Desert safari

Should the Gardiner Expressway be torn down once and for all? Norris McDonald and Christopher Hume debate.

Yes: 53.17%
No: 46.83%

<noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5699590/">Help us settle the score. Choose a side!</a></noscript><object id="flashObj" width="100%" height="350" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="flashVars" value="@videoPlayer=1750867505001&amp;playerID=1496510496001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAABFr5dqzE~,8O0_HtQcP9ujizJsVNVTpEQS9ER12TRL&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&amp;isUI=1" /><param name="flashvars" value="@videoPlayer=1750867505001&amp;playerID=1496510496001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAABFr5dqzE~,8O0_HtQcP9ujizJsVNVTpEQS9ER12TRL&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="swliveconnect" value="true" /><param name="pluginspage" value="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" /><embed id="flashObj" width="100%" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&amp;isUI=1" flashVars="@videoPlayer=1750867505001&amp;playerID=1496510496001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAABFr5dqzE~,8O0_HtQcP9ujizJsVNVTpEQS9ER12TRL&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" seamlesstabbing="false" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="@videoPlayer=1750867505001&amp;playerID=1496510496001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAABFr5dqzE~,8O0_HtQcP9ujizJsVNVTpEQS9ER12TRL&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" swliveconnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" /></object> [reviews-news-gallery id=1]

Smackdown: Should the Gardiner Expressway be torn down?

IMG_E3461

Whether it’s a first-drive feature from the sun-soaked California coast, a quick news story about an off-road pickup that may (or may not) be coming to your local dealership or a review of a hot new sports sedan, somewhere Lee Bailie is writing about cars and car culture, something he’s been doing for almost a decade. A car guy to the core, he went on his first automotive plant tour at age seven.

DETROIT –  The 2024 Ford F-150 gets a mid-cycle refresh that delivers a styling update, an abundance of new technology, and a reorganized powertrain lineup.

Given its decades-long status as North America’s bestselling truck lineup, and for the past 57 years in Canada, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ford chose to roll out only modest updates for the current F-Series which was all-new just two years ago.

But that’s not the case here, however, as Ford is introducing a broad array of changes for the 2024 lineup.

One of the most significant is in the engine lineup where the 3.3-litre V6 has been dropped, and the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 (325 hp / 400 lb-ft.) will serve as the base engine. The 2.7 is joined by two other V6s, a 3.5-litre EcoBoost, and a 3.5-liter PowerBoost, which is the standard hybrid powerplant. With 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft., the PowerBoost V6 is the most powerful non-Raptor engine in the F-Series lineup.

Rounding out the lineup is a venerable 5.0-litre V8, along with two engines for the F-150 Raptor – a 3.5-litre High Output V6, and a 5.2-litre supercharged V8. The latter is standard for the Raptor R.

Ford had not disclosed horsepower and torque numbers for the engines beyond what is listed here. When asked by Wheels, a Ford Canada PR rep said figures for the entire engine lineup will be revealed closer to launch, which is slated for early next year.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177728" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_E3602-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Ford F-150" width="2560" height="1440" />

Two 10-speed automatics will be offered, including a modular 10-speed for hybrid models. Maximum towing and payload ratings are 13,500, and 2,455 lbs, respectively. Both are class-leading, Ford says.

All 2024 F-150s feature a redesigned grille that now boasts standard LED headlights. A C-Clamp daytime running light signature is being introduced for Lariat to Platinum models, while grades below Lariat include a horizontal turn indicator and signature lighting.

Grilles and the materials they’re made from will vary depending on model, as will other trim details. The STX, for example, will have an edge-to-edge grille, along with Electric Lime accents throughout the vehicle. Black appearance packages will also be available for grades from STX to Lariat. Wheel options are also being expanded, to include different sizes, styles, and finishes, from blacked out to chrome.

Of note, the range-topping trim is now Platinum Plus, which replaces the Limited grade on the outgoing model.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177725" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_E3650-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Ford F-150" width="2560" height="1440" />

In terms of tech, the 2024 F-Series is receiving loads of it. In the cabin, a 12-inch LCD touchscreen multimedia display powered by SYNC 4, and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster are now standard across the model range.

The instrument cluster has several truck-specific graphics and animations that change depending on drive mode and can also display turn-by-turn navigation and off-roading information. New for 2024 is the ability to display two views at once in Tow/Haul, Off-Road, and Rock Crawl drive modes. This feature also applies to the F-150 Raptor.

A Head-Up Display will also be available as an option, for the first time on the F-150 with specialized views for Ford BlueCruise, Tow/Haul, and Off-Road drive modes.

Another new tech feature of note is Ford Stolen Vehicle Services, which works with the FordPass smartphone app. The 2024 F-150 is the first Ford vehicle in North America to offer the service, which alerts an owner if their vehicle is being tampered with via push notification.

If the owner chooses to activate it, location data will be used to help locate and recover the truck. An owner can also contact a 24/7 Ford Stolen Vehicles call center to report their truck as stolen. At this stage local authorities will be alerted to assist in vehicle recovery, with updates being relayed to the owner.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177727" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_E3574-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Ford F-150" width="2560" height="1440" />

BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free highway driving assist technology, is being offered as a 90-day complimentary trial, after which owners can activate a monthly or annual subscription. BlueCruise 1.2, Ford’s latest version of the software, comes with Lane Change Assist, which can perform hands-free lane changes by tapping the turn signal, and In-Lane Repositioning, which subtly adjusts the truck in its lane if other vehicles encroach.

