The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
{also piping hot}
Toyota’s latest sports-car tease: The Sleuth is hearing that the Japan-based automaker might be preparing to bring more than one sporty car to market. We already knows that the Supra is a go and will likely arrive within the next 12 months, and Toyota is now also showing the GR HV
Sports Concept in its home country. Since the show car is built on the bones of the
Toyota 86 that was previously labeled the Scion FR-S, it’s logical that the GR
HV (the GR stands for Gazoo Racing, which is Toyota’s competition arm) could become the next version of that coupe. Interestingly, the targa-roof model has a hybrid powertrain with the batteries located in mid-platform to keep the center of gravity low and the front/rear weight distribution close to even. Since the current Toyota 86 is likely to stick around for at least another two model years, its replacement could arrive for 2020.
Fiesta on life support; Focus gets bigger: That’s the word from the Spy Guy’s mole within the Blue Oval automaker’s product planning lair. Word is that the little Fiesta is lacking in more than size; it also hasn’t been selling very well. As a result, we’re not likely to see it around once the current generation fades out after the 2018 model year. The good news is that the next-size-up Focus will arrive for 2019 in a slightly larger size (i.e. longer and wider) and will have more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Both the higher-peforming ST and RS models will return, but perhaps a year or so after the launch of the new platform. A wagon version of the Focus is also in play, but it’s not clear if that body shape will wind up in North America.
Next Jetta will have more panache: The Sleuth thinks that the current version of Volkswagen’s entrylevel sedan is on the plain side, but his sources claim that that will definitely change with the arrival the allnew 2019 model.
Reports are that the Jetta will undergo a transformation along the lines of the Midsize Coupe
Concept that was first shown in 2014.
Although not dramatically different, the reshaped and slightly larger body will be different enough to generate second glances. There won’t be anything too dramatically different under hood as both the turbocharged 1.5- and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines are in play, and there will definitely not be a turbo-diesel. Polestar shows potential new flagship model: Volvo — controlled by Geely of China — recently stated it would launch a new sub-brand that will focus on plugin-hybrids and pure electric propulsion. Now, Your Obedient Sneak believes that he has witnessed the birth of the brand’s flagship model. The made-in-China Polestar 1 2+2 GT coupe’s body is primarily made of lightweight carbon fiber. The fourcylinder gas engine will be teamed with an electric motor powering the rear wheels to make an estimated 600 net horsepower. When fully charged, it will be capable of operating for 90-plus miles on battery juice alone. The Polestar 1 will be followed by an all-electric sedan and utility model following its 2019 debut.