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Volkswagen has been showing a lot of concept-car flash in recent years, but now it appears to the Sleuth that a production model is close at hand. The Volkswagen ID Neo (its working title) was recently spotted in what appears to be close-to-final form, but wearing the usual camouflage covering. The small hatchback is roughly the same shape as the Volkswagen Golf, but a size or two larger. The ID Neo uses the same platform that will be the basis of other electrics, including a small sporty hatchback called the ID Crozz that’s expected to arrive for 2021, followed by the minivan-like ID Buzz that will follow about a year later.

New Corvette only slightly more costly than the current model?

The Sleuth reported that the upcoming mid-engine Corvette wouldn’t be revealed at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Instead, Chevrolet will stage a separate event this summer, but the company might show images of the production model earlier than that. The base price will reportedly be about $5,000 US (about $7,000 Cdn) more than the current C7 ‘Vette that lists for $67,200 in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, including destination charges and air-conditioning tax. The new car will also make a bit more power than the 6.2-litre V-8’s current 460 horses. That engine will eventually give way to a double-overhead-cam V-8 in both non-turbo and turbocharged formats. A hybrid powertrain is apparently also in the cards.

GMC appears to be working on a Blazer offshoot

The Sleuth’s intel gatherers are reporting that an all-new model from this General Motors division is headed for production. They’re also hearing that GMC will dust off the retired Envoy name and that the vehicle will be based on the new-for-2019 Chevrolet Blazer. This suggests the Envoy will get a base four-cylinder engine and an optional V-6. When/if the Envoy arrives — presumably for the 2020 model year — look for a base price that mirrors the Blazer’s, likely in the mid-$30,000 range.

Lamborghini builds its ultimate car

The Spymaster was blown away with the intel he received about the Italy-based company’s latest ultra-expensive, limited-production exotic. The unnamed model, which is rumoured to look similar to the automaker’s Terzo Millenio concept, will reportedly be priced in the $3-million US range. It will come with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a V-12 engine and at least one electric motor. Output is estimated at about 840 horsepower. In place of batteries, the Lambo will use super capacitors for energy storage. They allow high volumes of electricity to move quickly to the motor(s). A version of this system is expected to be part of the next-generation Aventador and Huracan sports cars. And in case you didn’t notice from the photo, the wheels and paint glow in the dark. The finished product will be revealed in March at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.

Lexus will offer a battery-electric vehicle

The Spy Guy’s sources have been flooding his email in-basket with info about upcoming models with electric running gear. One of the latest is from Toyota’s premium division, which is reportedly planning to launch an electrified version of the new-for-2019 UX compact utility vehicle. Dubbed the UX300e, the vehicle is rumoured to come with solid-state batteries instead of lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state batteries are claimed to be lighter, more compact, have greater storage capacity and are non-flammable. They also don’t tend to degrade as quickly. Although there’s no official release date, the UX300e is expected to go on sale in early 2020.

Ferrari opens a Michael Schumacher exhibit

Starting in early 2019, visitors to the automaker’s museum in Maranello, Italy, can take in a display dedicated to the seven-time Formula One champion’s career. Included will be a number of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari Grand Prix racecars that he drove from 1996-2006, along with various artifacts. Schumacher, who turns 50 in 2019, suffered a serious head injury in a fall while skiing in 2013 and remains in seclusion.

Continuing airbag-recall woes

Despite what seems like constant badgering by Toyota and Honda in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, many vehicle owners are not interested in the Takata-airbag recall affecting their vehicles. Perhaps they feel there’s no urgency since there have been no reported airbag malfunctions in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ (Takata airbags seem more stable in colder climes), but the problem is that the longer they’re in the car, the more likely they are to suddenly deploy and spray metal fragments. Most vehicles on the recall list are Hondas and Toyotas and both companies have launched aggressive campaigns to get the repairs done. Despite this, thousands of vehicles are still affected in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½. Worldwide, more than 290 injuries and 23 deaths have been linked to faulty Takata inflators.