Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA ClassMercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class

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.

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

Large-14067-2022TiguanSELR-Line-OryxWhite

Mark Toljagic is an accredited automobile journalist with a pro-consumer bent - which also describes the condition of many of his own cars.

“Go big or go home” urges athletes to go all out in competition, and it’s a motivational expression that applies equally well in business.

The popular credo may have helped Volkswagen understand the North American sport-utility market better after its first small crossover, the Tiguan, failed to make much impact when it landed on our shores in 2009.

The automaker definitely got the “go big” memo when it made the second-generation Tiguan 19 centimetres longer in the wheelbase and almost a foot longer overall for 2018. We received the stretched Tiguan, while Europeans could also buy the smaller, short-wheelbase model.

The new Tig was based on VW’s $8-billion MQB A2 modular platform that underpins several models. It’s big enough to offer optional third-row seats inside the spacey cabin, although the rearmost pair really should only be assigned to kids and/or other pets (the colossal Atlas was introduced to do serious big-family hauling).

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177453" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Large-14969-2022Tiguan-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Volkswagen Tiguan" width="2560" height="1707" />

The Tiguan’s interior is airy and visibility is good to the front and sides thanks to narrow A-pillars, but the view out the back is obstructed by the rear pillars and headrests. The seating is well-shaped and supportive – if a little stiff – and there’s plenty of storage all around. Top-drawer cabin materials and assembly channel Audi, which makes sense since the luxury brand is part of the VW Group.

The generously sized touchscreen up front responds to swiping and pinching motions, and it also works with handy volume and tuning knobs. VW’s Car-Net infotainment system was thoroughly updated for 2018 and came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Absent from earlier models, the new Tiguan offered a comprehensive array of driver aids, such as blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking, standard on all Tigs except the base model.

A new engine motivates the Tiguan, working through a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system (base models get by with front-wheel drive). The powerplant is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder like the previous one but with fewer horses on tap, presumably out of a concern for fuel efficiency. It lost 16 horsepower, reduced to 184 hp, but gained 14 lb-ft of torque to 221 lb-ft, a trade-off that did not escape the notice of some buyers.

“The car hesitates very badly. At times, with the gas pedal to the floor, the car does nothing for 2-3 seconds, and then very sluggishly starts to move forward,” one owner posted online. Auto reviewers complained that turbo lag, combined with the transmission’s reluctance to downshift, makes the Tiguan feel pretty lethargic: 0 to 97 km/h took a sleepy 9.1 seconds. Another owner blamed the Tig’s unseemly weight gain.

“This engine belongs in a Jetta, not a 3,900-pound SUV. The miles per gallon are terrible. I manage to get around 25 mpg (11 litres/100 km),” one driver divulged online. Reference to the crossover’s heftiness is no exaggeration; critics noted that the redesigned Tiguan added 330 pounds (150 kg), making it a whopping 578 pounds (262 kg) heavier than a comparable Honda CR-V.

The Tiguan is decent enough to drive in the curves, although its electric power-steering system lacks on-centre feel at the wheel and fails to build proper weight with speed. Soft springs allow the compact crossover to pitch and roll through turns, belying the Tig’s German breeding.

Still, it’s comfortable over long distances and it’s certainly quiet enough at supra-highway speeds. In U.S. government (NHTSA) crash testing, the Tiguan earned five stars in overall and side crash tests, and four stars in frontal collision and rollover tests.

Not much changed until the 2022 model year, when the Tiguan earned some exterior styling tweaks, new interior detailing and technology, and expanded availability of driver-assist systems to match the competition. The drivetrain remains unaltered over the six years it’s been sold here, although the front-drive model has been dropped. The third-generation Tig is set to be released sometime in 2024.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177454" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Large-14975-2022Tiguan-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Volkswagen Tiguan" width="2560" height="1706" />

WHAT OWNERS REPORT

The Tiguan’s appealing European styling, generous interior and large cargo area found plenty of buyers in Canada, effectively erasing memories of the too-small Tig that came before it. Owners have a few gripes, though, pointing to the optional third-row seating that’s more obstructive than helpful, and the awkward hesitancy the engine and transmission may exhibit, especially when starting from a standstill.

A big part of the story is the Tiguan’s dependability – a key factor when buying a used example without the benefit of a warranty. Unfortunately, there are significant mechanical issues to be aware of when shopping for the made-in-Mexico crossover.