For the gas-powered trucks, Pro Power Onboard is rated at 2.0 kilowatts, which can comfortably power a football tailgate setup, which includes a television, speaker, blender, mini fridge, and electric heater.

PowerBoost hybrid-equipped trucks are rated at 2.4 kW, which delivers up to 85 hours of runtime on a full tank of gas, which Ford says can power a drive-in movie theatre set-up.

The most powerful 7.2 kW option is available on the PowerBoost hybrid trucks, which Ford says can power a framing crew or a metal/welding shop for 32 straight hours.

Pro Trailer Backup Assist allows the camera to track the trailer’s position while the driver backs up and guides the trailer. The driver rotates a dash-mounted knob left or right while the system steers the truck.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177730" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_E3649-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Ford F-150" width="2560" height="1440" />

Onboard Scales and Smart Hitch measures the tongue weight to help the hitching process and reduce trailer sway. The Onboard Scales help approximate payload weight in real-time, which can be viewed on the multimedia screen or via the truck’s taillight display.

A headline exterior feature for the 2024 F-150 is Pro Access Tailgate, a section in the middle of the tailgate that swings out from the driver’s side to create an opening for improved bed access. In parallel, Ford has widened the step cut-out and increased bumper depth.

The swing-out portion uses detents that keep the door in place when it is open at three intervals: 37, 70, and 100 degrees. The Pro Access Tailgate can be opened or closed with one hand, while the key fob button can open or close the entire tailgate. A retractable bumper step is also available to improve bed access.

Updated versions of the off-road F-150 Raptor and Raptor R were also revealed. Both trucks boast FOX Dual Live Valve shocks which offer standard position-sensitive compression control, and variable rebound control. The ‘24 Raptor is available with either 35 or 37-inch all-terrain tires, while the Raptor R is standard with 37-inchers. Both trucks carry new front-end styling, including a redesigned front bumper and body panel graphics. Shelter Green, an exterior colour unique to the Raptor, is also new for 2024.
<h3>2024 Ford F-150 pricing </h3>
Regular Cab

XL (4x2)                                                         $49,655
XL (4x4)                                                         $54,155

Super Cab

XL (4x2)                                                         $55,850
XL (4x4)                                                         $60,350
STX (4x2)                                                       $58,260
STX (4x4)                                                       $62,760
XLT (4x2)                                                       $60,895
XLT (4x4)                                                       $65,395

Super Crew        

XL (4x2)                                                         $59,030
XL (4x4)                                                         $62,180
STX (4x2)                                                       $61,440
STX (4x4)                                                       $64,590
XLT (4x2)                                                       $64,075
XLT (4x4)                                                       $67,225
Tremor (4x4)                                                $75,980
Lariat (4x4)                                                    $80,495
King Ranch (4x4)                                          $91,940
Platinum (4x4)                                              $100,740
Raptor (4x4)                                                  $106,500

The 2024 Ford F-150 goes on sale early next year.

2024 Ford F-150 gets new tailgate, updated engine lineup

2024 Jeep® Gladiator Mojave X (left) and 2024 Jeep® Gladiator Ru

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.

Jeep is giving its Gladiator pickup a refresh for 2024. The updated Jeep truck gets a facelift along with some new luxury touches and a new cabin, much like the changes made to this year's Wrangler. But while it will get some cool new off-road packages, it won't get the Wrangler's best new option.

The 2024 Jeep Gladiator's new version of the company's seven-bar grille is almost identical to the one found on the Wrangler, but it is functional. The new grille allows for more airflow to improve cooling. Though that might help the Jeep stay cool, it hasn't had much of an effect on the work it can do. Payload is up slightly to 1,725 lbs and max towing is unchanged at 7,700 lbs, both figures are at the top of the class.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177713" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2024-gladiator-6-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Jeep Gladiator" width="2560" height="1707" />

Jeep is also using different versions of the grille for each trim level, helping to set apart the different models by adding different colours and changes to the grille insert. Sharp-eyed Jeepers will notice the seven different wheel designs and finishes being introduced this year.

Willys models get a locking rear differential added to the standard equipment list. A new Rubicon X trim adds Nappa leather seats to the list of Rubicon off-road features, while Mojave X does the same for that Desert Rated model. And, like on the Wrangler, those leather seats are power operated and water resistant, so even the Jeeps with power seats can ford 36 inches of water.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-177714 size-full" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2024-gladiator-11-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Jeep Gladiator" width="2560" height="1707" />

On the inside, the 2024 Gladiator will see the same changes as the 2024 Wrangler. The changes include a revised dashboard that has a wider range of high-end (and good-looking) finishes. It also includes the same new 12.3-inch screen that runs the latest version of the Uconnect infotainment system.

The new system has a seven-microphone array that should be capable of better natural speech voice control in the Gladiator's somewhat noisy cabin. The new screen has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well, so you don't have a cable running through the dash when you're headed into the really dirty stuff off-road.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-177716 size-full" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2024-gladiator-19-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Jeep Gladiator" width="2560" height="1707" />

Other electrical upgrades include tweaks to the forward collision warning system and adaptive cruise control systems, making both easier to use. Jeep has added a new Off Road + drive mode, and new high-res cameras (that should be easier to access through the menus) for self-spotting on the trail.

