A new year brings a whole new crop of cars to look forward to. Some are practically here now. Others we’ll have to wait until late 2021 to get our hands on as they’ll arrive as 2022 model years. Nevertheless, these are all models you should consider waiting for to arrive before making your next purchase.

Acura TLX Type S

While the much needed update to the Acura TLX arrived in late 2020, we’ve been patiently waiting for the top-tier Type S model to finally arrive in 2021. The Type S promises to pack a 3.0-litre V6 delivering 355 horsepower and 345 354 lb-ft. This means the TLX Type S should finally be able to compete against the Audi S4 and BMW 340i. That’s exciting. Very exciting.

Alfa Romeo GTV

This year, Alfa is set to revive the infamous GTV badge with a two-door coupe based on the Giulia platform. This means it will likely have a hot Quadrifoglio version (like the Giulia) and be offered with the beloved 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, offering up 505 horsepower. Considering the questionable design of the new BMW M4, you might just have to wait for the GTV if you’re in the market for a high scale GT coupe.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

The Tonale premiered in concept form way back at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show. However, production shots are now starting to leak across the Internet, so we can expect to see it arrive some time in 2021. The Tonale promises to be the baby-brother to the larger Alfa Romeo Stelvio, injecting some Italian flair into the increasingly competitive sub-compact SUV market. Fingers crossed for a Quadrifoglio version.

Audi e-Tron GT

Audi plans to expand its e-Tron line with inclusion of the e-Tron GT — which they say will go into production in early 2021 after impressing the crowds at this year’s LA Auto Show. The battery-powered sedan will be built on the same J1 electric platform as the Porsche Taycan. It also features a two-motor setup which could deliver a combined 590 horsepower. It also looks pleasingly tough for an all-electric vehicle.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

There have been a few disappointments with the performance Caddys in the last few years. First was the disappearance of the CTS-V, which proudly sported GM’s bonkers 6.2-litre, 640 horsepower V8. Then there was the Blackwing V8 engine, set to debut in the CT6-V, which was subsequently axed. Then the CT5-V debuted with 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 producing only 360 horsepower. Luckily, Caddy is bringing back the Blackwing name and an updated version of the 6.2-litre supercharged V8, which will now produce 650 horsepower for the new top-tier CT5. A Blackwing CT4 is also on the way.

Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06

The new mid-engine C8 ‘Vette may have debuted with a massive amount of fanfare, and certainly been able to meet (and indeed, exceed) performance expectations. But I suspect there will still be a good deal of buyer’s remorse (especially from those who paid well over MSRP to get their hands on their C8) when the new Z06 debuts. Latest reports have said that the Z06 will house a naturally aspirated 5.5-litre flat-plane twin-cam V-8 capable of screaming to 9,000 rpm and will debut for the 2022 model year.

Ferrari Purosangue

If there was any signifier that the SUV market was hotter than ever, it’s that even Ferrari feels compelled to get in on the action. The Purosangue will share a platform with the Roma GT — and while that means it could house a V6, V8, V12 or even plug-in hybrid system, it’s likely to stick with Ferrari’s current 3.9-litre V8 featured in the Roma. However, different architectures are possible for 2+2 or 4+ seating.

Ford Mustang Mach E GT Performance Edition

The review embargos on the very first Mustang Mach E SUVs have lifted, and journalists are finally starting to get their hands on the first electric Mustang. However, the one you really want, the super hot Mach E GT which Ford claims will do 0 – 60 in the mid-3 second range will debut in fall 2021.

Ford Mustang Mach 1

The original “Mach” badged Mustang is set to return in 2021, filling a gap between the Bullitt and GT350 models, while also somewhat replacing both of them. The Mach 1 is something of a parts-bin special. It will feature suspension bits and tuning, as well offer the beefier manual transmission from the GT350, but will however utilize the Bullittt’s 480 horsepower 5.0-litre V8 instead of the beloved 5.2-litre “Voodoo” V8 (RIP).

GMC Hummer EV

Another 2022 model year that is set to debut in late 2021. While the new Hummer will cost upwards of $80,000, it will also be fully electric (oh, the irony) and its top-tier model will make 1,000 horsepower, do 0-60mph in about 3 seconds and do an estimated 350 km per charge.