First and foremost, the updated 2.0-L turbo engine can burn oil at a higher rate than what’s considered normal. The previous 2.0T engine consumed oil at a voracious rate in some instances, and it seems that Volkswagen engineers have not entirely solved the problem.

“VW considers it acceptable for their cars to burn through a quart (litre) of oil every 1,000 miles. This is not okay and not normal,” wrote a Tiguan owner in a post. On this point Consumer Reports doesn’t mince words, advising that any engine that burns oil between oil changes should be repaired under the powertrain warranty.

Some owners have reported a lit Electronic Power Control (EPC) warning lamp, indicating a problem with the throttle system, which could include the fuel-injection throttle body, traction control, cruise control or other systems. The EPC light is sometimes accompanied by limited power and acceleration. Cylinder misfires may be related to faulty fuel injectors or wiring harnesses.

The popular panoramic sunroof has a known problem with its drainage tubes that siphon rainwater away from the roof assembly. Leaking drains can drip into the interior, soaking the upholstery. One owner warned that the water can infiltrate the electronics and cause multiple issues, such as ABS/electronic stabilization control faults. A few owners have had the entire sunroof replaced.

That’s not the only structural issue. The B-pillar on both sides may rattle, owners say, an irritation that’s noted in a VW technical service bulletin. The TSB reportedly states that the problem is caused by the airbag modules rubbing on the metal frame and body.

Other mechanical glitches include malfunctioning power door locks, weak headlamps, leaking engine fluids, emergency brake assist that may stop the car at random, and overhead consoles that detach from the ceiling.

Overall the Tiguan is a stylish, competent compact crossover that’s an attractive alternative to the legions of Japanese and Korean crossovers dominating the Canadian market. But high-mileage examples will have no warranty, which means buyers have to budget for future repairs – and German parts are expensive (one owner cited the cost of an LED headlamp at $1,700).

Go big, but keep your eyes open.
<h3>2018-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan</h3>
BODY STYLE: 5- or 7-passenger compact crossover SUV

DRIVE METHOD: Front- or all-wheel drive; 8-speed automatic transmission

ENGINE: 2.0-L turbocharged four-cylinder (184 hp, 221 lb-ft)

FUEL ECONOMY: (Regular) 10.6/8.0/9.4 L/100 km city/highway/combined

CARGO VOLUME: 934 litres (33 cu ft)

TOW RATING: 680 kg (1,500 lbs)

PRICE: $26,000 (2018); $39,000 (2022)

Buying Used: 2018-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen ID.4 2023 001

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

Summer 2023 in Canada proved that climate change is indeed one of humanity’s most daunting challenges. If you’re one of those individuals who still doubt the validity of our planet being warmed by excessive amounts of carbon dioxide directly linked to human activity, take a few minutes to look back at the abnormal natural disasters we’ve collectively experienced since May.

When our local news outlets weren’t talking to us about massive forest fires in the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and BC all at once – causing thick smog in urban centers to the point of declaring it a state of emergency for bad air quality - they were reporting on the horrendous heat waves and record-breaking amounts of rainfall. If that wasn’t enough, Montreal, a city normally not associated with this kind of natural phenomenon, received a tornado warning, which luckily remained at the supercell level once it reached Trois-Rivières, but still ended up flooding a large chunk of southeastern Quebec in less than an hour.

Indeed, not the best time to bring a child into this world. Yet, for me, summer 2023 also signalled the birth of my first son, Magnus. Little did I know that driving him home from the hospital in an electric vehicle while the forests of northern Quebec were on fire would give me a greater appreciation for these vehicles.

Not the solution, but part of the solution

The goal here is not to make you feel bad for driving a gasoline-fed automobile, nor am I here to lecture you on why the electric car will solve our climate issues. I’m not exactly one to lead by example. I drive one, sometimes two new cars per week for my job, most of them fuelled by gasoline. And that’s not counting the times I fly to another country to drive more cars. I’m probably responsible for more CO2 emissions in a year than three Canadian families combined.

But I do at least hope to educate Canadians on the urgency of switching the entire automotive industry to electrification. No, EVs are not the solution. But they can be part of a broader solution, one of collectively reducing our carbon emissions with hopes that climate change can be slowed.

For me, seeing how these disasters are impacting the lives and health of millions of people while I was bringing a new human being into the world had me wanting to take a deep breath so I could figure out how I could make a difference.