Another key feature that carries over from the 2024 Wrangler is the Adventure Guide app. This built-in app is filled with information about trails including maps, waypoints, and warnings that let you know what obstacles you can expect and where they're hiding. Jeep includes 200 base trails for the first couple of years, but you can upgrade to more than 3,000 trails with an annual subscription.

Jeep will be offering some cool new bits for serious off-roaders, starting with a new roof tent. The integrated tent comes from Addax Overland and transforms the Gladiator's bed into a campsite.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177717" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2024-gladiator-21-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Jeep Gladiator" width="2560" height="1707" />

There will also be three upfit packages from American Expedition Vehicles that add 35 or 37-inch tires, AEV suspension and bumpers, and other features. The top-level package, which can be ordered directly through your Jeep dealer, includes 4.56 gears, a new skid plate, and a Warn winch.

That big Wrangler change that hasn't been announced for Gladiator? It's the full-floating rear axle that is new to the Wrangler Rubicon. Jeep also hasn't confirmed a 4xe PHEV model, but reminded us that every Jeep will be electrified by 2025. So it's coming.

The 2024 Jeep Gladiator should be at dealers by the end of the year. Order books are now open, but pricing won't be available until closer to the start of production.

2024 Jeep Gladiator Gets Facelift and Updated Cabin

ct5 (6)

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 is getting a mild facelift, but some big changes inside. The exterior changes are meant to give the luxury sedan a more authoritative stance, but the ones inside should enhance the car's luxury feel and make its impressive driver assistance suite more transparent.

New headlights are the highlight of the new nose. The new lamps get a redesigned version of the company's vertical light signature along with stacked headlamps. All models get a new grille with a larger opening and detail changes down below, with the Sport trim maintaining its black mesh look. Stretching out the grille and headlights makes the CT5 look more athletic than before, at least in the company's included photos.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177707" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ct5-7-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Cadillac CT5" width="2560" height="1707" />

A new 33-inch display is the highlight of the updated interior. Most of the seamless screen is touch-sensitive, including the centre display and the portion of the screen to the left of the steering wheel. The main portion of the 9k-resolution display is for the infotainment system, while the touch area on the left is meant for the driver. They can help configure the dash portion using those buttons.

Behind the new screen is new software. The 2025 CT5 will use a Google built-in system that comes with Google Maps as the integrated nav system, as well as the Google Play store for apps. The system will continue to support Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto. GM has said it will drop those with its future EVs, but the two live on in gas models. AKG audio replaces the existing Bose system, an upgrade Cadillac has begun making across its lineup.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177701" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ct5-1-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Cadillac CT5" width="2560" height="1707" />

Blind zone steering assist and intersection automatic emergency braking are now part of the suite of standard driver assists. The entire driver assist suite, which includes the optional Super Cruise hands-off highway driving system, has been tweaked for the new model. Cadillac says the changes and updates to lane keep assist make the system drive more smoothly than prior versions of the system, which could be jerky in some situations.

Cadillac confirmed that the 237 hp 2.0L turbo-four and 335 hp twin-turbo 3.0L V6 would be returning, but discussion about the V and Blackwing models was off the table. Expect more about those to come, along with pricing for the 2025 Cadillac CT5. The cars should arrive at dealers in early 2024.

2025 Cadillac CT5 Gets Mild New Looks, Big New Screen

news 9 11 (2)

Maxima meets its end

Nissan has announced the death of the Four Door Sports Car. That's how Nissan described the first Maxima, introduced here in the early 1980s wearing a 4DSC badge proudly, and the model's run has now ended. The very last Nissan Maxima rolled off of the company's production line in Smyrna, Tennessee, last week. Nissan had built more than one million Maximas at the plant since 2003, but with plans for more electric vehicles in the works and sales of sedans all but eliminated in the move to crossovers, the Max's time was up.

No privacy in your car

Privacy and tech experts at the Mozilla Foundation have just taken a look at the auto industry and called it "the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy." The privacy watchdog looked at <a href="https://protect-ca.mimecast.com/s/4jWPC6X1OWCrgNwphpnTcu?domain=foundation.mozilla.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">25 different car brands</a>, handing out "dings" for how the companies collect, process, and use your data and personal information. The group found that every brand "collects more personal data than necessary and uses that information for a reason other than to operate your vehicle and manage their relationship with you." These uses include selling your data, sharing with law enforcement without a court order, and failing to meet the group's minimum security standards. The group gives you tips to minimize the risk, including limiting your use of vehicle apps but warns that "compared to all the data collection you can’t control, these steps feel like tiny drops in a massive bucket." We'll note that this study is based on U.S. and European privacy policies, and the policies of Canadian-sold cars may differ slightly.

High Auto Sales in August

Automotive industry analysts <a href="https://protect-ca.mimecast.com/s/0vVdC71ZP9iA0g78cWYrA2?domain=desrosiers.ca">DesRosiers have reported</a> that new vehicle sales in Canada were up 18.3 percent in August over the same month last year, which could show that the ongoing supply chain issues have finally been solved. The increase comes at a price, though, and the average new vehicle price hit a shocking high of about $66,000. Despite high prices and economic uncertainty, the Canadian car market has now seen 10 consecutive months of year-over-year growth. Andrew King, DesRosiers managing partner, said "It will be interesting to see if market momentum can be sustained in the coming months in light of high interest rates, weakening economic performance, and record high new vehicle prices."