Honda Civic (11th Generation)

While it may be for the 2022 model year, you can probably expect to see the newest generation of the Honda Civic hit dealer showrooms sometime mid to late 2021. The redesigned Civic promises a sleeker, less busy design than the outgoing model. While no engine specs have been released yet, we suspect Honda will continue to evolve its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and save hybrid powertrains for the Insight. We’re also looking forward to the announced return of the Si and Type R models.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The concept vehicle unveiled for the return of the Grand Wagoneer is eye-wateringly attractive. And the prospect of a retro-styled, electric SUV is also somewhat tantalizing. Jeep has said the Grand Wagoneer Concept features AWD, an active two-piece transfer case and proper Quadra-lift suspension, which the production model will hopefully carry over. If it all delivers, it’ll be nice to have a modern, premium SUV in the market that can still do real truck stuff.

Lexus LQ

Speaking of premium SUVs, Lexus has been strangely dormant these last few years, relying mostly on their flagship LX SUV. However, the LX is gone for the 2022 model year, to be replaced by the new LQ. There is still a lot up in the air on the LQ — powertrain offerings could be derived from the LS, meaning a 416 hp twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic and a 3.5-litre V6 with two electric motors generating a combined 354 hp could be available.

Mercedes AMG-SL Class

After a hiatus beginning in 2018, the SL is set to re-launch in 2021 as a 2022 model. The AMG-SL class has a lot of heritage to live up to. And while recent SL models have lagged behind other two-door, four-seat grand tourers (notably, the BMW 8-Series) there’s a lot of hope for Merc’s new AMG-SL. We expect Merc’s turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, which produces 429 horsepower in the E53 sedan, as well as their twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, capable of 577 horsepower will make their way into the SL.

Nissan Z

We suspect this might be a firm 2022 release, but there’s still lots to learn about the forthcoming Nissan Z model in 2021. Will its 3.7-litre twin-turbocharged V6 make 400 horsepower as it does in the Infiniti Q60 Redsport? Will it be faster than the Toyota Supra? How much retro-styling will it retain from the Proto concept? The nameplate itself is also up in the air. Will it be the 400Z? Simply the “Z”? Time will tell. But we’re excited to learn more about this manual transmission (thank you) sports coupe.

Porsche 718 GT4 RS

For the car that’s supposed to live in the 911’s shadow, it’s really odd that Porsche continues to produce increasingly hardcore versions of the 718. The upcoming RS variant of the GT4 version is set to receive weight reduction, chassis stiffening and somewhere in the neighbourhood of 500 horsepower. It will arrive in late 2021, cost around $130,000 and, let’s face it, probably be amazing… despite the fact that most of us would probably rather have a well-specced 911 for that kind of cheddar.

Ram Dakota

The mid-size pick-up market is heating up again, and Ram is looking to get a piece of the action with the return of the Dakota nameplate. Don’t hold your breath for a HEMI V8 option. However the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 will most likely make its way to the platform as it’s most likely this baby Ram will share a platform with the Jeep Gladiator. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even get an e-Torque hybrid variant for some extra chuff.

Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86

Personally, this is my most anticipated car on the list. While it appears that Subaru-Toyota have restrained themselves with their redesign (thankfully not adding a great deal more horsepower or weight), the question remains as to whether the new Toybaru twins will be able to offer the same level of raw, analogue driving excitement as the original generation. Hopefully, 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque keeps the 2+2 sports couple firmly in the fun zone.

Toyota GR Corolla

A Toyota hot hatch that’s seeking to put the Golf GTI, Veloster N and Civic Si in its crosshairs? LET’S. GO. How could this not be great? Toyota hasn’t given away much about the GR Corolla, but if the GR Yaris is any indication, the GR Corolla may receive the same 257-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Couple that with a 6-speed manual and a $35,000 price tag, and you’ve got a recipe for smiles.

Volkswagen ID.4

VW’s decision to name their new electric crossover SUV like a smartphone or gaming console I’m sure is the work of some overpaid marketing think tank. Still, an all-electric, AWD compact SUV promises to further democratise the EV market by creating a more entry level electric option for the masses. Reviews are trickling in now for the ID.4 and it should be showing up in VW showrooms early 2021.

Volkswagen Golf R

The Golf R has always somewhat lived in the Honda Civic Type R’s shadow. However, with the Type R on a quick hiatus for the 2022 model year, it just might be the forthcoming Golf R’s time to shine. The all new 5th generation Golf R will sport a turbocharged 2.0L TSI engine set to produce 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Power will be delivered through an updated 4MOTION AWD system. It will also have something called a ‘rear axle torque vectoring function” which helps with cornering, apparently. At any rate, it sounds most excellent and definitely worth waiting for.