Smooth Riding ID.4, Infuriating Ergonomics

At this point, it’s worth underlining how great of a baby-hauling apparatus Volkswagen’s electric SUV was during Magnus’ first weeks of life. The ID.4 is a smooth operator thanks to its dual-motor setup and 339 lb-ft of instant torque. It’s a car that barely has you noticing its stiff suspension (typical of all EVs due to their weight) thanks to remarkable sound deadening and a high level of refinement. Spacious and supremely comfortable, the ID.4 served as the ideal magic carpet to carry my baby during these tense first days of parenthood.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177402" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Volkswagen-ID.4-2023-005.jpg" alt="2023 VW ID.4 Pro AWD" width="2000" height="1125" />

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177401" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Volkswagen-ID.4-2023-004.jpg" alt="2023 VW ID.4 Pro AWD" width="2000" height="1125" />

It also proved rather efficient while I had it. Thanks to my Level-2 home charger and the ID.4 AWD Pro’s claimed 410 kilometers of available range, I never felt the need to rely on public charging to juice up its 77-kWh battery.

I was able to go about my daily commute without zero range anxiety. The entire time, I relied solely on my home charger. After two weeks and covering a tad over 1,000 km, the onboard computer rated my driving at an average of 19.4 kWh/100 km. This would translate into a real-world range figure of 396 kilometres, very close to the carmaker’s promises.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177408" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Volkswagen-ID.4-2023-011.jpg" alt="2023 VW ID.4 Pro AWD" width="2000" height="1125" />
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177414" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Volkswagen-ID.4-2023-017.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" />

That being said, I must warn you of the ID.4’s flawed user experience. Haptic feedback buttons that require multiple pushes to work, a confusing and laggy infotainment system, 2 window switches to operate 4 windows (why?), and climate and volume controls that don’t illuminate at night are just the tip of the iceberg.

Add to that a frustrating mobile app and the car’s obsession with turning everything off unless you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, and the ID.4 ended up becoming one of the most irritating automotive experiences I’ve come across.

But although the Volkswagen ID.4 had me cursing at it louder than when I watch the Rocky v. Drago scene in Rocky IV, none of its ergonomic issues mattered as I drove it through what appeared to be the start of a climate apocalypse.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177406" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Volkswagen-ID.4-2023-009.jpg" alt="2023 VW ID.4 Pro AWD" width="2000" height="1125" />

Because if I had been driving around in an equivalent ICE SUV, say, a Mazda CX-5 for instance, I would have spewed an additional 209 kilograms of CO2 into an already carbon-saturated atmosphere. That’s 70 times more than the weight of my newborn son.

As I drove the emission-free ID.4 through wildfire-generated smog that day, I was glad that, at least in the moment, I wasn’t contributing to compromising my son’s future on this beautiful, yet fragile planet.
<h3>2023 VW ID.4 Pro AWD</h3>
BODY STYLE: Compact SUV

CONFIGURATION: Dual motor all-wheel drive

ENGINE: 77-kWh usable (82 kWh total) liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery powering two electric motors (295 horsepower / 339 lb-ft).

TRANSMISSION: N/A

ENERGY CONSUMPTION: 20.1 kWh/100 km (city) / 22.6 kWh/100 km (highway) / 21.2 kWh/100 km (combined).

OBSERVED FUEL CONSUMPTION: 19.4 kWh/100 km

CARGO CAPACITY 858 liters (1,817 liters total)

PRICE: $58,160 (as tested)

WEBSITE: <a href="https://www.vw.ca/en.html">Volkswagen</a>

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro AWD Review

news 8-7 (7)

New Hyundai Kona priced

Hyundai has priced the new for 2024 Kona crossover, and the price matches the changes to the new model: both are now larger, with the '24 Kona starting from $25,999 or $3,350 more than last year. With more width and a 60 mm longer wheelbase, there is at least more interior space to help justify the price. The Kona will also offer tech that's new to the brand like a digital key and OTA updates. The engines remain the same, a 147 hp 2.0L four and a 190 hp 1.6L turbo-four. The Kona Electric will come later. A Preferred trim starts from $28,499, with N Line AWD at $35,499 and an N Line AWD Ultimate at $38,499. They'll be at dealers later this summer.

