Daily Archives: September 28, 2018
Will There Be A Manual Transmission For The 2019 Toyota Supra?
The long journey of the 2019 Toyota Supra from concept to production is nearing its end and with it comes the possibility that the car will arrive with an option for manual transmission.
At least, that’s what Supra project head Masayuki Kai told Road and Track during a conversation. But if you want this to happen, you have to let Toyota hear your voices. The only way the manual gearbox will be available for the Supra is if Toyota sees the market demand. The possibility of a Supra with manual transmission is entirely dependent on the reaction to the car, specifically the standard version that has an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The fact that Toyota has already developed the hardware is even more exciting news but you have to hold your breath because the Japanese carmaker said that the currently available hardware is for the right-hand drive market. It’s not clear whether Mr. Kai means that it will only be available for the right-hand drive market or it will be an option also for other markets like the United States.
Supra project’s chief engineer also hinted that the production of a manual-transmission Supra must fall within financial reasons, meaning that it’s expensive for Toyota to produce this mechanism for the masses. If it is offered, it might only come as a special edition of 100 units, so the company can spend less in “tooling.”
Right now, what we know about the Supra is that it will be powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine that makes more than 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque (there’s no exact figure from Toyota yet). If Toyota wants to increase the power and compete with others in the segment, an insider told Top Speed that the Toyota Supra can accommodate up to 500 horsepower.
2019 BMW i3 Comes With A 153-Mile Range
The 2019 BMW i3, which is starting its production in November, will come with a 153-mile range, thanks to its bigger battery that features a 42.2-kWh capacity. This is the second time that the German brand upgraded the i3’s battery since it was launched in 2014.
The last time the i3’s battery was updated was in 2017 when a 33-kWh battery was added to bump the range electric car’s range to 115 miles. This upcoming update will mark a 30-percent improvement over the previous 94-Ah battery (that makes 115 miles). The first battery that the i3 came with it in 2014 only offers a range of 81 miles.
The 42.2-kWh battery is set to be the standard across the range, meaning that the i3 REX range-extended model might see a similar boost in its range and output. BMW didn’t say how much range should be expected, though we expect the same improvement. According to a recent study by the EPA, the most recent iteration of the range extender added 66 miles of range. If you add that to the new battery’s estimated range, it means we’re looking at a 2019 range extender that can drive as far as 219 miles.
The sportier i3 will also use the same battery pack. The standard i3 will be powered by an electric motor that produces 170 horsepower, just enough to get this electric car to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds. In the sportier trim, the electric motor provides 181 horsepower and can sprint to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.
There are other updated to the 2019 BMW i3 aside from the battery. There will be a new exterior color called the Jucaro beige metallic and the Mega World trim now gets an optional interior package that is lined with brown trim, grey vinyl, and brown cloth. Other features are LED headlights with cornering lights and automatic high beams, BMW’s iDrive 6.0 infotainment system, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless charging tray.
There is no information yet on the release date of the new i3. The pricing should also be announced closer to the actual on-sale date.
Next-Gen Honda Fit Spotted
We are not going to see the next generation of the popular subcompact Honda Fit or Jazz in other countries until at least 2020, but it’s nice to know that the Japanese automaker is testing a prototype on public roads.
The next-generation Fit, which will replace the current-generation subcompact launched in 2015, was spotted wearing heavy camouflage in a series of spy shots . That did not stop us, of course, from getting hints of what’s to come and these are a completely redesigned Fit with a very different shape from the current model.
Instead of the sharp nose, the next-gen Fit might have a flatter-looking front with the headlights and taillights taking on a more horizontal-looking appearance. This is important to note because taking on a horizontal orientation will give the Fit a more mature look than previous and the current model.
These little details might change as the model moves closer to the production date but what is interesting to note is the changes on the rear end. It appears, at least for now, that the rear end will stand more upright than the slope orientation of the current model.
The car’s profile appears lower because of the skirts and the bumpers that extend downwards. This hints that the next-gen Fit will have a more aggressive and sportier look. The Fit remains true to it being a subcompact car. It still looks small, which Honda is pressured to do so after making the Civic a much bigger car.
We don’t have enough information about the powertrains that the new-gen Fit will come with, but we believe it will probably get a gasoline and a hybrid option eventually. The gas engine might be the 1.0-liter boosted three-cylinder that Honda is using in other markets now. There is also the possibility of an all-electric version for the redesigned Fit but until we see something substantial from Honda, we’ll hold our thoughts on that.
INKAS Releases AR App For Its Armored Vehicles
Not to be outdone by the high-tech smart cars, hypercars, and even crossovers of today’s auto industry, Canada’s armored vehicle maker, INKAS, released an augmented reality app that will allow anyone to view the INKAS Sentry MPV and the INKAS Sentry APC online in a three-dimensional, 360-degree environment.
Launched recently and now available for download in the App Store and Google Play , the augmented reality app will bring the armored vehicle industry closer to its intended market. It is the first of its kind in the industry, according to a statement from INKAS, and gives anyone the ability to view INKAS’ vehicles anytime, anywhere.
AR is not a new technology by any means of the word. In fact, it has been increasingly present in films, social media, video games, healthcare, and even interior design, but INKAS wants to use augmented reality to provide a new way for people to experience its vehicles.
Through the app, interested people can virtually step inside the vehicle and check out the vehicles. This does not only give the target market the flexibility to shop around without the need to visit the actual showroom but they can also envision the vehicle in real time anywhere in the world.
One of the main features of the app is the ability to change the vehicle’s finishing with spray paint. This custom-design feature aims to add fun to the “window shopping” experience. It also allows prospective clients to see how the color can change the look and feel of the vehicle.
The app also allows interested groups to navigate the vehicles’ “protective features” through the Features mode, which provides visual cues and descriptions of the vehicles’ features. Among the protective features are reinforced ballistic glass and blast protection.
