corolla has a warning light that stays on. I’ve brought it into the dealership, and they say it has to do with the tire pressure. At the time, they did something to clear the warning light and checked the tires. They said it would cost a lot of money to replace the sensor that is causing the warning light. They said that if I didn’t want to pay for it to be replaced, I could just live with the warning light being on and just be sure to check the tires now and again. But it’s annoying seeing the light on every time I’m driving. What do you think? – Tire tired

Automotive tire pressure monitoring systems, generally referred to as TPMS, have been around for more than 30 years. The earliest design, co-developed by Bosch and Porsche, used specialized wheels with calibrated pressure switches built into them. The system was costly and not widely used.

Improvements in technology eventually allowed sensors powered by internal batteries to do the job. Each sensor transmits its information to the car’s computer using radio signals. While these sensors have become smaller and capable of transmitting more information (such as tire temperature and sensor battery strength), the basic premise of what is known as direct TPMS remains the same today.

At the same time, anti-lock brakes (ABS) have also become more common and its controllers are now much more sophisticated. This is also a way that tire pressure can be detected. Known as indirect TPMS, this method uses the ABS wheel speed sensors to monitor average tire speeds relative to one another.

Low pressure will result in a tire’s overall diameter becoming smaller. The tires sidewalls get smooshed out and the wheel is closer to the road, meaning the tire’s overall height is less and it will rotate slightly faster than a properly inflated tire. Eventually the average tire speeds reveal the imbalance, and the ABS module will turn on the TPMS warning light.

Automakers frequently use either type. Your Corolla uses the direct kind with four sensors in the valve stems. Since they have batteries built in them, they have a finite lifespan. The battery is attached to the sensor, so replacing the sensor is required to replace the battery, and the tires must come off the wheels to do it.

Like you, I hate having warning lights on, and TPMS is a useful system when it works, so I’d want to fix it. Just know that the sensors are probably all the same age, so even if only one is dead, the others may not be far behind.

While factory sensors can be expensive, aftermarket sensors are widely available, functionally interchangeable and potentially far less costly. I would expect that it will cost well under $100 for each sensor to be replaced and installed. You’ll most likely have to go an independent shop for this option, though.

Ask a Mechanic is written by Brian Early, a Red Seal-certified automotive technician. You can send your questions to wheels@thestar.ca. These answers are for informational purposes only. Please consult a certified mechanic before having any work done to your vehicle.

Dealing with the pressure from a tire warning light

wh-AskMechanic-Nov5

Dear Ask a Mechanic,

I have a three-year-old Mini Cooper. Recently two tires developed a bump on their side walls. I do hit the occasional pothole, but never at any high speeds. Because the wheels on the Mini do not have a conventional inner tube, I was told I would have to replace both tires (they have less than 18,000 kilometres on them). There is no warranty or insurance coverage, and it has cost me $750. What is going on here? – Tire Dinged 

Unfortunately, you’re the victim of a couple of automotive industry trends. One is the market’s preference for larger diameter wheels and correspondingly shorter sidewalls. With less sidewall height to flex and compress, the likelihood that the tire will get pinched by something, like the edge of a pothole or a driveway lip, becomes even greater.

Mini’s use of tire sizes on the Cooper that are a smaller in overall diameter than what is common in Canada and the U.S. results in even shorter sidewalls.

Your cost sounds quite high, but you probably tried to match the remaining tires, which would be a major factor. Even if you didn’t, the Cooper’s less popular tires sizes mean there are fewer alternatives on the market. One of the Mini’s tire sizes, the 205/45R17, is a common factory fitment on Mazda’s MX-5, but the Japanese roadster doesn’t use run-flat tire

Run-flat tires are another factor in your replacement costs. BMW, Mini’s parent company, began transitioning to primarily using run-flat tires in the early 2000s, eliminating spare tires and saving on vehicle weight, space and production costs. The German automaker isn’t alone in using run-flat tires, Chevrolet’s Corvette has used them for three generations, but BMW is among the higher users of them in the auto industry.

The key benefit of these extended mobility tires is the ability for the heavily reinforced sidewall to safely permit continued driving without air pressure (albeit at reduced speed) far enough to reach a service station or garage. Most tire manufacturers have a policy of replacing and not repairing the tire once that happens. Some do not permit repairs at all.

Due to their heavier and specialized construction, run-flat tires are typically anywhere from 10 to 30 per cent more expensive than comparable tires. They also tend to increase ride harshness, a side-effect of the super-stiff sidewalls necessary for low pressure support. Many owners opt to replace run-flats with other tires (and rely on roadside assistance in a flat tire situation) when they buy a vehicle with them.

While it won’t help you with your car’s original tires, pro-rated Road Hazard warranties are available from select tire retailers and brands (often at additional cost) for future tire purchases, offering you a limited form of insurance protection.

Ask a Mechanic is written by Brian Early, a Red Seal-certified automotive technician. You can send your questions to wheels@thestar.ca. These answers are for informational purposes only. Please consult a certified mechanic before having any work done to your vehicle.

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Buying and Modding a first-generation BMW Mini Cooper R50

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