Lexus RX PHEV

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177281" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-7-6-scaled.jpg" alt="Lexus RX PHEV" width="2560" height="1612" />

Lexus has just launched the first plug-in RX. The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ offers 60 km of electric range and 2.8 Le/100 km thanks to its twin-motor AWD driveline and 2.5L four-cylinder. The 2024 RX 450h+ starts at $86,950 in Canada and comes only in top-spec Executive grade. The trim includes semi-aniline leather, a 14-inch display, Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and just about everything Lexus can throw at an RX. The 2024 RX is at dealers now.

Electric Blazer

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177276" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-7-1-scaled.jpg" alt="Chevrolet Blazer EV" width="2560" height="1646" />

Chevrolet's 2024 Blazer EV will hit dealers next month and it will have a starting price of just under $60k, but not at the same time. Well, it's $63,298, but that includes freight, dealer fees, and AC tax, which is effectively under $60k. Chevy didn't detail the freight and fees, but it did say that the Blazer EV will qualify for federal and provincial EV incentives. That price gets you a 2LT trim with AWD, heated front seats and steering wheel, wireless charging, and adaptive cruise control. RS AWD models are the ones that will hit dealers first, for $73,298 with fees, and it also qualifies for incentives. 2LT models arrive in the fall and the range for the pair is expected to be 449 km on a full charge. A rear-drive RS is also expected in the fall with the same price as the AWD version but with 515 km of range. The sporty SS follows in the spring of 2024 and the 471 km range 2LT FWD trim is also coming sometime next year.

Nismo Z launches with more power, performance

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177280" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-7-5-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Nissan Z NISMO" width="2560" height="1707" />

Nissan has launched the 2024 Z Nismo, a track-oriented version of the sports coupe. The Nissan Z Nismo's 3.0L twin-turbo V6 gets an extra 20 hp and 34 lb-ft for 420 and 384 respectively thanks to tuning by the Nismo performance arm of the automaker. The car will also get larger brakes front and rear and enhanced cooling for track use. It will also be offered only with a nine-speed automatic. Nissan says it has enhanced the box to cut shift times in half, and with the new Sport+ drive mode, it is quicker on a track than the stick. Nismo has stiffened the chassis and added aero tweaks like the extended front fascia, and fitted wider tires. Expect pricing and availability this fall.

Lightweight 911 S/T celebrates 60 years of iconic sports car

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177279" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-7-4-scaled.jpg" alt="Porsche 911 S/T" width="2560" height="1440" />

Porsche is marking 60 years of 911 with the 911 S/T. It's a new variant of the 911 that pairs the 518 hp 4.0L flat-six from the GT3 with a short-ratio six-speed stick and not much else. There are no fancy aero aids here, and Porsche even dropped the rear-axle steering to keep weight to just 1,380 kg (with help from carbon fenders, doors, roof, and more), and the car is tuned for performance road driving and not the track. The 911 S/T is the lightest car of the current 911 generation, 40 kg lighter than the 911 GT3 Touring. Only 1,963 versions of the car will be sold worldwide, and for the $343,900 Canadian sticker price you'll also get a special watch from Porsche Design.

40th Anniversary Jetta GLI

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177277" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-7-2-scaled.jpg" alt="VW Jetta GLI 40th" width="2560" height="1694" />

Volkswagen is celebrating 40 years of the Jetta GLI with a 40th Anniversary package for 2024. The 228 hp 2.0L four isn't changed, and it will offer a seven-speed dual-clutch or a six-speed stick. So what's different? A new seat upholstery created just for GLI 40 that VW says will be slightly different in each car. There will be GLI 40 badges, special wheels, and a black finish for the grille and some other bits. The cars start from $31,395 and will hit dealers later this summer.

2024 Mazda CX-5 updated

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177278" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/news-8-7-3-scaled.jpg" alt="2024 Mazda CX-5" width="2560" height="1708" />

Mazda has announced the 2024 CX-5 crossover will get slightly better fuel economy along with a slightly higher price. The GX trim starts from $32,250 with GS at $36,100, Kuro at $39,700, GT at $41,050, and Signature for $44,950. The new Suna Edition with terracotta accents is $44,200. The 2.5L NA models get auto start-stop and fuel economy improves slightly to 9.1 L/100 km city, 7.7 highway, while the 2.5T models are unchanged. AWD is standard across the CX-5 lineup.