Service spending low

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177675" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-9-11-4.jpg" alt="service spending" width="2500" height="1666" />

Vehicle owners in Canada are spending nearly $2 billion less on service overall this year compared with 2022, but the average cost per visit is up, according to the J.D. Power 2023 Canada Customer Service Index—Long-Term (CSI-LT) Study. Last year, Canadians spent $10.9 B on maintenance and repair, which has declined to $9.1 B. The study found that the average cost of a trip to a dealer service bay is $432, up from $394, and the average independent will run $262, $15 more than last year. Despite (or perhaps because of) the cost differences, the study found that dealers added 3 percentage points of market share, but have also added a slight increase in the average number of visits per customer. According to the study, independent shops fix the problem correctly the first time 95 percent of the time, while dealers are down one point to 93 percent. Lexus and Volkswagen dealers had the highest satisfaction scores, with Toyota dealers in third.

Honda will use Tesla plug

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177672" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-9-11-1.jpg" alt="Honda NACS" width="2500" height="1669" />

Honda is the latest to announce its vehicles will begin using the North American Charging System fast-charge system. Honda, along with Acura, will join Ford, GM, and others in using the Tesla-created charge standard beginning in 2025. This will allow Honda EVs from 2025 to use Tesla Supercharger stations, which is currently the largest single-brand fast charging network. Honda will continue to work with its partners including BMW, GM, and Stellantis to build their own network which will use both NACS and CCS charge plugs.

News Roundup: Maxima is out, Low privacy in cars, Honda on NACS, More

All-Electric Mustang Mach-E Rally_05

It's hard to launch a vehicle that's in a segment of its own these days, but Ford seems to have done just that. It's called the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally and it's a mix of 1990s World Rally homologation special, today's crossover craze, and all-electric power.

Ford has some serious rally-cross fans in its engineering department, and that's how this vehicle has come to life. If you're not familiar with rally-cross, it's like traditional stage rallying, but done on a much smaller and more manageable off-pavement circuit. The Mustang Mach-E Rally withstood a punishing 800 km rallycross endurance test on a newly built Ford test track before the company would put it on the road.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177641" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/All-Electric-Mustang-Mach-E-Rally_09.jpg" alt="Mustang Mach-E Rally" width="2500" height="1667" />

The Mustang Mach-E Rally's off-road credentials start with a 20 mm suspension lift compared with the Mach-E GT on which it's based. The suspension has MagneRide shocks that are tuned to control those taller springs and manage the hefty crossover when it's in the dirt.

Ford's dual-motor electric AWD powertrain delivers 480 hp, the same as the <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/reviews/review-2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-gt">GT Performance Edition</a>, but thanks to some new software the torque target is 26 lb-ft higher at 650. Ford hints that it might be able to squeeze out more power and torque from the system before it goes on sale. New skid plates under the motors help protect those bits from rocks and from hard landings on jumps.

The rally-style wheels are the height of 1990s WRC cool, but they're also a pretty good sign that this Mustang won't ever be able to compete in a serious rally. The wheels are 19 inches in diameter, and the new 385 mm front brakes with Brembo-branded calipers seal that deal. Why? Because real ice and snow rally tires only come in sizes for 15-inch wheels, and that's smaller than the Mach-E's brake rotors.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177643" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/All-Electric-Mustang-Mach-E-Rally_21.jpg" alt="Mustang Mach-E Rally" width="2500" height="1667" />

Not that Ford hasn't thought of that. The standard tires are a Michelin CrossClimate2 that come with a three-peak mountain snowflake rating and have more sidewall than a standard Mach-E GT. Still, they're not studded rally tires.

Ford has added a spot for a recovery hook in the nose, should you get a little over-zealous off-road or in the snow. The Mach-E Rally will also come with a protective film on the already protective door cladding and fender flares to help stop paint chips. Mud flaps will also be offered by the dealer.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177642" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/All-Electric-Mustang-Mach-E-Rally_16.jpg" alt="Mustang Mach-E Rally" width="2500" height="1667" />

To finish off the looks, the Mustang Mach-E Rally gets a set of hood stripes and a steel roof (instead of a sunroof). It also has a rear wing that is inspired by the Focus RS, though it does a good job of hiding in the Mach-E's rear hatch.

Ford didn't reveal Mach-E Rally pricing, but based on U.S. info we expect it to be around the same $83k starting point as the GT Performance Edition. Expect production to start in early 2024 and for the model to hit dealers and dirt roads not long after.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally is a High-Performance Gravel Machine

BMW Neue Klasse concept main header

Chris D’Alessandro is a writer living in downtown Toronto. Growing up in a family of used car dealers and mechanics, he’s been immersed in car culture his entire life. A frequent contributor to VICE Canada, Chris’ screenwriting work has also won a Canadian Comedy Award. So, “hipster, wise-ass, gearhead” pretty much covers it. Follow Chris on Twitter @chrisdaless and Instagram @chrdalessandro

Standing in a room in Munich, Germany amongst about a dozen fellow journalists from across North America, I couldn’t help but recall a feeling I would get during my time in advertising. Before I would give a presentation — anxiety. Uncertainty. The constant pondering and shadowboxing of how your idea would be received in the room. And in the case of that room — full of auto journalists — I couldn’t help but feel a little empathy for our welcoming German hosts. Because auto journalists are, above all else, opinionated, particular, and jaded. Me especially.

