news 5-8 (5)

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.

Quebec proposes stricter emission targets

The Province of Quebec is looking at tightening its existing zero-emissions vehicle mandates. Under the proposed new rules, automakers in that province would have to hit 50 percent ZEV sales more than a year earlier. Well ahead of both current provincial and proposed federal guidelines. Hitting 100 percent is still set for 2035, but the plan is to get to 91 percent by 2031. The new targets would come with new penalties, as well. Fines of $20,000 per non-ZEV unit instead of $5,000. Under the rules, automakers would be able to purchase credits from other automakers who have exceeded their target. Last year, around 12 percent of new vehicles sold in the Province were ZEVs.

Impreza pricing

Subaru has priced the all-new 2024 Impreza. The reworked AWD hatch will start from $26,795 in Canada, $3,500 more than last year. However, the 2024 is not available with a manual transmission, accounting for much of that base price hike. It also comes standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance suite. Touring is $29,995 and comes with a larger single-screen center display. It also adds a heated leather wheel. RS includes a 2.5L 182 hp boxer-four for $31,795, and at the top of the line is the Canada-only Sport-tech trim which includes navigation and DriverFocus distraction mitigation for $34,795.

Improved Mach-E, orders open

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-176024 size-full" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/news-5-8-1.jpg" alt="Mustang Mach E" width="2500" height="1667" />

Ford is reopening orders for the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, and the next batch will get some serious upgrades and even bigger price cuts. All standard-range models get a new battery that adds 4 kWh as well as 45 hp to the total on AWD models. The new battery can charge more quickly as well, taking five fewer minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent. BlueCruise, the brand's hands-off driver assistant, will be included on all Mach-E models, but a subscription is required to use it. Premium Standard Range models see their prices cut by $3,000 for RWD and $2,250 for AWD respectively. The Premium Extended Range models get a massive $11,000 and $10,250 taken off of their MSRP, meaning that both should now qualify for federal incentives. Order books should be open again soon, and Ford says it has increased production.

Volvo XC40 recharge and C40 get more range

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-176027" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/news-5-8-4.jpg" alt="Volvo C40" width="2500" height="1666" />

Volvo is increasing the range of its C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge models by adding single-motor RWD variants for the first time in Canada. The single-motor vehicles get a new 248 hp permanent magnet motor and an 82 kWh battery pack. This gives the XC40 a range of 471 km and the sleeker C40 477 km. The new battery can charge at up to 200 kW. Twin Motor versions also get new motors that help boost range. The rear motor is now a 255 hp permanent magnet motor, while the front is a 147 hp motor that can be de-energized when not needed to save power. Twin Motor cars get their same 78 kWh and 150 kW fast charge battery from last year, but XC40 has 49 km more range and C40 has 51 km more, for a total of 408 and 413 km respectively.

2024 Lexus UX pricing

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-176026" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/news-5-8-3.jpg" alt="2024 lexus ux" width="2500" height="1398" />

Lexus has priced the 2024 UX. Its smallest model sees small upgrades for 2024, including new headlights. All UX models are the UX 250h hybrid again this year, delivering 181 hp and an estimated 6.0 L/100 km combined. The 2024 UX starts with the Premium trim for $42,300 and extends through Luxury, F Sport Design, and F Sport Series 1 and Series 2. F Sport Series models get suspension and chassis upgrades like adaptive dampers as well as more sport-oriented cosmetic changes. The F Sport Series 2 tops the range at $51,800. The 2024 UX is at dealers now.

Bronco Trail App

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-176025 size-full" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/news-5-8-2.jpg" alt="Bronco Trail app" width="2500" height="1667" />

Ford has launched a new off-road app. The Bronco Trail App for iOS and Android will only be available for Bronco owners. It includes 1,200 professionally curated trail maps covering the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Ford promises more trails to come. The app includes the capability to record drives, including waypoints and photos. It also has satellite imagery and topographic maps, as well as recommendations for trails where lowering tire pressures are needed. The app is free, but only for Bronco owners.