News Roundup: 2024 Hyundai Kona and Lexus RX Plug-in, Plus Blazer EV and Lots More

news 7-31 (4)

ID.4 record attempt

Volkswagen is looking at a record-setting drive attempt with an ID.4 EV. German adventure driver Rainer Zietlow left St. John's last week trying to set a Guinness World Record for driving trans-Canada in an EV with the fewest charge stops. Zietlow's drive can be tracked <a href="https://protect-ca.mimecast.com/s/3G1HCVAG3vTxjBDgUGQ9zL?domain=vwid4-canadatour.com">here</a>. Once he arrives in Victoria, BC, Zietlow will turn around and do the drive again. This time, though, he'll be stopping at each of VW's 145 dealers in Canada.

Retro Bronco Sport

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177120" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/news-7-31-1.jpg" alt="Bronco Sport Free Wheeling" width="2500" height="1620" />

Ford is launching a new 70s-inspired graphics pack for Bronco Sport buyers. It's called the Free Wheeling package and it's a re-do of a Ford campaign of the same name from the 1970s. The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport Free Wheeling is a Big Bend-trim with sunset gradient graphics, red-painted wheels, and a unique grille. The cabin of the Bronco Sport is similarly modified with sunset-coloured seat inserts and ombre stitching as well as Race Red door trim. There will also be a Black Appearance package for 2024 that includes matte black wheels, a matte hood graphic, and a black roof as well as black logos inside and out.

New Bolt EV coming

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177124" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/news-7-31-5.jpg" alt="Chevrolet Bolt EV" width="2500" height="1667" />

Chevrolet has confirmed there will be a second-generation Bolt EV. The popular and affordable compact electric was dropped from Chevy's lineup and leaves production this year, but GM CEO Mary Barra has confirmed there will be a new one. The new Bolt EV will use GM's Ultium electric architecture, the same underpinnings and battery system used by the GMC Hummer EV and the upcoming Equinox EV. In the announcement, Chevrolet said that 70 percent of Bolt buyers are new to GM vehicles and that 80 percent stay in the GM family. Both are significant achievements for the brand. No word on when we can expect the new model.

Subaru Eyesight with stick shift

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177122" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/news-7-31-3.jpg" alt="Subaru BRZ tS" width="2500" height="1667" />

Subaru has added its EyeSight driver assistance suite to the manual transmission BRZ for 2024. A sign that the performance model will be sticking around for some time. The automaker also launched a new STI-tuned tS trim. EyeSight brings adaptive cruise, pre-collision braking, lane departure, and other key modern driver assists to the stick-shift BRZ for the first time. It will be standard on all grades of BRZ. The tS model is the special one, with STI-tuned dampers front and rear, Brembo brakes with larger pads and rotors, and Pilot Sport 4S tires. tS badging and black accents finish off the look, and there will be STI logos on the starter button and digital dash display.

New Land Cruiser coming

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-177121" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/news-7-31-2.jpg" alt="Toyota Landcruiser" width="2500" height="1714" />

Toyota is making a long-anticipated reveal this week. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is coming on August 1. All we can tell so far is that the legendary off-roader will have a very blocky grille. The Land Cruiser hasn't been offered in Canada as a new vehicle since 1996 (and it was axed in the US for 2021). We're expecting a Toyota version of the Lexus GX and its driveline options rather than the gigantic J300 Land Cruiser unveiled for the rest of the world in 2021.

News Roundup: Cross Canada in a VW EV, Ford Free Wheeling, New Land Cruiser, More

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New Elantra N

Hyundai revealed a new Elantra N at Auto Shanghai 2023 last week. The model marks the start of the N performance brand in China, but we're expecting the same looks to show up here. The Elantra N has a new nose with the brand's ultra-thin new front lighting look. The N trademark red stripe is still there. No word on the hardware specs, but don't expect much of a change from the current 276 hp. The 2024 Elantra N should be here before the end of the year.

Heavily refreshed Cayenne

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175810" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/news-4-24-6.jpg" alt="2024 Porsche Cayenne" width="1440" height="810" />

Porsche revealed the 2024 Cayenne last week and while it looks just like the one it replaces there is plenty new underneath. The cabin is almost completely overhauled, getting the large and flat digital screens from the Taycan EV. That includes an available new 10.9-inch one for the front passenger. The air suspension is enhanced and all models come with active dampers with more adjustment for more comfort and handling. There are powertrain enhancements too, including the 348 hp base, the revised 468 hp V8 S, the 650 hp Turbo GT, and a much larger new 25.9 kWh battery for the 468 hp E-Hybrid PHEV.