Truthfully I was expecting to be shown another shapeless, faceless electric egg when I heard “concept for an electrified vehicle to be launched in 2025.” This was not to be an electrified version of an existing platform in the way the i4 is to the 4-series. This was to be a dedicated EV platform. And that sounded … worrisome for BMW.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177633" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/02_Inform-11-scaled.jpg" alt="BMW Neue Klasse" width="2560" height="1707" />

I wouldn’t say there was quite an instant relief in the room when the Neue Klasse concept was revealed on stage. But there was certainly a warming towards the cars' presence. “That looks pretty good, right?” We all confirmed with one another. The more we looked, the more we agreed, the more we warmed to it.

And there was a lot to look at. The overall shape harkens back to BMWs of old. Not just the <a href="https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/the-neue-klasse-from-bmw.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original 1962 Neue Klasse</a>, but its successors, like the 2002 and E30 3-Series. Walking around the car you just saw more and more of it.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177631" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/02_Inform-15-scaled.jpg" alt="BMW Neue Klasse" width="2560" height="1706" />

The large, uninterrupted surfaces. The abundance of visibility and natural light into the cabin. The way the rear deck lid intercepts the rear window. That <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofmeister_kink">Hofmeister kink</a> C-pillar. The slanted “shark nose”. And of course, the unmistakable kidney bean grill — albeit reimagined for a solely electrified vehicle. It somehow all feels totally familiar and yet completely new at the same time.

“The design of the Neue Klasse is typically BMW and so progressive it looks like we skipped a model generation,” explains Adrian Van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design.

Inside though is where things get totally futuristic and very, very “concept car”. It’s totally free of chrome, leather, and other distracting materials. Instead are bright cord materials and a flat bottom and top steering wheel. The interior design language looks like something out of The Jetsons — a kind of future-retro, post-modern motif — how people in the ‘60s imagined the future would look.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177625" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/02_Inform-4-scaled.jpg" alt="BMW Neue Klasse" width="2560" height="1693" />
But perhaps the most striking feature is how the new BMW iDrive system is presented both in a central display and in a projection towards the windshield at the bottom of the driver’s eye line. Drivers can move information from the central display to this “BMW Panoramic Vision” display with a gesture. The projection idea is one you almost have to admit is pretty clever. You don’t need a giant screen. You don’t need a special kind of glass for the windshield — a crack, a stone chip, doesn’t matter. Your info continues to display.

There are other nice touches as well, like how the interior mood lighting will shift from hot to cool as the temperature control is adjusted.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177628" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/02_Inform-24-scaled.jpg" alt="BMW Neue Klasse" width="2560" height="1714" />

The Neue Klasse boasts BMW’s upcoming sixth-generation eDrive which will be BMW’s first use of an 800-volt electrical architecture (on par with the Porsche Taycan). BMW claims the new eDrive will have 30 per cent more range, 30 per cent faster charging, and 25 per cent greater efficiency.

It also sets goals to reduce C02 emissions through its construction. A new plant in Debrecen is claimed to use no fossil fuels and will incorporate a wider use of raw and secondary materials in the manufacturing process.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177633" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/02_Inform-11-scaled.jpg" alt="BMW Neue Klasse" width="2560" height="1707" />

It’s easy to get cynical doing this gig. You see a lot of the same thing over and over. You hear a lot of big, overreaching promises. And true enough who knows how much of the “Vision” design concept will make it into a final production model. That big greenhouse with the low doors and narrow B-pillars? I’m guessing go by the black lines on the glass if you want to see what the dimensions will really be. It’s hard to imagine that steering wheel making it to production. And those oh-so-slick embossed BMW badges? I sincerely hope they don’t lose them, but they don’t exactly seem mass-manufactured-friendly.

Still, it’s difficult to not look at the Vision Neue Klasse design concept without a little hope for the future. Especially if this is to be BMW’s core design language moving forward. Maybe the future won’t be boring, bland, and featureless after all. Maybe it will be warm, inviting, stylish, unobtrusive, elegant, and maybe most important of all, have some real character to it.

The BMW Vision Neue Klasse Is Damn Good Looking

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA ClassMercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class

Mercedes Vision EQXX

Mercedes-Benz revealed the concept car for the next-generation CLA expected to enter production late next year. It's an electric hypermiler that takes tech developed for the Vision EQXX and transforms it into a road car that has an anticipated electric range of more than 750 km on the WLTP cycle. That range figure, and expected efficiency of 12 kWh/100 km would put the CLA at the top of the market for Evs. Benz says the vehicle's 800V charge system allows drivers to add up to 400 km of range in just 15 minutes. The car uses a new Mercedes architecture that will cover four different vehicle families in different body styles and sizes. It uses "almost CO2-free steel" and reduced carbon aluminum along with other materials that help reduce the carbon footprint of the supply chain by more than 40 percent.