News Roundup: Big Mustang Mach-E Price Cuts, Quebec Aims to Speed Up ZEVs, More

news 2-6 (2)

Toyota remains on top

Toyota, despite the production challenges faced by the industry last year, remained the biggest automaker in the world. The company, including its subsidiaries like Daihatsu and Hino managed 10.5 million sales in 2022. Second place Volkswagen, including Audi, Skoda, and the rest, sold 8.3 million, down seven percent. Toyota hopes to build even more units this year but warns that there could still be shortages of crucial parts.

Mach-E production increases

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174515" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/news-2-6-3.jpg" alt="Mustang mach-e" width="2500" height="1667" />

Ford is building more copies of the <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/reviews/review-2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-gt">Mustang Mach-E</a> EV and has slashed prices up to $8,500. Ford says it is because of a new and more efficient supply chain for EVs. More parts for less money leads to more cars for a lower price. The basic Mach-E's price stays flat at $56,995, but a Premium Standard Range is down $7,000 to $64,995. At the top end, a GT Performance Extended range is down $4,750 to $92,745. Ford will reach out to buyers who took delivery since Jan 1 to help out with the price cut.

Colorado and Canyon pricing

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174516" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/news-2-6-4.jpg" alt="chevrolet colorado" width="2500" height="1668" />

Chevrolet and GMC have added the new <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/first-look-2023-chevrolet-colorado">2023 Colorado and Canyon</a> midsize pickups to their sites so we can get an idea of pricing for the latest pickup entrants. Prices are up, due to much more content, new powertrains, and, well, the price of everything being up. Colorado climbs $5,000 to $37,197 for a basic WT. GMC doesn't offer that trim anymore, so now starts at $48,487 for an Elevation model. All get a 2.7L turbo-four with three different power levels. Chevy Colorado tops out at just under $60,000, with the GMC getting close to $70k.

Velar updates

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174517" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/news-2-6-5.jpg" alt="range rover velar" width="2500" height="1291" />

Range Rover is giving the <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/vehicle-reviews/first-drive-2020-land-rover-range-rover-velar-svautobiography-dynamic-edition">Velar</a> a tiny facelift for 2024 but a big tech update. The headlights and taillights are the most noticeable part of the facelift, though the rear bumper is also tweaked. Inside, there is a new floating screen with curved glass that looks extra special. It operates using a new infotainment system that brings 80 percent of functions to within two button presses. There is also a new noise cancellation system and a new wool interior option.

GLE updates

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174518" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/news-2-6-1.jpg" alt="mercedes benz gle" width="2500" height="1875" />

Mercedes-Benz has given the <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/vehicle-reviews/review-2020-mercedes-benz-gle-450">GLE-class</a> an update for 2024 as well. This one is more thorough but does include new headlights and a new grille. Inside, it has a new wheel with touch controls and it also gets the second-generation MBUX interface. This has more voice controls and better natural speech recognition, and it should be quicker too. Suspension system software tweaks should improve both ride and handling. Two standard versions will be offered, the 255 hp four-cylinder GLE 350 and the 375 hp six-cylinder GLE 450. Mercedes-AMG will offer the 429 hp GLE 53 and the 603 hp V8 GLE 63 S. Every version will have mild hybrid electrification.

AJAC announces 2023 finalists

AJAC has announced the finalists for <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/features/ajac-announces-2023-canadian-car-and-utility-vehicle-of-the-year-category-winners">Canadian Car of the Year and Canadian Utility</a> Vehicle of the year. After more than 1,700 votes from some of Canada's top auto journalists and 250 or so eligible vehicles, it comes down to this. The three finalists for the 2023 Canadian Car of the Year are BMW i4 (Best Premium EV in Canada for 2023), Hyundai Elantra N (Best Sports Performance Car in Canada for 2023), and Mazda3 (Best Small Car in Canada for 2023). The three finalists for the 2023 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year are Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Best EV in Canada for 2023), Kia Telluride (Best Large Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2023), and the Mitsubishi Outlander (Best Mid-Size Utility Vehicle in Canadaï for 2023). The two overall winners will be announced on February 16th at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto and streamed on REV TV.

Tags

News Roundup: Big Mustang Mach-E Price Cuts, Quebec Aims to Speed Up ZEVs, More

News Roundup: GM's New Pickups Priced, Ford Mach-E Gets Cheaper, Toyota Sells Most Vehicles in the World