Lincoln Nautilus

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175809" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/news-4-24-5.jpg" alt="lincoln nautilus" width="1440" height="631" />

Lincoln revealed an all-new Nautilus. The brand's big two-row crossover will be made in China instead of Oakville, ON, but that might be the smallest of the changes. The Nautilus gets Continental-style hidden door handles and LED light strips nose and tail. Inside, there will be a massive upper screen that spans from door to door for a new digital experience. A conventional center screen lets you control the big screen as well as other usual functions. The 2024 Nautilus will offer a 2.0L turbo-four making 250 hp or the same engine with a hybrid drive system that gives it 310 hp with better fuel economy. To make driving easier, Nautilus will have adaptive suspension as well as the Lincoln BlueCruise hands-off highway assistant. Expect it early next year.

VW Ontario Battery Plant

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175806" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/news-4-24-2.jpg" alt="VW Ontario gigafactory" width="1440" height="1152" />

Volkswagen has announced more details about its planned battery plant for St Thomas, ON. The company's CEO has said it could be the company's largest plant in the world and the $7B investment from VW for building the plant is the single largest Canadian auto investment ever. Though it will come with serious government incentives. VW Group says the plant will employ up to 3,000, with the federal government estimating tens of thousands of spin-off jobs. Groundbreaking is set for next year with production to start in 2027.

Polestar 4 deletes the rear window

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175808" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/news-4-24-4.jpg" alt="Polestar 4" width="1440" height="810" />

Polestar revealed the Polestar 4, its latest EV. The model is a 544 hp electric that the company calls an SUV but is barely taller in height than the Polestar 2 sedan. The unique feature of the 4 is the complete lack of rear window. Instead of glass, you'll need to use a camera to see what's going on behind you. Polestar says this is better for safety, but it could be a tough sell. The model will offer dual-motor AWD or single-motor RWD. A heat pump will be standard. Both versions get a 102 kWh battery and the brand is targeting a range of more than 486 km.

BMW i7 gets more power

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175807" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/news-4-24-3.jpg" alt="BMW i7 M70" width="1440" height="960" />

BMW has revealed its most powerful EV yet. The i7 is getting an M70 variant that has 650 hp, 811 lb-ft, and an estimated range of up to 474 km. The model uses motors with double the number of windings versus the non-M version. That gives it more output and the ability to sustain that output at speed. There is also new chassis bracing and M suspension upgrades. To go with it, BMW is launching the 750e PHEV as well, which will have 483 hp and double the battery capacity.

News Roundup: VW Battery Plant, New Lincoln, New Polestar, Faster BMW EVs, More

Volkswagen ID.7

The latest electric Volkswagen is a sedan. The Volkswagen ID.7 is an electric sedan larger than the recently dropped Passat that promises an electric range of up to 700 km on the WLTP cycle. Sedans aren't exactly selling well here in North America anymore, but VW plans to bring this one anyway.

Like the company's other EVs like <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/reviews/2022-volkswagen-id-4-review">the ID.4</a> and the upcoming ID. Buzz, the Volkswagen ID.7 uses VW's MEB electric architecture. It's highly flexible and scalable, which is why it can underpin a compact hatchback as well as this 4,960 mm long four-door hatch. That's right, this big sedan is also a hatch.

The MEB platform has been around long enough that VW has developed a new generation of electric powertrain to install in it. This generation is more efficient. With 282 hp from a single motor, it is also VW's most powerful electric motor yet.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175747" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/id-5.jpg" alt="Volkswagen ID.7" width="2500" height="1667" />

All versions of the ID.7 will get that same motor, but there will be different sizes of battery available. Without giving away specific sizes, VW said that the largest would offer up to 700 km of range on the WLTP test cycle. Expect that to translate to between 550 and 600 on the test cycles used here. Like other MEB platform vehicles, charging at up to 200 kW will be possible.

Around 50 mm longer than a Passat, and with the long wheelbase we expect from EVs, the ID.7 should be massive inside. Volkswagen has filled the space with new luxury trimmings the likes of which we haven't seen since the company's Phaeton sedan which left Canada in 2006.

The features include heated and ventilated seats as well as a new available massage function. ID.7 will have a new panoramic sunroof with electrically tinted glass, with the roof and most other functions able to be controlled by voice.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175744" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/id-2.jpg" alt="Volkswagen ID.7" width="2500" height="1667" />

A 15.0-inch centre screen provides infotainment. The company is using it to launch a new interface after buyers were less than impressed with the system launched in the ID.4 and some other recent vee-dubs. While there don't seem to be more buttons, VW has made changes like adding a backlight to the touch sliders, making them easier to see.