Last manual Golf GTI

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177593" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-spt5-2.jpg" alt="last manual golf gti" width="2500" height="1667" />

Volkswagen announced the last GTI with a manual transmission, called the Golf GTI 380. The name refers to the car's internal chassis code, and the package comes with black mirrors, Golf R wheels, and standard adaptive suspension. It will also be offered in yellow and grey paint. The GTI 380 starts from $36,895 and will arrive at dealers in the fall. Along with the announcement, Volkswagen confirmed that 2024 is the last year for the stick-shift Golf R, but the Jetta GLI manual should live for at least another year.

New electric GTI

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177592" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-spt5-1.jpg" alt="VW ID.GTI" width="2500" height="1668" />

Right around the same time, Volkswagen announced the first all-electric GTI concept car. The ID. GTI gets GTI looks and is built around the ID. 2all concept that VW showed in March. This is more than just a concept, VW said, because the automaker will build the car. This time the I stands for "intelligent" instead of Injected, but the ideas are similar. VW will give the car a locking front differential controlled by the computer. It will also have powertrain settings that are meant to simulate various classic GTI models. VW will add classic-look gauge displays too. The cabin golf ball will live on, as the drive mode selector instead of as the gear selector, and the car will have a new plaid fabric designed for the EV. While it is confirmed for production, just when it might arrive isn't clear.

Hyundai Sonata updated

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177596" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-spt5-5.jpg" alt="2024 Hyundai Sonata" width="2500" height="1667" />

Hyundai launched a refreshed 2024 Sonata that includes the addition of all-wheel drive for the first time. The Sonata gets more aggressive looks including new LED light bars front and rear. Inside, the car gets a new 12.3-inch digital cluster and same-sized center screen that are combined into one seamless bezel. The AWD system will be offered on 2.5L gas models, and Hyundai will continue to offer a hybrid model as well as the sporty 2.5T N-Line car. Expect the 2024 Hyundai Sonata at dealers this winter.

Hyundai Elantra refreshed

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177595" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-spt5-4.jpg" alt="2024 Hyundai Elantra" width="2500" height="1667" />

Hyundai also brought out a refreshed Elantra. Like its larger sibling, the 2024 Elantra gets new looks, though its new nose still bears a resemblance to the old one. Elantra adds new side airbags in the rear, a new rear seat belt reminder, and haptic feedback has been added to most of the driver assistance alerts. The cabin gets new soft-touch door panels with faux leather trim added to higher grades. There is a new 4.2-inch cluster display on Essential and Preferred trims, and Hyundai has added one USB-C plug in the front and a pair in the rear. The 2024 Elantra will also offer digital key, letting you open and start the vehicle with your phone. The high-performance Elantra N model lives on and sees enhancements including new 19-inch wheels, illuminated logo bucket seats, and changes to bushings and other hardware that should improve handling. Expect it at dealers this fall.

RAM TRX ending production

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177594" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-spt5-3.jpg" alt="RAM TRX 6.2L" width="2500" height="1667" />

Ram has announced the end of the line for the supercharged TRX pickup. The 2024 Ram 1500 TRX 6.2L Supercharged V8 - Final Edition is the long name for the final special edition of the trucks. The 702 hp pickup ends production at the end of this calendar year, but Ram is saying goodbye with special satin titanium wheels and trim, patina stitching, and a special dash display splash logo. The Final Edition will also get most of the TRX option boxes checked including the 19-speaker stereo and all of the driver assists. Pricing starts from $150,720 in Canada and production is limited to 4,000 for the world. Non Final Edition trucks will also be available until the end of the year.

News Roundup: 750 km Mercedes CLA EV, Electric GTI, Final Edition RAM TRX, More

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OSHAWA, ON. – This is a place where passenger cars were once built, and it feels like it. Old, cramped, and a bit dark, GM’s Oshawa assembly plant located near the shores of Lake Ontario is an exemplar of legacy manufacturing.

Opened in 1953, the “south” plant, as the locals (including myself) used to call it, spent decades churning out mostly passenger cars, a literal who’s-who of GM biggest nameplates in the post-war era. From the Buick Regal to the Chevy Chevelle and Camaro to the Olds 442, and Pontiac Grand Prix, Oshawa was known for building the General’s best-selling vehicles.

And it remains so, but I’ll get to that further down. First, some history.

Over my lifetime, GM’s Oshawa footprint has steadily shrunk. The original assembly plant near downtown that opened in 1907 – the “north” plant – was converted to a parts facility and then sold off in the mid-1990s. It closed in the early 2000s and is now a strip mall.

The original truck plant, opened in 1965, closed in 2009 during GM’s climb out of bankruptcy, but because it’s located on the same site as the existing plant it has been repurposed for current truck production.

Then came the final crushing blow. In 2018, GM announced Oshawa Assembly would close in late 2019 ending the automaker’s uninterrupted 100 year-plus history of auto manufacturing in the city.

Happily, <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/gm-oshawa-plant-re-launch-on-the-fast">there was a renaissance</a>, when GM Canada and its labour union Unifor managed to convince GM management in Detroit to bless Oshawa with a new assembly life.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177511" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_E2223-scaled.jpg" alt="GM Oshawa Assembly" width="2560" height="1440" />

Clearly, a lot has changed since the last Chevy Impala rolled off the line in 2019, but when I visited the plant recently, I was struck by how familiar it all seemed. The plant just builds trucks now, the full-size Chevy Silverado and Silverado HD pick-ups, but looking around it felt like time had stood still.

