Automotive News Canada - June 2017 - v2 - 24

2018 BUICK ENCLAVE

* JUNE 2017

The eight-passenger wagon that first arrived for the
2008 model year gets a complete redesign, including a
new luxury trim level called Avenir. The 2018 Enclave
has more passenger room and more cargo space
behind the rear bench seat. Weight has been cut by
about 300 kilograms. A 302-horsepower V-6 and a ninespeed automatic transmission are standard.

2018 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

Luxury and performance abounds in the first
new "Nav" in a decade. All seats are climate
controlled and power adjustable. There are also
plenty of USB and 12-volt outlets plus a 110-volt
plug. The sole powerplant choice is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V-6 that makes 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.

BMW 8 SERIES CONCEPT

2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

VW's redesigned small tall wagon is longer by 27
centimetres and has an 11-cm-longer wheelbase.
It arrives next year as one of the few models in
its class with a third-row-seat option. Cargo space
also increases by 57 per cent. The base powertrain is a 184-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre
four-cylinder that's mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive is optional.

The 6 Series coupe will be replaced with a brand new and more luxurious 8 Series
two-door in 2018. Drivetrains for the coupe - the first 8 Series since 1999 - haven't been
revealed, but the twin-turbocharged V-8 and V-12 engines that are currently available
in the BMW 7 Series sedans are the likeliest candidates. - ANC

Quebec love electrics, so it's first to get the Prius Prime
By KELLY TAYLOR
WINNIPEG CORRESPONDENT

TOYOTA'S LATEST PLUG-IN
hybrid, the 2017 Prius Prime, went on
sale in Quebec on June 1, a decision
by Toyota that was driven by the province's fervor for plug-in electric vehicles.
Toyota Canada said more than half
of all plug-in hybrids sold in Canada
are sold in Quebec, and sales are rising,
which is making the province a logical
place for the launch.
"Plug-in-electric-vehicle sales were
up 60 per cent in Quebec in 2016, more
than anywhere else in Canada," said
Jocelyn Daneau, Toyota zone manager
for the province.
"Quebecers were the first to
embrace these types of cars and
demand just keeps growing."
The Prime hits Quebec streets with

Demand in Quebec for electrified
vehicles "just keeps growing,"
according to Toyota Canada, which
is why the Prius Prime plug-in will be
sold there first. ( P H O T O : T O Y O TA )

an all-in price of $35,204, not including a $4,000 provincial rebate. A launch
date for other provinces has not been
announced.

MORE POWER, EFFICIENCY FOR TIGUAN
When the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
hits Canadian streets this summer, it
will have a 2.0-litre turbo engine, with
a twist.
VW's EA888 engine, first seen in
the 2009 Volkswagen CC, has 20 per
cent more torque (now 221 pound-feet),
yet is expected to have improved fuel
economy
thanks to
some trickery with
the intake
valves.
VW says
the engine The new Volkswagen
Tiguan has an engine
closes them with 10 per cent more
very early torque (it displaces 2.0
in the com- litres compared to the
bustion
outgoing engine's 1.8
cycle, and litres), but lowers fuel
that means consumption.
a faster air ( P H O T O : V O L K S W A G E N )
flow into
the cylinder, better mixing of fuel and
air, and a longer effective combustion
stroke.
The switch brings peak horsepower
(184) down to 4,400 rpm, 400 revs sooner
than the outgoing 1.8-litre turbo. Highpressure fuel injectors and a high 11.7:1

compression ratio contribute to the increased
performance.

ANDROID ON THE MOVE
Google's Android
operating system is making greater inroads into
automobiles, moving
toward parity with Apple's CarPlay.
Volvo announced that Android will
form the basis of its future infotainment system within two years.
As well, Ford is expanding its SYNC
3 operating system
to support
Android
Auto, starting with 2017
models, and
is offering
an update to
owners of
2016 models Android Auto is making inroads, with Volvo
to support
announcing that the
the change. infotainment interface
For the
will be intergrated into
first time,
its vehicles within two
Ford ownyears.
ers can
( P H O T O : V O LV O C A R S )
make this
update using WiFi (on WiFi-enabled
vehicles). Owners can also download the update onto their home computers and laptops and then install it
through the car's USB port. For those

less technically inclined,
their cars can be updated during a visit to a Ford
dealership.
SYNC 3 supports
Android and Apple CarPlay for all 2017 models.
For Volvo, Android
will reside in the car's
system. No support of Apple Car Play is
mentioned.

THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD
General Motors is hoping to do
its part to reduce environmental and
social impacts of the tire industry by
committing to fair-trade and net-zero
deforestation targets in sourcing natural rubber.
"Our supplier partners are an
extension of our company," said Steve
Kiefer, senior vice-president, global
purchasing. "We want to encourage
affordable, safer and cleaner options
for our customers that drive value both
to our organization and the communities we work [in]."
GM said it believes sourcing tires
that use sustainable natural rubber
will help the environment and improve
yield and quality for farmers. It would
also help mitigate supply-chain risk for
GM.
The automaker is working with
suppliers such as Bridgestone,
Continental, Goodyear and Michelin.
- ANC

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News Canada - June 2017 - v2