The gauge cluster is small, but VW doesn't expect you to use it all that much. That's because there is a new augmented reality head-up display that will show you most of what the dash could along with plenty more.

VW has used the car's size for more than just cabin space. A long sedan makes it easier to optimize the car for the wind tunnel while still having enough space for people and mechanical hardware. To that end, VW says the ID.7 will have a drag coefficient of just 0.23. The car's slipperiness (along with not being a bigger, heavier crossover SUV) plays a big part in that expected long range.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-175743" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/id-1.jpg" alt="Volkswagen ID.7" width="2500" height="1667" />

The ID.7 has a healthy dose of high-tech driver assists, too. That includes Travel Assist with Swarm Data, which can handle "lateral and longitudinal control." In other words, it can steer and accelerate to help out with lane changes on high-speed highways. It also has the ability to record your last 50m of parking maneuvers and undo your parking job by itself.

Volkswagen says the ID.7 is the third of its planned 10 new EVs by 2026. It comes after the refreshed ID.3 and the long wheelbase <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/news/volkswagen-reveals-2024-id-buzz-electric-van">ID. Buzz</a>. The car will launch in Europe and China this fall and is expected here sometime in 2024.

&nbsp;

Volkswagen Reveals Long Range ID.7 Electric Sedan

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

Guillaume Fournier Photographe-GFV_9910

Before being an automotive journalist, I worked as a technical writer. My job essentially consisted of writing end-user documentation to help users better understand a given product. I, along with my colleagues, would put together user manuals, instruction booklets, shop manuals for mechanics, service bulletins and even recalls.

Among the different fields I did this in, I was once employed by a company called True Key. Over there, I’d often work with the UX (user experience) department. Together, we would ensure the smoothest, most seamless operation of our app. We would spend weeks working on a single menu, streamlining it, overthinking it, and writing the correct sentences so the user could enjoy using our service.

That job has gotten me highly critical about UX in general, even to this day. That’s probably why I’ve been giving the eight-generation Volkswagen Golf – only sold in Canada as the Golf GTI and <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/search?search=golf+r&amp;author=&amp;date=365&amp;tab=articles#:~:text=Apr%2022%2C%202022-,REVIEWS,2022%20Volkswagen%20Golf%20R%20Review,-ADVERTISEMENT">Golf R</a> – a hard time. Since its release in 2022, I, along with other automotive journalists have been ranting away about how bad its ergonomics have become. And that’s too bad, because underneath the GTI’s skin lies what could have been the best hot hatchback on sale.

An Opus That’s Hard to Beat

To Volkswagen’s defense, it had a steep hill to climb when given the task of replacing the last-generation Golf (MK7), arguably the best in the car’s history.

Under Ferdinand Piëch’s supervision, Volkswagen became an overachieving, engineering-driven carmaker. Between building W8 Passats and developing the record-beating Bugatti Veyron, everyone at the Volkswagen group worked overtime at exceeding the boss’ expectations, or else.

The <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/vehicle-reviews/review-2021-volkswagen-golf-gti">seventh-generation Golf</a>, sold in Canada from 2015 to 2021, was born in that kind of environment. It was not only a very good car, but it was also disrupting segments that had nothing to do with it. Here’s a fun fact about the MK7: when VW put it to market in Europe in 2013, Mercedes-Benz delayed the launch of its C-Class luxury sedan to improve it. That’s how strong the Golf’s ripples were.

It's fair to say then that the MK8 had big shoes to fill, which is why Volkswagen didn’t alter the overall package much. It’s about the same size as the old car but with a slightly more contemporary design language. It remains one of the cleverest hatchbacks on sale. Neither too big, nor too small, the GTI fits four comfortably, albeit having a slightly small rear seat. Its hatchback configuration also makes it ultra practical, yielding cargo space that’s on par with some small SUVs.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174901" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Guillaume-Fournier-Photographe-GFV_9994.jpg" alt="2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI" width="2080" height="1387" />

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174900" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Guillaume-Fournier-Photographe-GFV_9986.jpg" alt="2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI" width="2080" height="1387" />

Volkswagen understands not messing with a good recipe, which is why the car’s hardware is mostly carried over from before. The platform, an evolution of the old car’s (MQB Evo), was reinforced in key areas to improve chassis rigidity and solidity during a crash. Underneath the hood sits the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as before (EA888 Evo 4), but with significant improvements and more power.

