Automotive News Canada - October 2017 - v2 - 18

* OCTOBER 2017

NISSAN LEAF: The redesign of this popular electric vehicle dials in an actual grille that

helps the Leaf blend in with the rest of the Nissan family. Slightly larger than before, the
Leaf has up to 40 per cent greater range (240 kilometres) and 26 per cent more peak torque
(236 pound-feet). Base models will arrive well equipped with a number of autonomous-driving technologies, including a self-parking feature, offered as options. In 2019, Nissan plans
to offer a more-powerful-battery option that will extend the range to about 500 kilometres.

2019 MERCEDES-BENZ PROJECT ONE

2019 GENESIS G70:

Hyundai's evolving premium brand is
readying a sedan to compete with entry-luxury models such as
the BMW 3 series, Infiniti Q50 and Mercedes-Benz C class. The
G70's engine lineup consists of a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder making 248 horsepower, and a 365-horsespower twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V-6. Rear-wheel-drive is standard, but allwheel-drive can be had with either powerplant.

This Formula One-inspired two-seater launches in 2019
priced at US $2.7 million. The Project One uses a
700-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-litre V-6
engine, joined by a motor/generator
attached to the crankshaft. There's
another linked to the turbocharger,
plus a 161-horsepower motor at each
front wheel, for a combined 1,000plus horsepower. The planned
275-car run is sold out.

HONDA URBAN EV CONCEPT:

At first blush, this concept looks
like a modern version of a 1970s Volkswagen Rabbit, but not so. Honda
currently builds alternate-fuel and electric models and could expand on the
latter, if the Urban EV is any indication. The compact hatchback provides excellent sight lines in all directions, while the front seat is supposed to resemble a
sofa. Rear-hinged doors are said to make for easier entry and exit.

Jaguar's take on the future? You own the steering wheel
By KELLY TAYLOR

WINNIPEG CORRESPONDENT

JAGUAR RECENTLY UNVEILED
the Future-Type, a concept pointing toward a future in which drivers might only ever own a steering
wheel.
The Future-Type portends an
autonomous vehicle that is drivable
but also speaks to the anticipated
demand for shared mobility in the
future, using a steering wheel it calls
Sayer.
The voice-activated wheel can
summon a vehicle, play music, make
dinner reservations and keep track of
what's in your fridge. It also signals
membership in Jaguar's on-demand
service club, which lets you access
mobility through a fleet of shared
autonomous vehicles.
Sayer takes reservations, too, so if

Jaguar's Sayer is a concept of a
smart steering wheel that owners take
with them to use in shared vehicles.
(PHOTO: JAGUAR)

drivers/riders need to be at work at 8
a.m., it wakes them on time, arranges
for the on-time arrival of an autonomous vehicle and will point out parts
of the route they might enjoy driving
themselves.

SYSTEM MANAGES CUSTOMER TEXTS
TORONTO-BASED VENUEVISION
has launched a new texting system that dealerships can use to improve
communication with
customers, who increasingly prefer texting to
phone calls.
With their desktop
computers, dealership
staff can use AutoText to contact customers, whether advising when their
new car is ready for delivery, letting
them know if service work has been
completed, or requesting authorization for repair work. Service departments can send maintenance advisories and sales staff can follow-up with
prospects.
The system is two-way, letting customers text in requests for service
appointments or test drives.
It is also independent of any dealership management system.
According to J.D. Power's
Customer Service Index, 27 per cent
of customers owning mass-market
vehicles, 42 per cent of customers
owning premium vehicles and 41 per
cent of younger customers prefer

texts to phone calls.

INTERACTIVE TIRES CHANGE AS NEEDED
THE CONTISENSE AND
ContiAdapt concept tires recently
unveiled by Germany's Continental
AG propose two technologies to provide instant warning of punctures
and excessive heat, and to expand
the contact patch under
certain conditions to
increase grip.
ContiSense incorporates electrically conductive rubber compounds
used to instantly detect a
puncture, as well as provide real-time information on tire heat and tread depth.
Future applications include a way for
the tire to "feel" the road surface and
communicate with such systems as
electronic stability control.
ContiAdapt uses "micro-compressors" and a variable-width wheel to
change the size of the tire's contact
patch according to conditions. For
example, Continental says that on
slippery roads the wheel width could
be increased and the tire pressure
decreased to increase the size of the
tires' contact patch. On dry roads, a
narrower tire with higher air pressure provides greater fuel efficiency.

SOMETHING IS UP WITH THIS SEAT
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE (V2V)
communication might be the next big

Ford drivers wore a "seat suit" to test
new ways to communicate with pedestrians and cyclists. ( P H O T O : F O R D )

hurdle for autonomous vehicles, but
what about pedestrians and cyclists?
Ford is testing ways to let
self-driving vehicles communicate
with them to replace the common
hand wave to let someone cross the
street. Using what Ford calls a "seat
suit," the driver of a test vehicle is
concealed and a light bar is used to
convey three messages: the vehicle
is about to yield; start driving; or is
driving autonomously.
The test took place in northern
Virginia and logged more than 150
hours and 1,800 hours of driving. The
signals were activated more than
1,650 times, while cameras captured
360 degrees of reactions by other
drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
The next step is to analyze the
data collected. - ANC

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