Sure, there’s more automation, different production processes, and a lot of new employees – most of its roughly 3,200 workers are new – but it’s the same plant on the same 160-acre site with finished autos rolling off the line, just as it was for decades.

This feeling is especially striking in the general assembly area of the plant, the place where the painted bodies arrive, the chassis carrying the powertrain is “married” to the cab and box, the truck’s interiors are installed, and items such as body panels and wheels and tires are attached.

Given the size of modern trucks and the adjustments needed to accommodate them, the area now feels cramped, with the line snaking back and forth across the shop floor in ways that leave little room to stretch out. No wasted space here.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177512" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_E2235-scaled.jpg" alt="GM Oshawa Assembly" width="2560" height="1440" />

But everything seems to hum along just fine. The body shop, which our tour visited, was remade for truck production in just six months and occupies a massive 13 acres. This part of the facility is the jurisdiction of robots, where more than 1,000 of these machines perform tasks such as welding, joining, and sealing that were once done by workers. After watching the robots for a few minutes, it is hard to imagine such work ever being done by humans. To say it’s dangerous, not to mention dirty, is a profound understatement.

As for the products themselves, GM is firmly committed to building full-size Chevy pick-ups in Oshawa for the foreseeable future. Not only has almost $1.5 billion CAD been spent to retool Oshawa Assembly over the past three years, but another $280 million CAD was earmarked in June for next-gen truck production.

The newest model is the updated 2024 Silverado 1500, which began production last month. It joins the 2024 Silverado HD which started production in March. The prior HD variant was the first truck to roll off the line when Oshawa Assembly resumed vehicle production in November 2021.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177509" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_E2306-scaled.jpg" alt="GM Oshawa Assembly" width="2560" height="1440" />

Production of Silverado light-duty models followed in May 2022. Interestingly, Oshawa is the only GM plant that builds both light and heavy-duty trucks. And it bodes well for Oshawa Assembly as both Silverado models are top sellers on both sides of the border. The 1500 is GM’s bestseller in the U.S. and second-best in Canada behind its corporate cousin, the GMC Sierra.

Unlike the old days of fading passenger cars like the Impala and Cadillac XTS, Oshawa now builds GM’s bestsellers, which will only bode well for its future regardless of where that path may lead.

So, yes, despite my reminiscing, things have indeed changed. GM doesn’t employ 20,000-plus workers in Oshawa like it did when I was growing up in the 1980s, back when my uncle and cousin on my dad’s side worked in the south plant. And the parking lot on Park Road isn’t bursting at the seams with workers’ cars like it once did. Those days are long gone.

But whenever I drive by that lot these days, it’s much fuller than it was two years ago, and that’s a good sign. For GM, for its employees and customers, and for Oshawa, it’s past, present, and future home.

GM Oshawa now a key producer of Silverado full-size pick-ups

Claire's Artwork- Happy family dream car

Canadian Toyota Kids Design Contest Finalist

Toyota has announced that 11-year-old Claire Kim from Alberta is the only Canadian finalist in the company's annual Dream Car Art Contest which invites kids from around the world to design a car they think makes the world a better place. Toyota received just shy of 800,000 entries this year from 90 countries. Kim's drawing was designed to "create a safe space of joy for families and kids to shield them from the negativities living outside of it". Toyota awards each finalist a cash prize and they are now eligible for the global grand prize. “The vision, creativity and innovation presented in the design ideas of Canadian children and youth is truly impressive. With the reoccurring themes of peace, environmental sustainability, and happiness, it’s clear to see that these are the leaders of tomorrow,” said Larry Hutchinson, President and CEO, Toyota Canada.

2024 Volvo EX30 From $53,700

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177501" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-28-6-scaled.jpg" alt="Volvo EX30" width="2560" height="1371" />

Volvo's EX30 compact crossover made its Canadian debut last week in Montreal. The company's first dedicated small EV will start from $53,700 when it arrives in Canada, and the single motor extended range RWD model will offer up to 442 km between charges. A Twin Motor Performance variant makes 422 hp and hits 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds making it the fastest Volvo car ever. Volvo has also greatly reduced the EX30's total carbon footprint. If it is driven to 200,000 km, it will have a total carbon footprint of just 30 tons, 25 percent less than the brand's own C40 and XC40 EVs. Expect it at dealers later this year.

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB Facelift

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177500" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-28-5-scaled.jpg" alt="Mercedes-Benz EQB" width="2560" height="1440" />

Mercedes-Benz is giving the EQB electric crossover a facelift. The compact three-row EV gets a new nose and new taillights, as well as new wheel designs outside. On the inside, the EQB gets a new steering wheel with touch buttons and a new centre console that drops the old wrist wrest. The latest MBUX infotainment system makes that possible. Other cosmetic upgrades include new dash trim designs including more stars and more lights, and there are functional changes to help users cut features to maximize range. The 2024 EQB line will start with the EQB 250 front-drive model, but Mercedes-Benz Canada hasn't decided which AWD model we'll get. It could be the 225 hp EQB 300 or the 288 hp EQB 350 that was offered for 2023.

2024 Toyota Tundra Adds Nightshade Trims

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177497" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-28-2-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Toyota Tundra" width="2560" height="1708" />

Toyota is enhancing the Tundra pickup for 2024 by adding its Nightshade black-trim grade to the now dizzying array of 40 different configurations available on the truck. Also new are power-extendable tow mirrors available on a few high-spec trim grades. The 2024 Toyota Tundra lineup starts with the double cab SR at $51,450 with two-wheel drive or $54,750 as a 4x4. That's about a $3,000 price increase for the base model, with similar increases across the lineup. The top-spec truck is the Capstone Hybrid Max for $90,690.

