Daily Archives: September 22, 2018
Land Rover Discovery Sport Updated For 2020 Model Year Unit
Land Rover is working on the next-generation Discovery Sport, which we expect to arrive a couple of years from now. While waiting, we are treated to a facelifted version of the current-generation Discovery Sport, which will pave way for the new generation model.
The prototype in the spy shots was wrapped heavily in camouflage but there were enough details to hint of changes made to the updated Discovery Sport.
Exterior
There are quite a few changes on the front of the updated Discovery Sport. Based on the test mule, there’s going to be a new look for the front fascia and a new grille. Right now, we can’t really say for sure how all these elements will look after the camouflage has been taken off. We can see that there’s a change in the lighting fixture through two horizontal LEDs at the bottom. The current-generation Discovery Sport doesn’t have those.
The profile looks similar to the one we have now, but the rear side will have no cutouts and there seems to be a pair of exhaust outlets on one side. Of course, since this is a “hybrid” test mule (as seen on a yellow sticker on the windshield), the lack of cutouts is expected.
Interior
The current-generation Discovery Sport has one of the most pristine cabins in the SUV segment, so we don’t expect much to change here since this is only an updated model. Coming standard, though, to the updated Discovery sports is a lot of “options” for the current generation. These luxurious features are the twin-needle-stitched leather, genuine metal interior trim, configurable mood lighting, and multi-zone climate control, among others.
Space will not be an issue because the updated Discovery Sport will sit on Land Rover’s version of the D8 platform. Not only will the ride be more comfortable, but there is also extra cargo space and enough room underneath to store the lithium-ion batteries for the hybrid version.
Drivetrain
The most important update will be the inclusion of a plug-in hybrid version. It will use the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ingenium engine that Land Rover began using on the model in 2015. The use of the Ingenium engine makes sense because it is so versatile it can come in gas or diesel variants and can be reconfigured to accommodate three-, five-, or six-cylinder options. It can also produce as little as 150 horsepower or as much as 240 horsepower.
What We Know About The 2019 BMW 8 Series Convertible
BMW has revived its 8-Series coupe as seen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Its dedicated racing version even competed in the prestigious race for GTE class for production-based cars. The flagship car will be seen in BMW showroom starting December and those with $112,895 to spare can have it in the M850i trim.
That’s not all. BMW is also treating us to a convertible version of the 8-Series. The original 8-Series, of course, never treated us to a convertible model so this is a welcome treat for BMW fans. We did get a prototype, but it never went into full production mode. That’s about to change now as a convertible version of the 8-Series was spotted.
The soft-top BMW 8-Series convertible has been spotted going around and it actually revealed way more details than we have anticipated. It makes sense for the German automaker to use a soft-top instead of a hardtop to keep the weight of the car down and preserve the original silhouette of the coupe version.
Similar to the coupe version, the soft-top convertible uses BMW’s CLAR modular platform. There are no clear details yet on the engine options for the 8-Series convertible but we expect to see the M850i coupe’s new twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 making 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. There should be one engine lower than the turbocharged 4.4-liter unit and we know for a fact that BMW plans on making a high-performance M8 convertible in the future.
The 8-Series range will be produced at BMW’s main plant in Dingolfing, Germany. The coupe should arrive in showrooms in December while the convertible will likely arrive next spring. Once in the market, the 8-Series will be competing with the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet.
After the 8-Series Convertible, BMW plans on making an 8-Series Gran Coupe while the sedan variant is due out next year.
Check out the new spy video of the upcoming BMW 8-Series Convertible here:
New Suzuki Jimny Gets Measly 3 Stars From Euro NCAP Results
The latest batch of Euro NCAP results has been released where both the Audi A6 and Volkswagen Touareg got the maximum rating of five stars. The Ford Tourneo Connect scored four, but the new Suzuki Jimny got a measly three stars.
The Jimny, which was received positively by the market, received a low score because of its adult occupation protection which was only at 73 percent. The test found out that the driver’s airbag will not quite inflate with enough pressure to stop the driver’s head from hitting the steering wheel rim. There is also a potential for deformity around the front door pillars in the front offset impact test. This resulted in a weak score for the driver’s torso. The front seats are only offering “marginal protection” in the event of a rear impact.
Child protection got a rating of 84 percent but scores were low in the vulnerable road users category because of stiff windscreen pillars. The lowest marks received came from safety tech category. The Jimny even got a horrid 50 percent based on the fact that its autonomous emergency braking system struggled to spot pedestrians in low light. It cannot detect cyclists as well.
Based on the NCAP results, the Audi A6 is the safest car with an adult occupant protection rating of 93 percent and a vulnerable road users percentage of 81. In terms of child protection and safety assist categories, the Touareg slightly outscored the A6. It got 86 percent on the child protection and 81 percent of the vulnerable road users. The Audi A6, on the other hand, got 85 and 76 percent, respectively.
The Ford Tourneo Connect got 92 percent on the adult occupant score but was awarded a four-star rating because it only got a 65-percent rating on the vulnerable road users category.
2019 Genesis G70 Pricing Details Revealed
The pricing details for the 2019 Genesis G70 are out, officially making its first step to wooing sport-luxury sedan buyers to shell out $35,895 for the 2.0T Advanced RWD trim, which is rated at 252 horsepower based on its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that’s paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Although it’s a base model, the Advanced trim still has the core luxury features such as the seats trimmed in leatherette, and the steering wheel and gear are finished in leather wrapping. The 8.0-inch infotainment unit and the suite of active safety features come as standard fit for the car.
The Advanced AWD trim, which will add an all-wheel drive and a heated steering wheel, will sell for $37,895.
The 2.0T Elite trim is where the South Korean luxury brand is putting all stops. On top of the standard features of the Advanced trim, the Elite will include parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a Lexicon 15-speaker audio system, leather seats (ventilated and heated), navigation, a sunroof, and full LED headlights. If you want the AWD for the Elite trim, it’s a $2,000 option.
The 2.0T Prestige trim, on the other hand, will add more to these nice features. It will come with a power driver’s seat cushion extension, Nappa leather with quilting, heated rear seats, a surround-view monitor, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display for a starting price of $45,895. It comes in AWD only.
If you want sportier trims, you better get your hands on the Dynamic, Sport, and Sport 6MT trims, which will be offered with the 2.0-liter inline-4 engine. The Dynamic starts at $44,895 and comes in AWD trim only, but it’ll have a limited-slip differential on RWD cars and 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin PS4 summer tires.
The Sport trim has a starting price of $45,895 but the AWD trim will raise the price to $47,895. It will build on the Prestige trim with an LSD and the Dynamic trim with its 19-inch wheels. However, the Sport trim will get a slew of other features such as copper bezel accents, dark-tinted taillights, Nappa leather with red or gray contrast stitching (if the buyer chooses a black seating surface), and alloy pedals.
The Sport 2.0T trim models are more affordable at $38,995 but will come without the special features of Brembo brakes, a multi-plate LSD, and a sport exhaust system.
Genesis G70 is also arriving with the option for the more powerful 365-horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Following the base price of $44,745 for the 3.3T Advanced model, the 3.3T Elite will sell for $46,495, the 3.3T Prestige for $48,995, and the 3.3T Sport for $50,495. AWD trim is an option of $2,000 for all models.
