Daily Archives: June 11, 2016
Say Hello To The New Ford Ka+
It’s time to say goodbye to Ford KA as it is about to be replaced by the new Ford KA+. Thankfully, we’re now allowed to bid farewell to the mildly disappointing car that is KA Plus’ predecessor, or even the quite good car that first wore the badge in the mid-90s.
The reason? The KA+ isn’t really a direct replacement for the KA, except maybe that it shares its name, according to a report. The outgoing KA is competing directly with the Fiat 500. They even share the same platform. The Ka+, on the other hand, will most likely go against the Vauxhall Vivas, Hyundai i10, and other cars in the segment.
The Ford KA+ is marginally shorter and taller than the ever-popular Ford Fiesta. But compared to other models, it will only have one option for now—a 1.2-liter four-cylinder that is closely related to Fiesta’s 1.25 that churns out 69 to 84bhp.
You’ll get a five-speed manual transmission gearbox with the KA+. That gives out 114g/km of CO2 and 56.5mpg. There are no details yet regarding performance, but the only thing we’re sure of right now is that the KA+ won’t be fast.
Inside, the car can fit five passengers, with plenty of cubbies and a 270-liter boot. It also gets Bluetooth connectivity, and Ford’s SYNC infotainment system for the high-end ones.
Reportedly, we’ll also see the MyFord Dock, which allows the driver and passengers to mount and charge mobile phones and portable navigation systems.
As for the exterior? Let’s just say it will take some time to get used to since it’s “unconventionally proportioned.” Ford promised, though, that it will deliver “fun-to-drive dynamics” that match the European market expectations.
The Plus, which is on sale in South America already, will be priced a little under £9K. It’s bound to enter the global market soon enough.
Is BMW Coming Up With A 4-Door M2 Gran Coupe?
Rumors have it that BMW is set to build a sedan version of the 2-Series, especially after the pronouncements made by the company’s head of development, Klaus Frohlich, to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.
With a sedan version of the 2-Series possible on the horizon, can we now dare to dream that a four-door BMW M2 Gran Coupe will also grace the company’s senses?
The UK publication Autocar believes that not only is a 2-Series Gran Coupe sedan possible, but an M version of it might also be in the works. Can you imagine what will be offered? You’ll get the M2 with a 365-horsepower engine, as well as two more doors.
It’s quite possible we’ll also see a hatchback version of the M2 Gran Coupe. That’s pretty incredible, right?
Reports also said that all versions of the 2-Series Gran Coupe will get an extended wheelbase, which would put the Gran Coupe somewhere between the regular 2-Series Coupe and the 3-Series Sedan. Both versions of the Gran Coupe are being planned for unveiling in 2019.
The expectation is that the four-door 2-Series would be sold in major markets since another model is bound to be exclusive to the Chinese market.
It can be remembered that late last year, BMW introduced the Concept Compact Sedan at China’s Guangzhou Auto Show. This has given us a preview of a Mini-based sedan with front-wheel drive. That would be the model built exclusively for the Chinese market.
The question, of course, would be the availability of the 2-Series sedan in the United States. Offering the 2-Series Gran Coupe in the US market would be wise step for BMW if it wants to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Audi A3.
However, this would pose a serious problem with the presence of the 3-Series in the market. A 2-Series Gran Coupe could potentially affect the sales of the 3-Series.
Volvo “90” Series Polestar Models Are Confirmed
Not only is Volvo’s “90” Series Polestar models confirmed, they will also produce 600 horsepower. This is after Volvo’s in-house tuner Polestar produced the S60 and V60 Polestar sedan and wagon, the company’s first dedicated performance offerings.
An official from the company has recently confirmed through a source that the development of the “90” series, which will also be receiving programming from Polestar. Volvo’s research and development head Peter Mertens said that Polestar’s versions of the S90 and the V90 will produce 600 horsepower.
This would make the two comparable to the offerings being made by Germany’s top luxury brands. What differentiates Volvo’s models would be the decision to have them come equipped with 4-cylinder based hybrid powertrains, instead of the V8 engines currently fitted in other models.
The non-Polestar S90 and V90 models we currently have in the market have the T8 Twin Engines as the most powerful drivetrains. These engines feature a turbocharged and supercharged 2-liter 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor to produce 410 horsepower.
Mertens said the same setup would be adopted for the Polestar models, although the internal combustion component will be replaced by a new 450-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with an electric-aided turbocharging system. The electric motor will be replaced by a more powerful 150-horsepower unit.
In 2014, Volvo already showed the 450-horsepower 4-cylinder, although no production plans have been announced yet.
There is no word yet on when Volvo is planning to launch the S90 and the V90 Polestar models. Mertens also didn’t say if these models would be available in the US, although they will assuredly be popular there since the S60 and the V60 enjoyed significant statuses there.
There is also no word yet if the XC90 would receive the Polestar treatment, although former Polestar boss Christian Dahl said it could very well happen in the future.