The Spy Guy鈥檚 take on BMW鈥檚 newest 鈥渟port activity vehicle鈥� is that it鈥檚 a bolder, better model than the previous generation. Most noticeable is an enlarged version of BMW鈥檚 grille that also sits quite upright. The new platform that was originally developed for the automaker鈥檚 big 7-series sedan gives the X5 a longer, lower and wider look and very likely more space for occasional third-row-seat passengers. Turbocharged inline six-cylinder and V-8 models, producing 335 and 456 horsepower respectively, will be offered, each with standard all-wheel-drive. A plug-in hybrid option will follow, plus a more potent X5 M model. The X5 goes on sale in November.
Tesla Model Y is on the drawing board
Although seemingly mired in debt and with deliveries of the Model 3 electric sedan way behind schedule, Tesla head Elon Musk is teasing blurry images of an all-new model that鈥檚 expected to launch for the 2020 model year. The intel on the Model Y is that it will be a junior version of the Model X utility vehicle. The Model Y will also come with the 鈥渇alcon-wing鈥� (a.k.a. gullwing) rear doors that are hinged at the roofline, just like the Model X鈥檚 doors. It鈥檚 also likely that the Model Y will be assembled at a new plant 鈥� in North America or elsewhere 鈥� since the automaker鈥檚 current California factory is apparently at or near capacity.
The Nissan Kicks is a winner, but it has its flaws
The Sleuth recently drove the automaker鈥檚 new entry-level small utility rig and it鈥檚 good, despite a few notable shortcomings. The small-but-roomy wagon鈥檚 electric power steering assist (EPAS) feels too amped up, resulting in a numb feel. It reminds the Sleuth of older EPAS systems from other automakers, although those systems have since been improved or totally fixed. Another issue is the Kicks鈥� meek 125-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission that, like the EPAS, also feels behind the times. The lack of all-wheel-drive was explained by Nissan product planners as being unnecessary for most drivers鈥� needs. Those comments seems a bit convenient, since the Kicks鈥� Versa-sedan-based platform was never designed to be all-wheel-drive.
Making lane splitting safer for drivers of cars and motorcycles
According to the Sleuth鈥檚 sources, Ford might add a safety feature that alerts car drivers to motorcycle riders travelling from behind and between two lanes of slow-moving traffic (called lane splitting or lane sharing). The system, which can detect and could actually intervene to create more room for motorcycle riders, would likely tie in to the automaker鈥檚 forthcoming suite of active-safety tech called Ford Co-Pilot 360. It includes blind-spot warning and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking and automatic high- /low-beam headlights. Although lane splitting is not allowed in sa国际传媒, it鈥檚 currently only legal in California, although some other states don鈥檛 actually disallow it. California statistics indicate that fewer motorcyclists have been rear-ended by motor vehicles since lane splitting was allowed.
Could the Toyota Supra be heading to NASCAR?
The Spymaster鈥檚 insiders are hearing that the upcoming revival of the Toyota鈥檚 sporty model will be promoted through the NASCAR series in the same way Ford and Chevrolet promote the Mustang and Camaro brands. Currently, Toyota calls its 鈥渟tock cars鈥� Camrys, but there鈥檚 absolutely nothing 鈥渟tock鈥� about any of these cars; the names are applied simply as promotional exercises. Recently, Toyota also displayed its GR Supra Racing Concept at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, indicating that it intends to promote the Supra brand in European and North American road-racing series.
The return of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Have you seen the Netflix series in which comedian Jerry Seinfeld drives around with other funny people to get coffee? The sixth season of the show will be available today. Among Seinfeld鈥檚 guests this season are Dave Chappelle, Dana Carvey, Ellen DeGeneres and Tracy Morgan.
Cobalt-free lithium-ion batteries
Panasonic says it is developing a battery system that will virtually do away with cobalt, the rare metal that鈥檚 becoming increasingly expensive. That, and greater mass production of car batteries, should help reduce the cost of electric vehicles.
