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With the Jaguar I-Pace crossover hitting dealerships this fall, BMW is hard at work on its own electric SUV, as these new spy shots show. Our spies in Germany have caught the upcoming BMW iX3 conducting tests on public roads, and based on this prototype, it doesn’t look like we’ll have to wait long to see the production version.

BMW revealed the electric iX3 concept in April, looking almost production-ready. The production version is expected to share many of the same underpinnings as the regular X3, but with a specially developed rear axle subframe and chassis accommodations for the battery pack.

The concept utilized a 70-kilowatt-hour battery that powered a 270-hp electric motor. Using the global WLTP cycle, BMW estimates a driving range of about 249 miles, but we can’t say how that will translate to the EPA scale. The automaker claims the crossover is compatible with 150-kilowatt fast-charging stations, and can juice up to a full charge in as little as 30 minutes. Though those specs seem plausible for a production version, things may change going from concept to reality.

Don’t expect too many odd EV styling quirks, as the iX3 prototype in these photos looks much like the conventional X3. Still, expect blue exterior accents, aero-optimized wheels, and a unique “i” brand kidney grille to separate the EV from the rest of the X3 lineup. The crossover will be built in Shenyang, China, and is part of BMW’s plan to add 12 all-electric vehicles to its lineup by 2025.

For some comparison, the Jaguar I-Pace is powered by two electric motors that generate 394 hp and has a driving range of about 240 miles. Mercedes will reveal its first all-electric vehicle next week, the EQC crossover, which is based on the GLC-Class. The EV will develop about 400 hp and be capable of driving about 200-240 miles on a single charge.

By the time the iX3 launches in 2020, the crossover will have additional EV competition from other automakers. We’ll see if BMW’s offering can carve out a niche for itself in a segment that’s getting more and more crowded by the day.

Photo source: CarPix

The post Spied! All-Electric BMW iX3 Caught Testing appeared first on Motor Trend.

Our Honda CR-V LX has been with us for about two months now, and we’ve finally taken it to the track. I also had the chance to drive the CR-V with the 1.5-liter turbo engine the same day as my CR-V equipped with the 184-hp 2.4-liter engine, and I noticed very similar driving dynamics.

Both CR-Vs accelerate smoothly off the line, providing decent power to the wheels. The CVT revs quickly and is a little noisy on the LX, but the power is quickly felt inside the cabin. Our LX went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds; that’s only 0.2 second behind our long-term 1.5-liter CR-V. To be fair, the Touring model we tested was equipped with AWD and better finishes than our bare-bones FWD LX, having a weight difference of 197 pounds.

The 2018 CR-V LX is also 1.2 seconds quicker to 60 than our previous long-term 2015 CR-V AWD, which we also named SUV of the Year. (It carried the same 2.4-liter engine as our 2018 LX.) When we had our long-term 2012 CR-V FWD (pre-refresh), we got from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. That model was equipped with the 2.4-liter engine producing 185 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque mated to a five-speed automatic. That’s a noticeable amount of progress in just a few years, and that’s one of the reasons the 2.4-liter is still alive despite its age.

On the street, we’ve noted some vibrations when driving on poorly maintained pavement, and the noise that comes into the cabin can be a little too much. The tire and wind noise in the cabin definitely makes us miss the sound-deadening materials found on higher-end models. The steering feels light, and even with front-wheel drive, the CR-V feels planted on the corners.

Noise aside, so far we’re pretty happy with the way the CR-V LX drives in the city and on highways. In the coming months, we’ll take a closer look at the interior and the features in the base model.

• Arrival

The post 2018 Honda CR-V LX FWD Long-Term Review Update 1: Driving Dynamics appeared first on Motor Trend.

As I exit a corner with my foot nailed to the floor and all the nannies switched off, I can’t help but mutter to myself, “So much grip.” The new 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE oozes it. The car combines the 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and the wizardry of the famed 1LE Performance package, which is a thing of beauty, even with the least powerful engine option. The ZL1, SS, and V-6 have had their turn; now it’s time for the base engine to get the track treatment.