The post 21 Cars to Look Forward to in 2021 appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Of the literally thousands of press events I’ve covered over my career, a handful still stand out. One such was about 20 years ago, when General Motors showed off the Night Vision system that was available in their Cadillac Sedan de Ville.

The system, based on thermal imaging, used infrared cameras to detect differences in heat signatures beyond the range of human vision. The scene was Shannonville Motorsports Park, east of Belleville. A Caddy was parked facing south with its headlights on. We could see nothing beyond the range of those headlights.

Then they switched on the Night Vision system. An image of a man walking in front of the car – a set-up by GM – came into view on the screen. Yikes! This car could literally see in the dark.

But wait – there’s more.

Also on the screen we could see other images moving in the farther distance. What, could this system also pick up ghosts? It took a while for even the GM people to realize that these images were cows, grazing in a pasture across Highway 2. Must have been over a kilometre away.

Amazing.

Different technologies can accomplish similar results. At least on TV shows – a well-known source of accurate research – night vision cameras can spot lost children in the woods at night from airplanes hundreds of metres in the air.

With considerably more credibility, R.C.M.P. drug-sniffers can fly over a residential area and spot grow-ops simply from the heat signature generated by the heat used to help grow the plants. I used to wonder if my Mom’s house was ever spotted – she grew ferns from spores in her basement that was wall-to-wall with fluorescent light fixtures I had installed for her.

Several other vehicles – Audi, Acura and Infiniti come to mind – have offered similar systems over the years. Cadillac actually discontinued Night Vision after four years, but later brought it back. It was on a couple of recent Caddies I’ve tested, although frankly, I forgot to check out how well these newer systems worked.

This all came back to mind when I was sent a device to test (despite the name of this section, we don’t only test items with four round things with black rubber around them).

It’s the “Lanmodo Vast – 1080P Automotive Night Vision” system. It can be installed in any car, truck, ATV, anything that moves and has a 12-volt plug available.

The unit appears to be well made, and is dead simple to install. A non-slip pad will stick to just about any dash surface, and the unit slides right into that. You plug it in to your vehicle’s 12-volt outlet, switch it on, and you’re set to go. An alternative power source is the OBD (On Board Diagnostics) plug, for which a fitting is also supplied.

Heck, they even include a small Phillips screwdriver to attach the various bits.

You can also hang the device upside down from your rear-view mirror or from a multi-adjustable fitting with a suction cup, if that fits your vehicle better. Fortunately, there is a switch that flips the image so you don’t have to stand on your head to view it. Why there is also the option of mirror-imaging the display is less clear…

“Vast” uses low-light imaging technology, which differs from the units the cops or other car night vision system use, which are typically laser- or infrared-based. The advantages appear to include brighter images, and lower cost. I fitted it first to my own Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon, and also to a Mitsubishi Outlander I had on test. It looked – well, OEM (“original equipment”).

I didn’t bother installing it permanently – this system will probably last longer than my poor VeeDub will, and I wasn’t about to start hacking away at the trim bits of a test car. But it wouldn’t take anyone well-versed in automotive interiors – a radio installer, for example – to do a factory-like install.

Or, you could leave it as a temporary add-on – one of the advantages of an after-market system like this over a factory set-up is it can fit any car. Factory systems are only available on certain vehicles that may not be on your list.

Also, you can move this one from car to car, and keep it for your next car when your trade in.

On the road, the Vast gives a clear, full-colour view of what’s ahead of you (or behind you, if you hook up the rear vision feature, which

I did not…).

I’m on record about a million times that I dislike head-up displays which clutter the field of vision in your windshield. Vast differs because you can mount the screen well off to your right; I found it minimally distracting.

Taking photos of this system is tricky – I did the best I could with my cell phone. Playing around with the contrast and brightness controls can help improve the image quality.

But I can tell you that the system gives you a clear view of what’s coming up ahead, in daylight, at dusk, even in near-complete darkness.

Some of the videos on the company’s web site do a better job than I could anyway of showing what the images look like. These are clearly from customers, not from pro video shooters, so my apologies in advance for some of the editing and the language…

Also, not even my kids know what “minty” means – one of the words used on these videos – but apparently it is an adjective that means “good”. It wouldn’t be a Kenzie review without suggestions for improvement.

The device is made in China, and as is often the case in that scenario, the instruction manual is less than clearly written. Nor is it comprehensive. The buttons that govern its operation are tiny, not well marked, and I found them confusing. Familiarity helps. And because the buttons are on the device which may be more than an arm’s length away, a remote control might be a useful addition.

So, how much?