Horsepower climbs from 228 to 241 and torque, from 258 to 273 lb-ft. The drivetrain can still be mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or, in this case, a 7-speed dual clutch automatic. Yes, the GTI is still front-wheel drive only via an electro-mechanical limited-slip differential. All-wheel drive is reserved for the almighty Golf R. But since the Golf GTI is a lighter car and its horsepower figures have gone up, its level of performance is almost in the same league as the R’s now.

A Frustrating Interior

Strapping yourself inside a Golf GTI is still a bit of a squeeze if you’re tall due to narrow door openings. Once inside however, the sport bucket seats offer great bolstering and lumbar support, albeit giving you an awkward feeling of kissing the ceiling. Visibility is however top notch in a GTI.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174886" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Guillaume-Fournier-Photographe-GFV_0002.jpg" alt="2023 Volkswagen GTI" width="2080" height="1387" />

This is where things sadly start falling apart. Not only is build quality not on par with what VW has accustomed us to in the past, the entire car’s controls are a total mess. For instance, the steering wheel is smeared with haptic feedback buttons that never seem to operate consistently. Sometimes they respond to the slightest touch, other times you might need to smash it.

On the centre stack, VW has eliminated pretty much all physical buttons, but left four quick keys to access various areas of the infotainment system, like climate, drive modes and driver assistance technology. Hitting a button will take a few seconds to open the desired screen, because it lags, especially when the car is cold.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174885" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Guillaume-Fournier-Photographe-GFV_0001.jpg" alt="2023 Volkswagen GTI" width="2080" height="1387" />

Volkswagen does at least leave a haptic slider to adjust audio volume and cabin temperature. The problem is that the slider doesn’t illuminate at night, so you’re forced to operate everything from that awful system. What’s more, removing the very intrusive driving aids will require you to repeat the operation each time you turn on the car. Because, no, it’s doesn’t remember your prior settings. After spending a week with the GTI, I was about to rip the screen out of the dashboard from frustration. It’s that bad. Luckily, Volkswagen announced that an update is coming to fix all of that.

The Drive is Still Sweet

Thankfully, once you’ve set everything to your liking in the cabin, the GTI lets you unwind by letting it loose on an open piece of tarmac. And my gosh does it deliver. The formula is still just right. The GTI pulls strong in any gear, with ample low-end torque and a willingness to rev to redline. The dual-clutch gearbox is a gem. It’s quick to respond, always knows what to do, and disappears in the background during casual driving. It’s so good, that I would consider choosing it over the manual.

Chassis tuning remains this car’s best asset. The Golf GTI’s suspension damping is both compliant during casual driving and stiff enough when pushing it through a mountain. That’s because it has adaptive dampers that alter their characteristics according to the selected drive mode. But even in the stiffest setting, the GTI rides smoothly, with a solid and mature feeling overall.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-174898" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Guillaume-Fournier-Photographe-GFV_9963.jpg" alt="2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI" width="2080" height="1387" />

Throw the GTI hard into a corner, and it claws the tarmac. The limited-slip differential allows you to gracefully carve your way around the bend. The GTI allows you to drive it like a hero, all the time. It’s a companion that’s always willing to follow you in your next crazy adventure. Once you’re done hooning it around, it becomes just another Golf. It’s discrete, comfortable, practical, and surprisingly thrifty. During my time with the car, in winter, I recorded a 9.0L/100 km average. For a powerful hot hatch, that’s more than decent.

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI feels like it was designed by two different departments that didn’t speak to each other until the end of the development process. On one side, the engineers developed a fantastic hot hatchback that’s quick, fun and composed. On the other, the people at the UX department appear to have never driven a car in their life. What I learned in my past career is that bad UX has the potential to ruin even the best products. The MK8 Golf GTI perfectly makes that point.
<h3>2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI</h3>
BODY STYLE: Five-door compact car

CONFIGURATION: Front engine, front-wheel drive

ENGINE: Turbocharged 2.0L I4 (241 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm / 273 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm).

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual clutch automatic

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 9.7 L/100 km (city) / 7.0 L/100 km (highway) / 8.5 L/100 km (combined).

OBSERVED FUEL CONSUMPTION: 9.0 L/100 km

CARGO CAPACITY 564 liters (977 liters total)

PRICE: $42,159 (as tested)

WEBSITE: <a href="https://www.vw.ca/en.html">Volkswagen</a>

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