Producing 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, the Turbo 1LE isn’t a straight-line speed brute, though Chevrolet claims a pretty quick 5.4-second 0–60 run. Instead, it shines in the corners. During my time in our former long-term 2016 Camaro SS, power oversteer was a worry when pushing the V-8 version hard through corners. But this isn’t the case with the Turbo 1LE. I found myself eagerly applying full throttle exiting corners, not fearing the worst. If I’d driven the SS that way, the ditch on the side of the road would’ve been my next stop. You might miss the power of a larger engine on a straight stretch of road, but the coupe makes that up with impressive cornering control. Three sports cars with “low” power outputs and superior cornering capability come to mind: the Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota 86. But the Camaro is quicker and more powerful than those three and has a lower starting price than their top trims. If you’re curious, the above SS hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and produces 455 hp from its 6.2-liter V-8.

The $4,500 1LE package (available on all LT trims) gets you Camaro SS suspension components, including larger-diameter front and rear stabilizer bars, uniquely tuned dampers, stiffer rear cradle bushings, and upgraded rear toe links designed to improve lateral stiffness. The goodies continue with lightweight 20-inch forged aluminum wheels shod in Goodyear Eagle F1 Run Flat summer tires (245/40R20 front, 275/35R20 rear), a mechanical limited-slip differential, track cooling package (engine oil, differential, and transmission coolers), short-throw shifter, dual-mode exhaust system, an upgraded fuel system borrowed from the SS (for high-load cornering), and Touring, Sport, and Track drive modes. If that’s not enough, Competition mode enables launch control and displays performance instrument readouts and shift lights. Recaro seats, a suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, and a suede-covered gear shifter are extra. Outside, you won’t find “Turbo” or “1LE” badging. Instead, the hood, front splitter, and three-piece spoiler are wrapped in satin black, distinguishing the Turbo 1LE from other, less track-focused Camaros.

To get us behind the wheel of the Camaro Turbo 1LE, Chevrolet invited us to drive a picturesque 60-mile route from our hotel in Renton, Washington, to Ridge Motorsports Park, where a 16-turn, 2.47-mile road course was waiting for us. On the way there, the 1LE provided good ride comfort, better than the Camaro SS. I expected an overly stiff ride given the performance suspension, but I was happily surprised. The throws from the Tremec six-speed manual (the only available transmission, and rightly so) are short and precise, which is a good thing because I found myself downshifting a gear or two whenever I passed on the freeway or simply to pick up some speed due to the transmission’s tall gears. Sixth gear should be used strictly for cruising, not for passing. But 30 mpg highway is nice (20 mpg city). Turbo lag doesn’t help the situation, and it’s noticeable since peak torque hits a little late at 3,000 rpm (and lasts until 4,500 rpm). Still, Chevrolet claims that 90 percent of torque is available below 2,000 rpm. Why not 100 percent? Many modern turbo engines hit max torque below 2,000 rpm. Plenty of road noise seeps into the cabin. If you don’t like it, about your only choice is to tack on the optional Bose audio system and crank it up.

With the scenic drive over, it was time for the track. Before I set out, I inserted an SD card into the optional Performance Data Recorder slot for later viewing. On the track, it’s hard to find many faults with the coupe. Almost nonexistent body roll provides for crisp and confident turn-in, and the chassis is rock-solid. Over- and understeer almost never happened unless purposely induced, something that put a smile on my face the few times I did it. Steering felt similar to that of the SS, heavy but quite telepathic. The front four-piston Brembo calipers—borrowed from the SS—bite hard and help bring the sports car to a stop from 60 mph in a Chevrolet-claimed 112 feet, not bad for a car weighing at least 3,350 pounds. Braking power never seemed to fade and the Recaro seats offered plenty of lateral support and comfort during our numerous runs.

Moving at a very quick pace, we stayed in third gear for most of the lap, only going to second gear once or twice and hitting fourth at the end of the long straightaway. Automatic rev-matching is not available, so ready your heel-and-toe action. I never noticed the engine temperature creeping up, even though we were at wide-open throttle for a significant amount of time. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because Camaro engineers claim the Turbo 1LE can survive 24 hours of cumulative track time in 35-minute sessions (not counting consumables like tires and brakes). Furthermore, due to the engine’s efficiency, the Camaro can potentially run on a track for 60 minutes using a single tank of gas. Don’t expect that from the V-8.

