Automotive News Canada - September 2022 - 14

14
* SEPTEMBER 2022
LUCID AIR SAPPHIRE: Launching next year to compete with
performance rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla, the
1,200-horsepower Lucid Air Sapphire will claim the title of world's
" most powerful " sedan, according to the automaker. Three motors
will turn the wheels, taking it to 60 mph (96 km/h) from rest in
less than two seconds, Lucid claims. This performance will not
come cheap: In Canada, the Air Sapphire will start at $327,500,
including $2,200 delivery.
LINCOLN MODEL L100 CONCEPT:
Ford's luxury division sees the future of
the sedan as fully autonomous, glassedin
and aerodynamic. Lincoln premiered
the big, low-riding Model L100 concept
in August. It's longer than the extended
Lincoln Navigator L utility vehicle.
The Model L100's front seat can be
flipped around to create a lounge-like environment. The self-driving sedan is
not intended for production. Its solid-state battery provides increased energy
density and lower charge times.
2023 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R: The latest hot hatch
from Honda has a familiar turbocharged 2.0-litre
four-cylinder engine, but it cranks out 315 horsepower
and 310 pound-feet of torque, up from the previous
306/295 ratings. The Type R is based on the new-generation
Civic and is therefore larger and heavier than
before. It requires proficient three-pedal drivers, as
a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching
is standard. No automatic is offered. Honda touts
numerous improvements, from the cooling system
to the steering and the brakes. The Type R is built
in Japan and arrives this fall. Pricing has not been
released.
CARS
&
CONCEPTS
By DAVID KENNEDY
2023 KIA EV6 GT: Unassuming mass-market
brand Kia is putting performance EV makers
on notice with the new 578-horsepower EV6 GT.
The most powerful production vehicle Kia has
ever built has front and rear motors driving all
four wheels. Other performance features, such
as a dedicated sport suspension and new GT
drive mode, differentiate it from the standard
EV6. The GT is scheduled to go on sale in the
fourth quarter. Pricing has not been released.
2023 BMW I4 EDRIVE35: BMW has opened the
order books for an entry-level version of the i4 battery-electric
sedan that will qualify for both federal
and provincial EV incentives. Equipped with
a single motor, the rear-wheel-drive 2023
i4 eDrive35 produces an estimated 281
horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
Priced at $54,990 plus $2,480 freight,
the sedan is just a few dollars below
Ottawa's EV-incentive threshold, making
it eligible for a $5,000 rebate plus as
much as $7,000 provincially (Quebec).
First shipments of the i4 eDrive35 are
scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.
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Flamand, the
former director
of product
and corporate
strategy, will
steer the fledgling
connected
digital experience
division as
executive director
of product,
corporate,
information
technology and
digital strategy,
the company
said Aug. 26.
Flamand also
heads Hyundai
Flamand:
Also in
charge of
IT, product
planning and
corporate
strategy.
PHOTOS:
HYUNDAI
CANADA
SC 13120
Canada's IT department and
oversees product planning and
overall corporate strategy.
To support Flamand, Jeff
Hewitt was appointed director
of connected and digital experience,
a bump up from his previous
role as national manager
within the same division. The
changes took effect Sept. 1.
" Their appointments represent
Hyundai Canada's steadfast
commitment to constantly
enhancing the overall experience
for both customers and
dealers, " company CEO Don
Romano said in a release.
Hyundai, with more than 225
franchised dealerships across
Canada, said
the new division
aims to
create " industry-leading
levels
of transparency
and
communication
between
customers and
dealers. "
Flamand
Hewitt: The
new director
of connected
and digital
experience,
in support of
Flamand.
joined
Hyundai in
February 2018
after 25 years
with General
Motors, where he held progressively
more senior positions
in North America, Asia and
Europe.
Hewitt has held jobs of " escalating
responsibility " since
joining the company in 2001.
He previously led Hyundai
Canada's customer experience
team and had been posted to
the company's sales, parts and
service, and retail advertising
departments. - ANC
ACURA PRECISION EV CONCEPT:
The luxury division of Honda is
co-opting the name of a short-lived
Ontario-built model as it prepares
to launch its first EV in 2024.
Acura announced a new incarnation
of the ZDX in August during
Monterey Car Week in California,
premiering the Precision EV
concept as the jumping off point.
Acura has released few details,
but the concept bears little resemblance
to the original ZDX, a crossover
hatchback that was built in
Alliston, Ont., for model years 2010
to 2013. The ZDX will be built in
partnership with General Motors.
http://www.JoeVerde.com/CAN33
Automotive News Canada - September 2022

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