Therein hangs another tale.

On that Lanmodo web site, the current price is showing as $499 U.S., marked down from $599. You apparently can order direct from that website, or from Amazon. There’s also a banner on the website that says there is a “Super Early Bird Price of $199″. When you click on that link, it takes you to the”indiegogo.com” website, that to my eye, untrained in the vagaries of web purchasing, suggests the device is available for a mere $119,630 CDN. Geez, are they selling the entire company?

Turns out indiegogo.com is some kind of crowd funding site that appears to have nothing at all to do with selling car safety devices. I have no clue about any of that.

But if you would like to be a safer driver at night, you should look into the Lanmodo Night Vision camera.

The life you save, could be mine,

The dashcam was provided to the writer by the manufacturer. Content and vehicle evaluations were not subject to approval.

The post Carte Blanche – Seeing in the Dark appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Electric vehicle maker Canoo revealed a pair of electric commercial van models that look to be coming to Canada shortly after their U.S. production start in 2022. The vans, called the MPDV1 and MPDV2 are all-electric, built on a chassis intended solely for EVs, and offer cargo-friendly features like a high roof, roll-up door, sliding ramps, and other accessories that would normally be aftermarket features. City-friendly steering is available thanks to a variable-ratio and steer-by-wire rack. More than 15,000 L of cargo space is available in the larger of the two vans, and with 40, 60, and 80 kWh battery packs available estimated range is as high as 420 kilometres. Though the smallest pack in the largest van still allows for 146 km of range, plenty for most parcel delivery routes, and boasts a higher payload capacity.

Mercedes-Benz says it will have four new electric vehicle launches wearing the EQ brand during 2021 and two more in 2022, built at factories across the globe including in the U.S. The biggest is likely the EQS full-size flagship sedan, sharing a platform with the conventional S-Class. An EQA compact electric crossover is set to debut next week, the first electric A-Class. An EQB will follow later in the year. Last for 2021 is an EQE, the electric E-Class. For 2022, U.S.-built EQE SUV and EQS SUVs will arrive, again sharing an assembly line with their gas counterparts.

A settlement involving Hyundai and owners of certain 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre four-cylinder engines found in various 2011 through 2019 model- year vehicles has been reached, covering four class-action lawsuits in Canada. Owners of vehicles with the engines, called “Theta II,” and installed in 2011-2019 Sonata, 2013-2019 Santa Fe Sport and 2014, 2015, and 2019 Tucson models, can choose to submit claims, exclude themselves, or object to the settlement. The suit claims that the engines can suffer from seizure, stalling, failure, and/or fire, while Hyundai denies the allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid further costs and risks. The settlement provides warranty extensions, a software update, compensation for repairs, and other compensations for owners. The settlement must be approved by the courts, which is expected to happen in February.

Honda is recalling close to 100,000 vehicles in Canada, including some Acura models, for an issue with front axle shafts on 2007-2015 vehicles. Those cars, including 2007-2014 Honda Fit, 2012 Civic Hybrid, 2013-2015 Acura ILX and 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles have front axle shaft paint that could be damaged by road debris. Missing paint could lead to corrosion, which could eventually lead to the shafts breaking and a loss of power to the wheels or a vehicle rolling away while parked. Honda will notify customers by mail with instructions to head to a dealer for inspection and possible replacement of the axles.

Volkswagen of America has just launched a cool augmented reality experience that lets you look at the electric ID.4 crossover as well as the upcoming Taos compact crossover from the comfort of your driveway. Using your smartphone, the mobile experience lets you look “around” the cars from your couch or driveway, or, really, anywhere. The browser-based system lets you change paint colours and wheels, and lets you see the interior of the vehicles as well. VW said that depending on feedback, they could expand the AR system that could include other vehicles and improvements to the product.

The post News Roundup: EV vans, Mercedes-EQ models, Augmented Reality Showroom and More appeared first on WHEELS.ca.

Each year in December, Toronto Life magazine publishes a list called the 50 Most Influential Torontonians. Dean Stoneley, president of the Ford Motor Co. of Canada, which employs 7,000 people and is leading the electric vehicle and electric battery revolution in Ontario, came in at No. 42, 36 places behind Dan Levy, who created the TV show Schitt’s Creek.

Stoneley needn’t feel ashamed. Levy finished ahead of Mayor John Tory, too.

And despite $1.8 billion pledged to revolutionize the manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries at a revamped Oakville manufacturing facility that involved negotiations (and money) from the federal government (Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and industry) and Queen’s Park (Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade), not to forget the president of Unifor, Jerry Dias, Stoneley was the only one of them named to this year’s list.