The starting price of $30,995 is a performance bargain that could potentially turn the heads of hot-hatch buyers, Chevy’s surprising target market. That’s correct: The maker of some of the most famous examples of American muscle wants to attract Golf R, WRX STI, Focus RS, and Civic Type R buyers to the lineup. The Camaro is a little short on horsepower but has a lower starting price than the above four-doors. If it had competed in our latest hot-hatch comparison, the claimed 0–60 time would have fallen midpack. Furthermore, some potential hot-hatch buyers might appreciate the Turbo 1LE’s non-boy-racer look. Chevy could be onto something. The Camaro’s latest track-happy example is a sports car gem: You can comfortably cruise to work in morning traffic and take it to the track afterward to blow off some steam. Let’s hope Chevrolet never stops cranking out these fun machines.

The post 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE First Drive: Point Me to the Corners appeared first on Motor Trend.

Last week, a very cryptic audio clip from Volvo kept everyone guessing what new product it has hiding up its sleeve. Recently, the Swedish automaker gave us a little more to go off of with a short video clip showing shadowy glimpses of an upcoming concept vehicle. Judging by the 360 in the name and the Blade Runner-esque lighting, we suspect this will be an autonomous concept equipped with an electric powertrain.

The video first shows what appears to be the front of the vehicle, which sports an illuminated Volvo badge and two thin strips of lighting that stretch all the way to the edges to join a group of vertically stacked light bars that could simulate headlights. The front end’s cascading light also spills out onto a thin piece that juts out from the body, possibly a sensor or camera (or both) replacing the traditional side view mirror.

Coming soon: our vision for the future of travel. #360c

A post shared by Volvo Cars (@volvocars) on Aug 28, 2018 at 12:03am PDT

The last clip in the brief video shows what is likely the rear end of the vehicle, with what looks like a red taillight that connects to a fin that extends from what might be the rear glass or liftgate. Red lighting continues onto the fin, which bears the 360 logo. It’s unclear if this is merely a design element or if it’s somehow part of the vehicle’s autonomous systems. Whatever the case, we’re not opposed to fins making a comeback. Out of focus and in the background, you can once again see the thin, illuminated bit protruding from the front of the Volvo.

Volvo hasn’t given us any clues as to what this is besides the few words accompanying its Instagram post: “Coming soon: our vision for the future of travel.” But based on what we can see in the video, the front end looks very upright and pod-like, meaning this could be a large, multi-passenger autonomous shuttle. The concept could tie into Volvo’s recently announced M mobility brand, which the automaker says “aspires to deliver a better alternative to car ownership for urban and metro consumers.”

Then again, we could be getting our first sneak peek at a bizarrely styled Volvo SUV. But one thing we’re pretty sure this won’t be is a revival of the Volvo 360 hatchback that the U.S. never got. Oh well.

In a comment on its latest Instagram post, Volvo says it will share details on the 360c “very soon.”

Source: Volvo via Instagram

This could be the sound of your future ride. What do you think it’s saying? #360c

A post shared by Volvo Cars (@volvocars) on Aug 21, 2018 at 6:33am PDT

The post Volvo Teases Mysterious Finned 360c Concept appeared first on Motor Trend.

BMW revealed the 8 Series coupe body style earlier this summer, and now it’s beginning to tease its next variant of the flagship two-door: the 8 Series convertible. While hot weather testing in Las Vegas and Death Valley, BMW snapped its own spy shots of a camouflaged 8 Series drop-top.

Like many other automakers, BMW tests in Death Valley for its unique climate and extreme conditions. The temperature can climb to more than 120 degrees in the summer, which by itself would challenge any drivetrain. Combine that extreme heat with the region’s dry, dusty landscape and you get a punishing testing ground unlike any other in the world. To mix things up, the convertible also spent time inching along in stop-and-go traffic on the Las Vegas strip to see how the cooling system holds up with limited airflow.

As pretty as these shots are, they don’t really tell us anything new. They are the first official teasers from BMW, however. Like other prototypes we’ve seen, this mule wears a black cloth top, which is stowed in most of the photos. And just as you’d expect, the interior looks pretty much the same as the 8 Series coupe, featuring the same wide central touchscreen and all-digital instrument cluster.

BMW gives no details on drivetrain options for the convertible, but you can expect the M850i xDrive coupe’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission to be one available combination. In the coupe, the boosted V-8 is tuned to make 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

We don’t have an official date for the 8 Series convertible’s debut, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see the topless variant show up at the Paris Motor Show next month. That would give BMW some space between this model and the third body style in the lineup, the four-door 8 Series Gran Coupe, which could debut next year in Geneva.

Source: BMW

The post BMW 8 Series Convertible Teased for the First Time appeared first on Motor Trend.

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