2024 Toyota Camry Starts From $31k

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177498" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-28-3-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Toyota Camry" width="2560" height="1707" />

Toyota also announced Canadian pricing for the 2024 Camry sedan. The Camry has still not added Toyota's new multimedia interface, but the sedan remains an excellent value in a market where those can be tough to find. The basic Camry SE starts from $30,990 with the prices climbing to $41,490 for a Hybrid XLE. That's about $500 more than last year. Toyota continues to offer front and all-wheel drive gas-powered versions of the Camry along with the hybrid and a TRD-badged V6.

Lamborghini Lanzador EV Crossover

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177502" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-28-7-scaled.jpg" alt="Lamborghini Lanzador" width="2560" height="1707" />

Lamborghini revealed the Lanzador concept, its look at a fourth model in the company's lineup. Lamborghini calls it a "high ground clearance GT," we call it a two-door crossover. This is a purely electric model, expected to make around 1,360 hp. It's loaded with active aerodynamic aids, has a third-generation electronic suspension system, and, well, it looks like a Lamborghini. Don't expect anything like it in stores until 2028, but the concept promises eco-friendly parts like recycled 3D-printed seat foam, synthetic yarns, and merino wool.

Kia EV5 EV Revealed

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177503" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-28-8-scaled.jpg" alt="Kia EV5" width="2560" height="1440" />

Kia revealed the EV5 electric crossover in China. The model looks like a scaled-down copy of the three-row EV9, while the company calls it "a holistic solution for sustainable mobility." We're expecting it to go on sale in Canada next year, though that hasn't been confirmed. The model is equally like the EV9 inside, which means loads of screens, plenty of space, and tons of tech. There's no range info yet, but expect more about the EV5 to come from Kia sometime in October.

GMC Hummer EV Earthcruiser Camper

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177499" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-28-4-scaled.jpg" alt="GMC Hummer EV EarthCruiser" width="2560" height="1708" />

GMC and EarthCruiser are offering a Hummer EV transformed into a camper. The GMC Hummer EV EarthCruiser upfit will add a carbon fibre pop-up camper to the back of the EV along with a battery pack of its own (and solar panels) to power a fridge for up to a week without touching the traction battery. The overland-ready Hummer EV camper comes with a touchscreen to control most of its functions, and it has camping features like indoor and outdoor showers, 120V plugs, small kitchen, and a flat pack toilet. The EarthCruiser package is expected to go on sale next year.

&nbsp;

News Roundup: Lamborghini Lanzador, Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, Volvo EX30 Pricing, More

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One of the most iconic racetracks in the country is getting ready to welcome people who want to go fast as well as people who want to drive fast. The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame's annual <a href="https://cmhf.ca/celebration/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Celebration of Speed</a> fundraiser will let drivers take their own cars on track and has a ride-along program for passengers who want to experience the serious performance cars at the speeds they're meant to run.

"We're absolutely thrilled to be bringing back the Celebration of Speed to the Grand Prix Circuit," said Peter Lockhart, Board Chair of the CMHF. "This event is about much more than just speed; it's a chance for people to immerse themselves in the world of motorsports, to feel the adrenaline, and to be part of something truly exceptional."

"Celebration of Speed is about creating memories that last a lifetime," Lockhart said. "It's a unique opportunity for participants to get up close with the heart-pounding action and experience the thrill that only motorsports can offer."

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177461" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1J2A8572-scaled.jpg" alt="CMHF Celebration of Speed" width="2560" height="1568" />

The 11th edition of the Celebration of Speed runs on August 28th. That's this weekend, so hurry up. The event will once again be held at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Bowmanville, using the circuit's main track; the 10-turn Grand Prix Circuit.

$125 gets you four three-lap ride-along sessions in your choice of performance vehicle. The list of cars on offer will include Corvettes, Ferraris, McLarens, Porsches, and other go-fast makes, and the sessions are open to anyone 10 or older. The driving will be done by experienced racing drivers to help make sure you have a great time.

If you want to take your own car on the track at CTMP, it's just $450. Tickets for the Track Day are limited to just 50, so if you're interested you had better hurry. For these sessions, you'll also need a proper helmet and be able to show some track experience, so make sure to check the <a href="https://protect-ca.mimecast.com/s/4wJsC2xZK8Up5L3Rc29Djq?domain=cmhf.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Celebration of Speed site</a> for the full rules.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177458" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0F7A1633-scaled.jpg" alt="Celebration of Speed" width="2560" height="1707" />

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame is Canada's shrine to the efforts, achievements, and accomplishments that Canadians have made in racing. The Hall opened in 1993 and has inducted 275 honourable members including Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve, Ron Fellows, Scott Goodyear, and an impressive list of drivers, constructors, journalists, and more.

For tickets, times, and other details about the Celebration of Speed, check the CMHF's site. All proceeds generated from the Celebration of Speed will contribute to supporting the Canadian Motorsport Heritage Foundation.

Images: John R. Walker/ oneword

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Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame is Celebrating Speed With Ride-Alongs and a Track Day

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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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