I might be biased, but in keeping with the green revolution sought by so many of the people who read that magazine, the rescue of much of the automotive industry in this province – in fact, the rescuing of pretty much the entire Ontario economy – seems to me to be more important for inclusion on that list than half the Toronto Raptors, Drake and the ever-present Margaret Attwood and Chrystia Freeland.

In any event, in its mini profile of Stoneley, Toronto Life noted that Ford Canada had produced more than 2.75 million face shields to help in the fight against COVID-19. Naturally, when I had a chat with him the other day, I asked him about that, particularly whether they had managed to sneak a Ford promo onto the shields.

One thing I particularly like about Stoneley – we drove around in a Ford for a video in advance of the Canadian International Auto Show in February – is his sense of humour. “We’re just winding that down,” he said. “But yes, there was a little Ford logo on it. We took the premier (Doug Ford) down to Windsor and he enjoyed seeing that,” he added, laughing.

The young president – he began his career with Ford in 1992 and served in sales and marketing in Canada, the United States, South Africa, South Korea, Japan and China before taking over the top job in Canada two years ago come February – said that Ford Motor donated hundreds of thousands of the masks to their dealers around the province and had a contract with Ottawa, but it was just ending.

“We’re not doing that any more,” he said, adding that, “we still have the capability, though, if called upon again.”

One thing they are not ending, however, is the transition to electric car and battery production at Oakville that, if everything goes as planned, will see the first BEVs rolling off the line in 2024, or thereabouts.

“The whole team here is really energized with the plan for Oakville,” he said. “There’s no question, for us, that electricity is the future for all the right reasons, in terms of the environment and the planet. We’re really energized and Oakville is part of that really exciting automotive future with Ford being 100 per cent dedicated to Battery Electric Vehicles.”

I asked him if Ontario could become a centre for BEV production in North America – the go-to place for manufacturing and raw materials for battery production. He said he thought so and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ford, Bains and Fedeli share his company’s vision.

“The support they gave us is crucial to making all this happen,” he said. “And yes, I think there is a larger ambition there. We would want to continue to work with all levels of government on what that larger ambition could be. I think Oakville is Step One in that journey, which is anchoring an assembly plant here in Ontario where we’ll be assembling battery packs, a first for Canada.”

Stoneley said there have been very preliminary discussions held with government concerning what could be called the next step. But it would be a huge project, in any event.

“(From) the minerals in the ground to full batteries – there’s a really big undertaking there, he said. “I’m not an expert when it comes to mining but what I would focus on is scale. I would be very excited if other companies decide to electrify their vehicles in the province, which would provide more scale and that would benefit everybody.

“We’re always on the lookout for innovative and cost-effective supplies and while I think it might be premature to draw any conclusions around that, we would clearly like to be part of that discussion.”

Stoneley said Canada has all the right ingredients. “We’ve got an incredible work force here but also in terms of academia and R&D and access to just amazing talent,” he said. “We’d love to be a part of that journey in terms of how big this could get.”

The president said he’s not too concerned – yet – about the lack of infrastructure across the country when it comes to powering electric vehicles. “We’re working at creating that charging network,” he said, adding that Ford has an app that gives its customers access to charging locations – 13,000 of them across North ‘America including 4,000 in Canada.

“I don’t think infrastructure is the primary constraint (to commercial success) at this point,” he said. “The value equation is there and as people start buying Battery Electric Vehicles, I believe the infrastructure will come along as a partnership between industry and government.”

Stoneley said that while the Edge will continue to be built at Oakville in the short term, “our plan is to phase out internal combustion engine-powered cars entirely and just go with the BEVs. It will be a dedicated BEV plant. There will be several products coming out of it, not just one. There will be a range of products but all will be dedicated BEVs.”

The president said he, personally, was enthusiastic about what was happening within Ford.

“We’re excited about electrifying our commercial fleet, for instance. It’s exciting to see that take shape. It’s going to transform the whole industry in terms of commercial worksites and just the capabilities that those vehicles are going to bring. It’s really an exciting time to be in this industry, to be right here during this transformation to electrification.”

If this transformation is as successful as he thinks it will be, and he keeps talking the way he has to this point, Toronto Life is going to have to include Stoneley on their list again next year.

They might even put him ahead of Dan Levy.

Norris McDonald Special to Wheels.ca

The post Ford’s Stoneley thinks Ontario could be BEV Centre appeared first on WHEELS.ca.